Scared to let daughter hack out.

[outofmydepth]

Hello! We have just gotten a horse on full loan. She's 14.2 section D, 16 years old. We were told she would be perfect for our 10 year old to ride, she hasn't been riding for very long but is having lessons.

My issue is that the horse is very forward, her walk is very fast and when hacking I just cannot keep up, which is very scary for me as previously we had part loaned a cob who was safe as houses. We have been sticking to the outdoor arena at the moment to build a bond but the thought of hacking out terrifies me. We did try the other day but got to the end of the lane and she got so excited she wouldn't stop dancing. What can I do? I am rethinking my life choices right now.

 

[carthorse]

To begin with I would suspect a 14.2 Sec D is probably a bit big and powerful for your daughter and that won't help your confidence.

Forward going doesn't mean unsafe, and neither does dancing around (depending on what they do) but if you're struggling to keep up and your daughter is trying to slow the pony down so you can then the chances are she'll get wound up and dance around even more.

Is she having lessons on this pony and if so what does the instructor think? If not get them some lessons together and ask the instructor if they think it's a good match.

Ultimately if you aren't happy then I'd speak to the owner about handing the pony back, it doesn't mean anyone is at fault just that at the moment this is too much pony for your daughter and you.

 

[outofmydepth]

To begin with I would suspect a 14.2 Sec D is probably a bit big and powerful for your daughter and that won't help your confidence.

Forward going doesn't mean unsafe, and neither does dancing around (depending on what they do) but if you're struggling to keep up and your daughter is trying to slow the pony down so you can then the chances are she'll get wound up and dance around even more.

Is she having lessons on this pony and if so what does the instructor think? If not get them some lessons together and ask the instructor if they think it's a good match.

Ultimately if you aren't happy then I'd speak to the owner about handing the pony back, it doesn't mean anyone is at fault just that at the moment this is too much pony for your daughter and you.

The instructor knows the pony as she has ridden her and taught her previous owner. She said she is a 'fabulous horse'. This does give me a little hope.

The owner is more than happy to have her back if it isn't a good fit. I just don't want to jump the gun.

She handles her fine in the arena and she listens well. I'm rambling on a bit here, but I appreciate your reply and will speak with the instructor about my anxieties to see what she suggests.

 

[chunky monkey]

Is it possible for you to bike out alongside your daughter.

I would suggest that you need to retrain the horse to stop and stand when requested.

Riding in an arena can be completely different to hacking out.
Has the horse moved yards. Is he unsure of the area still.

Thats a lot of horse for some 10 year olds to handle. You need to talk to the instructor further about your concerns.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

If the horse is new to your area as well as to you, I would do some in hand hacking out before you attempt it ridden. I would recommend this to anyone, however experienced or inexperienced, whatever age! Take the mare out in just a headcollar (assuming she leads politely), your daughter leading, you walking beside as you would intend to, and go at your own pace so she can see the scenery and come to trust you both when out and about.

I walked out with my cob Sid for 6 weeks after I got him before I hacked him out. This was because I had no saddle to fit him, but it was the best thing I did for both of us. He has been safe as houses to hack ever since, though he can be a spicy boy when he chooses.

 

[Jessey]

I’d guess if you were struggling to keep up, your daughter may have been trying to hold her back, which could definitely wind up a forward horse. I think taking a bike out with her is a grand idea, see if she’s more settled if allowed to go at her own pace.

Perhaps if she hasn’t been out in a while you or someone else could hack her a couple of times to settle the initial enthusiasm? And before trying again make sure she’s had several days in a row of good work, to set yourself up for success.

 

[Skib]

We were told she would be perfect for our 10 year old to ride, she hasn't been riding for very long but is having lessons.

Someone said this may be hoping to helpful but my advice to you is not to put a child on a horse she cant quite manage. Our athletic oldest grand daughter was put off riding for life when the RS decided to take her off the lead rein and set her off in trot.

Take learnibg to ride very slowly. Adult learners like myself are not allowed to hack out till they can canter safely in the school and control the canter. The youngeer grandchild learned more gradually and she is the one who still rides regularly and works on a yard once a week.

It took me a year with 2 lessons a week to canter and my OH (another adult beginner) the same.

 

[outofmydepth]

Is it possible for you to bike out alongside your daughter.

I would suggest that you need to retrain the horse to stop and stand when requested.

Riding in an arena can be completely different to hacking out.
Has the horse moved yards. Is he unsure of the area still.

Thats a lot of horse for some 10 year olds to handle. You need to talk to the instructor further about your concerns.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Someone said this may be hoping to helpful but my advice to you is not to put a child on a horse she cant quite manage. Our athletic oldest grand daughter was put off riding for life when the RS decided to take her off the lead rein and set her off in trot.

Take learnibg to ride very slowly. Adult learners like myself are not allowed to hack out till they can canter safely in the school and control the canter. The youngeer grandchild learned more gradually and she is the one who still rides regularly and works on a yard once a week.

It took me a year with 2 lessons a week to canter and my OH (another adult beginner) the same.

Thank you that is really helpful and I appreciate your reply.

 

[newforest]

Hello! We have just gotten a horse on full loan. She's 14.2 section D, 16 years old. We were told she would be perfect for our 10 year old to ride, she hasn't been riding for very long but is having lessons.

My issue is that the horse is very forward, her walk is very fast and when hacking I just cannot keep up, which is very scary for me as previously we had part loaned a cob who was safe as houses. We have been sticking to the outdoor arena at the moment to build a bond but the thought of hacking out terrifies me. We did try the other day but got to the end of the lane and she got so excited she wouldn't stop dancing. What can I do? I am rethinking my life choices right now.

I don't think this is sounding like the one for your daughter to be honest.

You can get a bike to go out with her, but on a bike you won't be able to step in and help/support her if she needs you to. That's why you are there on foot.
She's a beginner and still needs a horse suitable for a beginner or a confidence giver. The size of this horse doesn't make me think it's a good match, it's a long way down for a ten year old.
The instructor she's having lessons from could go out with her, but if her walk is that active, you need the other person on a horse maybe?

 

[carthorse]

She may well be a fabulous horse, but that doesn't mean she's the right one for you and your daughter. I'm a fan of Welsh Ds BUT they're a clever and sensitive breed that plenty of people don't get on with, they aren't a breed I would normally look at for a novice or a 10yo never mind both. My gut feeling is find her something smaller and easier before she loses confidence or it stops being fun.

 

[PaulaC]

As an instructor myself, I'd agree with carthorse's suggestion and advice. In the meantime, it might also be worth looking at what feed you are giving and how much turnout the pony has - these may well be directly related to this situation. If you do not have charge of feeding then then I would ask about it immediately and consider another pony for her right now - but be sure that you explain that it is not a forever pony because she will grow and then the pony may need to find another loving youngster to take it on.