At 07:33:59 on 21.02.10, appy Karen wrote:
Just started my little Appaloosa x under the saddle, she is 3 years old and due to not having a school (indoor or outdoor) i have just been slowly hacking her out once a week around our local forest down trails and introducing her to all the usual sights and sounds around this environmant (mountain bikes, joggers, dog walkers ect) she has been fantastic really! but im not sure if im doing her any favours by not schooling her, am i instilling bad habits by hacking out with her field companion only, she is very nervous without him there. My plan is to continue this way until she has more confidence and then introduce the odd fun ride or local county show this year and then see how it goes. I keep waiting for her to explode but so far she has not, ive not cantered her yet but she walks and trots no probs, in and out of streams, over bridges and such like! anyone got any suggestions which could be beneficial to her education???

At 10:12:29 on 21.02.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
I personally think what you are doing it better than schooling in a school. You can still school her out on hacks, rising 4 I'm guessing? She won't be able to bend about in the school as she won't be balanced enough. Cantering should always be started in a straight line out on hacks if you ask me. I think just carrying on as your doing while improving her slowly and introducing to lots of things, at 3 years old you can't ask much of her. It would probably be beneficial for her to take her to different places to hack in this will in turn make her more confident. I do think hacking her out by herself now is a good idea, she will become nappy if she relys on her companion. If she trusts you, she will be fine after going out a short hack on her own.

At 21:04:31 on 21.02.10, appy Karen wrote:
thanks for yur comments much appricated she is such a little star she deserves to be treated slowly and quietly, yes i will take her out now alone even if only on the lead rein,

At 12:06:59 on 24.02.10, kellyt wrote:
Sounds like you are doing really good, and i definitaly agree that any schooling can be done just as well out on a hack, especially the low level that would be introduced to a baby! I really believe that its all about letting them take their time and build their confidence in you which it sounds like you are doing! Dont forget groundwork is invaluable too, you can easily play some games inhand on the stableyard or in the field, introducing her to scary objects and letiing her exploor them without a rider on. Also good for introducing basic lateral work much later on too! Hope you progress well, good luck and enjoy!

At 13:09:24 on 24.02.10, Flicka wrote:
I totally agree with what everyone has said and what you seem to be doing anyway. I wouldn't worry at all about not having a school and I think it can be much more beneficial for a youngster to school out on a hack. Work on your whoa, go and your half-halts. I do a quite a bit of of leg yielding and shoulder in too. . There's much more stimulus out on a hack as well to work with and keep them interested and they tend to be much more naturally forward going. My big fault is that I tend to rush things and have learnt the hard way that it's not a good idea. And like you with my young mare was worried that I should be pushing her to hack alone so I'm glad that I read this thread and it has reminded me to GO SLOW and get the trust first!!

At 23:35:15 on 12.03.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Your doing really well but as for the only hacking with her field buddy it's fine, she is only a baby after all. But iff you want to start teaching her to go it alone why not get her to lead for short bursts of time and increase the time that she leads over months or even a year until she is leading the full ride, then you can go for a small ride alone and meet up with her buddie if possible and increase the distance you do alone, before you know it you will be hacking everywhere :). As for the schooling just include it on your hacks, you don't need a menege to school just practice outlines, stretching, dressage moves (start of small when she is learning) and transitions. She will come on nicely :D