Wish you could go confidently hacking out on trails or bridle paths with your horse? Or maybe you dream of going on a beach ride.
Maybe you're new to hacking out or trail riding. Or maybe you're getting back to it after some time away from riding. Either way, riding out in the open can feel scary.
If you want to say "yes" (and mean it) the next time you're invited to go hacking, following these 8 simple tips will help you to feel safer and eliminate those trail riding nerves.
1) Take A Hike Before Taking Your Horse Out Hacking
Go on foot, taking your horse for a walk through the area where you intend to ride.
Pay attention to your and your horse’s stress level.
Avoid putting either one of you into overwhelm by going too far out of your comfort zone too quickly.
Start where you're comfortable and go only as far as you feel a bit anxious.
Or your horse shows any sign of tension. Then go back to where you're comfortable.
2) Practice At Home Before Going Out Trail Riding
If you can’t comfortably ride at walk, trot and canter or get your horse to halt easily at home, you won’t be able to confidently do them when you're hacking.
So, practice riding transitions, different gaits and halting so that your horse responds consistently and you're doing them confidently.
Then you and your horse will have the training for confidently hacking out and going trail riding.
3) Set Up Simulations Of What You'll See When Hacking Out
Think about what you might come across when you're hacking out on the trails or roads.
Uneven ground. Logs or other obstacles you’re horse will have to step over. Unusual objects (like mailboxes).
Then create simulations of those things in your riding area.
Place a few small tree branches or even some poles randomly around the arena.
Raise some of the poles just a bit. Lead your horse in hand around and over the obstacles first.
Then ride over them - focusing on keeping yourself and your horse balanced.
Be careful not to overwhelm your horse. Introduce only one or two novel objects at a time.
4) Be Safe When Hacking Out and Trail Riding
Reducing the risk of physical injury can help set your mind at ease ... and give you more confidence hacking out on the trails.
Modern riding helmets are lightweight, comfortable and come in a variety of shapes and colours. I never get in the saddle without my Tipperary helmet.
Safety vests aren’t just for jockeys or eventers. I have a Hit Air vest for hacking out. It's lightweight and comfortable.
Many of my clients choose to wear the Tipperary safety vests every time they horse ride. It gives them a sense of protection in case something unfortunate does happen.
If you'll be riding out on any roads, then a high visibility vest for you and gear for your horse is a good idea.
If you ride in an English saddle then having a neck strap on your horse gives you something to hold onto when you feel a bit insecure in the saddle.
5) Visualise A Good Ride Before You Hack Out
Imagine riding on the trails and having fun! Create a mind movie where you feel excited, happy and are confidently hacking out with your horse!
Include what you'll see, hear, and smell when you're trail riding. The squeak of the leather of your saddle. Your horse's foot falls. Seeing his mane moving in the breeze. The smell of the pine trees or seaside (gotta love a beach ride!)
Make it colourful and bright, and really feel the emotions! Because that makes it more real to your unconscious mind.
Then play that magical mind movie over and over and over.
6) Breathe Slowly & Deeply Before and During Your Hack
Practice breathing slowly and deeply using your diaphragm. So that you're really inhaling deeply into your lungs.
Then exhale making it longer than your inhale.
Start with inhale for 3 - exhale for 5. As you get better at it, increase until you can inhale for 7 - exhale for 11.
This calm, deep breathing is the quickest way to calm anxiety. And you can do it on your way to the barn. While you're tacking up your horse. And when you're on the trail ride.
Practice so that it becomes second nature.
And, it will become easy to do whilst you're hacking out if you start to feel a bit anxious.
7) Notice & Release Tension Before And During Your Trail Ride
Tension in your body creates tension in your mind. So make it a regular practice to notice where you hold tension and release it.
Just as with the breathing exercise, you can do this before you hack out and while you're on the trail.
Combine this exercise with the calm breathing to release tension with each exhale.
Move the areas of your body where you hold tension...
- roll your shoulders, neck and ankles
- clench and unclench your toes
- close and open your fingers
Just like the breathing exercise, practice it off your horse so that it becomes second nature. And you can easily do it whilst riding your horse.
8) Hack Out With A Supportive Friend
Talk with a trusted and confident riding friend. Explain clearly how they can help you.
You need their support you when you feel anxious about hacking out with your horse. But not to be pushed to do more than you’re able to.
A supportive friend will celebrate your successes – even if you don’t complete the whole trail or you had to dismount and walk your horse in hand for a while.
They'll help you see the positive in every ride.
Because they understand that there's always another ride. Another opportunity.
And what's most important is building positive experiences every time you and your horse go out on the trails.
So you'll be confidently hacking out with your friends on woodland trails, quiet country roads ... and maybe even that beach ride.
If you’re like my clients, using these strategies and the other proven and effective techniques that I teach, you’ll stop feeling anxious and fearful and really enjoy every ride.
You’ll feel calm and confident and able to move forwards towards achieving your riding goals.
Which of these tips will you use to get ready for hacking out confidently? Share in the comments.
*Some links are affiliate links. That means that if you buy something through one of the links, I’ll get a little money (but, not enough to buy a pony). 🙂
