At a glance (read this first)
Practical ways to feel calmer and more confident trail riding (aka hacking out) with your own horse.
Start safe: walk the route in-hand, choose familiar loops, and ride with a steady buddy at your pace.
Practise at home first: consistent walk–trot–canter and halts; simulate obstacles (logs, uneven ground, mailboxes).
Gear that helps you relax: properly fitted helmet, hi-vis, optional body protector/air vest, and a neck strap.
Mindset on the move: visualise a good ride, use 3–5 then 7–11 breathing, and do quick body-reset checks (soft jaw/shoulders, equal seat bones, long exhale).
Keep it short at first: 10–20 minutes, end on a win, then build gradually over several rides.
If a spook happens: long exhale, sit centred, give a simple task (small circle/leg-yield), then carry on quietly.
FAQs below cover terms, solo hacking, first-ride length, in-hand prep, safety gear, partners, and rebuilding confidence.
Wish you could go confidently trail riding with your horse (hacking out as English riders call it) - on trails, bridlepaths, or even on the beach?
Maybe you or your horse are new to riding outside of the arena.
Or maybe you're getting back to trail riding after a break - and the thought of it makes you nervous.
Riding in the open can be exciting. But it can also stir up worries about what might happen.
If you want to say “yes” (and mean it!) the next time you’re invited to go trail riding or hacking out, these eight simple tips will help you feel safer, calmer, and more confident.
1) Take A Hike Before Taking Your Horse Out Hacking
Start on foot before you ride. Walk your horse in-hand through the area where you intend to ride.
- Pay attention to your and your horse’s stress level.
- Avoid 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 nervous.
- If your or your horse show any sign of tension go back to a place where you feel comfortable.
2) Practice At Home Before Going Out Trail Riding
If you can’t comfortably walk, trot and canter or get your horse to halt easily at home, you'll struggle to do it confidently on the trail.
- Practice transitions, different gaits, and halting until they feel smooth and consistent.
- Build muscle memory so that your responses become second nature
This foundation ensures you and your horse are ready for hacking out or trail riding without added stress.
3) Simulate Trail Obstacles At Home
Think about what you might come across when hacking out:
- Uneven ground.
- Fallen logs or branches.
- Mailboxes, signs, or bins.
Set up simple simulations in your arena or paddock:
- Place poles or small branches randomly around.
- Raise some poles slightly to mimic uneven ground.
- Lead your horse over them in hand before riding.
Introduce just one or two new obstacles at a time to avoid overwhelming your horse.
4) Use Trail Riding Safety Gear When Hacking Out
The right gear can help reduce your nerves and keep you safe.
Helmet: Always wear a properly fitted riding helmet. I never get in the saddle without my Tipperary.
Safety vest: Lightweight body protectors (like a Hit Air or Tipperary vest) add security.
Hi-visibility gear: If you’ll be near roads or in woodland, wear a hi-viz vest and fit your horse with reflective gear.
Neck strap: Especially in an English saddle, a neck strap can give you something to grab if you feel unsteady.
Knowing you’ve taken precautions makes it easier to relax and enjoy the ride.
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.
5) Visualise A Good Ride Before You Hack Out
Before heading out, take a moment to create a positive “mind movie.”
Picture yourself trail riding confidently with your horse:
- Hear the squeak of your saddle and your horse’s hoofbeats.
- See your horse’s mane moving in the breeze.
- Smell pine trees or salty sea air if you’re dreaming of a beach ride.
- Feel the sense of joy and partnership.
Replay this vivid image often.
Your unconscious mind will begin to accept it as reality, making it easier to recreate in the saddle.
6) Notice & Release Tension Before and During Your Hack
An anxious body gives your horse mixed signals. Do a quick rider check-in at the mounting block and any time you feel nerves building on the trail:
- Eyes & jaw: Soften your gaze to “peripheral vision.” Unclench your teeth, let your tongue rest gently, and swallow.
- Shoulders & arms: Drop your shoulders, let your elbows feel elastic, and allow your hands to hold the reins rather than grip them.
- Breath: Exhale longer than you inhale (e.g., in for 3, out for 5). Add a soft sigh on the first exhale.
- Seat & legs: Feel equal weight on both seat bones, lengthen your thigh, and let your knees drape—no pinching.
- Micro-reset: At the walk, wiggle your toes, gently open and close your fingers, roll each shoulder once, then lengthen your exhale again.
These tiny resets clear “static” in your body language so your horse receives calm, consistent messages.
7) Breathe Deeply To Calm Trail Riding Nerves
Your breath is the fastest way to calm anxiety.
- Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your lungs.
- Exhale gently, making the exhale longer than the inhale.
- Start with inhale for 3 - exhale for 5 and build to inhale for 7 - exhale for 11.
Practice this while tacking up, walking to the mounting block, and while riding.
It helps keep your nervous system regulated and reduces nerves when hacking out.
8) Choose The Right Trail Riding Buddy
Riding with the right companion can make all the difference.
- Pick a calm, experienced horse and rider for your first few outings
- Avoid groups that ride at speeds you’re not comfortable with.
- Communicate clearly about pace and route before you set off.
Supportive company helps you relax and builds positive experiences.
BONUS TIP: Celebrate Small Wins After Every Hack
Confidence grows one step at a time. After each ride:
- Notice what went well - no matter how small.
- Write down one thing you did that made you feel proud.
- Reward your horse with a good scratch or a treat.
These small acknowledgements keep motivation high and remind you of the progress you’re making.
Whether you call it trail riding or hacking out, the goal is the same: enjoying time with your horse outside the arena.
By starting small, practicing at home, preparing with the right gear, and building your mindset with breathing and visualisation, you’ll reduce nerves and ride with more confidence.
Every confident ride deepens your connection with your horse and brings you closer to the freedom you dream about - whether that’s a peaceful hack down country lanes or galloping on a beach.
Resources for Nervous Riders
If you sometimes feel anxious about trail riding or hacking out, you’re not alone. These resources can help:
- Stop Riding Scared Mini-Course – practical tools to reduce nerves.
- Horse Riding Confidence Club – ongoing support and group coaching.
- Blog: Rebuild Confidence After Falling Off a Horse
Frequently Asked Questions
“Hacking out” is commonly used in English riding and in UK, Australia and other Common Wealth countries. “Trail riding” is most frequently used in Western riding and in Canada and the US. Both terms mean riding your own horse outside the arena on trails, bridle paths, or roads.
It can be - if you and your horse are confident and competent, share your route, carry a phone/ID, wear hi-vis and a helmet/body protector, and choose familiar routes.
New or nervous riders are usually better off starting with the company of a calm buddy.
Think minutes, not miles - 10–20 minutes on an easy loop is plenty.
End on a good note and build duration and complexity over several rides.
It's okay to end earlier than planned rather than pushing too far.
Yes. Short in-hand sessions on the route you’ll ride can lower arousal for both of you and make the first mounted hacks feel easy.
Start with in-hand walks, practise key aids at home, simulate obstacles, and use breathwork plus quick body-reset checks.
Keep early rides short, simple, and positive.
Breathe out long, sit centred, and give a clear, simple task (e.g., a few steps of leg-yield or a small circle). When both of you settle, continue forward quietly. (Read "How To Ride A Spooky Horse")
A properly fitted helmet, hi-vis for you and your horse, and (optionally) a body protector or air vest. (Read: Should You Wear A Safety Vest When Riding)
A neck strap in an English saddle can add security.
Pick a steady horse and a patient rider who’s happy to keep to your pace.
Agree the plan (route, pace, pass etiquette) before you mount up.
*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). 🙂
