Stop trembling in your riding boots every time you go out for a hack

Keeping your riding boots in the stirrups should be the least of your concerns when you're out for a relaxing hack in the countryside. However, unless your horse is of the 'bombproof' variety, the great outdoors can provide many different objects and noises that can potentially spook your horse.

Flight rather than fight
Horses are prey animals so their natural instinct is to flee from any potential dangers whether this be a lion or a startled pheasant. Some horses are naturally nervier than others - pure thoroughbreds are more predisposed to being flighty than say a cob simply because of their breeding. Previous bad experiences can also cause a horse to become 'spooky' as well.

If your horse is of the nervous kind, there are plenty of things you can do to help make a hack in the woods a pleasurable experience for you and your horse. The main element to stopping a horse from shying or bolting is to get them to trust you. Building a trusting relationship with your horse will do wonders for your partnership and will ensure you get the best from your horse both in and out of the competition field as they overcome their natural flight instinct and put their confidence in you.

Stay calm and your horse will stay calm too
The first common mistake riders make when dealing with a nervous horse is to tense up themselves. They are likely to tighten their grip, shift their weight forward and generally stiffen their bodies all the way down their long riding boots - all elements that will only increase your horse's fear. Although sometimes hard to do, the best action is to behave like everything is fine to try and con your horse into thinking the same.

If you are apprehensive about going out on a hack alone, ask someone on your yard with a more bombproof horse to come out with you. Horses are herd animals and a nervy horse will gain confidence from being behind a more relaxed and sensible horse. If for example the horse in front doesn't spook at the plastic bag then your horse is less likely to spook at it too. If you have no one to go out with on horseback, get someone to walk in front of your horse or walk to the side of it so they can lead your horse if necessary.

Help your horse overcome its fear
If there is a particular thing that your horse is scared of such as flapping plastic, try tying some onto the fence of your horse's field so that gradually they become accustomed to it. If it is dogs they are scared of, ask someone you know with a dog to bring it to your yard or field and gradually bring it closer each time to your horse. Always be patient with your horse even when it can be frustrating – remember it is fear that they are overcoming and this can take time.

Reassuring pats and talking calmly to your horse can do wonders when they are frightened and can help calm you down too. If your horse does bolt, pull on one rein in a sea-saw motion rather than on both as they will simply just lean on the bit. If there's space, try and circle your horse making the circles increasingly smaller to gradually slow them down.

Praise your horse when it shows signs of overcoming its phobias
Make sure you reward your horse when it shows signs of overcoming its fear - a Polo at the right moment can make all the difference.

Over time following these steps can help ensure that your riding boots stay securely in the stirrups.