Hacking

[loopyh]

OK I'm kind of convinced now that I'm worrying for no reason about riding out and that maybe I should just go for it. I had a really good lesson yesterday (see fantastic lesson) and the instructer did say she thought I would be fine on a hack. I think maybe I'm letting history put me off having had a bad experience but that was years ago now and my riding is sooooooo much better. what do you think? The only way to get over the fear or whatever is to do it right?

[Afellpony]

Go on go for it!!! You'll enjoy it.

[Mehitabel]

why not book a private hack with your instructor, so you can take it at your own pace and come back if you do worry. or we do a 'half and half' - half an hour's lesson and then half an hour out, either with the instructor on foot or mounted.

[loopyh]

I'm going to call my RI today and see what they have I don't know if they do half and half. I took my 14 year old daughter yesterday to try and show her that its not that cold in an indoor arena etc in the hope that she will take some lessons. i'm hoping to talk her into a lesson on friday morning and then I could have a hack while she's being taught. It probably won't turn out but its a nice idea.

[andreaB]

a private hack is a good idea , hopefully having someone desicated to looking after you will give you confidence

but remember , rs's are not in th habit of taking people on hacks in general who don't ride well enough or they don't have a suitable horse for as most are too concerned should legal issues arise

[Trewsers]

Echo what the others have said, book a private hack - it will boost your confidence I'm sure! On our yard you often see the teachers taking people out hacking - either in groups or individually, I think its a great idea if you're not that confident on your own or with another livery, there is something comforting about having your instructor around..............

[Skib]

Hacking is my passion.
But I wouldnt rush into anything. Where riding is concerned I dont believe in doing anything that you feel frightened of. Horses pick up the feeling, if you are scared the horse will feel scared too.
Taking a horse on a hack, it is your job to make the horse feel safe and tell it where to go. Like taking a small child out?

If your RI says you are ready, you probably are - It doesnt matter if you cant canter yet. I couldnt. But I'd ask whether you can manage to stay on a horse that starts to trot or canter unexpectedly or does a little spook? Or if you lose a stirrup?

Once I could do this, I still waited till I bought a good, properly fitted body protector. I always wore a bp while hacking, right from the start. because if you do fall the groundis likely to be hard or more knobbly than in a school.

Once you have got yourself looked after, I would go for a private hack, as others suggest. Just to get used to it. Unless of course you go to a trecking centre where the horses take beginners and are used to going nose to tail, following each other.

Dont force anything. Take your time. Take care of yourself and your horse. Then relax and enjoy. There is no better way of spending time with a horse than riding out together.

[Trewsers]

What excellent advice Skib - couldn't agree more about getting a properly fitting bp, buying mine changed my riding life (know that sounds dramatic but its true). It gave me that extra bit of confidence to actually get out with Storm and hack and enjoy it - without constantly worrying about broken ribs etc - I know they're not a suit of armour but they really help.

[horseygirl123]

Hacking is the highlight of riding i think, just the feeling of feeling 'at one' with your horse and exploring the countryside together... ahhhh just how peaceful it can be, no one shouting at you... heels down etc etc !!!
I agree with everyone else, i dont think your RI would 'risk' you going out hacking if you werent ready. Altho i would say that if you were going to go out hacking you should be able to walk, trot and canter without stirrups as there is nothing worst than canterring over a field and losing a stirrup when you have never ridden without stirrups before :eek: (trust me, i've been there !! )

There again it all depends on where abouts you are going, is it on their private land? do you need to ride in traffic? Is the horse 'familiar' with the route ( less likely to spook if he is )

I'm sure you will be fine, the most important thing to remember is to relax and enjoy ;)

[Skib]

Altho i would say that if you were going to go out hacking you should be able to walk, trot and canter without stirrups as there is nothing worst than canterring over a field and losing a stirrup when you have never ridden without stirrups before (trust me, i've been there !! )


I am going to come back on this one. It is not wise to lay down the law for everyone.
Riders come in various ages, shapes and sizes and with varying capabilities. Canter without stirrups may present an unacceptable risk for some learners. My RI says it does for me. You should go by what your own RI says.

It is perfectly possible to stay on in canter when you lose a stirrup without actually trying it out in advance. Riding bareback in walk and trot shows one how little one need depend on stirrups.

[horseygirl123]

yeh i am only 15 and ive only had one lesson yesterday but with canterin and the rising trot i got straight away. so im going on a hack tomorrow. i am also scared of losing a stirrup but all i would do is really hold on tight with my legs and hope fpr the best.the instructor said that in the years she has been teaching she hasnt seenanyone else that natural on a horse. she said if i do lose a stirrup then just try and slow the horse down to a point that you can just slip your foot back in.

i had a fear of riding because i thought i would be the only boy there but i went to the riding school and there were quite a few.

has anyone else lost a stirrup, or scared of losing one?

[horseygirl123]

Ok, I'm sure you're all confused now... one minute i'm saying one thing and the next i'm a 15 yr old boy who has only just starting riding !!!!
My nephew is staying here with me and i showed him the site and he has decided to reply to a few threads using my name so sorry if you are all thinking i have some sort of split personalitly or something :p

As regards my comment on hacking without first learning to walk trot and canter without stirrups....
I was only going by my own personal experience of when i first starting hacking out and i know how frightening it was canterring across on open field having lost a stirrup, but then i wasnt going out 'escorted' with my RI it was a hack out with a group of 'horsey' friends who's riding abilities obvioulsy far passed mine !!
I think its fantastic that RS offer escorted hacking ( I never knew that you could when i first started) so i take back my comment ;) I'm sure that your RI would only go as fast as you are confident in going, and if you do lose a stirrup then it wont be a problem as your RI will be happy to halt and wait for you to get 'sorted', not like my friends they just carried on regardless of me flapping around all over this poor horses back :o nice friends eh ..hehe !!

[loopyh]

Hi
I went on an hour hack this morning round Wythenshaw Park in Manchester which wa great. The ground was really wet and boggy so we only did walk and trot which was great for my confidence. This time there was 5 of us all experience (earlier rides here have always been with some children or new riders with side walkers) . I'm going to arrange a hack with my RS later in the week, I might stick to just the one horse and RI for a few weeks while I build up my confidence. But I am still dead pleased with myself for today.:D

[horseygirl123]

Well done loopyh, I'm glad you had fun.

I went out for a hack today but unfortunately it didnt go as well as yours ...... take a look at my thread on the 'general' board under -came off horse today......... air lifted to hospital
I think its so important for us all to make sure that the horse we hack out suits our abilities ( something i am definately going to be making sure i do in the future !! )

I hope you manage to get out in the week loopyh and have fun