Solo Hack - I Did It

[ANN H]

Had some sort of brainstorm on Saturday. My hacking buddy couldn't make it, so I decided to pop a few jumps in the paddock. It was a lovely sunny morning, so when I'd finished, I thought 'might as well go for a ride on my own'. Only intended to go down the road a couple of hundred yards and then turn round, but Misty was so good we turned off down a very windy lane which adds about a quarter of a mile to the journey. All going well until we met a couple of horses coming the other way. When they passed Misty spun round and tried to follow them. A sharp word and tap on the shoulder with my stick sent her on again and I was made up with myself. Turned to go back to the yard at the bottom of the lane and we literally bounced sideways all the way home! I was grinning from ear to ear all day. I reckon if I can do that once a week, I'll be riding out solo quite happily next summer. Just had to share - non-horsey friends don't understand what all the fuss is about!!

[Abserd]

Yay well done and good for you and Misty!!

[Chinarider]

Good job ANN..... onwards and upwards :D:D

[perkypinky]

Oh Well Done!!!! - Thats my goal too - havent got very far yet - but by next summer.............................

[Ginger Thing]

Well done :D

I know exactly how you feel, did it myself recently, it's such an achievement to us, yet other people think 'so what?'. That's what NR is here for!

[ANN H]

Well done :D

I know exactly how you feel, did it myself recently, it's such an achievement to us, yet other people think 'so what?'. That's what NR is here for!

Well done you too - still beaming!

[acw295]

Brilliant :)

Once you get the hang of it, hacking alone is so rewarding (even if you do get funny looks from people as you talk/sing to your horse :rolleyes::o)

[pedilia]

well done you- i know many people in your situation, it is a great feeling isn't it?

[ANN H]

Brilliant :)

Once you get the hang of it, hacking alone is so rewarding (even if you do get funny looks from people as you talk/sing to your horse :rolleyes::o)

Don't mean to sound anti-social, but there are times when you just want to go out on your own, aren't there. Its lovely riding out with a friend but nice to know that I could go on my own if I needed/wanted to. Thanks everyone for your support.

[goeslikestink]

i dont think acw 295 was being anti socialable what she was saying if you feel a little less confident it helps to talk to your horse which you should do anyways or sing--

i think you mis read her/hiim

as regards to going out well done but glad you back up the legs with the whip
when the horse had a doubt - and when the other horse came along a bit more positive riding as you did before as in backed up your leg-- then the horse wouldnt have bothered turning round to go home and sideways bit wouldnt have happened-- so be postive all the time - then solo riding can be a complete ride out of this that and the other
which in turn will enocurage you to do other things on your own with your horse like going on sponsored ride shows events you name it

this is the start of the onwards and upwards pleasure you get of riding solo
to do your own thing

[Roseanne]

Well Done You! :) This is something I need to tackle myself also - having had a really bad scare a couple of months ago, when my mare took fright at deer in the woods, had me off - something she had never done before, and galloped back to the yard by herself! Nightmare, if you'll pardon the pun! :(

She didn't hurt herself, but I was a bit bruised and battered, and my confidence also hit the dirt!

I have had a lot of support though, both from my new yard, and a new friend on NR - (you know who you are :) so I'm taking it a day at a time, and when I feel the urge to try, will be giving it a go! :( :)

Roseanne xxxx

[Kittycat]

Well done you!! That's what I'm working towards, we've only walked up the private road on our own, I've not braved the fields yet and anything above walk is a no-no... but the grin that goes with it? It lasts for days!!!:D

[Sammii]

There is seriously no other feeling of achievement than that of completing a solo hack. To me, I believe it proves the trust between horse & rider on a 1 to 1 basis. I've been solo hacking for about 6 months now, and I still come home with a grin on my face each time :D

[Cobgirl]

Oh wow, well done you! this is my aim to ride into the woods on my part loan girlie, Mollie. We've only managed the lane up to the stables and she gets three-quarters of the way down and turns around to come home. Nothing I do can stop her and rather having her buck on the road, i tend to let her think she has her own way. Then when we are back inside the yard, I take her off up the dirt road. she doesn't like it, but hey, she is not really going to win!!

[Afellpony]

Well done. I bet you're pleased with yourself and with your hoss!

[ANN H]

as regards to going out well done but glad you back up the legs with the whip
when the horse had a doubt - and when the other horse came along a bit more positive riding as you did before as in backed up your leg-- then the horse wouldnt have bothered turning round to go home and sideways bit wouldnt have happened-- so be postive all the time - then solo riding can be a complete ride out of this that and the other
which in turn will enocurage you to do other things on your own with your horse like going on sponsored ride shows events you name it

We'd stopped to have a chat to the two other riders, so I think she automatically spun and tried to follow when we said goodbye!

[goeslikestink]

We'd stopped to have a chat to the two other riders, so I think she automatically spun and tried to follow when we said goodbye!

haha thats typical ponies are smart

[immi]

Oh well done! Sometimes you have to let these rushes of madness sneak up on you! I've only done it a couple of times recently and still get a little buzz thinking about it - still don't think I could do a premeditate solo hack though!! Hope you get to go out and enjoy yourself and your horse again soon.

[ANN H]

Oh well done! Sometimes you have to let these rushes of madness sneak up on you!

That's exactly what it was immi. Hoping to do it again on Sat, but if I think about it too much I know I won't do it!!

[Trewsers]

Yaye! Good for you! Oooh, you are sooo brave - bet you still can't stop grinning!!!

[ANN H]

Yaye! Good for you! Oooh, you are sooo brave - bet you still can't stop grinning!!!

Funnily enough Trewsers, I'm now beating myself up for not going further!! Just arranged to ride down to a friend's yard on Sat a.m. though, so fingers crossed.

[cazrider]

Hey Ann, that's great. As you say, its something that a non horse owner woiuld say "so what" but as we all know, hacking out on your own can be a bit of a holy grail. Well done you.:D

[Trixie]

I always do better if I set a tiny goal which I achieve and then go on to something totally unplanned. And finishing wanting to have done more gives you a lovely, warm chocolate feeling inside.

[ANN H]

Meant to ask for advice too. What's the best way to stop her bouncing back home? RI told me to circle when she starts to do this, but a lot of the journey is on a very windy main road so circling is not an option. She was literally jogging sideways, almost on the spot, so I sent her into a (controlled) trot most of the way home. Bless her, she's just desparate to get back to her mates. Time would probably rectify this, but its quite uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous on the road. Any ideas?

[Trixie]

Hunt out a circular route if poss, then you won't have to turn for home. She will eventually realise she's on her way home, but hopefully much later and when she's closer to home so she won't get as stressy.

[Rebecca1969]

Awwwh, you must be so proud of yourself and Misty:D. That's the perfect day, I hope I have a day like that someday.

[c2b]

...

[Drummer & Eli]

Well done you.....

I hacking alone cos of you and novice nic :)

[ANN H]

Thanks Drummer - I actually did it again yesterday. I was out for 35 minutes and Misty was great. I even managed to open/close about three gates without getting off! No stopping us now. Will attempt to ride accross open field next week and hope she doesn't tank off!

[curlycal]

Great to read that you are doing so well :)
You'll be riding over the Runcorn bridge and galloping through the Welsh hills in no time :D:D

[KAB]

Well done Ann - I bet you feel really pleased with yourself - dont stop now!!!

People do advise to school them for about half an hour before you go out, takes any fizzyness out of them.

I did the same thing about a month ago - it wasnt planned either so I think thats why I proceeded to do it. Only managed about 15 minutes though, but wow, what a good feeling it gives you.

Go girl!!!! :D

[Back2Black]

Well done :)

[ANN H]

Well done Ann - I bet you feel really pleased with yourself - dont stop now!!!

People do advise to school them for about half an hour before you go out, takes any fizzyness out of them.

I did the same thing about a month ago - it wasnt planned either so I think thats why I proceeded to do it. Only managed about 15 minutes though, but wow, what a good feeling it gives you.

Go girl!!!! :D

Well done you too. I take her in the paddock first for about 10/15 mins. to try and tire her out!

[ANN H]

Great to read that you are doing so well :)
You'll be riding over the Runcorn bridge and galloping through the Welsh hills in no time :D:D

Ha, ha - don't know about that. Hope you're getting on OK out there!!