A yard without a menage

[purdyspal]

hi i am new to this site and am a novice rider. i have been learning to ride for about 3 fun filled years and have owned a tbx chestnut mare for 2 and 1/2 of those years. I know i'm bonkers. I have always been at a yard with a menage but this weekend i am moving my horse to a new yard without a menage. I would really like to keep my horse fit but I don't know how I will be able to do this. Does anyone have any suggestions? I could probably spare around 45 minutes a day during the week and 3 or 4 hours at the weekend.

my horse perdy is 11 years old and fairly forward going but i have been told she doesn't use her backend very well. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
ttfn louby xx

[Jo]

Hi

If your horse hacks out alone, there is no reason why you can't school him while out. Anything you can do in a school can be done on a hack, providing the area is quiet enough. If the dark nights are a problem, is your horse sensible enough to be riden on days off only? If not, is there anyone at your new yard who would ride him? it would have to be someone you trust to ride him nicely and not to create problems for you (galloping all over the place, for example!)? Is there an area where you can lunge him?

Are there any facilities nearby which you could use for a contribution? It's a problem when you work full time but if you don't, you should find an easy solution.

Good luck

[purdyspal]

hi jo, there is an area that we have been told we can lunge, but it is in the field and quite muddy. I think she might slip. I don't really know how the ground should feel in order for it to be safe to lunge on.
I could hack out alone but i don't have the confidence to do it!!:o
I would probably be back on the yard within 10 mins. hehe.

[Retty]

Hi,
I moved yards a couple of months ago as the previous one had barbed wire in all the fields but I was v. apprehensive about it as I had friends at the old yard that I used to ride out with. There is an arena at the new yard but I love to ride out but not really on my own... so.. when I moved I started to chat to the lady who stabled her horse next to mine and she had been looking for someone to ride out with aswell! I would say make friends with some people there and ask if you can ride out with them, then at least that way you can continue to school your horse and not worry about being out on your own or slipping when lunging on the mud.
Retty

[purdyspal]

I feel quite nervous about going, I know its the best thing for my horse to move but there is always the risk that we could be going somewhere which is worse than where we came from. Is this normal or am i being silly?

[Jo]

Hi

I used to be worried about going out on my own and quite understand your nervousness. In truth, while it can be exhilarating to be somewhere entirely alone on your horse, both of you relaxed and in harmony, it is actually far safer to be go out in company and there may well be someone who is keen to have your company. As long as your horse is sensible, other people will be happy to accompany you. Perhaps you could chat to a few people and drop a few hints, or mention your concerns to the yard owner, who may set something up for you.

If all fails and you have to go out alone, go a short distance at first, and vary the route as often as you can. Remember, if you turn back at one point a few times your horse may quite reasonably expect you to turn back here all the time and make his displeasure known if you try to ride him on!

I began hacking alone by going short distances in different directions. We have fun now, but ionce it was a trauma!

Good luck

[Retty]

I know what you mean about being worried about moving, there are so many things to consider and new people to meet, I don't think you are being silly at all just concerned about your horses well being. Have you met anyone yet at the new yard? I went to the new yard on a couple of occasions before I actually moved so it wouldn't feel so "alien". I also worried about how my horse would settle in, but she was fine after a couple of days. Most of the people I have met have been nice but there are a couple of very clickey women but I think you get that where ever you go. So good luck and try not to worry too much I'm sure you will both be fine!

[LindaAd]

You didn't tell us why you're moving, Purdyspal - is there something bad about the place where you are?

I agree, it would be much more relaxing to hack out with someone else, especially if you're nervous about being somewhere new - the horse is likely to pick up on that. Could the yard owner put you in touch with someone?