How important is hacking?

[JOJOBA]

How important do you all think hacking is?
I hate hacking. Not just because Im a wimp (I am, but that's not the reason!), even before I became a wimp I never really enjoyed hacking that much.
Around us you cant get anywhere at all without a lot of roadwork first, and most of the hacks we do are ALL on the roads. I just dont see anything fun about it really...
My mum is determined that hacking is VERY imprtant - and takes my horse out a couple of times a week because I dont. She thinks it is unfair to not take horses out.
Having said that though - most of the horses used by our riding school havent left the yard in about 10years.
I school my horse about an hour a day, and he is turned out from about 3pm/4pm ish until 7am the next morning. He is groomed and has time spent with him every day, I often take him exploring round the yard or go sit on the mounting block and look at the view with him, and do some 'fun' schooling - from the ground or just playing around (attempting to bend Hector's terribly practical mind around the prospect of parelli).
However, he does enjoy his hacking...
What do you think?
How important is it to hack?
xxx

[chewitmonster]

well, when i FINALLY get to ride Silver with out any problems, and once I've got used to his trot then we are going to go rambling...we're a bit luckier - near forge dam etc...cant wait for the spring/summer...dont think I'll get a look in though - my mum will be riding all the time so I reckon I'll be riding someone else instead! xxx

[Samsky]

It's not particularly important.It's just that most horses appreciate a change of scenery.It also is good for building up muscles and stamina of the horse.

[Esther.D]

Personally I think hacking is very important as it gets them out and about and stops them getting bored and stale in the school. However if their work is varied and interesting then I suppose it is not essential. Rupert doesn't really get hacked at the moment due to there being no-one to hack with and being nappy and unhappy on his own. However he is out 24/7 in a herd on 60 acres of moorland so doesn't lack for variety or exercise.

[Cochise]

I know different people have different situations, and different levels of comfort in riding, so it is a tough one.

Personally, I have absolutely no choice. I have to hack to some degree when I ride, road riding mainly.

Road ride to the track to do interval training, road ride to the arena, road ride for his basic sanity. :)
However, our winter riding is very limited as there are too many trucks whipping along, its more frightening as they are normally very quiet roads, and very narrow. :o

[KarinUS]

Next year I will finally get to hack. I've taken DJ on long trail rides twice and really enjoyed it. My old barn didn't have a place to trail ride but now that we are at home we have trails.

I am hoping it will give them some variety and also provide some challenges for us to work on. :)

[Stella2]

I think variety and time to take in nature is important. So for competition horses who are not turned out, hacking is probably very important (although lots are never hacked because "they are worth too much money"). For a horse with lost of company (equine and human), variety in their work and good turnout, I doubt that hacking is that important really.

I am currantly whimping out of the process because I'm sick of biting the dust when I do! I'd like to think I'll get back to it, but more for me than for Flora - who is a very happy, content soul! Just my humble opinion :)

[Bay Mare]

My trainer is a GP dressage rider, he is currently riding his mare that he is bringing on at PSG. He firmly believes that it doesn't matter whether they are competition horses or not they should be allowed to behave as horses when they're not 'on duty'. He turns his out and also hacks out.

I'm not the biggest fan of hacking but I do believe that it's a welcome change for your horse. Even though mine is turned out she still enjoys the occasional (very occasional at the moment) hack. Mind you, my trainer also thinks that I should do some jumping with her once we've progressed a bit (she REALLY enjoys jumping). I need a bit more convincing on that one ;)

[kedwards]

Hacking is nice because it offers a change of routine, desensitizes horses to a variety of situations and stimuli, and can provide a good workout. Plus, most horses seem to find it refreshing, once they are comfortable.

It takes a little more creativity to keep ridden work fresh for the horse if riding out isn't an option. I think it's still important to find ways to vary the ridden routine.

[Tharg]

I think hacking is important. I can understand lack of confidence but if you build it back up hacking is a lot of fun.
Its beneficial to both horse and rider change of scenery desenitivation etc.
If I was a horse I reckon I would go mental if just schooled and become resentful when being tacked up! but thats just me! :D

[cazrider]

I think hacking is very important too, for building up a bond and basically both having fun. Having said that, I'm lucky as I keep Sennie on a 150 acre farm, with loads of cut horse tracks, so I don't have to go on the roads if I don't want to. I'm far lazier about schooling (confession, as I know I should get on with it, and am aware of how important that is too):o

[pengapenga]

I guess it would depend on your comfort zone, if you are nervous about hacking then the horse will pick this up and play on it.

I personally think hacking is good for the horse, what is that saying, a change is as good as a holiday. horses are stimulated by the new sounds and smells around them. I myself love hacking but then I did not have road works to contend with, just wide open spaces, the only hazard would be meeting wild animals:) ,

[Stella2]

Lots of horses get frequent changes of scene going to varius types of shows - where they see lots of other horses and are generally entertained. If they are then worked properly at home, given some variety in that and lots of turn-out, I don't think they would suffer without hacking. I don't dispute that it can be nice, but I don't think its necassary for a happy horse.

[missbobbie]

I love hacking. That is why I started taking lessons. My lease horse is in the arena so much with the young riders that she gets grumpy with me if I take her in the arena when the weather is bad. I hardly ever ride unless I can hit the trails. I enjoy the freedom and scenery. Nutmeg and I saw three deer a few weeks ago. She saw/heard them before I did. They stood still and let us watch them for quite awhile before wandering off.

If you don't enjoy hacking and your mom does then you and your horse can both get what you need out of riding. Some people don't enjoy hacking and that's OK. If you don't feel comfortable then don't do it. (I don't feel comfortable jumping, so i don't):D

Happy Riding!!!

[JOJOBA]

If you don't enjoy hacking and your mom does then you and your horse can both get what you need out of riding.
Unfortunately my mum has her own horsie to ride - otherwise it would be fine :rolleyes:
Interestingly different replies...
:)
xxx

[Yann]

For me personally hacking out is the be all and end all of why I ride:) From very early on my sole aim in riding was to be good enough to stay on comfortably at all paces. We bought a horse that was good at it too.

Although I can very much see the point of schooling, surely the object of the exercise is to be able to do more than just go round and round a school indefinitely whatever you like to do:D

I do accept that how much you enjoy hacking will depend on what the hacking is like where you are and how reliable your horse is out and about though.

[Wally]

Hacking is the best, just take things slowly and let your confidence build up.

I too would hate to have to ride only on busy roads,

[Stella2]

I'm not against hacking, I just don't think its essential if a horse has variety and plenty of turnout :) I do hack myself, although after my latest spill we're taking a break whilst I work on my core strength! but I know several people who don't, some just like to focus on their dressage and one is just very nervious of hacking out.

Yann - ehem .... I'm a long way from an expert but I do know that there is a bit more to the pursuit of as much excellence as any particular horse and rider can discover together (dressage) than "just going round and round a school indefinately". Maybe some folk do just that, but lots of other stuff goes on in arenas! The aim of dressage is the horse and rider becoming so at one that it becomes a dance between them. It will probabaly take me a good while to achieve 'the dance', but we're not bored when we are not hacking because we don't just go round and round the school!

[LinzCos]

Hacking is why I ride. I would be bored senseless in a school and my horse is too old to care about it too. However, I have fantastic access to miles of bridleways and rarely go on the road so we are very lucky.

I don't know how important it is to the horse but mine clearly enjoys himself. He looks around and enjoys the scenery and likes trying different routes. Most of all though he loves to go fast. He is an ex-racehorse and although he is now nearly 20 he doesn't know it. We went for a flat out gallop yesterday - best feeling ever!

You need to be happy and confident though. My children still stay in the school, they are learning loads and love it. I am not pushing them out on hacks until they start pushing me to let them. Your horse is getting plenty of exercise and company, don't feel under pressure to hack out unless you really want to.

[MeMe]

Im not to keen on hacking anymore, drivers are stupid on the roads, and drive me up the wall!

But I think horses enjoy it, and even if they only get to go once in awhile its a break from the norm:D

[Tinkerbell]

Personally, I think it's very important. Schooling doesn't have to be confined to the arena and it adds variety to schooling. Like others who have responded to this thread, hacking is pretty much my sole reason for riding and I have seen some lovely (and otherwise inaccessible) parts of the country on horseback.

[Bebe]

I think hacking is incredibly important, it provides a solid foundation for any horses education.

The horses that I've known who do little hacking tend to be less "life-proofed" than those that do hack. Anything out of the ordinary was cause for great concern and much distraction. Hacking gives horse and rider an opportunity to encounter many different things together and when you successfully negotiate something new and scary it's another brick in the foundation of trust between the two of you.

It also helps fulfill the horses instinct to roam. Whilst turnout goes a long way towards this, unless your horse has access to acres and acres of land he won't be travelling anywhere near the distance he's evolved to. Hacking adds on mileage, provides a change in scenery at the same time.

Also, I've yet to find an arena that is built on a hill. Fittening work is limited if you're stuck in a 20x40 arena and I've found that most horses who are schooling fit, even to the point of being able to do 45 mins intense work in trot and canter, can struggle when hacked over different terrains.

With a few limited exceptions, almost everything that you can do in an arena can be achieved out on a hack. You can't say the same for the other way around.

[Wobblydeb]

For me personally hacking out is the be all and end all of why I ride From very early on my sole aim in riding was to be good enough to stay on comfortably at all paces. We bought a horse that was good at it too.

My thoughts exactly Yann! Except I don't have a horse of my own yet... But the lessons I'm taking with a very good dressage teacher have the main aim of making me a better rider out hacking. And when I do get a horse, I'll be looking for one that enjoys going out and about.

Perhaps horses are like humans? Some need to wander and explore, and others don't get as much out of it? I guess the problems then would arise if you have a horse that likes to explore, but the owner doesn't, and the horse hasn't got enough acres to keep him happy?

I love it when you are on a horse that does enjoy it - I've ridden an Arab on holiday before that couldn't wait to be tacked up. Given half a chance I think he would have fetched his bridle like a dog getting it's lead :) He was always getting left behind though because he was having a good old look at everything!

[Mary Poppins]

Until recently I never hacked out - mainly due to the fact that I was scared of having an accident and losing control.

However, I then started riding a very quiet mare. She was generally used in the riding school for beginners and just went round in circles in the school, everyone knew her as simply a safe plod. However, since hacking her I have really got to know her personality and character. We only walk around the grounds and don't do any roadwork (as I am still very nervous) but there are over 500 acres to explore and it is obvious that she loves our hacks. When we are on the gallops (although just in walk) she stretches her head down and relaxes and really steps out, and when she reaches the top of a hill she has a little look down and it is like she is saying "didn't I do well to climb that". She is facinated by the deer and often just wants to stop and watch them. My point is that in the school she just walks around with her head down and isn't interested in any thing. But when hacking, she suddenly perks up and is so interested in the world around her.

The other horse I ride I still haven't managed to hack out. This is mainly due to the fact that I fell off him and haven't got the nerve to hack him again just yet - although I do ride and jump him in the school. However, I think that it is important for our relationship that I do hack him out eventually. He is much more forward going out of the school and when I see him coming back from hacks with his owner it is obvious that he enjoyed himself. I think that in order to really know your horse it is important that you are able to control him and see how his personality changes in all situations. He has recently been drag hunting a few times and when he returns he is always that little bit more forward going when I ride him in the school the next day.

However, I am very lucky in the fact that I don't have to ride on the roads at all if I don't want to. If I were to have to ride along a busy main road, I am not sure that I would be able to relax enough to enjoy it.

[Yann]

Echo the point about school horses - my first couple of hacks out where I rode were on the school plods, and I was very impressed by the change in them when we went off the yard and down the road:)

[KarinUS]

what a beautiful description. I can't wait to take our ponies out now!

[shandy84]

I hack Shandy out (when she's not injured) more than I school as being young this is les shard on her breain.

In addition to that I feel it is important to stop the horse going stale,becoming too fixed into a routine and also to bomb proof them to vehicles and other odities as if you go to a show you are likely to come across smething unusual if you haven't hacked.

I also find hacking more relaxing and less boring than being in the school admittidly this is probably because Shandy cannot do a huge amount in he school yet, but to be honest i've never really been religious about schooling.

[Megans mum]

I wouldn't ride iff I could'nt hack out' I don't do schooling only out on a hack' I just love to be out and about with my horses and even though they live out 24/7 they all love to come out and just be a twosome with me' I think it builds a great relationship and is just about enjoyment not work'

[joshes mum]

mines out 24/7 but hacking is my thing and thats it.
Going round in the school would bore me to death and my horse!

[chickflick1066]

Hey, was just browsing old posts when this cropped up.

I personally would class myself as a 'happy hacker'. It is my main passion when riding - I just love to hack, alone or in company, up to parks, farms and a local Manor plus many more gorgeous hacks!

I love to soak in the surroundings on gorgeous days and go out for 2hrs +. It's great, it cheers me up no end, and makes me feel at 'one' with the pony. I enjoy the 'wind in your hair' feeling when cantering through stunning countryside...

but the down side....I have no immeadiate offroad riding, its all plenty of roadwork, some busy roads and I am SO grateful Stumpy is 100% bombproof as I probably wouldn't ride.

Schooling work is just boring and tedious but although I'm not it's biggest fans I still regulalry school Stumps and have lessons as we are both still learning. It can also be really satisfying when you finally achieve a difficult move or reach a target!

Apologies for the length of the reply. Just wanted to say, although schooling is beneficial to me and Stumps I am a hacker true to heart! :D

[flintyboy]

I think that all horses should be able to go out on hacks! I mean arnt horses wild animals used to living OUTSIDE, not cooped up in tiny stables wheer they can hardly move around! Although i am biased and would never ever just school as my poor horse would get bore stiff, i understand that some people have problem horses and it could be difficult. But if that was the case isnt it something u would want 2 get help with and work on, the horse is probly mad cuz its not goin out! Also if you do have 2 do roadwork before hand to get to the countryside/ any old woods you could always borrow a trailor or take time to ride down at least once a month so that the horse has some enjoyment.
IM SORRY THIS HAS NOTHING 2 DO WITH YOUR THREAD JOHOBA CAUSE BY LOOKING AT OTHER THREADS YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY A STAR OWNER! AND THERE IS NO WAY YOUR HORSE/s COULD BE BORED!
sorry i have been rambling on but while the subjects up i wanted 2 say how i felt!
wooooah please dont all hate me!!
XxXxX

[horseygal90]

I think it is important, even if its just a five minute ramble, once a fortnight. Nice change of scenery ;)

It can bring out quite a change in some horses! For example, Bonnie is the laziest cob to ride in the school - Won't canter for all the polos in the world, definataly only a slow one if you can get it. However, on a hack she's like dynamite - Always wanting to gallop, taking trees and logs without a second glance. She's a different horse entirely!

However, if you don't want to, I don't think you should be forced too. Has anything changed since this was first posted Jo?

[Stella2]

[QUOTE=flintyboy]I think that all horses should be able to go out on hacks! I mean arnt horses wild animals used to living OUTSIDE, not cooped up in tiny stables wheer they can hardly move around! QUOTE]

Yes they are, but if a horse isn't hacked it doesn't follow that its stuck in "a tiny stable" all the time! Lots of them are turned out in a herd for much or all of the day, other than when they are being schooled, worked or played with in hand, groomed etc. I don't think such horses have a bad life at all ;)

And whilst we're on the subject, there is nothing much natural about a horse going out in the countryside with tack on, a metel bit in its mouth, a rider on its back and moving at a pace dictated by the rider. As for hacking alone, that is the most unatural thing we could ask them to do since in their natural state they would never leave the herd - to do so would mean certain death :eek:

I'm not at all against hacking, but people who love it are often determined (even pushy) that everyone should do it without necassarily having a sound reason for that!

[Denbenj]

Well I would have to be a self confessed happy hacker.. I guess I spent my younger years training ect... and everyone has there bag and it wasnt mine...

As I started owning my own I realised how great hacking is...alougth sadly our roads are a death trap I have always been pretty lucky with having good off road riding where you can turn it up a gear..

I also find it makes horses very sure footed, which is always a good thing!

I now hardly ever school as I will never compete ect..I just like to doordle about round the roads like I have not a worry in the world!..which feels like that on a hot summers day miles from anywhere or anyone... then sadly you get back home to reality lol !!

My best friend is the same and people comment on her ' ugly postition' hav heard a few comments of the old yard ... however her horse brought up from youngster is the most unflapable happy horse you could meet!! and darn good on her!I think they really suit each other..so what if our legs are not in the right place or we wandering around chatting aimlessley or the horse is haf asleep doordling along we love it!!

[chickflick1066]

[QUOTE=Stella2 And whilst we're on the subject, there is nothing much natural about a horse going out in the countryside with tack on, a metel bit in its mouth, a rider on its back and moving at a pace dictated by the rider./QUOTE]

Surely the un-natural-ness etc carries on in the school, they also have tack on, a rider on their back and the pace is often dictated by the rider etc....

I am not determined to turn everyone to hacking, it just something I would personally chose over schooling for example! I do school because like I said before I still need to learn lots more and this just isn't possible to do whilst hacking all the time (for me anyways!)

Just to add: Flintyboy, dont be so silly, why would we hate you!!

[Stella2]

[QUOTE=Stella2 And whilst we're on the subject, there is nothing much natural about a horse going out in the countryside with tack on, a metel bit in its mouth, a rider on its back and moving at a pace dictated by the rider./QUOTE]

Surely the un-natural-ness etc carries on in the school, they also have tack on, a rider on their back and the pace is often dictated by the rider etc....

I am not determined to turn everyone to hacking, it just something I would personally chose over schooling for example! I do school because like I said before I still need to learn lots more and this just isn't possible to do whilst hacking all the time (for me anyways!)



Chickflick, yes, that is the same in the school. I was just making the point for those who stress how natural it is to take a horse hacking and how unatural schooling is.

You have never implied that as far as I know or said that others should hack. I meant no offence, just putting the other point of view :)

[chickflick1066]

Ooooh same! Sorry Stella :o

Glad we've cleared that up now :)

[JOJOBA]

IM SORRY THIS HAS NOTHING 2 DO WITH YOUR THREAD JOHOBA CAUSE BY LOOKING AT OTHER THREADS YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY A STAR OWNER! AND THERE IS NO WAY YOUR HORSE/s COULD BE BORED!
Other people hack my horse for me anyway so dont worry. :p
Strange for this thread to resurface - I dont even rmember starting it!

xxx

[Stella2]

Chickflick, me too :D

[notpoodle]

hacking is great!! since we moved yard we now have direct access to a little bridlepath (and i mean *little*). you cant do much on it but its great for just plodding up and down on safely (most of it is in earshot of the yards bordering on to it). i got into a habit of riding there to cool angel off whenever possible. in terms of confidence: we 'escorted' a lady from the yard on her daughters pony down the path the other day (angel makes a fab babysitter on hacks!). just in walk (apparently other pony has a knack of pelting home ...), but said lady was so happy afterwards and said it did soo much for her confidence to just plod down the lane with me and angel :)

julia
x

ps: nice for the horse as well! angel is a different pony altogether when she's 'out and about' (got over the napping, she is now eager to go out!!), alert, willing etc.

[ddgpony]

My pony Starlight definately prefers schooling to hacking. When hacked out in company he insists on following, and if asked to take the lead he walks very slow and inspects everything for hidden monsters!! If we hack alone he is little bit better, because he will listen and take encouragement from me, instead of his companion. He does have quite a few moments where he will be tense, and requires a confidence giver. I have owned Starlight for 12 years now and I know he definately prefers to be in the excersise field (schooling) than out and about hacking. He relaxes and enjoys taking instruction from me. He's not at all bored, even though we ride in this field nearly every day.

I would also like to add that I do not believe horses should be hacked on busy roads. IMO driving a car, motorbike, or cycle are dangerous enough on todays roads, and these haven't got minds of their own!!! Many people on my yard come back after their so called pleasure hack with frightening details of near misses with cars. I love my pony too much to be responsible for him getting hit by a car.

[joosie]

I think some horses need to be hacked out occasionally in order to relax and get away from the pressure of schooling and competing, and it's also good for the rider to relax. But also I guess that others are more than happy not to hack out. I'm sure that if your horse was bored of schooling he would let you know. Some horses are better suited to schooling than to hacking, and vice versa. I personally am a happy hacker, I have ridden all over the place and the best way to see the countryside is from horseback! As well as my usual hacking I have also ridden in the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, a forest in Scotland, beaches in Cornwall and Spain, the Camargue region of France (all beaches, dunes, marshes and river estuaries), Dartmoor, and even in the Swiss Alps. I am never more content when I am hacking out!!!

[ddgpony]

I agree!!! Me and my OH took a holiday in the New Forest a couple of years ago. I didn't go riding because he hasn't actually been on a horse for about 3 years and I knew he would ache for the rest of the holiday!! (men with aching muscles are not a pleasure to be around!!!!!!). However the horses we saw really did seem relaxed and happy to be hacking in the countryside. I wish we had the facilities to hack like they do. But, living in the West Midlands (Walsall) we have not got the amount of off road hacking. Plus I noticed when we were there everything was geared up to the horse. There were signs everywhere warning that horses have RIGHT OF WAY. We just do not see this in the towns. In fact as far as car drivers are concerned they DEFINATELY have the right of way, squeezing past riders to gain the precious minute they may have lost slowing down!

Can you actually tell me that hacking a pony out on busy roads is safe for your pony?

[StormyJ]

I don't dispute that it can be nice, but I don't think its necassary for a happy horse.

But then we must decide what makes a horse happy? Surely exploring, being out and about and getting a change of scene must come into the equation somewhere?

Lots of horses get frequent changes of scene going to varius types of shows - where they see lots of other horses and are generally entertained. If they are then worked properly at home, given some variety in that and lots of turn-out, I don't think they would suffer without hacking.

I also don't think a show is that "entertaining", I think it is more "exciting" for a horse.
I personally think hacking is utterly essential, and roads aren't all bad, I have to go along an a road and I still love hacking!

Maybe if your mum can't ride him you could find a "sharer" to hack him about, or maybe someone one the yard has a horsey mum? Just a suggestion!

[JOJOBA]

This thread is from ages ago and I am now looking for a sharer - Ive had two people hacking him since it was posted anyway :)

But then we must decide what makes a horse happy?
I think the horse decides - we just need to know how to listen.
Some horses just dont like certain things - be it hacking, schooling, whatever.


xxx

[ddgpony]

Around us you cant get anywhere at all without a lot of roadwork first, and most of the hacks we do are ALL on the roads. I just dont see anything fun about it really...


Does the enjoyment of hacking depend on where you live? If I hacked I too would have only road work. It consists of me keeping Starlight into the gutter and being aware that if he shied this would most probably be straight into the path of a passing car!

Does this mean that those of us who own horses in towns, and do not wish to hack out on roads are depriving our horses in some way?

[cvb]

Fi hasn't been out for a hack since Feb 2004, when my mum had a nasty fall when we were out together (because Fi spooked).

She does not seem in the least bothered about not going out. She likes to work, but there is a degree of play in what we do as well (we do a fair amount of groundwork, plus loose school/jump).

If we can, we sometimes go for walks on the set-aside - and play parelli games as we go.

Fi finds the big wide world very scarey. We hacked out more in Sweden - for some reason forests aren't as scarey :rolleyes:

She also has plenty of turn out and two geldings as pals. We go to comps every so often and she likes that too.

I should say that I am not anti-hacking. In the old days we used to do pleasure rides (not with Fi). But she's made it clear she's not happy hacking, so for now its on hold til i find a way for her to be more chilled about it.

Our Fell gets bored schooling, but doesn't like hacking by himself. So he does go out for hacks now and then, but we also make the schooling more fun by doing polework and stuf we know he likes :D