Happy Hacker - is it a waste??

[lazylurchers]

I bought my ID x last October with view to eventually competing at local shows, riding club events etc etc. He is 12 years old and has done Pre novice eventing, BSJA jumping and an awful lot of hunting in the past. He is an exceptionally forward going horse but I have always felt safe on him and enjoy his way of going.

A lot of the girls at my yard have started preparing for the coming show season and have been asking what I am intending doing. The more I think about it, I feel I am happy continuing what I am doing and dont want to put myself under any pressure to compete. I enjoy the occasional jump in the school and have built up log piles around the woods, which are also great fun. I have lessons every 2 weeks and am working on stopping him overbending and basically improve his way of going. My biggest enjoyment though is hacking out and we cover miles, on our own, sometimes being out for up to 4 hours at a time.

I often think I should have perhaps bought a horse with a little less ability. Am I being unfair to him not to compete? Do you think it is something they miss? Just wondered what opinions you all have.

Thanks. ;)

[bexj]

As long as horses have a good variety in what they do, then they won't "miss" being at shows. Don't let others put pressure on you to compete - even if you know your horse would do well. IMHO its better to have a strong trusting relationship with your horse, which you will inevitably gain hacking out, as it is to have bundles of red rosettes. You never know, your horse might be enjoying the break he is having from competing! All that stress and strain of going in the box, travelling, going somewhere new each week, meeting new horses that aren't part of his herd, etc etc etc..... ;)

An interesting article recently in one of the horse mags sang the praises of happy hackers, and everything they have to deal with in their every day rides out.

[Pink's lady]

nope, hacking hacking must be the nicest job any horse can have. There are a few horse out there who live for the competing but most horse are content being a horse.

If he truly loves to compete but you have no desire to do so, you would have no trouble finding someone to compete him if you wished. I ride for someone -she hates competing herself(too stressful) but enjoys the atmosphere.

but if not, HE doesn't mind an easy life!

[Murphs]

i agree with the others - as long as the horse is happy and you are happy then that's fine - i'm a happy hacker too. i have an id x connemara who i bought to do local shows with 3 years ago - still haven't done one - she's happy and i'm happy - if we want the "fun" of meeting up with other riders we do the fun/sponsored rides - basically just organised hacks!

I also read the article in last months horse magazine - definitely made me smile :)

[B&R's Mum]

I really don't think you are being unfair not competing him. If he is happy that is the main thing. I hardly even ride my Beryl, but I get so much pleasure out of just playing with her on the ground and building our relationship and she is really happy too. I am sure Beryl is more happy out in the field being a horse and getting loads of fuss and cuddles from me, than i lot of horses I have met who compete constanly but are never given any love or allowed to just chill and be a horse.
I know some horses absolutely live to compete (i have met a few) but most are not like this. He has no concept of being talented and his talent going to waste it is a human perception we place upon them. So just relax and enjoy and love your horse, I am sure he will be much happier for it.

[Bay Mare]

I often think I should have perhaps bought a horse with a little less ability. Am I being unfair to him not to compete? Do you think it is something they miss? Just wondered what opinions you all have.

Thanks. ;)

Not at all. Think about horses in the wild ... do they organise shows? Do they set up jumps and jump them against the clock? Do they have competitions to see who can jump the highest? Do they set up a dressage arena to show off their skills?

Horses are happy being horses. We could leave most of them in the field with their mates and they would be perfectly happy as long as they had sufficient company, space to roam, food and water. I'm not saying that some horses don't enjoy going to shows but they probably wouldn't care less if they never competed again.

As long as your horse has variety in his work and, preferably, a decent amount of turnout with other horses, then he's probably as happy as a pig in, erm, pooh :)

[Alle]

Yep, what everyone else has said, if he's happy then there is nothing to worry over. :) I don't show yet (not sure I ever will) and although I know that Sevi enjoys being the center of attention, she is one very happy horse as is.

Don't let others opinions put undo pressure on you either. There may come a time that you will want to show, and if so fine. But if not...your 4 hour hacks sound lovely! :)

[amandal]

I've had the same dilemma, especially when I meet "horsey" acquaintances/friends and they all seem to start the conversation with what do you do with Ziz - there's this big assumption that everyone competes at something. My answer by the end of the NYE party I was at was "I ride her", patience had worn thin. I bought her from a riding school but she was at a show jumping yard before then and so probably did compete.

I've now not ridden her for quite a few weeks cos of a sore back she had and then last week tack was stolen so I'm also feeling bad about not riding but taking the chance to improve my groundwork and may even try free schooling which I've not done before so should be fun.

[denise42]

Same here, I have owned my girl for 4 1/2 yrs and have yet to show.
We lesson once per week, and the rest of the time we practice what we learned and when she gets board of that( very easy to tell when she is board , big YAWN ,,,,) we go outside and joy ride. That perks her up :D
I think she was happiest this last weekend when she went camping with us ( 1st time she has ever gone camping ) , she was so relaxed, we did a little formal work, but mostly just rode the trails on our property.
I know that by Wednesday here at work I am ready for a break , they can't be much different than we are in that respect. :p

[Wobblydeb]

When I have my own horse - hacking out will be the reason I own one! I'm another person who is jealous of your 4 hour hacks!

You can tell horses that start to get bored - I've only ever seen it happen in the school, with horses who start playing up when schooled when they didn't used to. As long as he's not showing any signs of misbehaviour, he is probably as happy as that pig Bay Mare mentioned :D

As for other people's comments - I guess it's just their way of making conversation. You could play the game, and perhaps tell them you are in training for endurance competitions, because you thought your horse needed another string to his bow! ;)

Alternatively, if they are getting unpleasant, I would think of a few quick put-downs. Hmmmmmmmm lets see.......
Not everyone with a pedigree dog takes it to shows, and not every horse bred for showjumping needs go either....?
Or how about "When he asks me to take him to a show, I'll consider it"

:p

[~Perdita.M~]

Agree with the others, I'm sure he's loving your adventures! :) I can't stand that aspect of the horse world either, that if you aren't competing in something, you aren't a *proper* owner or rider. I hate comments like........*What are you DOING with him this year?* :rolleyes:

[Big Ears]

I can't think of anything a horse would enjoy more than a 4 hour hack going interesting places and seeing nice things - he is a very lucky boy.

Ignore everyone - do what you want. He's your horse. If he is enjoying life as it is then fine. I only hack Rosie - we go up on the downs and watch the scenery, deer, pheasants, take in the views, she loves to stand and stare and see all the different scenes. She is very happy up there.

I have had lessons on her which she went along with, but would prefer not.

I hope to take her to the beach this weekend for the first time to give her something new to see - if she gets over her laminitis fully it might be nice to take her to a little show but will depend on how we feel.

Just enjoy him. When you look at all the postings about people scared to hack out, horses that won't hack out, getting run away with etc, you are so lucky. Just assume they are ENVIOUS!

[Supercali]

If you are happy with him and he isn't stressed then he is still the horse for you!

Me and my husband have never competed and have 3 horses who we love looking after and are 'pleasure' horses. I don't know why some people think that horses should be competed. Our gelding's sire and grandsire were international showjumpers but he hasn't jumped over 2 feet while with us.

If you did sell your horse, imagine the hunt for a 'happy hacker' and the uncertainty of it all and then you don't know whether it is capable of more just because its previous owner didn't compete it. These days a safe, happy hacker can cost quite a lot.

I'm sure your horse would rather be with you and having fun. :D

[sidesaddlelady1]

He's your horse and you pay for his keep and look after him so it's no-one else's business what you do with him (assuming cruelty and neglect are not part of the issue). If you've found something that you and your horse enjoy then go for it. If you think he'd enjoy showing get a friend to ride him. I did this with the WH and it turned out that it bored him rigid! However, he's discovered drag hunting and absolutely adores it but he also enjoys my middle-aged plods round the village).

A well-known breeder and producer of Hannoverian show-jumpers once told me that horses aren't pets to which my reaction was "He is if he wants to be". Even the BHS accepts that some horses are kept as pets.

I don't think it's unfair to him. If he's 12 and been doing all this stuff since he was about 4 he's probably enjoying the rest. Anyway ID & their crosses are usually very laid back and have an "It's all right with me if it's all right with you attitude".

If you've been lucky enough to find an equine soul-mate don't let him go - some people search all their lives for the right horse. Enjoy your hacking and never mind anyone else.

[Zingy]

As long as you both enjoy yourselves that's all that matters. Not every horse has to compete to have a fulfilled life! I normally get the opposite criticism to you, as I never hack out. My horse hates it and would far rather be ridden in a school with the odd trip to the beach or something, but that's not acceptable to most people either :rolleyes:

The thing with the horsey world is no matter what you do, people will always criticise. As long as it's not your horse complaining, you're not going wrong :)

[Trewsers]

Couldn't agree more with everybody - tis not a waste, its up to you what you do and am sure he doesn't miss competing!!! Like somebody said - when he asks you to take him to a show - then consider going..... :D I envy your 4 hour hacks - how lovely it must be to be so confident and "at one" with your horse to be able to do this - its what I'm working towards with both my mare and OH's gelding Joe - we want to be a pair of happy hackers (nothing wrong with that :D ). People often just ask if you intend to show etc just to be polite and make conversation - if they start saying it to be clever with you though I'd use some of the put downs suggested on here : :p

[lazylurchers]

Thank you so much for all your replies!

I feel a lot happier now! :) In the past I was at shows and pony club events as a child/teenager almost every week. My last horse was a youngster and there was no pressure on me to get back to showing. I bought my current horse knowing he had been out there and done it and would therefore hopefully be more trustworthy (especially on roads etc).

He is by no means the laid back type and probably looks quite scarey to those that dont know him! :eek: but I trust him 100% and have had absolutely no horrendous moments on him. He is the sort that likes to please.

I had a superb lesson on him yesterday and feel we have made another small break through in his way of going! Even dreaming about doing dressage tests again!!

Sadly he has had about 8 owners in his life, also one of these loaned him out, so he really has been passed from pillar to post! When I bought him I told the woman I intended to keep him for life. He is an easy horse to fall in love with and I definately have! :D

[Big Ears]

poor horse, all those homes. Just keep doing what you're doing.

I have just come back from a 2 1/2 hour hack on Rosie and it was glorious. I don't suspect that she would have preferred to go to a show and she has now had lunch and is back in the starvation paddock with hay - quite content with life.

I used to ride a 20+ horse who had been there and done it all - he really lived for x country but it wrecked him for days afterwards as his poor old legs couldn't really do it. But show him a horse box and travel boots and he was cantering in his box. His owner took the view that a little excitement like that, once in a while, made him forget his aches and pains, even if he was lame for days afterwards! I used to hack him out for hours as he was totally safe, so he was very very fit; I think between us we got it right for Humphrey to enjoy himself how HE wanted.

[cazrider]

If I was a horse who had had 8 owners and now as with someone who loved me to bits and took me for lovely 4 hour happy hacks I'd be a seriously contented horse. :D You have aboslutely no reason to worry!

I mooch about on Sennie most of the time, and like Beryl's mum, like playing with him and grooming him. We do go to shows at a very low level just for the fun of it, and he enjoys it and so do I. But i'm absolutely sure he isn't bothered either way. Neither will your horse be.

As he's so forward going, he probably scared people in the past which is why he's had so many owners. He must really enjoy his hacks. Nice life for both of you :D

[Yann]

You sound like a rider after my own heart, and if your horse is enjoying himself then carry on just as you are. A horse being 'wasted' is a very human concept, one which horses have very little idea about :rolleyes:

If I ever win the lottery I plan to buy a £20,000 17hh dressage warmblood and hack it around the woods for the rest of its life;)

[virtuallyhorses]

I really dislike the term 'wasted' when its used like this. Your horse is having a fabulous time in a loving home - he couldn't give a toss whether you compete or not. He gets a bit of variety but also has a nice routine - which is exactly what horses enjoy. They like to feel safe with routines but at the same time in their natural environment they would also range into new territory and make journeys so they are hardwired for some 'new' things.

I must admit it can be a bit tedious dealing with other riders who spend their summers going to endless shows and competitions. However for the more monotonous amongst them I usually just compare my outings to theirs - they spend a day (or more) in prep, get up at the crack of dawn, travel to and event where both they and their horse are generally uncomfortable for hours on end (in the sun or rain) for a few minutes competition, then they still have to get home etc. You on the other hand rock up to the yard when you feel like it - both you and your horse go for a nice jaunt through the countryside in comfortable clothes, fit for the weather, and then you have a nice snack\coffee together afterwards :)