happy hackers

[No_Angel]

my mum is a happy hacker, she hates schooling, but i force her to do it.
i like hacking aswell, and i dont mind plodding on maddie, but i do like to canter up the occasional field and have a bit of a jump now and then.
the thought of an open field terrifies (sp? looks odd) her, she seems to be ok on our smaller pony tho.
my question is, do all you happy hackers find it easier and less scary to hack out with someone who is the same ability as you?
to be honest i dont think id feel comfortable if my mum dissaperared off somewhere on her horse with someone else, id feel better if she took susie tho. i find that when i hack out with her on murf im always checking up on her, where as if shes on susie i jus let her get on with it.

[Afellpony]

I'm a 'Happy Hacker' and Falcon and me love going out on our own round the farm. I've done the show jumping, xcrountry etc etc etc and now just enjoy hacking around, doing some jumping and native pony shows. I just enjoy spending time with him. :rolleyes:

[No_Angel]

bump

[amandal]

It's not really the ability so much, rather their level of understanding if you're nervous. I am a recovering, or trying to recover nervous nellie. My last yard was great, all hacks went at the pace of the most nervous or of the worst rider (hmm don't think I was both at once:eek: ). Everyone was understanding and you didn't feel any pressure to hoon around anywhere, they were also great if something did happen, and reassuring while you were riding. My YO offered to lead me round after one incident of confidence plummeting - she also let me ride her wonderful coloured cob pony who was very safe out hacking when my mare was off work or I was bottling hacking her.

[Mossy]

I'm a happy hacker and I disappear off for up to six hours on Dartmoor armed with a map, compass, mobile phone, hoofpick, chocolate, money, and escorted by a handsome grey gentleman. We charge along at all paces or go slow depending on how we feel.

[bexj]

I'm a happy hacker and I disappear off for up to six hours on Dartmoor armed with a map, compass, mobile phone, hoofpick, chocolate, money, and escorted by a handsome grey gentleman. We charge along at all paces or go slow depending on how we feel.

Having been born on the edge of Dartmoor to a horse mad farmers daughter, who used to do much the same thing, I'm jealous as hell!:D :D

[ANN H]

I've recently lost my hacking partner to another livery yard, but we were on the same wavelength as far as hacking out was concerned, and we were always aware of what the other one did or didn't want to do. The only other rider on our yard I wouldn't even contemplate riding out with as she's extremely inconsiderate. She'll take off up a track at full throttle canter without any warning and my horse panics and takes off after her. I avoid her like the plague as she quite often asks if I want to go on a hack. Even started going to the yard at different times so I didn't have to ride out with her. I've started telling her now that there's no point as we don't like doing the same things.

[cvb]

no angel - I think you stole my mother ! (likes hacking, but terrified by open field !) I think her favourite hack would probably be a wide bridlepath with solid hedges (and no rustling things behind them). Oh and bends every now and again so it didn't stretch off too far but you could see what was coming. With passing places every so often.

Instead she gets to ride on big setaside fields that most people would die for and belt across in gallop.... but give her the heebiejeebies :o

She's fine (and hence I would be fine) if she has confidence in the horse and the rider she is riding with. She has confidence in me but (rightly) not in my mare (who spooks). Interestingly me riding her fell pony, who is normally a complete wimp, while she rides her new (4 yr old) pony, seems to be fine.

Her fell pony gives you the impression he would love to leap in your arms - cartoon style. Not exactly a confidence giver :rolleyes:

[smudge]

Funny that no angel because my daughter and I have the same issue as you and your mum. I prefer quiet hacks with the odd slow canter, I prefer flat work and schooling. My daughter prefers hacking out (fast).

I think if I was in your mums shoes I would prefer going out with someone more like minded and then I wouldn't feel that I was holding you back and getting board with me.

Liz

[Roheryn]

No_Angel--I wish I had someone like your mother to ride with! :) I am very happy just trail riding, am OK in a field but prefer a trail that feels more "enclosed" with trees and things. I wish we had lanes here bordered with nice thick hedges--but I wouldn't want any strange noises coming from behind them, either!
I do also enjoy schooling in the ring, partly in order to feel more secure out on the trails.

[HairyCob]

Send her down to me No_Angel! I'm the same... love hacking out at a slow pace on quiet country roads and bridleways, but HATE riding in large open fields.

Personally I don't mind what LEVEL of rider I ride out with, as long as they are considerate to my nervousness- my YO's are generally very good, although they both like to blast around the fields at high speed, they know that I don't and so will hack out with me on the roads and bridleways from time to time with no pressure to 'go fast'!

I also enjoy hacking alone... but still not in open spaces:D ;)