It's official...I'm old.

jsr · #1 17th Feb 2009, 02:55 PM

Had the day off yesterday so went on a long hack with my boy. 1 of the young girls from the yard came with me (she's about 14) and doesn't hack much but because I'm a happy hacker and Kane is so safe she asked if she could tag along.

It was a beautiful day so I decided to show her a fabulous mile long hidden track I'd found. It's got a stream at one end and slighly uphill, and totally totally safe so you can really let rip! Kane set off from the middle of the stream because he knows the ride, and she came steaming behind me on her little XC mad pony!! We were screaming with laughter by the end and both had a fabulous time. Got back nearly to the yard and we have a big field to ride through, so I said shall we have one last blast? To which her pony leapt forwards and we gallopped all the way home!! She was so giddy and kept saying what a fun time she'd had and how impressed she was that I loved a mad gallop and that my big cob could keep up with her pony!!

What I didn't tell her was....OMG my back, my thighs, my ankles, my stomach (from laughing)...I'm too old for mad gallops with teenagers leading!!! I doubt Kane has moved today either!!!

Think I'll stick to my safe quiet hacks this weekend, don't think I can do it again any time soon!!!!

Pigletsmum · #2 17th Feb 2009, 02:58 PM

That sounds like such fun!!

Trewsers · #3 17th Feb 2009, 03:01 PM

I'm jealous! Sounds like you had a marvellous time! Good for you!

haffy · #4 17th Feb 2009, 05:49 PM

Sounds brilliant!

I want to hack with you!!

Tatooed Lady · #5 18th Feb 2009, 02:20 AM

that's a happy, worthwhile pain you're describing! instead of avoiding it...I think you should try to capture those moments at least once per month, just for the healing properties of all that laughter!
it's a ride that you won't soon forget, and a load of memories you'll long treasure.....KUDOS!

TheHoglet · #6 18th Feb 2009, 12:37 PM

can i come with you next time too?
please!

clarabella_78 · #7 18th Feb 2009, 01:18 PM

I'm green with envy! Sounds fantastic

ali cat · #8 18th Feb 2009, 01:31 PM

sounds like huge fun

its a long time since i went on a ride like that --- we used to do 'posse' rides once a month --- i'd go out with the young uns -- the last one was a few years ago though, we were on cramlington hills (me and 2 young lasses) and my ted was the most exciteable -- i just had to say girls we have to go -- and we were off

ted was full pelt gallop--determined to 'win' and i shut my eyes and held on !

was still in the saddle at the end -- whooping and hollering with laughter--excellent fun

the girls were soooo laughing at me -- apparently i was repeating over and over -- "i will NOT fall in the clarts, i will NOT fall in the clarts"

i think you should do it again! once your aches and pains have gone

i'm aimin for that confidence once more --- soon as my coccyx op is over and i'm all healed up

twigs · #9 19th Feb 2009, 06:18 AM

havent had a hack since returning to riding, and where i ride the hacking is boring, so Ill wait to summer and hopfully get a beach ride this year
sounds like yours was great, never mind the old bones, do it again!!!!

horse_crazy · #10 19th Feb 2009, 07:26 AM

Wow how fun! My RS doesn't do hacks so it's very rair I go on one, I haven't ever gallipped though! Think I'm to chicken! But I think thats got something to do with me not being able to see where I'm going!

I will do it one day.

jsr · #11 19th Feb 2009, 08:27 AM

I love hacking and I'm extreamly lucky to have access to not only estate land but some fab beaches to. The lanes are really quiet too, and my boy is bombproof with traffic...big stones or open gateways are evil but tractors and lorries no problem!!!!

When I moved to this yard last May, no one else hacked!!! I couldn't believe it, they have use of acres of fields and lovely cirular rides but they were all nervous to go out!!! I've managed to change that though, now I rarely go out alone cos someone always tags along. It's been lovely seeing the 3 kids who were all about competing fall in love with hacking, now at least their pony's get out of the yard and have fun away from the school. Been very jealous this week while they are on holiday and I'm stuck at work, they love to tell me of the hacks they've been on..not fair!!!

Still working on a couple of them to venture onto the beaches..they are afraid their horses will go nuts!! Nothing compared to how Kane reacts, the moment he hits sand he's off and running..doesn't stop til he's chest deep in water and I'm soaked to the bone!! Wouldn't change him for the world.

cazrider · #12 19th Feb 2009, 04:05 PM

Sounds fab to me.

Sennie likes a blast as well. I remember careering across a stubble field with him last autumn, and coming out with a "Yee hah" as I went. Slightly embarrassing for someone in their early fifties.

Like you though, quiet hacks are really more me, but when you've gotta go, you've gotta go.

Bays_R_Best · #13 19th Feb 2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsr

Still working on a couple of them to venture onto the beaches..they are afraid their horses will go nuts!! Nothing compared to how Kane reacts, the moment he hits sand he's off and running..doesn't stop til he's chest deep in water and I'm soaked to the bone!! Wouldn't change him for the world.

Ooo. I love beach rides. But haven't been on one for such a long time (well over 10 years). Not since I lived on the IOW. But we (my loan pony owners and me) have planned one for the beggining of next month. I can't wait. Apparently this pony hasn't been to the beach before, but she's gonna love it. I always find the best thing to do on the beach is just to let them have their head and have a bloomin long gallop without trying to stop them unless you absolutely have to. They will burn themselves out eventually and then you can go and play in the sea!!! Yippeeee!!
I can't wait now.

Ps I'm well envious of your hacking. We have to hack for miles along busy roads and over level crossings before we can even find a safe place to canter. Grr. Roll on march.

PPS, I'm old too (well I feel it ATM) But I still love a good gallop now and then!!

Tatooed Lady · #14 21st Feb 2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cazrider

I remember careering across a stubble field with him last autumn, and coming out with a "Yee hah" as I went. Slightly embarrassing for someone in their early fifties.

NOOOOO!!!!!! That shouldn't be embarrassing! That should be LIBERATING! That's how we all WANT to be able to ride, even if we don't! Adrenaline pumping, confidence soaring, shouting at the top of our lungs...a good, solid "YEEEE-HAWWWW!!!!" is as good as it gets!
I want to get to that point again (like in my early teen years) and STAY there til I'm old and gray and so gnarled that I can't ride anymore...and STILL be able to let out a whoop and holler!

I'm not going to age gracefully, I'd imagine...

jsr · #15 23rd Feb 2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatooed Lady

I'm not going to age gracefully, I'd imagine...

Oh no me neither!! I've got images of me and Kane (he's only 8 so I'm planning another good 25+ years of me and him being together) growling old disgracefully together!!! I'm got a friend who is in her late 60's and she puts the kids to shame!! She'll tackle any cross country course and sneaks into open fields for a gallop when the coast is clear!!! I'm aspiring to be her when I reach her age!!!

peter207 · #16 24th Feb 2009, 07:47 AM

I was out hacking, and we went into an open field for a quick canter. The horse really went for it and I was loving it, remembering what fun I used to have when I was a kid. suddenly I looked down at the grass rushing past, up at the hedgerow flashing by and thought 's**t, if I fall off this is really going to hurt!'. I guess being older and more brittle these days makes me a little bit soft when it comes to 'risk assessment'. Oh well back to the rising trot

cazrider · #17 24th Feb 2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

NOOOOO!!!!!! That shouldn't be embarrassing! That should be LIBERATING

Don't get me wrong, I loved it.

But I do always wear a body protector these days.

clarabella_78 · #18 24th Feb 2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter207

I guess being older and more brittle these days makes me a little bit soft when it comes to 'risk assessment'. Oh well back to the rising trot

Ditto that! I now assess every cantering/galloping opportunity before starting, not when I'm trying to stop!

I can count on one hand the number of squeal-inducing gallops I've had since returning to riding 3 years ago, but I remember every one and they were fantastic!! Roll on the next one...