A little achievement

Mary Poppins

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Oct 10, 2004
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I am a nervous hacker and am slowly trying to build up my hacking confidence as my horse can only hack out right now. We have lots of space to ride round the farm including a very long driveway which leads out into a main 60mph road. I have no desire to ride through the gate, but yesterday and today I managed to ride up the drive and then loop round to one of our ‘safe’ hacking fields where I feel comfortable.

This won’t mean much to many people but I know there are some fellow nervous hackers on here so I thought I would share. It is all about building these little steps. Hacking everyday is definitely helping my confidence, whereas before I would only hack once or twice a week. Just thought I would share as I am proud of myself.
 
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Well done you! I can still remember the sense of achievement when I managed to take my share horse hacking, on my own and without having to get off - it took me a while and I used to drive to the yard with butterflies and then put off the actual ride for as long as possible by faffing around grooming etc. Now I'm completely the opposite - I know we all like different things, but for me hacking is what I get the most pleasure from.
 
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I hate the unpredictable side to hacking and hate that I can’t control everything and everyone. I have no issues boxing up Ben to go to shows, clinics etc. and can ride in new places just as long as it is on a yard where people understand horses. It is the dog walkers, cyclists and random members of the public that I don’t like. We have lots of land on our yard, but also get dog walkers and joggers running over the fields and they put me off.
 
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Everyone is different. I don't do shows because I can't stand all the hustle, bustle, noise, keeping to a time schedule and looking half presentable.
I love the freedom of hacking, stopping to chat to all the locals, taking a drink and my time.
I put off someone who was about to cut through a field for a pee. Glad he heard the trot on good girl. And people say the countryside is quiet!
 
Well done, its good to hear going every day is making it easier for you too :) Its funny how we all see things differently, I hack a lot and used to show a lot, and I would think I was more likely to meet an idiot that would do something to upset my horse at a show! there's always that one who thinks using your horses bum as an emergency brake is acceptable or just wildly gallops within inches of you in the collecting ring :rolleyes:
 
Well done. I only hack now and yes the more you do it the easier it gets, try not to think about what might go wrong, if something worries Ben treat it the same as you would if you were at a show, basically just get on with it. Onwards and upwards!
 
Well done, its good to hear going every day is making it easier for you too :) Its funny how we all see things differently, I hack a lot and used to show a lot, and I would think I was more likely to meet an idiot that would do something to upset my horse at a show! there's always that one who thinks using your horses bum as an emergency brake is acceptable or just wildly gallops within inches of you in the collecting ring :rolleyes:
Ones I have done say no lunging and no galloping.
But some rings are so tiny and are all top on top one another. Especially when you can see acres of empty space nobody is using.
 
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