2021 Hacking and Riding

Skib · Jul 19, 2021

I have come across bears when trail riding. The advice then was to shout or make a noise. Just the three of us on three horses. The Wrangler (inexperienced, vacation job) was scared and he with us behund followed the bear down the narrow track for ages till OH gave an enormous shout telling the bear to Get out of the way and the bear did. I never saw OH be so assertive with horses, nor other humans.

We had walked in Yellowstone carrying anti bear spray but on foot tended just to keep our distance and avoid any bear we saw. I was more frightened of mountain lions - in Texas, on foot and I was too cowardly to continue up the mountain. These animals usually make for one's food so we rarely took anything except water and a wrapped energy bar.

I find recent videos on line quite frightening. Where bears have got used to pilfering dustbins.

horseandgoatmom · Jul 19, 2021

That would make me nervous riding behind one.
Woo hoo to oh for stepping up.
Ohhh mountain lions would be scary too.

There have been sightings on the news in the past weeks but nothing close in this town or our village.

I don't have items...food around to encourage them beyond the trash bin.

Today is trash day bins go out the day before so I wonder if someone had something entising in a bin or a bin too full not closed properly.

I always try to keep my wits about me
At all times.

I have cameras I could see anything unusual from.
But ugh its soooo foggy I can't see anything.

I can read the animals pretty well to know if they are on high alert.

Sonny was on high alert one morning after all the 4th of July nonsense and big loud parties around including next door..where he was looking that next morning.
Hmmmm.

Jefferson was clingy the other nite and
Started to scream after he had shut the night gates and went to bed.

Rushing out there was nothing
But maybe something passed thru???

Huggy.. yes I do worry about all my furry kids.
They have a pretty secure night area.
All the fencing is panel fencing with added wire on the goats.
Unless desperate I dont see them trying to climb it.

One added BIG thing.
We are VERY WELL LIT at night.
We heve a number of big yard lights and 2 electric company street lights on the property.

The rare times I'm actually out at night some houses yards are DEAD BLACK DARKNESS..
The house that saw the bear AND
Virginia's place across the street both are.
Maybe I really notice those yards much more because I've always been afraid of the dark.

horseandgoatmom · Jul 19, 2021

No one seemed alarmed this am.
I don't think it came this way.

I did listen intently when i cleaned and dumped the wheelbarrel.

Im sure brush would rattle.

Nothing seemed disturbed in tsll grass etc.

Ill be very cautious but not in a panic.

The yard it was in is a low spot next to a cranberry bog.
Smells from cookouts probably settle in the low spot aside from the water probably having all sorts of critters to go after.

More bloody rain ugh so no
Play or thoughts of riding

Huggy · Jul 19, 2021

We went out early, very hot 27° at 8am. Finally got Hogan really working - trotting uphill, and got an impromptu canter, very uncomfortable one! He was sweating when we got back, which he rarely does, and his weight has gone down slightly again. He's having a good spell atm, I like to think that they are lasting longer and longer!

Huggy · Jul 20, 2021

Out again today (couple of days away tomorrow, so the more the better!) Lovely ride, but then, coming towards us a rider, in full, fast, working trot. No slowing and Hogan just stopped dead and grew! Went straight at us, same pace, and I called "hes not great with other riders" to which she replied " he does look wired!" Yeah, cheers love. However, he was absolutely brilliant, walked on no problem, and behaved immaculately the whole ride. I thought hacking etiquette was that you slowed approaching another rider? Or approaching anyone for that matter? I always do. All that aside, I'm as pleased with him as though he'd got a ribbon at a show. We have our issues, progress is slow, but I do think he's doing his best to listen and learn. Anyway, photo is AFTER the incident, which shows how confident I was that he'd behave!

horseandgoatmom · Jul 20, 2021

Yea HOGAN... what a super boy.

The other rider is annoying.
COMMOM SENSE seems to be a thing of the past.

GaryB · Jul 20, 2021

Yep - that's just rude. I also don't trot up behind anyone, and I ask if they are ok for me to trot away.

Trewsers · Jul 20, 2021

Good boy Hogan! I have to admit, the only time I've ever not slowed was once in the school - to be fair, I was new to the scene and didn't really have much clue on etiquette when riding in a shared indoor arena. I also had NO idea that one of the other riders was not confident and approaching scared sh*tless of her new horse (if she'd told me prior to coming into the arena I'd have slowed down!). So she go herself into a grumpy pickle because I was trotting down the longside and apparently it was spooking her horse. But then I think all the other riders in there were doing the same - so it wasn't just me (the joys of being on a busy yard with only one decent indoor). Our hacking though different matter completely, I would always slow down when approaching.

GaryB · Jul 20, 2021

What a scorching weekend! On Friday my groom friend (who I will from now on call A as its easier!) had a nice hack up onto the hill. We are still getting her horse hacking fit We got back just before 1 o'clock and the temperature was bearable

On Saturday I decided that as Harvey was in for along hot day in Sunday he could have a day off. I did bring him in for a wash which he seemed to like (he normally hates it!)

Sunday was a showjumping clinic with A. The temperature was 31C/88F when we arrived to ride at midday so I was pleased when neither horse was sweaty when we unloaded. There were 3 of us in the clinic which allowed the horses to keep cooler and we did a bit less than usual. We mostly jumped 90cm although I think the last fence was 100cm. Other than deciding he couldn't possible go near one of the arena corners which contained dragons Harvey went well for me. We were able to hose the horses down as soon as we finished to cool them down for the trip back, and they both had electrolytes in their tea

No jumping next week so you might get some non jumping pics!

Harvey helping me out when I got it a bit wrong!

Hacking
2 hours 30
7 miles

Schooling
1 hour

Totals
Schooling
14 hours 45

Hacking
255 miles
76 hours 10

Huggy · Jul 20, 2021

GaryB said:
What a scorching weekend! On Friday my groom friend (who I will from now on call A as its easier!) had a nice hack up onto the hill. We are still getting her horse hacking fit We got back just before 1 o'clock and the temperature was bearable

On Saturday I decided that as Harvey was in for along hot day in Sunday he could have a day off. I did bring him in for a wash which he seemed to like (he normally hates it!)

Sunday was a showjumping clinic with A. The temperature was 31C/88F when we arrived to ride at midday so I was pleased when neither horse was sweaty when we unloaded. There were 3 of us in the clinic which allowed the horses to keep cooler and we did a bit less than usual. We mostly jumped 90cm although I think the last fence was 100cm. Other than deciding he couldn't possible go near one of the arena corners which contained dragons Harvey went well for me. We were able to hose the horses down as soon as we finished to cool them down for the trip back, and they both had electrolytes in their tea

No jumping next week so you might get some non jumping pics!

Harvey helping me out when I got it a bit wrong!

Hacking
2 hours 30
7 miles

Schooling
1 hour

Totals
Schooling
14 hours 45

Hacking
255 miles
76 hours 10

Those pesky dragons get everywhere!

Huggy · Jul 20, 2021

Trewsers said:
Good boy Hogan! I have to admit, the only time I've ever not slowed was once in the school - to be fair, I was new to the scene and didn't really have much clue on etiquette when riding in a shared indoor arena. I also had NO idea that one of the other riders was not confident and approaching scared sh*tless of her new horse (if she'd told me prior to coming into the arena I'd have slowed down!). So she go herself into a grumpy pickle because I was trotting down the longside and apparently it was spooking her horse. But then I think all the other riders in there were doing the same - so it wasn't just me (the joys of being on a busy yard with only one decent indoor). Our hacking though different matter completely, I would always slow down when approaching.

In fairness to you, I think the school etiquette is that faster riders keep going on the outside (?) track, and slower move to the inside. Or the other way round not sure. The cloud had a silver lining I suppose - I don't need to be as rigid with horror if I see another rider now!

horseandgoatmom · Jul 20, 2021

Ad hot as it was..
YOU BOTH STILL LOOKED GREAT...

Skib · Jul 20, 2021

Huggy said:
In fairness to you, I think the school etiquette is that faster riders keep going on the outside (?) track, and slower move to the inside. Or the other way round not sure.

Fast riders do go on the outside track as I learned in my horrible horrible first year riding lessons. But one is also told when circling in the other direction to keep to the right (may be left, I forget) but how can you when keeping to the inside always, and the whole situation was a nightmare. It was a very busy, highy regrded RS, said to be the best in the area whch is why I went there. But the indoor school where I learned always had several people riding in it.

Doodle92 · Jul 20, 2021

Always Left to left. Unless you are in walk where you should stay on inside track.

Doodle92 · Jul 20, 2021

Also if you are jumping to shout “jumping” or “jumping oxer/straight” as you approach. Although this seems to have been forgotten

horseandgoatmom · Jul 22, 2021

Yesterday was first dry day in quite a stretch.
Yea the bad storms stayed south.

Finally the humidity broke a bit.

I opted to play he was good and responsive.

We might be lucky enough to squeek out
2 dry days.

horseandgoatmom · Jul 22, 2021

Played a sscond time late this afternoon while my husband took the hay out for me.
He was fixated beyond the fence and did the snorty prance then the big blow out the nostrils.

Then we no sooner go back inside and 3 turkeys are right there...

horseandgoatmom · Jul 23, 2021

Played again this am in the new pen.
Spotty showers due later hoowfully
They miss us.

The humidity is low which is nice
The 3 turkeys are hanging around.
I love turkeys.

They came gliding out of the trees at dawn.
The ones with babies haven't been around in a few days again.

Sonny was good

Nice animated change of direction

horseandgoatmom · Jul 23, 2021

Played a second time but very low key the sun is getting hot.

The goats are having nappy time.

Yes mom's peeking over the wall again.

horseandgoatmom · Jul 24, 2021

I rode I can't say it was my most fun ride
The purple flowers are lovely.
The b52 were awful one started attacking so bad I did an emergency dismount to try to get it.
I didn't. Ugh.
At least I still can do one well.

Then I went to the front w some shade.
It was a little better but the damn things were waiting if you put one foot in the sun. Sigh.

2021 Hacking and Riding

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