Anyone hack in Hatfield forest?

[JFTDWS]

I walk the dog there sometimes and I know you can get permits to ride - is it prohibitively expensive? What's the access like? Are you limited in where you can go?

Mars bars for any useful info

 

[JFTDWS]

that'd be a no then?

 

[wilde2]

Years since I rode there, when it use to be an annual pass only (they do a day pass now) - used to really enjoy it though, can ride most places, just need to pick your times so its not too busy - and have a horse happy with cows! You are only allowed to ride at controlled canter though (in theory...)

 

[JFTDWS]

"controlled canter" does it matter where it's me or my horse who's in control?

Yes, I had visions of squshing small children on busy summer days. I guess it makes more sense to hack there during the week rather than weekends?

 

[Niddlynoo]

I don't ride there, but I think permits are about £150 a year. Some tracks are not for horses, but there are some lovely wide grassy tracks! I think going at weekends or school holidays could limit the amount of faster work you could do as there is always lads of people popping out of the woods and hedgerows!
I would contact the estates office to find out more.

 

[wilde2]

Love the idea of horse in control - I am sure they don't specify...and never seems to stop anyone! We used to go at weekends, but often early morning. The ground seems really soft there - always places to canter in summer, but also mud to get stuck in, in the winter! Some of the wide "not gallops" are fantastic!

 

[JFTDWS]

I don't ride there, but I think permits are about £150 a year. Some tracks are not for horses, but there are some lovely wide grassy tracks! I think going at weekends or school holidays could limit the amount of faster work you could do as there is always lads of people popping out of the woods and hedgerows!
I would contact the estates office to find out more.

haha I think maybe not take the little one by himself first time then - I think he might have a meltdown if someone popped out a hedgerow at him yes I thought some of it looked quite nice for a "canter"... I rang them this afternoon but I think they skive off early on a Friday, lucky devils

Love the idea of horse in control - I am sure they don't specify...and never seems to stop anyone! We used to go at weekends, but often early morning. The ground seems really soft there - always places to canter in summer, but also mud to get stuck in, in the winter! Some of the wide "not gallops" are fantastic!

My cob is always in control on hacks. I don't really ride him, we just come to mutual decisions He's what I call a "hackmaster" he knows the drill, so if they don't specify I'll let him be in charge Don't trust my younger one like that though It's sounding like it might be worth trying out a day pass one day then and maybe a year pass if it's not too expensive

 

[wilde2]

Sounds like fun. I was thinking of going over there again this year. Let us know how you get on? Only other issue I can think of is parking and unloading/loading - particularly if you come back to a car park full of non-horsey people...

 

[JFTDWS]

Yea, mine aren't temperamental to load / handle so I'm not too bothered by mad non-horsey people and busy carparks and such... I presume there's specific car parks you can park in with a trailer, I've only ever parked in one... I shall ask them if they get back to me next week I'll probably take a camera and spam you with photos if I get round to going

But if you see a very hairy piebald ***** cob or a grey/mud coloured highland when you go, come over and say hi

 

[wilde2]

We used to park in the car park by the main gate, never checked that though! Did learn to leave ramp down though after getting blocked in! Your horses sound lovely - will def look out for you!

 

[irishdraftlover]

I have ridden there many times, they now do a day pass. I have a 7.5 lorry and park it in the main car park by the shell house. Fantastic tracks and good ground all year round, highly recommended