Anyone NOT hack out, and just stay in the school?

I mainly school. I still occasionally get panic attacks at even the thought of hacking out, even though I haven't had anything dreadful happen in the last 20 years! I went from being terrified to hack, to really enjoying hacking by myself (though no cantering) on my old horse, back to being terrified - for no reason - on T. I can just about manage to go round the square, which never loses sight of the yard and takes 10 mins max, but going further afield, which means going through the village or going on the road I have to really psych myself up for. The last time I went out we nearly got wiped out by a transit van (courier - typical!), and although T didn't budge, it made my physically sick to feel the van going by so fast and so close. Unfortunately T really takes confidence from her rider, so while others find her a really safe fun hack, with me she is very nervy and spooky.

If I didn't have any roadwork, I'd be 100% better, but any roadwork really gives me an almost PTSD-type reaction after an accident I had half a lifetime ago.
 
Mine loves a good snort at weird objects. I feel like it would be rude to not give her that opportunity :D!

At the moment, most of our 'hacks' are in hand though as she's a wee bit on the young side.
 
Casey76 said:
I mainly school. I still occasionally get panic attacks at even the thought of hacking out, even though I haven't had anything dreadful happen in the last 20 years! I went from being terrified to hack, to really enjoying hacking by myself (though no cantering) on my old horse, back to being terrified - for no reason - on T. I can just about manage to go round the square, which never loses sight of the yard and takes 10 mins max, but going further afield, which means going through the village or going on the road I have to really psych myself up for. The last time I went out we nearly got wiped out by a transit van (courier - typical!), and although T didn't budge, it made my physically sick to feel the van going by so fast and so close. Unfortunately T really takes confidence from her rider, so while others find her a really safe fun hack, with me she is very nervy and spooky.

If I didn't have any roadwork, I'd be 100% better, but any roadwork really gives me an almost PTSD-type reaction after an accident I had half a lifetime ago.
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I think a lot of people are put off hacking due to the danger of drivers. It's always a thought for me when I go for my walks. You just never know if somebody is going to come hurtling around the corner. I think people have gotten so much better since the BHS campaign though. I hope you feel confident enough soon to get out and about, although I know that's easier said than done.
 
Cerries said:
Thank you so much everyone! I have to say, I was nervous about posting this. When I have posted here in the past, I've usually swiftly felt like an idiot :) But that's what this journey is all about for me - pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

Your responses have helped me so much, and given me some great ideas.

I am NOT someone who is taking horse ownership lightly - I'm not in this for an 'easy' ride (pardon the pun!). But I do want to take it all at my own pace, in a way that is enjoyable and safe (which is why I carefully chose a horse with the help of my yard owner, who is suitable for my level and ability). I really do want to hack - I see the others going out and loving it, and I would love to get to that stage.

I actually went out for a hack with a small group a few weeks ago, and I ended up in tears half way round. It was just way too much, too soon. The group I was with are fabulous, and they were so understanding. As advanced riders, they thought they were taking it easy - their 'easy' was not the same as mine lol!

My yard has lots of land, most of which I'm sure we could utilise. I'll have a chat with the yard owner to get some ideas. I definitely want to keep pushing myself, and I hope that the confidence will come. I'm happy hacking out - just so long as nothing scary comes our way! Which obviously isn't a sustainable approach lol ;)

Anyway - your words all mean a lot to me. Thank you! <3
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It sounds to me like you're doing a great job so far and getting better in your own time is no bad thing. I also think that some people have misconstrued your comments about not being ready to hack as an ability thing rather than a confidence thing(although I'm aware they both feed each other) so I don't see it as you not being able more that you don't feel able at the moment.

I'm going to play devil's advocate though and say the only way to get better and more confident at something is to do it - again and again and again. As you've said, the school is your comfort zone but the more you ride in that comfort zone the more comfortable you become in there. The more comfortable you are in there, the less likely you are to hack out. I'm the same if I haven't jumped for a while. I have to force myself to start again and to keep doing it for the first few weeks, then I start loving it again.

I'd keep making those arrangements to ride out with people. Find someone you trust and stick with them so you become comfortable riding with them and taking confidence from them. It sounds like you can really trust your boy so keep telling yourself that if you feel yourself becoming anxious. (I tell anyone who'll listen that singing helps - it really does!) and just do it over and over. I am far happier hacking than I am doing anything else because it's what I do most of. I bet once you've conquered it you'll love it, especially trips to new places like the beach or forestry. It's so lovely being out in nature.
 
I'm really surprised at how many people are so terrified of hacking out! Even off road. It's something I guess I take for granted as I've always hacked out from being a kid ( going back 30 years! )
 
My horse was a demon in winter - we don't have a school so hacking out is our only option for exercise. It got to the point where I was terrified to go out riding and like you OP I used to feel physically sick. I trusted my ability as a rider and I was never afraid my horse was going to hurt me but more collide with a car or hurt herself. I gave myself a talking to and always tried to go out riding with a clear mind and focus on the ride and if something happened I would deal with it when it happened and not worry about it the whole way round. I now only hack once or twice a week and ride in our field a couple of times a week now it has dried out. Sending lots of confidence your way
 
I get really bored with hacking. I much to prefer to stay in the school. My mate will hack with others but not enjoying on her own anymore so I walk out with her on foot and she's much better.
Which I prefer than riding.
 
Whoopit said:
This. And I'd die of boredom, never mind the horse going stale!
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If you're bored in the school, you're not doing it right. Horses only go "stale" if the trainer doesn't ask the horse to progress (or doesn't know how). Guilty for not hacking? I'd feel guilty for exposing the horse to so much danger - our roads are not safe, even though the horses are perfect on them. If we had safe, off road places to ride I would be happy to go out; exposing the horses to new sights and sounds is always a good thing. Exposing them to danger is not.
 
I didnt hack for about 8 years... due to a couple of cow-related bolting accidents with one of my horses, it became too dangerous to risk taking him out anymore (he was my sole competition horse at the time) and my confidence had been destroyed. So we didnt hack for 8 years (didnt affect his eventing or anything though, still did that no problem). Then I backed my current mare and felt I really should get her out hacking, luckily she is a very mature sensible girl and she took it all in her stride. We hack out regularly now, but I still get a bit nervous about it if I havent hacked her for a while even though she gives me no reason to. I do enjoy it on a nice warm day.
 
Cortez said:
If you're bored in the school, you're not doing it right. Horses only go "stale" if the trainer doesn't ask the horse to progress (or doesn't know how). Guilty for not hacking? I'd feel guilty for exposing the horse to so much danger - our roads are not safe, even though the horses are perfect on them. If we had safe, off road places to ride I would be happy to go out; exposing the horses to new sights and sounds is always a good thing. Exposing them to danger is not.
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This basically sums up my concerns.

I am not so much afraid of what my horse may or may not do - it's the worry of the traffic that concerns me. We have a quiet country lane running around the side of our yard, but it's very windy with bends you can't see around. Cars generally are no problem - my horse is great with them, and I'm confident if I see a car coming up from behind or in front. It's things coming too fast round the bends (like motorbikes) that worry me. They do drive so fast around the country lanes, and I don't want either of us to be in a situation that could be disastrous (especially as I have a five year old at home to think about).
 
Reading through all of your wonderful replies, it seems to me that this is very much a divided topic.

For those of you who are confident hacking, even out in traffic, was there anything particular that helped you gain that confidence, or was it just a case of time and persistence? Or maybe you didn't ever not have confidence?

I've found that since having my daughter (who's coming up to six), I find that I evaluate 'risk' very differently. When I was a little younger with no children, I was a lot braver. But since I've become a mother, I think twice (or three or four times!) about putting myself in situations that could potentially be dangerous.
 
For me it's a case of just getting on with it tbh. As I said previously my horse and I was hit by a car a few years ago. Luckily he was fine, me not so much, but after a few days off I got straight back out there with another quiet horse.

Since then I've continued to hack on the roads, mostly on my own. At my current yard we are all off road but there is a nice road ride that I do once or twice a week for fitness. My horse is ok in traffic but doesn't like cars coming towards him but we are ok. I am never ever leaving this yard!!

I'm not a nervous rider in general and I have owned my horses since they were foals so I do know them very well and both take confidence from me. I always feel safe on them, even though they are both quite sharp and my TB spooks like a ****** and is very quick at whipping round if he sees something scary!!
 
I am not always, and have not always been, confident out hacking. One of mine particularly is a bit of a knob to hack alone. I just get on and do it, and accept I may be clinging onto a neckstrap and sobbing inwardly when things aren't going well. The more you do it, the easier it gets - and even if it seems like it will never be fun, it can be. It just takes time, persistence and small changes.
 
Cortez said:
If you're bored in the school, you're not doing it right. Horses only go "stale" if the trainer doesn't ask the horse to progress (or doesn't know how). Guilty for not hacking? I'd feel guilty for exposing the horse to so much danger - our roads are not safe, even though the horses are perfect on them. If we had safe, off road places to ride I would be happy to go out; exposing the horses to new sights and sounds is always a good thing. Exposing them to danger is not.
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I like your thoughts on this Cortez.

Where I am, we have zero off road hacking. My boy is great on the roads so I will occasionally take him out for a wander. He is semi-retired so we don't do much other than the odd hack.

On the other hand, our mare is not good on the road. She can be great one day and a demon the next. Therefore it just isn't really safe, sadly, for her, the rider, or our fellow road users. So at the moment we more or less only school. Thankfully we have access to a great trainer, so we are continually progressing in our school work. The horse is not stale at all, she really thrives on her work and learning. In summer, we ride in a paddock sometimes, depending on the ground. She is happy and settled working in the school. I only ask for 1 hour of her time a day, tops. The rest of the time she is turned out, minimum of 12hrs a day, October - April, and full time May - September, so she has lots of time to do whatever the heck she wants. I do wish I could hack but after a few near-misses, it just isn't worth the risk.
 
I have just moved from where we used to live - the traffic and standard of driving is now horrendous, I hardly went on the road at all. I now have my horse at an equine centre with off road riding - will never ride on the road again
 
My horse is not brilliant at hacking - fine in company (even if it's just someone on foot) but not confident alone, which in turn makes me nervous. I do hack out 2-3 times a week though. I can usually find a hacking buddy and fortunately, we do have excellent hacking - no road work necessary. Some of the liveries at my yard hack out for hours, crossing roads and going for 4-5 hours. Personally I prefer going out for 1-1.5 hours max, I don't school on hacks, it's my horses relaxation time. Other liveries at my yard don't hack out at all. Just do what you're comfortable with - all the horses on my yard have turnout from 8am - 5pm, plenty of time for them to relax in the field.
 
Cerries said:
For those of you who are confident hacking, even out in traffic, was there anything particular that helped you gain that confidence, or was it just a case of time and persistence? Or maybe you didn't ever not have confidence?
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it's how I grew up. Kept my first pony on a farm where it was either go hacking... or go hacking. I was brought up to be an independent child and we had access to lots of off road riding so made the most of it.

Subsequent horses were all good in traffic and enjoyable (though not always 100% in control!) hacks. I used to love the sound of shoes on tarmac so off we went, clip clopping along.

Current horses - 1 is a fabulous hack, she's a confident nosy horse and I love exploring on her. The other is a nappy wimp so I just drag her along from the brave one so she gets a change of scene and encouraged to think more positively about strange sights.


I do agree that there's no excuse for boredom in the schoolwork though... both of mine thrive on their schoolwork and we have loads of variety, I don't even bother with poles etc these days as there is just so much flatwork you can do once you get beyond the very basics. both appear to enjoy the work and progress well.
 
I learnt to ride in a field with an 'arena' marked out with poles and cones. As soon as you were good enough, you hacked out as a treat with the group. When I had my pony on loan there was no arena, so again I could hack or ride in the field.

I do think that people who only ride in a small school early on, or for a long period of time can develop a comfort zone that is hard to break out of. I used to hack CM to a yard at the other end of the village that had a small indoor school, a large outdoor and a riding field for lessons with the instructor there. I was surprised once when she confided in me that most of her liveries (who were far better riders than me in a dressage test) only rode in the indoor, as the outdoor was 'too spooky' (birds in the hedge) and the field was 'too big'. Such a shame. The yard staff regularly hacked the livery horses out and they all seemed sensible and sane when I met them.
 
Cerries said:
Reading through all of your wonderful replies, it seems to me that this is very much a divided topic.

For those of you who are confident hacking, even out in traffic, was there anything particular that helped you gain that confidence, or was it just a case of time and persistence? Or maybe you didn't ever not have confidence?

I've found that since having my daughter (who's coming up to six), I find that I evaluate 'risk' very differently. When I was a little younger with no children, I was a lot braver. But since I've become a mother, I think twice (or three or four times!) about putting myself in situations that could potentially be dangerous.
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Going out with my Dad. Pony is very flighty but knowing my Dad was there (with a leadrope on the first few times) really helped :) Still go with him but just because Dusty's nappy x
 
Perhaps I'm a bit odd, but I actively look forward to meeting bizarre bits of traffic. It's pretty hard to find anything that upsets them, and I get an enormous feeling of pride when they take something in their stride which 'ought' to frighten them.

We joked that this Sunday must be 'national mid-life crisis' day or similar, because of the number of motorbikes we met... at one point 20+ passed us in convoy, and very close, as the road was restricted by on-street parking. Ponies totally unaffected :)

If there is someone reading this who would like to ride out in safe company to help either themselves or their horse, I would be happy to meet up. (NW Hants).
 
I used to love hacking when I lived up in Staffs and had access to Cannock Chase. I never used the school and used to go out for hours.

Now I'm in the South East I've really lost my bottle - too much roadwork and too many bad drivers.
 
I used to love hacking out but I don't enjoy it as much now as I used to. Not sure why, as all my horses have been fun/safe to hack and I have good off road hacking. I don't like going out on the roads though and would tend to avoid that. I still hack out every week pretty much (and horse is always hacked out at least twice a week, by me, the yard or my sharer) as I think it's good for the horse's wellbeing, soundness and fitness.

I know some people are a bit sniffy about happy hackers but frankly hacking can be more dangerous so I totally understand why people or horses might be nervous of it. I think it's worth tackling though.
 
I will be honest, I am so glad that I now have access to off road hacking, so I don't have to go near a road. We have traffic on our yard as it's caravan storage and things so horses regularly see cars, caravans, vans, lorries and tractors, but without being on a public road.

My friends horse was killed on the road about 12 years ago, and it was a horrific day that I will never be able to forget.
 
It really is interesting to see everyone's views.

I have to say, after a recent incident I am inclided to agree with Cortez.

My horse is stabled on the outskirts of a very quiet, sleepy village. Not much traffic, generally a quiet area. You are more likely to meet dog walkers who on the whole have dogs on the lead and there are no issues.

However, the lass who rode my horse had an incident with a car, her and another girl were hacking down the road to use the bigger arena at another yard. The other girls mum was walking behind them.

The last bit of road to the arena is narrow enough that if two cars met, one would have to pull in slightly to let the other past. There are passing places too. Two young girls wearing hi vis on horses who aren't phased by traffic. Hackback comes up behind them, revving the engine, girls pull in as much as they can in single file and trot on to the next passing place maybe 10-15m ahead, so the car can get past. Car then mounted the grass verge to SQUEEZE past them. The worst part is, she pulled in about 50m up the road onto a horse property... when we described the lady to YO, YO confirmed that the lady did infact have horses.

I was furious and it was reported to the police, the girls mum got a picture of the vehicle reg. The horses were angels, but that driver put two 15 year old girl's lives at risk for the sake of 50m.

I have been really jittery about hacking out since. My horse is now retired so a moot point, but my point is that we are on quiet roads, in farm territory where the village is part of an estate where the owner has horses, two girls accompanied by an adult all wearning Hi Vis, all insured, all well behaved, nearly got wiped out by some jumped up horsey person.
 
Reading this with interest!! I have always felt like a bit of a fool for my fear of hacking - road work really. It's really nice to know I'm not alone in the thinking that, while my horse is pretty sane and I'm able to sit a spook at the crisp packet in the hedge, there is no accounting for idiot drivers.

That said, I do believe that variety is good for a horse so we're taking advantage of the spare fields at the yard and, once transport issue resolved, will be aiming to get out every weekend (or as many as possible) to clinics, my instructor's, places with off-road hacking etc.
 
Very interesting thread. Our yard is on a typical B road that years ago was quiet and lovely, now its a rat run and the only time, imo, that it is halfway safe to ride is on a weekend morning. The irony is that we are less than 100 yards on one side and half a mile on the other from lovely bridleways but even that tiny stretch, is too risky most of the time. 3 years ago I was fortunate to be able to buy a small lorry, it was either that or move, but as the yard is 2 minutes from home, I really didnt want to. I wouldnt keep a horse if I couldnt hack out, I dont enjoy schooling, Im not a competitive person and am a happy hacker through and through. Of the 10 horses at our yard, mine is the only one who ever leaves it, the others are only ever ridden in the paddock/school. They dont seem to mind, if Im honest it would bore me to death, not sure about my horse. I do agree though, the biggest worry is not knowing what some of the idiot drivers will do, most around us are really good, but it only takes one. If you are in doubt, I wouldnt hack out yet. As you gain confidence in your horse and your own ability you can begin by taking baby steps, get a trusted hacking buddy or even someone on foot to come with you initially and see how you get on
 
I also think it's safer to hack in a group or pair and don't hug the verge or ride in the gutter. A vehicle is less likely to slow down or try and squeeze by for a single rider riding in the gutter than a group who are using the road sensibly. The group or pair can move into single file when theyr sure they've been seen.
 
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