Attitude towards people who like hacking best

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SO1

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Had a very exciting hack today - starting out with half way through the hack pony getting spooked by a loud noise leaping into the air loosing his footing and falling over with me falling off. Got back on friends confirmed pony fine and continued hack to enjoy a nice canter and then a jump over a ditch with water.

It then got me thinking about how there is a stereotype of people who like hacking being nervous people who are too frightened to compete or have horses that can't compete for whatever reason. I just wondered where this stereotype came from - are most people who like hacking very nervous riders as I think if you are very nervous hacking must be terrifying as there are so many things that could happen that you can't plan for.

I am not too scared to do a dressage test or go to show or jump and have done all of these things I just find hacking more exciting and fun and the people I hack out with from the yard do compete as well as enjoying hacking too.

None of the people I have hacked out with over the years have been frightened of competing or nervous but the stereotype of happy hacker being someone a bit incompetant who is not a good enough rider to do anything else or is too nervous to complete must of come from somewhere.

I know hacking is not as challenging as eventing and jumping ditches and logs whilst out hacking does not require the skill levels that jumping big cross country courses does but it does involves skills.

I have to admit sometimes I feel a little reluctant when I meet new horse people and they ask me what I do with my pony and I say we like hacking because I think they will think my pony is not of a sufficient quality to do anything else. I have a very nice quality native pony who has had his name in Horse and Hound 3 times and I have done some competitions with him in the past and may do in the future but at the moment I am enjoying hacking out with friends from the yard a lot and so that is what I want to do in my spare time.

I do wonder if we will ever move away from the image of someone who likes hacking being someone who is nervous or with a poor quality horse incapable of competing.
 
I love hacking. I love hunting and essentially hack out to keep my horse fit for hunting. I do not love going in the school because I'm rubbish at it (but endeavouring to improve!!). A lot of hunting people ride to hunt and hunt alone but I love hacking and exploring too, jumping what we can whilst we are out and cantering along beautiful headlands.

I love going on "epics" as Doormouse and I call them - we go cantering about, put the world to rights and it's a couple of hours where we can escape and enjoy our horses with no pressure. I do like competing doing hunter trials & team chases too though!!!

But yes there is a hacking stereotype - however going on a fun hack is one of the worlds most lovely treats I feel and how lucky we are that anyone at any level can do it!!
 
Part of the reason I took up endurance is because I loved hacking, I'm not brave enough to jump and I used to get nervous at competitions, endurance can be as competitive as you make it, with well marked routes in places you don't normally get to hack. Edited to say endurance people are a friendly bunch :)
 
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I think it is the opposite, some people who compete are scared to hack and their horses either do not hack or they employ a groom to hack them...... there are a couple of dressage riders near me who are petrified of hacking and only feel safe in an arena.(although they wont admit it)...they both employ grooms and the horses only hack out with them.... I must admit when my horse was a lot younger and very fit I didn't look forward to hacking out but I forced myself so she had variety....she is too old to compete now and I am enjoying hacking her even though she is still as feisty as before, I think I have just got used to exciting hacks!!!!!
 
There's hacking and there's hacking. I've been on yards with folk who called themselves "happy hackers" but were anything but - they spent their rides basically in the foetal position, in walk, sobbing if a car/ bird / cyclist has the audacity to appear in a mile radius of them. I used to be a happy hacker in that we travelled distances at speed and didn't care what we met. I enjoy it less now as my hacking is mostly roads and I prefer doing other things, so I don't identify with the label any more. I still largely do hack though...
 
I think hacking comprises of a lot of the skills of the rest of the disciplines, plus a few extra, depending on your hacking routes and obstacles involved, but because of how weird horsey people can be, some will look down on hackers, they may have a fantastic horse in say a dressage or show jumping ring, but then it won't hack out in traffic or over a bridge etc, but rather than just admitting how it is, to protect their own insecurities, they will slag off happy hackers, I am rather lazy, so tend to have to be pushed into going to a show with all the preparation, travelling, filling forms, hanging around only to cock up the course within 2 minutes, so I would rather spend that time hacking, I have done a bit of everything over the years, but hacking out is my favorite, I'm in it for the fun and love of horse's, I would love to have the courage to go hunting, but with my Po it would blow his brain and I don't think I would be able to manage it, I don't consider proper hacking as for nervous riders with poor quality horse's, in fact you need a good fit horse and quite a lot of courage.
 
Steerpike said:
Part of the reason I took up endurance is because I loved hacking, I'm not brave enough to jump and I used to get nervous at competitions, endurance can be as competitive as you make it, with well marked routes in places you don't normally get to hack. Edited to say endurance people are a friendly bunch :)
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Plus this, which is why I did it for quite a while :-)
 
Sometimes people are derogatory about something they don't understand because they feel threatened by the unfamiliar and sometimes they are just jealous but can't justify that emotion. There is a lot of ego involved in the way we talk about other people - usually revealing more about the speaker than the spoken about.

When I hack out I usually engage all of my horse's gears (or at least 3 of them!) in a properly controlled fashion and without the horse needing to use a school fence to stay on track. We have to do lateral work to do gates etc. We tackle very varied ground, have to cope with whatever obstacles and unknown things we come across, make decisions about pace, going ,blah blah!! I am lucky enough to be able to ride across open moorland and mountain too - with gullies, ditches and water as standard. I use a different set of skills than whilst doing a dressage test but those skills keep me and horse safe and fit, supple, brave and fresh. I certainly see the benefit of hacking in our school work, jumping and competing. Of course there are those riders who enjoy a very simple walk round the block so there are different sorts of 'happy hacker' but a happy plod must be better than a miserable days competing. Nowt so queer as folk really...
 
There are stereotypes in every walk of life, and there are people who fit the stereotypes, and people who are as far removed as can be. The only way forward is to not give a flying thingummyjig over what anyone else thinks, be happy with your own life, and get on with it. Smile sweetly at anyone who wants to make you feel inferior, and feel pity for them for being so insecure that they feel they have to put you down in order to make themselves appear better.
 
Hacking involves all your nerves. Traffic, machinery, children & all the other bits. I hack regularly, everything to roadwork, tracks & the odd hooley along the Trent when the cattle are off the fields.

Hacking takes brain work from both you & your Bobbo. Camilla naps & is unreasonably afraid of dead things. I've learnt not to be afraid to push on.

She also REALLY enjoys a good blast along the river bank.

Hacking is NOT a sloppy, second choice of work for your horse. It builds character & confidence.
 
Interesting thread! I used to compete, so 'hacking' was actually an exercise regime towards or maintaining a certain level of fitness/ stamina/ etc. It was the same at work (exercise in preparation for comp or hunting). It feels odd to have a horse now with no intention of competing! For me, because exercise always (or usually) served a specific purpose, it's odd to think of hacking just for the fun of it - but I'm coming around to the idea. So, I might be one of those people who struggles to appreciate hacking for what it is but that's not a personal slight against anyone, just a gap in my own experience and understanding :).
 
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I envy those who hack regularly. Before I lost my mare we did a few shows and would ride at home but I was rarely confident enough to hack out. I think that those who hack (especially alone) are very brave.

As for the quality of the "happy hacker" horses/ponies, it seems a consistently safe, sound and reliable hack is the hardest of all to find. Or at least that is what I gather from reading on here. Count yourself lucky if you have one!
 
JennBags said:
There are stereotypes in every walk of life, and there are people who fit the stereotypes, and people who are as far removed as can be. The only way forward is to not give a flying thingummyjig over what anyone else thinks, be happy with your own life, and get on with it. Smile sweetly at anyone who wants to make you feel inferior, and feel pity for them for being so insecure that they feel they have to put you down in order to make themselves appear better.
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This ^

I couldn't give a stuff what anyone else thinks.
Have done a fair bit in the past, but do meet a few who quite plainly sneer, I just give them a cheerful grin and carry on :)
 
I used to compete but dont bother now due to time and not really enjoying it...just doesn't hold my interest. I have always enjoyed hacking more than anything, but then I've been lucky in always having had lots off great off road riding as well as roads. Working in an arena doesn't motivate me. Being able to ride in open spaces at all paces and negotiate obstacles, rivers, banks, and different scenes every time, does!
 
I wonder if it is me though in some ways that makes myself feel inferior or not as good as everyone else, because I feel the activity I enjoy is deemed by many to be not very exciting or low skilled. Often the first question people ask when they meet you for the first time is what do you do with your horse, sometimes I feel tempted to say I do grand prix dressage and see what they say!

Interesting last year was the first year I did not go out to any competitions and it was actually one of the happiest years I have had with my pony. I did one sponsored ride which we really enjoyed and a handy pony clear round.

Most of the people at my yard compete or would like to. I hack out with friends with competition horses and part of the reason I am so happy to hack out is because of them. They are nice and don't make me feel inferior even though not only do I like hacking best but I am an adult on a pony as well! My pony has livened up since he hacks out with the big horses and got fitter and more exciting to ride. He has got a bit overexcited a couple of times and bucked me off in canter but he is pretty good most of the time.

I also enjoy lessons but don't have them that often.



JennBags said:
There are stereotypes in every walk of life, and there are people who fit the stereotypes, and people who are as far removed as can be. The only way forward is to not give a flying thingummyjig over what anyone else thinks, be happy with your own life, and get on with it. Smile sweetly at anyone who wants to make you feel inferior, and feel pity for them for being so insecure that they feel they have to put you down in order to make themselves appear better.
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I love hacking.
Because I'm rubbish at schooling... and dear pony doesn't have a lot of enthusiasm for it either!

Keeps us both blooming fit though!
 
I used to like hacking but I hate hacking on roads at all and here you have to go on roads. It's not fun for me or has any point to it when the most i can do is a trot and have my horse terrified by bad drivers. It scares me too when it's like that which will never help the horses confidence.

When someone tells me they only do hacking i tend to just think they probably got bored of the competing world or just can't be bothered with it. That said when you tell people you don't hack at all or very little they seem to think something is wrong with you as well.
 
Love this thread. There does seem to be stigma around being 'happy hacker' in the horse world, but I agree that getting out and about coping with varied terrain, vehicles, dogs, people, horse-eating crisp packets etc takes a certain degree of confidence and courage. I have been through bad confidence struggles hacking previously, but I now love it and wouldn't have a horse that isnt happy both alone and in company. Nothing like getting out there exploring with your horse, relaxing in nature and building fitness in a fun way. It reminds me of when I was younger and would play horse PC games like Willowbrook Stables and Pippa Funnel, used to love going off having wacky (virtual) adventures! :P
 
To me Hacking is boring , I do it because it's good for the horses and I'll tell you a secret I get bored if I go hunting to much .
I don't find hacking challenging but I enjoy the horses enjoyment .
 
I really should have added I could not care less what people enjoy doing , I don't go to competitions myself anymore and I know some people find it strange but I just can't be bothered with it all any more .
 
I have met the opposite. I don't hack my mare generally (though not completely aversed to it). I have little enjoyment in it now the roads are so busy and with a spooky large horse, a toddler, and job to hold down, I really value my neck far too much. I have encountered people who seem to scoff at me not hacking, but I quite frankly couldn't give a doo doo. I pay for my horse, no one else, so I will do what I am happy doing. :)
 
Hacking is my absolute favourite. I love to go exploring on horseback, it's great bonding time, and you really get to know your horse's personality more than you ever could in an arena. It's also a great stamina builder. I think it's good to have that level of trust in your horse so that you can go out to face unknown obstacles together. I cannot wait to get hacking with my new mare. I don't give a toss if people want to sneer at us for being happy hackers, because like the name suggests, I do it because it makes me happy!
 
Goldenstar said:
I really should have added I could not care less what people enjoy doing , I don't go to competitions myself anymore and I know some people find it strange but I just can't be bothered with it all any more .
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Yes. I do what makes Milly & me happy. She likes a gentle bimble on a Sunday morning when I'm feeling fragile, but we still like a good rake about. Her owner has suggested Bloodhounding next winter. Anyone got any Brave Pants for sale?
 
I think people should just enjoy their horses, be it by competing, hacking or both.
I have always loved hacking, but I also competed. Now I'm too old to compete so I hack. I do like the odd cross country course though, but not competitively. If you are enjoying what you do with your horse it is nobody else's business to judge.
 
Goldenstar said:
I really should have added I could not care less what people enjoy doing , I don't go to competitions myself anymore and I know some people find it strange but I just can't be bothered with it all any more .
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Im with you done all the competing etc,dont miss the having to go out in the rain because you have to .I also know that if I get on a horse I wont be happy unless I am pushing the limits. Had a very similar experience with shooting ,I was out one day and I thought I dont enjoy this anymore and never been since but that and hunting were a huge part of my life.
Now I just enjoy the horses at home as there is nothing better than spending an hour or two with them in the field.

On the hacking front it is very easy to forget that up until recently hacking was really the only chance to school horses and personally I think they learnt quicker as they were doing it as part of a fun time out,not getting bored going round in circles. Schools have made riders lazy and made it easy to avoid hacking and it becomes a vicious circus .
 
why does jumping logs and ditches out hacking not require the same skill as on a cross country course? Surley it depends what jumps and ditches you are tackling and what you level you would be at competing? we can hack across cross coutry courses here too it wanted and have cross country jumps on the farm.
I don't compete due to a lack of trasport, money ad I am not really driven to compete on the horse- I hack out for hours just me and my mare, we cross ditches push under fallen branches etc, we explore places we have never been, I do that because it is very enjoyable, those on the yard that compete will not hack out ut each to their own.
 
Who gives a S H one T about what people think.

It is a privilege to ride a horse regardless of what we do. We need to remember that and enjoy what we have for as long as we can. So I have taken the pain relief, have the day off work and am off to bumble around the lanes on a common cob. How lucky am I.
 
I used to love hacking - whether it was a short ride round the block or a fast paced ride. I fell off on a road so it will be a while (if ever) I can get myself to do that again. I am riding though and getting more confident just schooling - I enjoy it and my mare enjoys it. Whilst I am very jealous of those at my yard who just wander out for a hack I am very happy to be doing what I'm doing with mine.
 
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