Lucy_Ally
Well-Known Member
So what are your rules/prefences? Does the quality of hacking effect your rules?
Cantering out hacking
- Thread starter Lucy_Ally
- Start date
teapot
Well-Known Member
Rarely cantered the kids out hacking, but have hacked in groups when we have
Ground doesn't have to be perfect - nothing too jarring as it were, and def not slippy. Any surface - grass, stubble fields, chalkly bridleways and an old quarry
Have cantered both away and to home normally dependent on which hack we were doing.
Canter was only ever kicked on with the more experienced groups and even then it wasn't anything more than probably an extented canter. Can only think of one hack where we've really gone for it and we did the 2hr hack in about an 1hr. And cantered in groups - 2 of us up to 6 or possibly 7.
Only cantered once on my own, when was hind escort once, group trotted and I stayed behind then cantered to catch up.
And I really could do with going for a good blast now
Ground doesn't have to be perfect - nothing too jarring as it were, and def not slippy. Any surface - grass, stubble fields, chalkly bridleways and an old quarry
Have cantered both away and to home normally dependent on which hack we were doing.
Canter was only ever kicked on with the more experienced groups and even then it wasn't anything more than probably an extented canter. Can only think of one hack where we've really gone for it and we did the 2hr hack in about an 1hr. And cantered in groups - 2 of us up to 6 or possibly 7.
Only cantered once on my own, when was hind escort once, group trotted and I stayed behind then cantered to catch up.
And I really could do with going for a good blast now
KatB
Well-Known Member
Almost always have a canter, but only on VERY good ground, nice flat grass, and ground I know, so no holes etc. Will canter in company, but not huge groups, and canter away and towards home. Will occasionally have gallop if ground is good, and find anywhere long enough!!
Seahorse
Well-Known Member
I always canter out hacking, as long as the going is good.
I feel cheated if I don't have a good canter on a hack
I'm lucky that we have some lovely woods to ride in, with lovely sandy tracks. Also a lovely big long field that always seems to have nice springy going. Will canter away and towards home too, doesn't seem to matter to Axey, not bad for a 4yr old
sam x
I feel cheated if I don't have a good canter on a hack
I'm lucky that we have some lovely woods to ride in, with lovely sandy tracks. Also a lovely big long field that always seems to have nice springy going. Will canter away and towards home too, doesn't seem to matter to Axey, not bad for a 4yr old
sam x
serena2005
Well-Known Member
we rarly have a canter out on hacks, being in london there is not alot of hacking, there is one field we can go to to have a canter but its a long hack so it rarely done.
i envy all of you that canter out on hacks
i envy all of you that canter out on hacks
kirstyfk
Well-Known Member
I live a 30 min hack to the beach so often go for a gallop. Have a few canters in the forrestry to get there but they keep digging up our canter tracks!
Lucy_Ally
Well-Known Member
This is really interesting, having moved to a new yard this year and hacked out with a number of different people it amazes me at people's varying attitudes on cantering whilst out on a hack. One girl gallops everywhere on any surface and always in the same places and another will preferabley only canter on grass!
I used to be quite fussy where I cantered but this was because when I was in Cumbria we had lots and lots of good off-road hacking with plenty of canter spots, now where we are we are confined mostly to tracks and the odd field. So my opinion has changed and as long as it isn't too hard/slippery/stoney I will have a canter. I try not to use the same places but will often push on for a gallop if she is behaving herself! She is pretty good in company so don't mind cantering with others - but I wouldn't do this with every horse!
I used to be quite fussy where I cantered but this was because when I was in Cumbria we had lots and lots of good off-road hacking with plenty of canter spots, now where we are we are confined mostly to tracks and the odd field. So my opinion has changed and as long as it isn't too hard/slippery/stoney I will have a canter. I try not to use the same places but will often push on for a gallop if she is behaving herself! She is pretty good in company so don't mind cantering with others - but I wouldn't do this with every horse!
Skhosu
Well-Known Member
We have roads...roads...and more roads!!!!
Nari
Well-Known Member
I don't canter my horse out hacking (will do other people's though) because he's too unpredictable. There is a strong chance of him bucking badly & bolting - if he gets a rider off (& if he means to he will) he then bolts for home with no regard for traffic, walkers or anything else. As he's good in every other respect I chose not to put myself, him or anyone else around in a dangerous position.
star
Well-Known Member
a hack isn't a hack without a canter IMHO! I can canter him anywhere I want, any direction - he knows he's not allowed to canter without being asked to. He tries it on, esp at the moment when he's only meant to be doing walk and trot, but he would never go unless I said he could. In company he is stronger, esp behind, but not so strong I cant stop if I want to and i prefer cantering in company because he is more enthusiastic. Doesn't matter how many other horses, but if I know I'm going with a big group I put a stronger bit in as he can get a bit too keen and try and overtake and not everyone can deal with that.
Re: ground - i am incredibly fussy. Can be grass or sand, but must not be too deep or rock solid, although given the choice would go for firmer, rather than deep because of all his ligament problems.
Re: ground - i am incredibly fussy. Can be grass or sand, but must not be too deep or rock solid, although given the choice would go for firmer, rather than deep because of all his ligament problems.
Chex
Well-Known Member
I love a good gallop, do at least one on every hack. Thats probably why he's so badly behaved! I only canter on grass, if its not too wet, or solid. Only generally the gallops are out of control anyway, so not as much say over where we go! I'll only gallop in company if everyone is ok with it.
Jemayni
Well-Known Member
Im amazed that more people don't always canter in the same places. My horses no where the canters are and it makes it so much more interesting! Do you all have a lot of choice so you can pick where you canter on different days?
RunToEarth
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Im amazed that more people don't always canter in the same places.
[/ QUOTE ]
I hate my horses to predict things, I just dont like it, so I always vary where I canter, and for how long. Saying that, I almost always canter, I find it a big part of fitness for the hunters during the winter, and a good gallop once a week.
Im amazed that more people don't always canter in the same places.
[/ QUOTE ]
I hate my horses to predict things, I just dont like it, so I always vary where I canter, and for how long. Saying that, I almost always canter, I find it a big part of fitness for the hunters during the winter, and a good gallop once a week.
GTs
Well-Known Member
I hate horses who predict things, and I think it is dangerous for them to predict things on a hack - what if they get loose?
RunToEarth
Well-Known Member
Yes exactly. I need safe horses for hacking, I dont have the roads for silly ones, so predicting things for me is a huuuuuuuuuuge no no, it was something I used to do when I had ponies, aged 10.
GTs
Well-Known Member
I need safe horses for everything................
Tia
Well-Known Member
I canter sometimes and sometimes I just want a nice leisurely ride. I'll canter wherever if I feel like it so long as the ground isn't too hard or stony.
Mine are all great to either canter away or back to home - never have any problems with this.
I never ever canter in the same place. Luckily the whole of the trails I go on can be cantered at any point so no need to choose just one or two places. I have absolutely fantastic hacking where I live but actually I rarely even go off my farm because we have some of the best trails in the area on it.
I never ever gallop my horses - always a gentle lope. The only place I would ever gallop my guys would be on a track or gallops - no way do I want knackered legs I'm afraid; my guys are just too valuable to me to risk it.
Mine are all great to either canter away or back to home - never have any problems with this.
I never ever canter in the same place. Luckily the whole of the trails I go on can be cantered at any point so no need to choose just one or two places. I have absolutely fantastic hacking where I live but actually I rarely even go off my farm because we have some of the best trails in the area on it.
I never ever gallop my horses - always a gentle lope. The only place I would ever gallop my guys would be on a track or gallops - no way do I want knackered legs I'm afraid; my guys are just too valuable to me to risk it.
siennamum
Well-Known Member
Canter absolutely everywhere and anywhere. Canter on most hacks if possible, gallop if possible, happily canter in the same place, away from hom or towards. Will ride in company cautiously if with less capable people - ie the kids.
Theresa_F
Well-Known Member
Provided the ground is not too hard or too soft and fairly even I love a canter.
Cairo I can canter out with anything, but would have to be careful with Fleur - she didn't race but got very het up if she got left behind. Breeze loved to race and provided the ground was good and the place was right, I often indulged us.
If the ground is really good, I will have the occasional gallop to let off steam.
I try to vary my canter places, though Breeze knew the "gallop" and would be jogging sideways 100 yards away if she thought I was in the mood for fun.
Cairo I can canter out with anything, but would have to be careful with Fleur - she didn't race but got very het up if she got left behind. Breeze loved to race and provided the ground was good and the place was right, I often indulged us.
If the ground is really good, I will have the occasional gallop to let off steam.
I try to vary my canter places, though Breeze knew the "gallop" and would be jogging sideways 100 yards away if she thought I was in the mood for fun.
4whitesocks
Well-Known Member
love a good canter, only hack out in fields not on roads atm, don't like to canter in same place every time as I haven't done enough of it with him yet to know how fizzy he will get with expectation - in fact am really just figuring out how much brakes & control I have (we've only really started hacking out in the last month or so)
Have yet to really let him go in a gallop (again that's down to not knowing him well enough but so far so good)
Would only canter/gallop on decent ground that's not too hard or soft but don't have gallops or woodland to ride on
am amazed at teh mo that the fitter he gets the more control I seem to have but I also think that's a trust thing on both our parts
Have yet to really let him go in a gallop (again that's down to not knowing him well enough but so far so good)
Would only canter/gallop on decent ground that's not too hard or soft but don't have gallops or woodland to ride on
am amazed at teh mo that the fitter he gets the more control I seem to have but I also think that's a trust thing on both our parts
tinker512
Well-Known Member
Canter on Good ground
Canter same places, away and to home...
If we have a stretch to gallop we will, somewhere they can really open up, normally across a field(football field
) so ground is really flat and good.And yes in company, I don't really mind
Sometimes in the places we usually gallop its good to hold him back and we get such a lovely bouncy collected canter, if only I could get that in the showring!
Canter same places, away and to home...
If we have a stretch to gallop we will, somewhere they can really open up, normally across a field(football field
Sometimes in the places we usually gallop its good to hold him back and we get such a lovely bouncy collected canter, if only I could get that in the showring!
riotgirl
Well-Known Member
I only have roads to ride on so am restricted to walking/trotting as am too paraonid to canter to the verges!
burtie
Well-Known Member
I will happily canter away and towards home, but only gallop away from home.
I also will never go home faster than I went out(unless it starts raining!). As it just encourages good behaviour.
I also will never go home faster than I went out(unless it starts raining!). As it just encourages good behaviour.
LauraBR
Well-Known Member
I'm really lucky to have amazing hacking at my yard- we can go for hours and not even venture off the YOs land.
Can ride ned with any amount of company (just need to expect a few excited bucks in company and let him go a bit to begin with otherwise end up in a battle) and canter a lot on hacks.
My only rule is that I won't canter in the same place in the same week if I can help it- nothing worse than a horse anticipating a canter and not getting one. Sam threw a massive tantrum the second week I had him because I didn't let him gallop up a hill- was my own fault because it was my favourite hill to gallop up so did it every time!
Don't mind heavy ground so long as it isn't slippy on the surface, won't canter on very hard ground either.
Can ride ned with any amount of company (just need to expect a few excited bucks in company and let him go a bit to begin with otherwise end up in a battle) and canter a lot on hacks.
My only rule is that I won't canter in the same place in the same week if I can help it- nothing worse than a horse anticipating a canter and not getting one. Sam threw a massive tantrum the second week I had him because I didn't let him gallop up a hill- was my own fault because it was my favourite hill to gallop up so did it every time!
Don't mind heavy ground so long as it isn't slippy on the surface, won't canter on very hard ground either.
Bex7
Well-Known Member
Quite lucky where we are as there is loads of off road hacking through woods and farms. We generally have a canter and quite often a good gallop, now that I am brave enough to do so lol
I like to vary where we canter although galloping is a bit more restricted so it tends to be the same couple of spots and I like to make a point of walking the gallop spots now and then or even just trot to make sure he is listening and not predicting which IMO can be dangerous, especially as I am generally just on board for the ride on a gallop!
I like to vary where we canter although galloping is a bit more restricted so it tends to be the same couple of spots and I like to make a point of walking the gallop spots now and then or even just trot to make sure he is listening and not predicting which IMO can be dangerous, especially as I am generally just on board for the ride on a gallop!
atlantis
Well-Known Member
As long as ground is not too stoney, hard or soft then I love a good canter. I think its important for keeping my boys fitness up, and have to do lots of fittening work with him as he's native and we were having a go at eventing this year (only intro at the mo)
I will have a gallop occaisionally as long as the ground is really good. I try to avoid cantering in the same places all the time as I also dislike it when horses anticipate, but we don't have the most amount of choice, especially in the summer if the ground is on the hard side, so sometimes I do have to. Boo is generally very good though, and doesn't get strong. I'm lucky in that respect
Am thinking of boxing to some all weather gallops near me next year in the summer, as really do need to give him a good workout sometimes
I will have a gallop occaisionally as long as the ground is really good. I try to avoid cantering in the same places all the time as I also dislike it when horses anticipate, but we don't have the most amount of choice, especially in the summer if the ground is on the hard side, so sometimes I do have to. Boo is generally very good though, and doesn't get strong. I'm lucky in that respect
Am thinking of boxing to some all weather gallops near me next year in the summer, as really do need to give him a good workout sometimes
TGM
Well-Known Member
I'm very careful about what ground I canter on - I've seen too many horses injured on unsuitable ground. Try to canter both towards and away from home - unfortunately on our shortest hacks the best canter tracks are towards home. (Because we live on the top of a hill - which means the away from home tracks are downhill and the homeward ones are uphill!). Try to avoid always cantering in the same place and sometimes will walk up the canter tracks, then loop back round and canter up them, just to keep the horses guessing.
SecretSquirrell379
Well-Known Member
I have only been cantering my mare out again for the last 3-4 months and normally in company but I will have a canter on our own if she is being good. The problem I have with her is so is SO strong and I do struggle to keep control. She just sticks her head down and goes for it. I had my first gallop last weekend
it was only for 10 seconds and I didn't like it, I didn't feel in control, it was too fast and I didn't feel like I could stop her when I wanted to, so I won't be doing that again in a hurry. I try and vary where we canter and either towards or away from home, it makes no difference, she still goes like a steam train!
RobinHood
Well-Known Member
I have very few places where I think it is ok to canter so I always end up cantering in the same places. I have to hack for about 3 hours to have a proper canter, or take them somehwere in the lorry. The problem with limited cantering out hacking is that I can only really canter in the school so my horse is usually a bit fresh
. I can't believe the ground other people are happy to canter/gallop on, often it's places where I wouldn't even trot.
Salcey
Well-Known Member
We always try and have a canter on every hack out, depending on the ground of course. My mare will canter in a group or on her own. Occasionally have a gallop when out with the kids - depends what mood the little welshie is in!!