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Donkey66

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I'm having a think about setting myself some goals for stretching the horse and myself when I get back in the saddle in 8 weeks time. I'm mid fifties and my horse is 16.1hh middleweight, sensible sort.

I want to draw up a bucket list of equestrian activities I can try, but without having to join all the societies, or buy massive amounts of special equipment. So entry level, or on a ticket, or hiring stuff.

We have done inhand showing and horse driving trials,

Easy ones on the list so far:-
Unaff dressage
Showjumping
Hunter trials
Fun ride
Side saddle lesson


I have thought of the following but don't know where to start.
Horse agility.
Le Trec

All ideas welcome :cool:
 
I can def recommend Trec - lots of fun, also I just did a 'Rider Analysis' Clinic (Centaur Russell), where they film you and play it back in slow mo to assess and improve your position, REALLY interesting and very insightful. I also once joined in on a 'taster' session with a Western Riding club (on own horse, normal tack etc) that was a laugh too!
 
Definitely try Western! Might be more of a project getting your horse used to the saddle but I think the most fun I've had trying something different was riding a western horse over humungous jumps in a Western saddle... Hilarious, hugely uncomfortable jumping but also so much fun. And if you stay on the flat you can teach your horse some really useful things like neck reining and maybe even discover why so many people love Western - cause those saddle are really comfy!
 
Mrs G said:
I can def recommend Trec - lots of fun, also I just did a 'Rider Analysis' Clinic (Centaur Russell), where they film you and play it back in slow mo to assess and improve your position, REALLY interesting and very insightful. I also once joined in on a 'taster' session with a Western Riding club (on own horse, normal tack etc) that was a laugh too!
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Western is definitely with a go. I have a shop that sells the gear nearby, I can ask there.
Where do I go to get started with Le Trec?
 
Where do I go to get started withe Le Trec?

The rider clinic sounds interesting. Have thought about a mechanical horse lesson, there's nowhere close so I'll just have to travel :)
Also a lunge lesson or three might be on the cards.
 
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Beach ride is a possibility, but I'd need a HHoer to advise on when and where and possibly to come along! That's right at the end of my comfort zone. :p

Couple of questions for better informed HHoers:-
Can you compete in Le Trec and Endurance without joining their societies? i.e. Do they have taster days?
and,
what is the shortest distance for an Endurance ride?

I am checking out the websites in-between doing the housework, but they seem to be written for people who know what they are doing!
 
You can enter EGB pleasure rides as a non member, and if you want to have a go at a novice graded ride or two you can enter them on a 'try before you buy' basis.

If you're already a member of an affiliated riding club you can enter 40km graded rides at members rates too, as long as you register for an EGB website account first.

It is a very addictive and friendly sport :)
 
Digger66 said:
Beach ride is a possibility, but I'd need a HHoer to advise on when and where and possibly to come along! That's right at the end of my comfort zone. :p

Couple of questions for better informed HHoers:-
Can you compete in Le Trec and Endurance without joining their societies? i.e. Do they have taster days?
and,
what is the shortest distance for an Endurance ride?

I am checking out the websites in-between doing the housework, but they seem to be written for people who know what they are doing!
Click to expand...

If your close enough to ride at Woburn, then your close enough to get to Campbell Park. They ran endurance there a couple of weeks ago. I think theres one later in the year. Theres one August/September time at Hanslope, near the eventing centre as well
 
Used to train TB's to go on the beach all the time. The trick is to do it over a number of times; the first few times just to circle near the entrance/exit (i.e. "yes horse, you do have to behave down here too and it is just another place to do schooling"). Most people go to the beach, ride along it, and then wonder why their horse's brains blow up when they turn for home.
Some horses are very suspicious of walking on the sand - if you don't have someone with you then just get off and lead for a while. But watch for rolling as soon as they realise it is soft!
Don't trot or canter an area until you know there are no really soft spots/sink holes (we used to follow car tracks).
Most horses suspicious of the waves to start with and tend to go sideways when a wave is coming toward them. Another horse helps here but you can just edge them in slowly if the water is calm. Take care if there is a lot of seaweed in the water though - can turn your horse into a leaping porpoise! Ditto if you go in deep enough to swim them and they catch site of their tail spreading on the water behind them.
Some horses just seem to go: "oh, a big strange field with a large puddle in it. I don't mind" and react no differently than at home. They are all a bit different.
 
I have just entered the Hanslope ride at the beginning of Aug. this is the first thing I've entered for 40 years.:p
Where can I get good succint info on what to expect? Anyone coming with me?

Wkiwi. Thanks, that's the sort of info I need. I have only ridden on the beach on an escorted ride, on someone else's horse.
 
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ooh, enjoy! I've got no transport yet otherwise I'd have volunteered. I think theres a facebook page, you could maybe arrange to join a group via that?
 
If you can work out a ride where you can go along the beach then back via lanes or bridlepath then that would be ideal, i.e. do a circuit rather than up the beach and back (but i would still do some circles near the entrance first to see what they are like).
Try to ride below the high tide line (with tide out of course) as the soft sand high on the beach is very tiring and puts strain on the tendons.
Okay to trot in the water if they like it, but don't do too much as it makes them work very hard. And watch out as some horses really like rolling in water too! (been there, done that, got the t-shirt).
Enjoy yourselves!
Happy to be pm'd if you have any Q's
 
wkiwi said:
If you can work out a ride where you can go along the beach then back via lanes or bridlepath then that would be ideal, i.e. do a circuit rather than up the beach and back (but i would still do some circles near the entrance first to see what they are like).
Try to ride below the high tide line (with tide out of course) as the soft sand high on the beach is very tiring and puts strain on the tendons.
Okay to trot in the water if they like it, but don't do too much as it makes them work very hard. And watch out as some horses really like rolling in water too! (been there, done that, got the t-shirt).
Enjoy yourselves!

Happy to be pm'd if you have any Q's
Click to expand...
Thanx. Very useful info:)
 
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