Dressage riders

[Paint it Lucky]

When you hack out your horse do you have them work on the bit or allow them to carry their head in a relaxed position perhaps on a loose rein?

Just wondering, do you think horses will work on the bit in the school better if they are used to working like this all the time (including when hacking), or do you prefer to let them relax out hacking?

 

[Llwyncwn]

I always like my horses to work when out hacking, but do allow them to stretch when they need to. I found that if we hacked out 'on the buckle', she would argue the toss next time in the school

 

[Partoow]

I always ask mine to work to the connection.
1.As mine are mostly entires i have more control
2. I work them in stretch as hacking is for relaxation and i want them to walk out and swing
I do very little trotting on the roads , i trot and canter on the bridle paths that we luckily have.
We also have a canter track in one of our big field , so thats great for a blast.

 

[Reashi]

I always hack on a loose rein, mainly cause I like to have a laze too! I may as well ride in the school if I'm going to make them go on the bit.

 

[Halfstep]

I do both; I ask him to stretch down as in FWLR, and I ask him to work on the bit and alternate between the two. I also do lots of leg yield, shoulder in and travers when out hacking. But I do like to let him relax as much as possible.

 

[Shipley]

I do both, I let him look around too as I am think going around the school in an outline is a bit boring all the time. If I am trotting etc he is definatly on the bit!

 

[Dutch]

Hi

I think most dressage riders who hack do so on a relaxed rein I would always canter/trot with my horse in a round outline but I wouldn't worry too much, mainly to keep control!

I think the aim of hacking is always for them to relax and stretch so it wouldn't worry me too much, Dutchie always used to like to star gaze a bit when hacking and I didn't really worry about it too much! It was just for fun and fitness.

 

[0]

I always work my horse to the bit out hacking but keep all the paces working rather than collected. I do tend to move them about a bit out hacking, flexing a bit and working deeper and rounder and then allowing them to stretch a bit etc etc. If being quiet I will walk FWLR or on buckle end, if not, medium walk.

 

[mat]

I do the same as partoow, for the same reasons.(although I am v jealous about the field you have to canter in!

)

I will only ever trot on the road if its up a hill, and NOT flat out like so many riders I see!

 

[Tempi]

Blossy i let meander along on a loose rein and i dont ask her to go on the bit at all out hacking.

Archie carries himself in a natural outline so hes automatically 'on the bit' when hacking. I cant hack him on a loose rein yet as hes very spooky and nervous out hacking still.

 

[kick_On]

ditto
i like to as you say still have connection and on quiet lanes will ask for laterial work, but it's really ment to be chilling time, but if get spooked or daft will work in outline and make them work so they learn that if they are daft they have to work though issue, BUT i perfer chilling really

 

[franki]

My horse hates the arena so I find it easier to work him out on a hack. I have a field that I hack to, do a bit of schooling, some nice long canters then some more work. We mix it up, work, relax, canter, work etc. I find him much softer and easier to work out of the school. We do lateral work where we can, and 'cause we do some events in the summer it's great to practise dressage movements on grass.

 

[Thistle]

[ QUOTE ]
I do both; I ask him to stretch down as in FWLR, and I ask him to work on the bit and alternate between the two. I also do lots of leg yield, shoulder in and travers when out hacking. But I do like to let him relax as much as possible.

[/ QUOTE ]

ditto