Essential items when hacking out

goodness! Some of those are long lists! I just take a phone, though the amount of kit I have to (a) attempt to stop me falling off the horse and (b) if I do to stop me from breaking, is a list in itself. Am tending to the thought of adding a hip flask though... :)
 
Bum bag with phone, small amount of money in case we pass a pub/ice cream seller/burger stand ..... Swiss Army knife with gadgets of all kinds, cable ties for emergency repairs, string, drink bottle if planning to be out more than a couple of hours, small fly spray in summer, hi viz oh and one chunky highland pony. Wouldn't be the same without the last item somehow ....
 
Just my phone- sometimes tbh I don't even take that, if I have no secure pocket for instance. I hack round a fairly busy area and figure I'd be able to get help pretty quick.
As I write this I realise it's a bit stupid, how likely is a passer by to be to have a vets number?! Must make more effort!
 
Sheesh - I've done 160 km endurance rides with less stuff than what's on some of those lists ! Just for a hack - me, horse. Have managed 39 years without a phone so not about to start now, but love my Garmin GPS for training rides - like having a speedo on the horse.
 
I take a long distance walkie talkie, as we have no phone signal my husband keeps the other one with him when I am out as I once had to walk my horse 3 miles home after he had hurt himself out hacking.

I usually have a carrot in my pocket in case horse and I become separated I can get him back and sometimes I have my penknife but this is just because I have it in my pocket when I'm on the yard for opening hay, etc
 
Auslander said:
Keys to the yard! The day I forgot them, and carefully popped the padlock, was a day I'd rather forget. Poor Alf was a bit confused when I made him wait outside the gate for half an hour until I managed to get hold of a friend to come and hold him while I climbed the gate and went to retrieve the keys from my car!
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I have done this..padlocked gate and realised keys were on other side....had nothing to tie looney horse up with. Luckily my friend was coming to ride out with me so I had to wait until she arrived to hold the horse while I climbed back over gate and retrieved the keys....

So yeah..yard keys.
Phone
Hoof pick
Treats ( horse wouldn't be mounted when I got him, with the judicious use of treats now the ****** won't move off without one)
 
If it's a short one (say, up to 2 hours) on familiar ground, phone. If it's a longer one, it'll usually be farther away, so I'm likely to have the usual Endurance kit, which includes things like small first-aid kit, sterile dressing, and vet wrap. Sometimes I have a map case, too. I'm also likely to pack treats or lunch for me (and the pony), since I get cranky if not fed regularly.

Oh, for a longer one, I'm also more likely to use the Endurance bridle, which converts into a headcollar/leadrope if needed.
 
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AdorableAlice said:
Valium and a parachute.
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Ha ha ha :):):) LUVVIT.

I always take a phone - plus a nose-wipe as I always find I need it.

Plus polo mints. In case of unscheduled dismount and horse goes heading over the horizon PDQ...... bribery and corruption never fails to get them to come back IME.

Oh, and usually we'll tie up a leadrope and bung it either on the saddle or around their necks. Handy for if you're out hacking and see a sheep on its back (like we often do) and need to tie-up in a hurry.
 
Megibo said:
Why money???

I just have Hi-Viz and mobile phone! :)
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I think this goes back to the days of pre-mobile phones, when you needed to carry 10p around with you in case you needed to make a phone call, of course you had to find a phone box first and then a phone box with a working phone in it that hadn't been vandalised!!

I said earlier that I always take lip balm, my phone and my dog but I forgot to say Hi-Viz. I always, always wear it, I'd feel quite naked without it.
 
And be careful everyone who takes keys out with them as to where you put them, I managed to lose my car key somewhere on Epsom Downs once it was an absolute nightmare, I NEVER take any keys with me now.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Valium and a parachute.
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Hahaaa!
Always hi viz, always take my mobile in case of emergency (not to chat on!). Fold up hoofpick & some rolled up bailer twine. Usually a spare contact lense and tiny fold up mirror too - never had one fall out when riding but am prepared for when it does!
I always have a pack of mints in my pocket, as I have this stupid notion that if my mare dumps me on the hills and takes off into the sunset, she will turn and come back for a mint. I know this is a complete waste of time, however it did actually work with my late gelding, he was extremely food orientated - I've done it ever since, he would do anything for a treat!
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Ha ha ha :):):) LUVVIT.

I always take a phone - plus a nose-wipe as I always find I need it.

Plus polo mints. In case of unscheduled dismount and horse goes heading over the horizon PDQ...... bribery and corruption never fails to get them to come back IME.

Oh, and usually we'll tie up a leadrope and bung it either on the saddle or around their necks. Handy for if you're out hacking and see a sheep on its back (like we often do) and need to tie-up in a hurry.
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I'd of thought a machete, portable BBQ and mint sauce would be more useful in the 'sheep situation' :biggrin3:
 
Another who is amazed the amount of stuff people take out for a hack!!

The only time I take anything other than a phone is when I am going on a summer pub stop.
 
did someone say "binoculars"? Eh, what? Is that to watch your horse disappearing into the distance after it's dumped you?
 
phone
leadrope if i take my loan horse out (mad 22 year old and he thinks he is about 3 no joke)
fold up hoof pick
whip
chocolate
mints or lovehearts (horses just love love hearts !!!!)
 
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