Figuring out a route from A to B on horse!

[KatieDM]

Hello! Apologies in advance if this has been covered but I can’t quite find what I’m looking for.

Where my current share horse (soon to be owned following a vetting ) is kept isn’t far from a great local riding school where my instructor also does freelance lessons using their hired arena (we have an arena at the yard but it’s very small and the hired one can also include a course of jumps).

I am considering how straightforward it would be to hack up for lessons, maybe twice a month. Is there any kind of website that can figure a route out for me? And maybe even estimated time based on walk and trot? Obvs I wouldn’t want to get there and be completely tired out, so need to try figure it out. I’ve looked at Google Maps and have some knowledge of the area, as we hack some of it anyway. It would definitely be a mix of on and off-road. He is fab in traffic and hacks 5-6 x a week. Young and fit

Thanks again and sorry if I’m being a bit… dim

 

[Spotherisk]

Can you not just put the two points into Google maps, change the mode of transport to on foot or bicycle?

Edited to say I would work it out on an OS map but I am old school most of the time.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Can you not just put the two points into Google maps, change the mode of transport to on foot or bicycle?

Edited to say I would work it out on an OS map but I am old school most of the time.

Agreed

OP, you could (if you have time) physically walk the route on foot to check it out, once you have decided the route that is.

 

[KatieDM]

Can you not just put the two points into Google maps, change the mode of transport to on foot or bicycle?

Edited to say I would work it out on an OS map but I am old school most of the time.

Yes definitely can, but I’m trying to garner if there’s a better route option for riding, otherwise it would be 100% road work (which may be the case and that’s fine if so!). Also I know it’s a bit “How long is a piece of string?” but looking for an estimated time. Car is 10 min, walking is 1h 15 min and cycle is 25 min. I think it’s highly possible I’m overthinking somewhat… I could also do a practice run?!

 

[teapot]

Bing maps has an OS map option if you want to see if there are any bridleways close by

 

[KatieDM]

Bing maps has an OS map option if you want to see if there any bridleways close by

Great tip, thanks. Using Bing shows me that the walking is 54 mins and shows the off-road routes and bridlepaths we often use!

 

[TheHairyOne]

I really like https://onthegomap.com/#/create for working out nice circular routes for general hacking.

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

I use plotaroute.com - it lets you plot a route and shows you the distance and it has all the footpaths and bridleways on it too!

 

[Keith_Beef]

Just walk the route and time yourself.

A human's walking speed isn't that much different to a horse's.

 

[KatieDM]

Just walk the route and time yourself.

A human's walking speed isn't that much different to a horse's.

Thanks. I know it probably seems really obvious to most, but my brain just wasn’t computing…

 

[mossycup]

A 3 mile walk hack for us takes around 50 mins-1 hour

 

[Parrotperson]

OS maps app has a facility for planning a route and includes a facility that lets you tell it you’re riding and how long it’ll take. I love it.

It’s £35 a year although there’s a free version but I don’t know what it includes.

 

[YourValentine]

I used to hack to lessons and local competition venue. If your horse is reasonably fit plan to walk & trot there and just allow 10-15min break on arrival before the lesson. I used to hop off and let him pick at grass just before the instructors yard, then lead him in and remount on yard for the lesson.

 

[KatieDM]

OS maps app has a facility for planning a route and includes a facility that lets you tell it you’re riding and how long it’ll take. I love it.

It’s £35 a year although there’s a free version but I don’t know what it includes.

That sounds great will check it out, thanks.

 

[KatieDM]

I used to hack to lessons and local competition venue. If your horse is reasonably fit plan to walk & trot there and just allow 10-15min break on arrival before the lesson. I used to hop off and let him pick at grass just before the instructors yard, then lead him in and remount on yard for the lesson.

Great tip, thank you.

 

[ihatework]

I’d just use OS map app and plot a route