First ever fun ride.......what to expect????

skychick

skychick

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So.....am doing first funride with ratbag a week tomorrow....20th June in the Hemyock area, Devon.

What is involved???

I know there are optional jumps and river crossings but what should i expect?

Anyone got any tips??

It could be rather interesting, my horse is notoriously "lively" at fun rides aparently according to his previous owner and the horse i am going with is a 4yo ex racer (who in fairness is really laid back and chilled out!....but im sure may be a bit more on his toes as its his first fun ride!) I hack out with the ex racer a lot as my horse is a nappy so and so and the ex racer is fab, he will just carry on when my horse prats about and runs into him or spooks into him! We are a good team, i shal lead the other horse over the jumps with paddy as he jumps anything, and she will help me get there and keep going forwards.

Keep your fingers crossed for us :-D :-D :-D
 
They are a fab day out, you can go at your own speed and jump what you want/don't want.

The only thing I would be aware of is other people. Its not uncommon to be walking along enjoying yourself and a group of people coming whizzing past you at 70mph, cue your pony trying to go with them!! You may be in control of your horse, just be careful of those who arent in control of theres!

Hope you have a fun one :)
 
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Ditto.

Just do what you like, whilst courtious of others.

I'll admit I do like to go for it somewhat and I'll canter or have a good stretch where I can as I don'tgo to just mooch round for a hack out, I like to do for fittening and to sharpen our cob up to keep him 'razzy', but I'll always make sure to walk and ask permission before I go past anyone...or if they're having issues etc, I do offer to help them out if they need a lead, or won't go by or get too close if it's obvious it's a bit frisky and excited or anything similar etc.

I like them, I think they do for a nice day out with your horses and friends :)
 
Thanks guys.
Im really really excited! (sad i know at 24 years old!!) but previous horse wouldnt go out with others...he would be too strong and would kick and buck out at any other horse...bless him!)
So this will be my first proper one! Horse doesnt kick etc. Aparently he will basically jog, dance about a bit and maybe an odd bronk at the start according to an old owner! (nothing i am not used to with him!!)
He is not amazingly fit, dont get me wrong, he is fit enough for the distance, but i havent got him "super fit" for our first one!

My horse is very nappy.....but this is generally when alone so i think we should be ok, and he will jump literally anything so, if anyone will need a lead over a jump.....i will certainly be able to help out!

Blimey i feel like i am 12 again!!

Would it be advisable to clip a lead rope to my saddle??
 
I've done a few fun rides on my man; was apprehensive initially as I'd never ridden him in open country before, but he was fine! In fact he was a nanny to the two friends' horses who were total loons all the way through the ride, wot a liddle darlin'.

Who's organising your fun ride? A well organised ride should ask you to fill in a form before you set out with some basic details i.e. your name/horse's name, any medical details etc. They should then book you out - some places give you an armband - and there should be marshalls around the course. You will find your way around often with little bits of crepe paper, or wool, on bushes and trees so you'll need to keep your eyes open. But not every fun ride does this.

They should then sign you back in at the end of your ride - and you might get a rosette and/or some polos for your horse!

Um, it might be hun if you're anxious, and I'm trying to be polite here, is to find yourself some companions with some steadier horses for your first time out. You need someone with a nice steady horse that won't hot up in company and it sounds a bit like your fellow riders might perhaps have horses which might be a be scatty???

What you could do, is to put a headcollar on under your bridle, or even better, if you think you're going to do a lot of pleasure rides, is to get one of the endurance type bridles which is a headcollar and bridle combined (note: don't get a Libby's one, they're a waste of money!!! - not cheap OR cheerful!). Yes good idea to take a leadrope; also perhaps a saddle bag with a drink and sarnie or chocolate bar to give you some energy, plus don't forget your sunscreen & fly repellant! Lavendar oil is good too, its an insect repellant PLUS horses love it and it relaxes them. You could also have some Rescue Remedy about an hour before the ride to chill yourself out a bit.

The other thing you could do is to do some work with your horse beforehand. If you have access to a school you could do some "counter" work, where the other horses go round the different way to you, and your horse has to pass them and not nap; plus other horses cantering in the school and yours has to remain calm. Or you could hack out and do the same sort of thing, i.e. make yours go away from the other horses, let them trot on and yours walks, etc etc. Also you could do some groundwork in similar vein, but to be honest if you're gonna have a problem you're far better staying up top than you are getting off.

Your ride sounds fun! Enjoy it. Is the ride open to all? I live in East Devon, but unfortunately am not free on that day or I might have joined in too.
 
I think fun rides can be very variable, depending on how many people there are and whether they let people go in dribs and drabs or in bigger gangs. Maybe turn up as late as you dare so that you are hopefully at the back so there are less people overtaking you.

If you think your horse might be a little loopy then I recommend a running martingale if you don't normally use one, and perhaps a slightly stronger bit if he is inclined to get strong. (I speak from personal experience here, trust me it is not fun to have your arms pulled out for 3hrs in a snaffle!). Better to go prepared for the worst and if he turns out not strong you can go in your usual bit next time.

Maybe put a green ribbon in his tail also? Might encourage some people to give you a little respect and consideration.
 
skychick said:
So.....am doing first funride with ratbag a week tomorrow....20th June in the Hemyock area, Devon.

What is involved???

I know there are optional jumps and river crossings but what should i expect?

Anyone got any tips??

It could be rather interesting, my horse is notoriously "lively" at fun rides aparently according to his previous owner and the horse i am going with is a 4yo ex racer (who in fairness is really laid back and chilled out!....but im sure may be a bit more on his toes as its his first fun ride!) I hack out with the ex racer a lot as my horse is a nappy so and so and the ex racer is fab, he will just carry on when my horse prats about and runs into him or spooks into him! We are a good team, i shal lead the other horse over the jumps with paddy as he jumps anything, and she will help me get there and keep going forwards.

Keep your fingers crossed for us :-D :-D :-D
Click to expand...

I'm doing the same fun ride!!!

I went last year. The jumps (ranging from 8" to about 3'0") are COMPLETELY optional, as are the river crossings - it just means that you take a slightly different route.

We went in quite a large group last year, but we are going to go in smaller groups this year, but didn't have any problems with any one else coming past us etc.

It starts off in a fairly controlled manner as it went around the outside edge of the orchards which took the edge of the fizzier ones which was good.

If you want, you can come around with us?!

I'd agree with the idea of the green ribbon - I put red and green in Jazzy's tail last year. Not that he does/did anything wrong, but I didn't want someone with no brakes crashing into the back of him.

I also went a bit OTT with the tack, as I didn't think he'd done ANYTHING like that before, so I had a pelham (with two reins), a grackle noseband (I know not good with a pelham but I wanted to ensure that I had brakes!), a running martingale and a breastplate.

I also had a lead rope with me as well. I wasn't planning on leading anyone from Jazzy but it's better to have one than not!
 
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MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
I've done a few fun rides on my man; was apprehensive initially as I'd never ridden him in open country before, but he was fine! In fact he was a nanny to the two friends' horses who were total loons all the way through the ride, wot a liddle darlin'.

Who's organising your fun ride? A well organised ride should ask you to fill in a form before you set out with some basic details i.e. your name/horse's name, any medical details etc. They should then book you out - some places give you an armband - and there should be marshalls around the course. You will find your way around often with little bits of crepe paper, or wool, on bushes and trees so you'll need to keep your eyes open. But not every fun ride does this.

They should then sign you back in at the end of your ride - and you might get a rosette and/or some polos for your horse!

Um, it might be hun if you're anxious, and I'm trying to be polite here, is to find yourself some companions with some steadier horses for your first time out. You need someone with a nice steady horse that won't hot up in company and it sounds a bit like your fellow riders might perhaps have horses which might be a be scatty???

What you could do, is to put a headcollar on under your bridle, or even better, if you think you're going to do a lot of pleasure rides, is to get one of the endurance type bridles which is a headcollar and bridle combined (note: don't get a Libby's one, they're a waste of money!!! - not cheap OR cheerful!). Yes good idea to take a leadrope; also perhaps a saddle bag with a drink and sarnie or chocolate bar to give you some energy, plus don't forget your sunscreen & fly repellant! Lavendar oil is good too, its an insect repellant PLUS horses love it and it relaxes them. You could also have some Rescue Remedy about an hour before the ride to chill yourself out a bit.

The other thing you could do is to do some work with your horse beforehand. If you have access to a school you could do some "counter" work, where the other horses go round the different way to you, and your horse has to pass them and not nap; plus other horses cantering in the school and yours has to remain calm. Or you could hack out and do the same sort of thing, i.e. make yours go away from the other horses, let them trot on and yours walks, etc etc. Also you could do some groundwork in similar vein, but to be honest if you're gonna have a problem you're far better staying up top than you are getting off.

Your ride sounds fun! Enjoy it. Is the ride open to all? I live in East Devon, but unfortunately am not free on that day or I might have joined in too.
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I believe the fun ride is open to all. Its a shame you are not free that day.

We quite often work in the school in two's etc and have no problems working in opposite directions so that is good.
Also ratbag seems to be getting a lot better hacking out. Lastnight, friends horse managed to get its reins in its mouth and i waited in a gateway quite a way up from her and she was walking away from my horse who just stood still patiently!!! :eek: so that was good.
We are also going with another horse who is also an ex racer but older and the most laid back horse you have ever met. He doesnt get excited hacking, hunting, fun rides etc so that should be good.

We have decided that we are going to get there for the start (one of the marshelers is my YO's mum and has marsheled for the last 4 or so years) she said its really really quiet early. So we are going to go early and that way should avoid the crowds. Also.....i think its forecast to be hot.....so hopefully will avoid the heat!!
Was thinking about taking a couple of carrots for ponio and a leadrope...just incase!

TBH....im not really nervous.....although ponio is naughty.....he is not evil naughty and it just makes me chuckle at his cheekyness! but as its our first one....i just had no idea what to really expect.

I have taken paddy in a huge field a few times to see what he was like in open spaces....and i actually had to encourage him to gallop!! (i think he has been held back tightly a lot in the past in open spaces) when i asked him to go forwards....he was like "really.....can i.....ok i will....but slowly just incase im not really allowed" which was quite surprising.
So hopefully he will be good in that respect.

Am tempted to buy a saddle bag or cantle bag, to carry a couple of bits and pieces.

We havent had to fill out any forms yet....maybe we do that on the day?

Really really excited tho!
 
lauraandjack said:
I think fun rides can be very variable, depending on how many people there are and whether they let people go in dribs and drabs or in bigger gangs. Maybe turn up as late as you dare so that you are hopefully at the back so there are less people overtaking you.

If you think your horse might be a little loopy then I recommend a running martingale if you don't normally use one, and perhaps a slightly stronger bit if he is inclined to get strong. (I speak from personal experience here, trust me it is not fun to have your arms pulled out for 3hrs in a snaffle!). Better to go prepared for the worst and if he turns out not strong you can go in your usual bit next time.

Maybe put a green ribbon in his tail also? Might encourage some people to give you a little respect and consideration.
Click to expand...

Really good idea about the green ribbon....thanks, i hadnt thought of that.

He is ridden in a running martingale at the mo....tbh he doesnt need one, he came with it and i kept him in it whilst getting to know him. Before the person i bought him from he had never been ridden on one...but i will keep him in it just incase ;-)
 
Eriskayowner said:
I'm doing the same fun ride!!!

I went last year. The jumps (ranging from 8" to about 3'0") are COMPLETELY optional, as are the river crossings - it just means that you take a slightly different route.

We went in quite a large group last year, but we are going to go in smaller groups this year, but didn't have any problems with any one else coming past us etc.

It starts off in a fairly controlled manner as it went around the outside edge of the orchards which took the edge of the fizzier ones which was good.

If you want, you can come around with us?!

I'd agree with the idea of the green ribbon - I put red and green in Jazzy's tail last year. Not that he does/did anything wrong, but I didn't want someone with no brakes crashing into the back of him.

I also went a bit OTT with the tack, as I didn't think he'd done ANYTHING like that before, so I had a pelham (with two reins), a grackle noseband (I know not good with a pelham but I wanted to ensure that I had brakes!), a running martingale and a breastplate.

I also had a lead rope with me as well. I wasn't planning on leading anyone from Jazzy but it's better to have one than not!
Click to expand...

Oooooh might see you there then :):):) Look out for a skewbald 14.2hh with a half pulled mane....(long story...had a bit of a protest lastnight and wouldnt let me pull the rest!!!)
Although we are going to aim to leave at 9.30!
I think i may put both red and green ribbon in his tail, im 99% sure he doesnt kick etc....but may be good idea just to be on the safe side!
I heard where the route goes lastnight, it sounds fab. The jumps sound good...a bit of something for everyone by the sound of it.
Is it alot of roadwork or mainly off road??

Fingers crossed its nice weather, but not too hot!!!
 
It was mainly off road last year. I think there were a couple of road sections, but they're really quiet lanes and the cars are pretty well trained really.

The double ribbon is a good plan - at least people can't claim they weren't warned if two hooves do fly in their direction!

The jumps are really good. They are totally optional, but I think I might be a bit braver this year. I've never really jumped Jazzy before, but he's been flipped up when show jumping, but it might be one of those "when the blood is up" confidence boosting things!

I'll be on big Jazz, probably with a grey arab mare and a bay heavyweight IDx.

I did do a report on my fun ride last year (have a trawl through my posts) which might give you an idea of what to expect?

Have fun - hope to see you there! x
 
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