First ever hacking experience!

[Morton90]

Hi,
I started my riding journey in December as a complete adult beginner. I started at my 2nd (& fantastic) riding school around 5 weeks ago. Today I went on my first hack with the instructor walking beside me.

A deer appeared from the bushes onto our path, the horse wasn’t impressed and tried to spin/ turn, my instructor assisted and settled him down.

(I am forever curious) but for the experienced rider what would you do in this situation?
Thank you : )

 

[Barton Bounty]

Gather your reins and carry on that kind of thing is a regular occurrence for me

 

[Spotherisk]

Possibly fall off?

Preferable to keep the horse straight and between leg and hand, probably with verbal encouragement ie walk on!

 

[Morton90]

I managed to stay on (this time)

And I suppose if he buggered off in the opposite direction- I would be pulling back on the reins to try and slow him/ to a halt?

 

[Morton90]

Gather your reins and carry on that kind of thing is a regular occurrence for me

I usually love seeing deer if I am out walking (which is rare I actually see one) but wasn’t too thrilled to see one today. What are the chances.

 

[Spotherisk]

I managed to stay on (this time)

And I suppose if he buggered off in the opposite direction- I would be pulling back on the reins to try and slow him/ to a halt?

Every situation and horse is different. My late horse would have cantered about three strides then stopped before I’d even picked up the contact. Another horse might set its neck and gallop determinedly for home, and you might have no influence. A good RS will have matched you with a sensible type of horse, and it seems as if the situation was quickly under control, well done!

 

[ycbm]

I usually love seeing deer if I am out walking (which is rare I actually see one) but wasn’t too thrilled to see one today. What are the chances.

High, because you're on a horse so the deer are less scared of you and can smell you less. It's one of the bonuses of riding. Welcome to the club!
.

 

[Burnttoast]

It rather depends on whether you get any advance notice of the hazard. Sometimes you just have to sit on a spin and hopefully pull up if there's any subsequent running away (usually the worst case scenario). If you see something spooky coming you can get/keep the horse between hand and leg to keep their attention and damp down any response, flex them slightly away from the hazard to keep the shoulders under control and minimise the risk of a spin, and talk, particularly if it's something like a deer that will run away from humans, rather than plopping out in front of you.

Does remind me of a fun hack a friend and I went on a few years ago when both riding-horse-less and looking for somewhere good to go for the odd hack. It was a small place run by an II (so experienced enough to run rides you'd think) and all quite well managed mostly - we got to choose our horse, rode in a small field for a bit so she could assess us, and then went out. Early on we were walking into a wooded area along a narrow path, her in front, then me, then my friend. Her horse was (can't remember all the details) a bit greener than the others and hadn't done much lately so when he saw something he didn't like he span, charged back past us and ended up at the back of the ride in about 5 seconds. My guy did a 180 degree spin and tried to follow but now had two horses in front on a narrow track so I pulled up without any trouble, and my friend on a little cob was just sitting there going 'what was all that guys?' Fortunately we were both sufficiently experienced for this not to bother us but our guide was clearly a bit rattled that she nearly killed her clients After that we had a nice ride but we did wonder all the way home what she'd have done if we'd both fallen off and broken bits...

 

[Peglo]

My little blond pony came across miniature Shetland ponies for the first time (she was from Italy) and she stopped, turned and ran off in the other direction. I lost my reins in her mane and lost my stirrups in my surprise at her reaction. I had nothing to pull against so just shouted STOP and she did
I wouldn’t guarantee that would work but now when we go past she tries to nibble their faces (their owner is a friend)

So stay on board is my advice. Hacking is my favourite, I hope you have plenty more uneventful ones.

 

[Skib]

I ride where there are deer. In many many years I have only once had a fall caused by a deer, a stag, possibly sick, lying across the bridle path, under a tree. It was one of my first hacks. The RI led past, but by the time I followed, the stag was on its feet confronting my mare who rightly turned and fled.
These days, I have sort of learned to ride and usualy hack solo. On normal rides, both the mare and I being used to deer, we simply continue. The deer seem unperturbed by horse riders, may be because we are about the same size as a stag and certainly larger than people on foot with big cameras, from whom the deer tend to run away. I was once startled by a small deer leaping over a fence right in front of us. I guess the mare had noticed the deer long before I did. She ignored it and walked straight on.
However, sometimes it is me, faiing to notice the deer and the mare will slow and hesitate, to warn me that there are deer lurking in the long grass.
It is worth remembering that deer are herd animals, just like horses and if one runs, the rest are likely to follow. Best to halt and let them go.

 

[Parrotperson]

Sometimes if they spin turn and gallop there’s nothing you can do! Other times they spin and run and you instinctively pull and they will stop. But always use your voice. Calmly and quietly. I mean think as loud as you like !! Just not out loud

The horse I ride is generally a sweetheart with the odd weyhey moment.

Was out last year. There are loads of deer round here. We see them all the time.
Was out in a bridleway quite narrow with trees/ bushes either side. He’s been on it loads of time. This time a deer was hiding in the bushes and waited till I was happily cantering alone before it dived out and went under poor horse’s neck!! Horse just kept going I’m not even sure what he saw. Yesterday same bridleway but trotting. A branch had come down. Horse goes ‘where did THAT come from!!’ And instantly thought about running.

My point is. You just never know. The more you ride the more you’ll ‘sense’ what they’re going to do or might do.

If it does happen sit up. Keep your hands up (if they get their heads down they might buck!) to keep their head frabove m getting too low. Keep a contact with the train and speak nice and calmly ‘woah’ that sort of thing.

But mostly just have fun!!! I mean I’ve been riding for 53 did years and I once got bucked off in halt!

 

[HopOnTrot]

I remember a hack years ago where deer caused synchronised spinning

I have though had quite a lot of car damage from deer incidents, I much prefer them when mounted!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I usually love seeing deer if I am out walking (which is rare I actually see one) but wasn’t too thrilled to see one today. What are the chances.

We have them on the estate Orbi is on, its awesome its a wee family the important thing for you is to not panic and if the horse heads the other way, just stop turn around and carry on your hack.

Welcome to the wonderful world of hacking.. deer, pheasants, rabbits, birds,

 

[ihatework]

I’d generally block the spin by taking a hold on the rein they are spinning away from. If I wasn’t quick enough and they got around I’d pull them up sharp.
I generally wouldn’t try and immediately kick them forwards though, in flight mode their adrenaline spikes. It’s normally far more productive to give them a few seconds let the adrenaline come down and process. They usually then are happier to walk forwards. I generally would only get on their case if I was confident they were taking the piss.

 

[SEL]

I've twice had unscheduled dismounts from muntjac coming out of the hedge but normally it's spook & carry on.

 

[alibali]

Provided I've managed to sit out the initial reaction (assuming as is normally the case that my horse becomes aware of the deer first!) I turn her to face it and sit with my reins,seat and legs completely relaxed. By that time the deer is usually making haste in the opposite direction and by sitting relaxed I'm sure giving her the mental space to figure out it's not a threat. After a couple of seconds processing we are able to proceed in our intended direction.

I know that the 'correct' course of action is to gather them up, take charge, instil confidence etc and with a different horse I might do just that. However my horse is very sensitive, intelligent and a little anxious, I've learned putting pressure on her when her adrenaline is up just causes her to fight me whereas sitting relaxed and quiet and giving her head space leads to swift de-escalation. So in answer your question I guess what I do depends on what horse I happen to be riding!

Learning to sit out the initial teleport is the key of course, it comes with practice, core strength and a bit of luck!

 

[Parrotperson]

That’s a good point Alibali. Sit very relaxed like a sack of spuds. The weight will help relax them. In theory!

 

[SheriffTruman]

Congratulations on your first ever hack!

For hacking, and all other horse situations, I follow the wise horseman's* advice to always try to keep the horse between myself, and the ground.
If that doesn't work, I just hold on for dear life.

*Can't remember who .

 

[alibali]

That’s a good point Alibali. Sit very relaxed like a sack of spuds. The weight will help relax them. In theory!

I make an excellent sack of spuds Sadly I'm much less convincing as a poised dressage diva

 

[Parrotperson]

I make an excellent sack of spuds Sadly I'm much less convincing as a poised dressage diva

join the club!!