First Fun ride - tips!

[Beth206]

I have just signed up for a Christmas fun ride with a couple of friends. I was really looking forward to it but the nerves have kicked in a little bit (already!) and I feel a bit sick about it now.

This is the first exciting thing I have done with Spirit so I want us both to enjoy the day and it not be too stressful, I am mostly worried about other people and their horses not respecting our space and galloping past us as I will inevitably end up going with them as Spirit gets a little giddy with other horses. Spirit is only rising 5 and I would ultimately love to start hunting and doing more fun rides like this to get us through winter as we don't have any facilities at our current stables so are quite restricted to what we can do.

Do you lovely folk have any useful hints/tips/words of wisdom to fulfil me with to get through our first little outing.

P.S. There is mulled wine and I won't be driving so will use that as my rescue remedy!

 

[cold_feet]

I’ve been on dozens of fun rides, but can still remember how nervous I was at first. On all the rides I’ve been on no one has ever galloped, or even cantered past. It is usual to walk and ask if it’s ok to go past. If you’re with friends your horse will more likely want to stick with them, but put him (her?) behind them when others pass and you’ll be fine.

I find it really helpful when we catch up with others (my horse is a speedy type, but I’d never dream of approaching in anything other than a brisk walk) when they see me coming and slow or stand aside - also it seems to make it much less stressful for you than if you know someone is there but they are not quite catching up.

I’d start out at a brisk walk and then trot on as soon as you can, getting moving forward will help calm most horses.

Most importantly remember to have fun! Enjoy yourself, hope all goes well.

 

[Beth206]

Thanks for the advice Cold Feet - You have instilled a bit of faith in the Fun Ride. I just had visions of everyone galloping around all over the place and it being a nightmare!

Really looking forward to it

 

[cold_feet]

Also tie a green ribbon in his tail to let everyone know he’s young and inexperienced.

 

[Boulty]

Is it the one at Craven by any chance? (going off the mulled wine mention and your location being in Yorkshire) If so I went last year and I think me & my friend came across maybe 2 other groups of horses / riders in the whole ride and we went around in a fairly steady manner (although there were then quite a few people enjoying the food afterwards!) I think they did space people out a bit with setting them off but if you're worried about it being busy and it IS that one then if you give David a call I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you when seems to be the quieter part of the day to go. If it is where I think then it should actually be a relatively calm and relaxed one to do for your first fun ride and there's a couple of steep hills to let them go up if you desire. Tbh I've always found other people to be fairly sensible on these types of things anyway in terms of not coming steaming past in gallop but maybe I've been lucky in my venue selection?

 

[claret09]

make sure you have a neck strap and brakes

 

[claracanter]

Can't wait to hear how you get on OP as I have exactly the same fears about fun/pleasure rides but would love to pluck up the courage to do one. I can go eventing but the thought of lots of people careering about puts me off.

 

[Beth206]

Is it the one at Craven by any chance? (going off the mulled wine mention and your location being in Yorkshire)

You are correct Boulty! We are going on 10th December. Ahh you have put my mind at ease! My friend said they stagger you in 3 minute intervals. We hack a lot but have never done anything like this (I am a whimp!)

I am going to put a ribbon in her tail, thanks cold feet

Thanks for the advice claret - i have a martingale i used a few times last winter so i will probably take that. She is reasonably well behaved to be fair she just gets a bit giddy. I just have her in a snaffle at the moment, will probably use that on the day or would you use something stronger as a precaution? I am thinking about changing her bit anyway as she leans quite a bit and can be hard to bring back to you because she leans so much. I'm trying to school her out of it at the moment.

CC i will keep you posted! Feel like it is a very brave step for me as i am a complete wuss but I'm trying to rise above it. I am really looking forward to it, just hesitant but I'm sure it will do both me and my mare the world of good, even if we just end up walking it all i literally dont care. I would be too scared to do eventing, i love watching it and am envious so hat's off to you - you are braver than you think

 

[Orangehorse]

Go out for some quiet rides with your friends first. You do not want to get a 5 year old wound up.

When mine was young I aimed to go at the very end, so the speedy ones had already gone on ahead. If he was a bit excited I used to make him trot until he was pleased to slow down and walk. Mostly it will be how his companions behave, he will learn from them.

 

[{97702}]

I went on my very first fun ride with my current horse, who had never done anything more than a few hacks with his owner. He was 6 but very very green - and I had all the same worries as you OP It was absolutely fine - always loads of space to get out of the way/pause if silly people going too fast did want to pass me but to be honest I really didn't have any problems, I went on my own because I didn't want to have to think about anyone except my own horse.

I would also suggest brakes if you are in company - J decided it was all great fun when he had company and his usual snaffle was really not enough

 

[Beth206]

I would also suggest brakes if you are in company

Thanks Levrier - What bit did/do you use? I'm having a bit dilemma at the moment. I know each horse is different - she is currently in a full cheek French link snaffle, but leans quite a bit and sometimes I can't work out if she is leaning too much or is strong. If I do change my bit I want to change it asap so we have a good month getting used to it.

OH-I have already said to my friend we need to have a few quiet outings beforehand, one of her horses is brilliant (my horse has been out with this one before) as the rider has a disability but the other is fairly new to her so I would like to go out with the newbie to see how we get on.

 

[{97702}]

I usually ride in a NS loose ring snaffle with a lozenge - I went to a Jeffries Universal bit (far cheaper than the NS equivalent!) which has done me just fine - I put the reins on the lower ring, it gives me brakes without being rough in the least