For those of you that don't hack

[Mrs C]

Following on from the traffic and horses thread, it seems there is a growing number of people who don't hack out. I rarely do and don't enjoy it - we have no off road hacking and she does not like big or noisy vehicles. I've thought of moving but everything else is perfect - small yard, big outdoor, no bitchiness, decent winter turnout (albeit a mud pit at the mo!)

My question is for those who don't hack out:
How do you stop your horse (and you!) going stale?
Do you think you horse is more likely to then play up if you box up to compete ie if you are only exposing them to a school, how do they then react when taken to new areas and surroundings?
Thanks

 

[AdorableAlice]

Reading this has really made me realise how lucky I am to have fairly nice hacking, lots of farm machinery and harvest time I avoid the lanes but I can hack out.

I can't imagine life with the only riding being in a school, stale would be an under statement for both parties. I would think the horse would enjoy going on the box and getting out, it would also be important to them for fitness of mind and body to be taken to forestry or pleasure rides.

 

[JenTaz]

I don't hack at all at uni, don't trust the drivers round here, have already been very nearly been wiped out by a boy racer driving on the wrong side of the road, so I refuse to hack, I try keep Taz's schooling varied, using pole work, and jumping, also lunging him with the pessoa, I find he goes stale if he doesn't get turned out, but I try my best to turn out daily

We hack alot over the summer as the yard I go home to has off road hacking

 

[asmp]

Used to keep a horse at a German yard and noticed that the riders rarely hacked out (even though we were in the middle of some lovely countryside). Schooling and going on the horse walker was all the majority of the horses did and they seemed quite happy.

 

[Cortez]

While I don't hack out on the roads, I do work my horses in the fields (when it is dry enough), up our driveway (longish) and around the yard (it is pretty rambling), box over to other places, and of course they all work over the summer at any number of different fields/mountains/wild locations (they are display and film/TV horses in their "day job"). They have all seen some pretty strange things in their lives, so not much fazes them, and whenever we are around cars and traffic they are just fine.

For other non-hackers I'd imagine it is more difficult, but arena work doesn't have to be boring you know, there are plenty of exercises and routines that keep a horse mentally and physically challenged.

 

[ladyt25]

To be honest I really don't know how I would not get really bored if I never hacked out. I probably wouldn't have horses at all to be honest. Yes I like competing and do the odd bit of schooling but, in reality most of my 'schooling' is out and about hacking.

The thread is horrible and very upsetting and shows just how things can change in a matter of seconds. A friend of mine's horse was killed by a car many years ago, she was also hit by a car on her other horse (neither badly injured thankfully). It does make me more aware of things and I know the dangers and lessen them where possible.

People have car accidents every day, some fatal but that doesn't stop me driving my car so, as horrible as it is to hear these horrid things happen, it won't stop me hacking mine out.

 

[lme]

I don't hack as I only really have the opportunity to ride once a week and usually have a lesson. My mare does hack out though, either with my daughter or whoever is exercising her midweek.

 

[showpony]

Mine would prob go very stale if just worked in the school. Luckily roads are quiet enough and when not wet we have couple fields that can be used for fitness work with couple xc jumps. My two have been out loads at shows lately and my naturally spooky chap didn't have a melt down at the line of bright orange traffic cones he had to walk past, think it's because we are exposing him out and about so much. Mini me's pony went through a phase of napping badly in the school, couple of weekends out jumping and a days hunting sorted the pony's head out.

 

[Spot_On]

At one point my horse wouldn't hack out.

We did a mixture of schooling, jumping, in-hand/ground work, lungeing and free schooling.

 

[JillA]

I don't hack and I keep my horse interested by learning new things and making sure he is rewarded when he gets it right. He is so enthusiastic quite often he offers way more than I am asking, it isn't easy to sort out and reward the bit I want. He has never known any different - why would a horse "enjoy" trundling around the countryside any more than trundling around a field or a manege. He gets what he wants out of it - approval and rewards.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I can box up and either pay to go round a farm ride, or go to some other traffic free hacking. Min of 20 mins travel each way in the trailer.

I would go stir crazy if I stayed in the arena all the time, never mind the horse.

 

[julie111]

It does make you think when you read how dangerous riding on the roads can be! Unfortunately all our hacking from the yard is road work as the fields are so wet. Fortunately we have a trailer so can box up and go to the woods/moors.

 

[Nicnac]

I rarely hack out as I find it really boring most of the time as it's going around the same circuit if I hack from home and all roads which I hate. In the summer I box up and go out to different places to hack but most areas I can go to are too boggy to park the lorry at the moment. Horses are turned out 10-12 hours a day; work in school, jump; go out competing; go to gallops; go out xc schooling; ride around fields when dryer - they don't seem to mind. I box up to riding club grounds for fitness work.

Obviously if I had 1000's of acres on my doorstep with different places to go and the possibility for some good gallops I would probably think differently.

 

[putasocinit]

I did start hacking but after so many threads of bad drivers i am just not going to, it isnt worth it, boy gets turned out and there are lots of different exercises that can be done in the school even without tacking up.

 

[windand rain]

It is even worse for those that don't hack and don't compete or have a school their horses must be bordering on suicidal to use a human emotion I know I would be

 

[putasocinit]

Long live the diy livery yards with indoor and outdoor schools who only charge £25 a week, runs and hides, lol

 

[miss_c]

I don't really enjoy hacking, and it's something I do more for the horses' benefit than mine. When I can I will get a friend to come and ride one while I ride the other so I have somebody to natter to, and on occasion I will box to a friend who is near some amazing hacking. The horses don't seem to mind, Genie has always been better working away from home than at home, and Fanfare is generally worried about life no matter what, but brilliant to hack. I do hack them out in walk the day after a competition to have a leg stretch and relax before having the next day off, but can't say I enjoy it!

 

[DanceswithCows]

For me it's a two pronged attack:

1st prong - make sure the horse is entertained without being ridden. I like them to have turnout in big fields, with plenty of company and mainly grassfed so they can spend a lot of time grazing.

2nd prong - no roads doesn't mean no hacking! I'm not a schooling person and don't have a school and OK it's all theory at the moment because she's only 2 but I plan to just tow her somewhere good on a regular basis. If you don't compete you're just spending what you would on entry fees on fuel to forests, beaches, known bridle routes. I live in a pretty dull part of east yorkshire but still within easy reach of the wolds routes and some beaches. I do plan to go much farther afield though. May also do some polocrosse.

 

[L&M]

I feel sorry for horses that don't get to hack out. I find it is the best time to bond and relax with your horse and nothing beats it. I have to force myself into the school every couple of weeks as both me and the horses much prefer a charge across the common on a nice sunny day.....

But then we are lucky as have plenty of off road hacking and quiet lanes to ride on.

 

[Megibo]

Luckily the hacking is fairly alright at my yard now, but I wouldn't ever NOT hack out!

But then, I'd get bored stiff schooling all the time and hacking is all I'd rather do at the moment.

 

[Spoiled cob]

I used to hack but it's very poor where we are there are just 2 routes one an hour and one 30 mins but we have lorries, buses, caravans, cattle trailers, motorbikes and cyclists in large numbers, bird scarers etc and I don't have anyone to go with. Others locally like to trot everywhere and I would rather walk to save his legs so I have given up with it. My new boy isn't brave and I don't want something to happen to him because he spooks into the road etc. as long as you don't do the same thing everyday in the arena i think they are fine, different exercises, pole work, jumping, lateral work, schooling in the field when good weather, inhand work,lunging and playing. They get turned out have days off get groomed etc they are happy. If I had access to off road hacking then it would be great but although we live in the countryside there are no bridle paths, fields, toll rides and I don't have transport so just try to make the best of it and keep us both safe.

I can't imagine how awful it was for the lady in the road accident especially not being able to get up to go to him

 

[Spring Feather]

I'm afraid I simply couldn't do it OP. Not only would all of my horses become incredibly stale going in my arena all the time, but I'd probably want to die of boredom. My arena has everything any arena rider could ever want (showjumps, barrel racing barrels, xtreme cowboy course) but I can't find it interesting for longer than maybe an hour a month. I'm totally blessed with the most incredible trails where I live and I have direct access to them from my farm so I just can't imagine not hacking out. My horses have all been brought up with trails being the biggest part of their riding lives and to take them solely in an arena would have them sour in no time. I own a farm with loads of huge machinery/tractors/trucks etc so all horses here are absolutely perfect on roads. I do ride on roads sometimes but I have to make an effort to go on them, usually with the youngsters at some point so that I know they'll be just as perfect with huge artics etc. I spend more time with my youngsters taking them out in the forest trails and through rivers, over little wooden bridges and coming face to face with all the varied wildlife that abounds. I have to commend the drivers around my area though, they are fantastic at slowing down for horse riders but even if they weren't, my horses are so good in traffic that they don't even notice what goes past them.

 

[AdorableAlice]

On a slight tangent, those of you who do not or cannot hack out, do you find it difficult to sell the horses.

I would not even view a horse that was not a safe hack.

 

[kc100]

I've been in both situations - last horse on a yard with hacking on some quiet (ish) lanes, but because they are fast roads and routes we pretty poor unless you wanted to be out for well over an hour I never hacked. Was the horse unhappy? Not at all, he was turned out every day all year round, went to competitions and we did lots of varied schooling. He was a happy boy and enjoyed whatever we were doing, if we did on a rare occasion hack he just walked as fast as he could to get himself home again!

Whereas with current horse we are lucky to have a very long lane (not a private lane but only leads to the yard so hardly ever any cars on it) if we wanted a 20-30 minute hack, lots of hills around for fittening work, then if you want a longer hack there are lots of bridleways - you do have to go on the roads to get to the bridleways but its only 5 mins max on the road. I've seen a huge improvement in my mare since I started hacking her, she doesnt jump (hates it) and can be very spooky so for the first 5-6 years of her life (before I had her) she pretty much never hacked, only occasionally getting to walk around the fields once in a blue moon. Now we hack out every weekend, and through this she has learnt to relax, chill out a lot more, she can stretch better now than she did before and she doesnt spook as much at everything. She is the type of horse that actually enjoys new situations (despite spooking at them first!) and enjoys being out and about - it would be very unfair to her to keep her in the school all the time and because she is so full of attitude she'd make me well aware of how bored she is!

I think its very telling that Carl Hester hacks all of his horses out twice a week, its so common for dressage riders not to bother hacking out and I think it really shows in his horses that they are relaxed and have a great mental attitude.

So if I were in a position now, with a competition horse especially, where I didnt have hacking - I'd probably move yards or make sure I had transport to get out at least once a week somewhere new. Its great to have a yard that isnt bitchy and has a nice school, but you can get all of that plus off-road hacking if you look hard enough (I know they are rare but they do exist - I'm on one of those yards!). Failing that I'd compromise on the bitchy part, I'd rather take a few snide comments if it meant my horse was happier for having more hacking.

As for buying horses that dont hack - I would view and buy a horse that doesnt hack, its something that can be taught even at a later stage in the horses life. Ok it might not be much fun teaching it to hack and having lots of spooks at first, but in time it would learn and most likely be ok with hacking out with others at least. No horse is perfect and it depends on what environment it has been in, I know some yards front out onto dual carriageways and have no off road hacking so it would be foolish to even try and hack - I would prefer that an owner in that situation had been sensible and put safety first.

But remember folks - always wear hi-vis out hacking, regardless of where you are! Felt very angry today in the storm seeing 3 horses out, not a single bit of hi-vis between them and because of the poor visibility in the storm I flew past them at 45mph, didnt see them in enough time to slow down and the riders were clearly having a hard time with the horses playing up in the weather. It made me furious knowing they'd be so stupid to ride out without any hi-vis on a main road (a fast B road linking to a dual carriageway so a popular road) - even if you havent checked the forecast before you leave you should at least be prepared for all eventualities. 3 dark bay horses with 3 riders in blue/black clothes, in a hailstorm was a nightmare waiting to happen.

 

[wildwest]

if i couldnt hack out roads or off road i would sell up.
nothing better than a plod in the countryside, or a hack round the village chatting to people,
or evena blast on the beach to blow the cobwebs away !!!

 

[wench]

Very rare I will go out for a hack on current yard, no off road riding, and the drivers are lunatics.

Coupled with the fact that my horse totally freaked out last time I took her out for an in hand walk, I'm very reluctant to go out hacking on my own with her.

If we had direct access to off road riding, or someone to go out with, I would probably have taken her. If I was still at my previous yard we would have been out hacking loads; sometimes you just have to make the best of what you've got.

And as for being "boring" in the school if that's all you do; shouldn't be so. I go to the gym to keep fit, and generally have a set of things I do every week. I don't get bored, nor do I feel that I need to be out running in the countryside

 

[MotherOfChickens]

why would a horse "enjoy" trundling around the countryside any more than trundling around a field or a manege. He gets what he wants out of it - approval and rewards.

I think its fine if people don't want to hack and some horses won't enjoy it. some horses though I am sure, really enjoy a change of scenery IME, my old horse certainly did as does my young one. I have an older pony who doesn't though I put that down to not having done it when younger. The other thread is horrific and I do agree that in some parts of the country, horses maybe shouldn't be on the roads anymore, however much of a shame that is. However, if I didn't ride across country, I couldn't be bothered to ride-luckily I live in the sticks with very little road work to be suffered.

 

[Mrs C]

Its really interesting hearing all the different comments. I do think it totally depends on peoples drives and their horses temperaments. Would love to have a safe environment to hack (or a safer horse to hack in the environment i have!). The challenge is, do i move to a yard with no winter turnout just for off road hacking, or have unlimited daytime turnout and do her exercise in the school. Personally i prefer to let her be out all day and prefer me to ride safely. We do hack out but its probably once a fortnight in winter. More in summer when i can get out early before traffic and always in company

 

[millikins]

We are so lucky, I have to ride about 100yds up a narrow rat run lane, cross a main road then I can ride over miles of countryside with plentiful bridleways. 99% of drivers are polite and careful, I'm in Surrey: I've ridden with my sister in Hants and although there's much less traffic, drivers are very impatient. I only really ride to hack, my "thing" is driving, I think horses are migratory/nomadic animals and it's normal for them to cover long distances in unfamiliar territory.

 

[Spring Feather]

On a slight tangent, those of you who do not or cannot hack out, do you find it difficult to sell the horses.

I would not even view a horse that was not a safe hack.

I bought an arena horse. If you take her out on trails she's a total lunatic. So unsafe that there's no way you'd want to do it. I bought her as a broodmare based on her competition record so I'm happy with how she is. However I would never ever buy a horse (for riding) that did not trail ride out and I certainly couldn't sell my mare to anyone who wanted to do that or they'd be dead in no time!

To the people saying there's lots of fun stuff you can do in arena, can you name them for me please? I simply cannot get what could possibly be exciting about riding in an arena for an hour or two every day (and my arena does have loads of things in it to keep someone amused for a bit longer than riding round in circles).