Fun rides

Clodagh

Clodagh

Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
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I’m helping to organise a fun ride. It’s over a private estate with normally no public access. It’s a lovely bit of country.
But… normally it is a choice of 6 miles or 10 miles. This year there has been a lot of flood damage and we’ve lost a ‘loop’ bringing it down to just under 6 miles. Would you still go in a ride that was that short?
And we could extend an extra loop again but to avoid the damage it would mean horses going out and coming back along the same narrow lane. This is also open to traffic. Tbf very little traffic goes that way but it is a public road. We have plenty of stewards.
Thoughts? Unacceptably unsafe?
 
Yes I’d go on a 5-6 mile ride if I knew it would be a nice ride.

Dare I say, possibly better for a % not to be doing 10 miles anyway, always seem to be a number of fat, unfit blowing/heavily sweaty ones on any I have been too, or youngsters on their knees!

You might need to involve the council/highways if using public road though
 
Yes - we have a couple here that have a few short bits of road to ride along between bridleways. Quiet roads but with tight corners. The stewards are positioned at the end of each bridlepath and stop either the riders or travel if riders are already committed/on the road. There beautiful rides and not ones we would be able to do if it weren't for the fun ride organisers.

Agree with IHW - 6 miles is more than enough for most hobby riders/horses these days.
 
Most of the fun rides I've done in the last few years have a bit of roadwork/up a country lane between field margins.
Can't see an issue if you have sensible stewards.

I'd be in the minority for distance as we like endurance but I'd agree with the above on 6 miles being probably plenty for most.
Could you offer the option to go around twice if someone really wanted the longer distance?
 
ihatework said:
Yes I’d go on a 5-6 mile ride if I knew it would be a nice ride.

Dare I say, possibly better for a % not to be doing 10 miles anyway, always seem to be a number of fat, unfit blowing/heavily sweaty ones on any I have been too, or youngsters on their knees!

You might need to involve the council/highways if using public road though
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In the 70's I used to do 20 mile sponsored rides over the Downs and onn Ashdown Forest. We thought nothing of it ans our horses really enjoyed it but I know what you mean.
 
We did one last year that was meant to be 8-10 miles but there had been a mix up somehow and it measured 5.5 miles. We were told on the day and advised we could go round twice for the same price. It did feel surprisingly short but would have suited a lot of the more novice/less fit or the parents with lead rein ponies!
I don't mind a bit of roadwork
 
Thank you all. So if on your roadwork you were passing horses going that other way, would that worry you?
 
Could you drop the minimum price a little below what is the norm in the area for longer rides - and make up the difference in food/drink stands, a raffle or similar? I don’t know - make it a more ‘fun’ atmosphere and market at families (lead rein routes are usually shorter). Or go the other way and market at older riders with extra stewards, very very clear signage, people to help at the car park etc?
 
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I've done some fun rides with H and would do a 6 mile one in a beautiful place.

Passing people coming the other way would not be a particular worry. TBH, I think it would worry most horses less than when people overtake you in a group at speed. When I've had that happen I trend to turn round and walk 100 yds in the opposite direction anyway, so he can see what's coming.
 
Fred66 said:
I would just give them the option of going more than once.

So 6 or 12 miles.
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This, since the ‘extra loop’ option involves a narrow stretch with horses passing either direction and roads, and I guess you need to limit risk assessment?
Can you add 6, 12 or 18 miles (3x round the same course if such a pretty route)?
Pony Club rides used to be 10 for the younger ones and 20 for the teenagers. But in the time needed just to get trailer hitched, ponies ready and loaded - your kids could have ridden six miles already.
Personally, wouldn’t turn out for 6 miles unless it was close enough to also ride to the venue and make it more worthwhile as exercise, but if the scenery is particularly beautiful, probably a few would.
 
I’d be happy with 6 miles and option to go round again if you wish. Ideal for youngsters, oldies both horses and riders also lead reins. Maybe include small jumps, logs etc. Hope it goes well.
 
Can you add a couple of miles on and make it 8?

I do think boxing to a 6 mile ride on a fit horse feels a bit short, 8 is a nice middle ground.

I know slower shorter rides for lead rein, nervous riders are quite popular these days.
 
I would do the 6mile in-hand but I would want a longer ride if ridden - and a second loop including passing other horses wouldn't bother me at all. As others have said, it's twits passing at speed that cause the issue.
 
It wouldnt be my first choice but depending on travelling distance and what else is on, I might go. I would do 2 loops if allowed.
A lot of people like the short rides, the best ride I went on last year was very poorly attended. When i mentioned it to people they said it was too long/hilly for them.
 
kerrieberry2 said:
I guess it depends on the price! most of the fun rides in my area are around £35-40 this year! eye wateringly expensive! so it it was £40 for 6 miles, then no! if it was £20 then yes I probably would go!
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Wow where are you?? Our fun rides are 8-10 miles and £25 for adults, less for kids. I couldn't justify that every weekend!
 
I would be perfectly happy passing other horses on a road to do an extra loop and have done so before on hunt rides.

I currently have a baby horse and would be perfectly happy with a 6mile ride at the beginning of the year to be honest. I know the excitement, logs to pop etc will drain the tank quicker than normal.

And the old boys aren’t fully fit yet either.

If you priced it right and made it clear how far it was I don’t think people would complain for the first ride of the year.
 
Can you advertise some quiet slots where it is only walk and trot?
You might then attract more people on youngsters or kids on leadreins etc. who generally don't mind a shorter route.

I wouldn't take my fit, older horse to a 6 mile ride but I would take the young ones if there was a quiet hour or similar.
 
I wouldn't do it. 6 miles is our "round the block" hack.
It might be an option to split it and have a walk and trot only ride so it was suitable for lead rein or youngsters without the worry of someone flying past, then a ride for others.
 
spacefaer said:
Wow where are you?? Our fun rides are 8-10 miles and £25 for adults, less for kids. I couldn't justify that every weekend!
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I'm in Hampshire! I was gobsmacked when I booked on they other day!

looked at another one which was only 8 miles and it said "from £20" so I thought I'd do that! then when I went to book, it was £20 for kids and £35 for adults! crazy
 
The narrow section wouldn't bother me but I can see how others might not like it. Is it very long? Could you marshall it so you let horses through in turn or would that leave others waiting too long?
 
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