Hacking alone, take 2

[Caol Ila]

My previous attempt at hacking alone, maybe four or five months ago, was about 50% succesful. Fin got stuck and went into reverse gear, and the two riders who didn't want to hack with me (I'd asked before we left the yard -- they said they wanted their own space to talk about some stuff) caught up with me. Once they passed me, Fin happily continued onwards, right on their tails, which lead to the most socially awkward hack in the world. There's only one road from there! They stopped at the castle for some photos, and Fin went on by himself. He'd gotten his confidence, and we finished the hack by ourselves with no drama. I haven't been out alone since, but he has done lots of leads.

Then today happened. I had plans to hack with a friend who has just transitioned her horse to barefoot. He's been very footy, but her shiny new Scoot Boots arrived today. We were keen to hack. Got to the yard, faffed with the Scoots, and they were just too damned small. Balls. Balls. Balls. She didn't want to take her gelding to the park, and I didn't want to go in the school because we'd had a dressage lesson the day before, and Fin deserved a hack. So, I set off on my own. Said, "Wish me luck. If I'm not back in 45 minutes, come look for me."

Fin was great. Trundled around like an old hat. No planting, no excessive drama or excessive spooking. I was so pleased. He's definitely coming on leaps and bounds.

 

[fetlock]

I probably shouldn't, but this part didn't half give me the giggles. I can almost feel the awkwardness of that myself just reading it

and the two riders who didn't want to hack with me (I'd asked before we left the yard -- they said they wanted their own space to talk about some stuff) caught up with me. Once they passed me, Fin happily continued onwards, right on their tails, which lead to the most socially awkward hack in the world

Beautiful countryside and, of course, all the better the view when looking at it over a pair of pricked ears.

 

[rextherobber]

Fantastic, looks lovely countryside too!

 

[pistolpete]

Awesome!

 

[PurBee]

Great to hear he’s gaining confidence. He’s obviously quite taken with the gorgeous views of the scottish countryside ?
Seriously tho’, he sounds like he’s trusting of you more now youve owned him for a while, and feels more safe taking your direction. Sounds like the memory of last hack-out has been eclipsed by loving being a partnership and trusting you…that’s great development.

 

[Caol Ila]

I probably shouldn't, but this part didn't half give me the giggles. I can almost feel the awkwardness of that myself just reading it

Beautiful countryside and, of course, all the better the view when looking at it over a pair of pricked ears.

Aye, it was very funny. But like painful Peep Show-type funny. They'd made such a thing about "We're really sorry, but you can't join us because we have this really personal stuff to talk about." But horses, being horses, give zero sh1ts. Their horses walked at a slightly slower pace than mine, so once they wiggled around the planty monster, we were up their butts while they ignored me and had a Conversation in low voices. About a 9.0 on the awkward scale. If it was me and someone on a green horse needed support, I'd put my personal sh1t aside and not leave them to fend for themselves or pretend they weren't there, but people are nuts.

Great to hear he’s gaining confidence. He’s obviously quite taken with the gorgeous views of the scottish countryside ?
Seriously tho’, he sounds like he’s trusting of you more now youve owned him for a while, and feels more safe taking your direction. Sounds like the memory of last hack-out has been eclipsed by loving being a partnership and trusting you…that’s great development.

I finally feel like we are getting to be more of a partnership. I first rode him about a year ago. It has taken a while, but his background is pretty weird. He was a lot calmer when I kept up a constant stream of sh1te chat. Maybe it's one of those odd associations he's made -- a talkative human is a calm, happy one (when I'm out with friends or OH, we chat away), while a totally silent human is weird.

I tried to add this photo of the trail, rather than the road, but HHO likes complaining that photos are too big.

 

[SEL]

That's a result! I'm walking out in hand at the moment to get baby cob used to traffic and I think my constant stream of chatter has some interesting use of vocabulary ?

If someone on a youngster caught up with me on a hack I'd make small talk no matter how urgently I needed to talk about something with my friend - but then I'd have offered to babysit anyway.

You look to have fabulous hacking

 

[AntiPuck]

Oh dear, I did laugh at your description of the awkwardness of those people catching up to you!

Congrats and well done both! (You and Fin, not the other two!)

 

[Northern Hare]

That's great news, how lovely that you'll now be able to explore that beautiful countryside, just you and Fin, and no-one else to disturb the peace and quiet on your hacks. And that includes hushed conversations that you shouldn't hear - blimey, I've never heard that one before! ?

Oh well, when they ask if they can hack with you in the future, you can just say that you have something you want to discuss privately with Fin, so you'd prefer to ride alone thanks!! ??

 

[Peglo]

The awkwardness ?
My life seems very dull compared to these people. I’ve never needed a whole hack for a private conversation. Hilarious Fin decided he needed in on it

well done on another successful solo hack.

 

[PapaverFollis]

???? the private conversation awkwardness made me laugh too. Finn obviously wanted to know what was sooooooo secret... ? What rude people! I can kind of understand the first refusal to have you join them (personally I'd have taken you and put my conversation on hold but hey ho) but once they caught you and found you in trouble then it was stupid and rude to not go "come along with us now". They could have always done a shorter loop with you then headed out again for a conversation loop or something.

But as you say... People are weird!

AND all irrelevant now because Finn is Such A Good Brave Boy! ? Well done you and him.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Well done Finn!

 

[Pmf27]

Aye, it was very funny. But like painful Peep Show-type funny. They'd made such a thing about "We're really sorry, but you can't join us because we have this really personal stuff to talk about." But horses, being horses, give zero sh1ts. Their horses walked at a slightly slower pace than mine, so once they wiggled around the planty monster, we were up their butts while they ignored me and had a Conversation in low voices. About a 9.0 on the awkward scale. If it was me and someone on a green horse needed support, I'd put my personal sh1t aside and not leave them to fend for themselves or pretend they weren't there, but people are nuts.

I'm so glad your second hack was more of a success, what a good boy! But this got a huge eyeroll out of me, people are so blimmin' rude.

I'd say it was their actions (or lack of) that made the encounter awkward!

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Great update, well done to you both. Made me laugh and I agree that Fin wanted to know their secrets obviously ?

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I used to hack by myself around Mugdock Park on my Arab - back in the days when I was brave! It was lovely... Always enjoyed it.

 

[southerncomfort]

???? the private conversation awkwardness made me laugh too. Finn obviously wanted to know what was sooooooo secret... ? What rude people! I can kind of understand the first refusal to have you join them (personally I'd have taken you and put my conversation on hold but hey ho) but once they caught you and found you in trouble then it was stupid and rude to not go "come along with us now". They could have always done a shorter loop with you then headed out again for a conversation loop or something.

But as you say... People are weird!

AND all irrelevant now because Finn is Such A Good Brave Boy! ? Well done you and him.

I was thinking the same thing. I'd have said 'of course you can come with us' and had the conversation later. They made it awkward not dear Finn.

I'm really pleased for you, knowing you can head off for a hack on your own whenever you like really does make life easier. ?

 

[Caol Ila]

Yeah, it's not great, relying on other people to go hacking. But it's a steep mountain to climb here because there's about 10-15 minutes of roadwork between the yard and Mugdock Park. Last time I had young/green horses, my barn (in CO) had direct access to its own 90 acres of trails in the mountains. No roadwork, no scary lorries, no risk of out of control dogs, and no general public doing weird sh1t. That meant there weren't as many unpredictable hazards in the first place, and if you and your horse did part ways, your horse could safely run home without ending up on a public road or squashing any children. You would just have a long walk back to the barn. The consequences of things going wrong were a lot less dire. Here, taking greenies out alone requires giant balls.

 

[Jellymoon]

The really nosy part of me desperately wants to know what the conversation was about?!! My mind is boggling…could it be…the latest round of vaginal reconstructing? Or one is having an affair with someone’s husband? Or or or…perhaps Carl is not actually gay and has a love child with Charlotte????