Hacking out on your own....Would you/do you do it?

Perfect_Pirouette

Perfect_Pirouette

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Ok, so i really want to start hacking G a bit more as i'm getting a bit worried that he's getting a bit bored with all the schooling, actually I'M getting a bit bored with all the schooling
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There's some brilliant hacking where he's kept and i'd love to get out a bit more and see it all, especially since the weather's getting nicer. I hacked him for the 1st time on saturday with 2 other girls and he was fine (only walked and trotted) As i said i'd love to get out a bit more, am taking him out again on sat and OH is going to come and WALK alongside me as dont have access to a bike lol. People from the yard do hack but the people that i'm friends with dont really hack that often, or people do hack but want to have a good gallop, something which i wouldn't want to do.

SO i'm thinking, if he's good on Saturday, maybe next week bring him down the road, just a little way on my own and see how he is? He's very bombproof and NEVER does anything stupid as in NEVER, he never bucks, rears, naps, tanks off anything, he is a 100% total confidence giver. His owner ALWAYS hacks him out on her own (altho she does take him for a good gallop
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If he's ok then gradually maybe start to bring him further on my own. It's just its not always possible to go out with other people or bring someone on foot and i really would want to start hacking him out about once a week from now on. Plus it might be nice to just go exploring on my own etc.

Do you think this is sensible/safe? And does anyone else hack out on their own? I'm not a total novice or anything but i dont have much confidence and have never hacked on my own before. Please tell me if you think this is a stupid/unsafe idea.
 
I mostly hack out alone... it's so good for clearing your head!

I would go out on my own, with a mobile phone and a whip (as back up) having made sure somebody near by knows where I am going exactly so they could find you if necessary and just see how it goes!
 
I think you will be fine - I hack out on my own for hours regularly and have done since I was 12years old.

Take your mobile phone with you, always tell someone roughly where you are going adn an estimation f how long you think it will take you and go and enjoy yourself.

I love exploring the countryside, finding new hacking routes and it keeps the horses interested. You sound as if you are on a nice horse, build the time up as it sounds as if your confidence is needing built up too.

You'll love it I have no doubt.
XX
 
Yep, i have hacked out on my own quite happily for years. Not really working for me at the moment though as my horse is really needing a nanny, but if your horse is already used to hacking out then i dont see why you would have any probs. Go enjoy yourself!
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If he is used to being out on his own with his owner, don't see why he wouldn't be with you. Just be confident, if he feels that you are concerned then he might be too. I think what you are suggesting to take it easy to start is a good way to go and build up your confidence. I'm sure it'll all go smoothly!

To answer your original question I almost always hack out on my own - even if I don't my boy prefers to be in the front so we might as well be on our own then too!
 
I think by what you've saod about your horse your both be fine, take a phone with you, and if you do gt worried you can always hop off and walk with him, start off by just aiming for a 10/15 min hack then build up a bit more.
 
i go out on my own pretty much everytime. I ride in the evening, which means most other people ave ridden in the morn. Great chance to clear your head and have a think.

Just take a phone with you
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I hack out alone most the time, my mares better on her own that in a group.
Just make sure someone knows where you're going and take your mobile
x
 
Recommend Hi Viz & mobile, get confidence with shorter routes / planned journey etc. As your confidence grows, your hacks will lengthen & there is nothing better than hacking around unfamiliar routes; exploring new territory with a horse that trusts you. Enjoy & have fun.
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i hack out on my own all the time always have done as there is no one with a horse near me, but does hack with company if pals visit with horses , i love it.. i go away for hours on end when the weathers nice lol
 
I always hack alone, even now when I do actually have the option of company
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I go out for miles, hours on end
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Ellie isnt the safest horse by any means - she's very spooky and not 100% in traffic, but that doesnt worry me. I always wear reflectives, always carry a phone, and always make sure I have some Polos, some baler twine and my foldable hoof pick with me
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I don't have anyone to hack with, unless my mum rides and then it is only a very short ride, so I do all of my hacking on my own. I tell someone where I am going and how long I except to be, just incase there is a problem and I always have my phone on me.
 
I am a right nervous nelly but hack out on my own quite a bit, I always have a mobile with me and make sure there is going to be someone around on the yard who i can call.....just in case! I also have tags on my saddle and bridle with name and contact numbers on......and of course heaps of high viz.

Have fun!
 
I don't have a choice as I'm the only rider on the yard and have no facilities, so have to hack alone!

As others have said though, I always take a mobile and the horse and I are both decked out in hi-viz. I'm a bit limited as I have to stick to bridlepaths - partly cos my girl isn't tractor-proof and partly cos of her sidebone, but can still manage well over an hour a day.

Your horse sounds really good, so take it in small steps to suit you and help you gain confidence and you'll soon be hacking out alone happily for hours
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I can relate to how you are feeling, I have just recently started riding again after a 9 month break. Before my break I always hacked out in company. Now I am riding a friend's horses and felt worried about hacking out alone. I have been riding for years but felt vulnerable out on my own, especially on someone else's horse. However, in the last few weeks I have faced my fears and gone out alone and I absolutely love it now! As said previously do always tell someone where you are going and carry a mobile with you at all times. Get out there and enjoy it, you will soon adapt
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I am horseless at the moment, but almost always hacked my Moose out alone. Its quite nice going out alone, you can go at your own pace, if you seem an interesting lane or bridleway you can go and explore it, and you can stay out as long or little as you like.
 
Go for it, you'll love it!!

I hack my ex-racehorse out alone all the time, mainly 'cos no one else can keep up... He's pretty excitable and spooky - jumping 'SLOW' signs in the road is his current favourite trick.
 
I love hacking on my own, I always have my mobile with me and I wear a reflective hat band and vest and horse wears her big yellow exercise sheet.
We have lots of roads to go on before we get to the off road stuff!
Plan a short route that you know, I bet you will have a great time.
Just you and gee gee - it doesn't get much better.
 
Wow, THANKS EVERYONE!!! I am now feeling so much more confident about it, i really do think it'll be nice, i'm sure ill be fine, i'll just take it slow, and yeh definately take mobile and wear lots of high vis stuff!

Thanks again everyone for the encouragement and advice.x
 
I always hack on my own, very rarely in company as I find it a bit limiting as if we canter in company he will gallop and go bucking past the rest!! I also find it builds up a strong bond with your horse as you learn to trust each other. Go for it, just build it up slowly and be positive so he feels you are confident which in turn gives them confidence. Just wear hi-viz and take your mobile.
 
I think it's good for horses to be hacked out on their own on ocassions. If someone walks out with you for a few times and everything is fine then no reason why you shouldn't hack on your own. Just let someone know where you are going, how long you expect to be and take a mobile. Happy hacking
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I nearly always hack out on my own - and actually prefer it as you can choose what you do and when you do it. As others have said, always wear hi-viz, carry a mobile and some ID on you, and make sure someone knows where you're planning to go.
 
I've hacked out alone for nearly 40 years. I dont have quiethorses either, I live in beautiful riding country and have no menage or flat paddocks so I never ride at home. I suppose its what one is used to.
 
I always hack out alone. I dont have a choice so all of mine have just had to get on with it and guess what...they did!

If you are worried tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. And take a mobile with you.
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Start with a short hack and build up.
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It is good for horses to go out on their own.
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I always hacked Gulliver alone as it was better than hacking out with the wrong horse. We had some lovely little chats. I always made sure someone knew I was out which route I was taking and an estimate of return time.
 
I prefer to hack out with others but make an effort to hack out alone now and then because I think it's really good for the horse. I do always take a mobile and I always do a route I am very familiar with. I leave the exploring to do in company
 
I am out on my own most of the time, my mates are about 2 1/2 miles away so you need a good couple of hours to meet them!
Horse is nervous youngster whos not great in traffic, i just avoid the busy time and tell someone where am going, luckily our roads are quite quiet!
 
And why would you not do it? Who buys a horse just to shelp around a sand pit? Can you always rely on having a friend to hack out with? Should you ever own a horse, if you never plan on one day taking it out on its own? Am I missing something significant here??
Argghhh!!
 
I always hack out on my own - does help you get away from the day to day things and really gives you some time with your horse where you can be you and gather your thoughts!

Take your Mobile, tell someone your route and roughly how long and see how it goes!

Enjoy
 
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