Hacking questions - time/distance & train lines

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Jingleballs

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I was wondering what is the average distance/time that people hack regularly.

I'd recently only hacked about 6/7 miles but there are a few of us at the yard now who enjoy long hacks so we did a nice 10/11 mile hack on NY's day.

I've been planning some additional hacks for us to attempt and some of these would exceed 15 miles in total.

I'm happy to do this but wondered, what, if anything, hpeople do about giving horses access to water when hacking such a long distance?

Also, we have the option of hacking on a cycle track that runs alongside a railway line. Some of the track is very close to the line. My horse has seen trains from a distance but not close up. Do they tend to bother with these things? All horses are great with traffic and will happily go over/under motorway bridges so I wonder if passing trains would phase them?
 
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At the moment, both weekend days if not competing and usually 5 miles (1hr30) for both days with an occasional a longer one which is 10 miles (2hrs30).
 
Over the Xmas hols we've hacked out almost every day: ranging from about an hour to two-and-a-bit hours.

This is has all been roadwork, simply because anywhere off-road around here is like a bog and goes up over the horses' knees, so not practical.

Sorry have no idea re. distance!

Re. giving water on a longer ride: no we don't, simply because there aren't any streams, and again it would be dependant on what sort of speed you're doing; but one of our nicer rides goes through a stream so they can have a drink there, but in actual fact seldom do so.

Re. railway lines. We've hacked out adjacent to a railway line, but not actually beside it if you see what I mean. We did encounter a train on the bit that we have to go fiarly close to the railway line - yesterday we did have a train go past as we were going on the road down below the embankment though, and although they were a bit surprised they WERE OK - even one of the horses who would normally be silly with normal traffic. Up close, I suspect it would be the vibration that might freak them out, plus of course the damn thing blowing its siren might not be terribly helpful!

We also have to go over over-bridges and all horses are OK with that, so if yours can deal with that it would probably be OK with a train, especially as he's seen them from a distance.
 
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Re: trains, some bother/some don't (probably best to meet in the company of a horse that isn't worried by them is possible 1st.

My mare doesn't bother, but I do remember being carted down a bridleway when riding and leading as the 3x horses ahead of us were spooked by a train:rolleyes:
 
Like Black Beauty I sent my horse to a livery yard very close to a railway line when he was young (and he got trapped there in the F & M and it cost me a fortune!).

I would take care about the railway line if your horse really hasn't seen any trains before because they are big and noisy. I heard of a show that was held next to a line and some of the horses freaked out as it was a first encounter for them. They do get used to them quickly, as they find out that the trains do not chase them! Think of a way to introduce your horse to them in a gentle fashion and preferably go out with a horse that you know is steady and won't bother.

As for drinks - if there is a convenient place they can be offered a drink but it isn't that essential for that distance in cool weather. If going longer distances and in the summer you can get collaspbile buckets so you can hop over a fence and get a bucketful from a water trough. I went on a Bridlerides holiday and it was interesting to see that the horses soon caught on to the idea of getting a drink when they could, e.g. crossing a stream or going up to a tank in a field as they realised they were out all day. I don't think I would let my horse drink from a trough in a field of horses though.
 
I used to hack alongside a train line and station (both on a bridleway and road) and a train seemed to come into the station every time I went past. Given it was a small branch line I don't know how we managed it. Horses were generally OK with it, trains weren't going fast though. In fact mine objected to the bluebells on the verge much more than the train.

As part of the same route the bridlepath went over the line and the road under. One came over as I was going under the bridge and my little tb did shoot forward but came back to me in about 3 strides.

We had another bridlepath that went alongside the M1 too.
 
If your horses are fit enough to regularly hack the 6/7 miles without any bother, then I don't see why an occasional longer hack would be a problem. My friend and I used to go out on a shorter hack (5/6 miles) and a longer hack (8/10 miles) each week. When we went for longer ones, we just made sure not to ask too much of them the day before or after. In terms of water, we offered water before and after, and either let them have a bite to eat at some piont, or if on a 4hr+ hack, we would take headcollars and let them have a 30min break and graze.

We used to have to go over a train line, and the only time we ever had a problem was when the warmblood was already napping, then a train went under the bridge when we were on it - cue rear. My cob however didn't even flinch, and if the wb could see them coming - and wasn't already having a hissy then he was always fine with the trains.

Have fun :)
 
I used to ride close to the,railway line when I was a child on my pony. Never bothered him, and as you said he's good in traffic etc so take him and see...?
As for distance, a quick ride for me will be 2-3 miles but regularly ride with my husband who runs and we do exactly 6 miles in well under an hour!
Love going for a good 12 miler too :-)
 
I hack right up to the east coast main line, so the trains are virtually every 5 - 10 minutes and fast. I started off on trails nearby and gradually worked my way closer. I now sometimes race along when a train comes lone-ranger style and i usually get the impression my horse actually likes them now:rolleyes:
 
I hack along next to a rail way line with no probs.

Have even been approaching the level crossing when the barriers started flashing and came down. Me and boy were first in queue waiting for the train to go past :)
 
First time trains came past our horses while hacking they didn't even notice them they were so quiet. We hacked for 3 hours today, he didn't go straight to his water when I put him in his stable.
 
Thanks for the replies!!

Some good ideas re giving them access to water - my boy isn't a particularly thirsty horse. If we're at a show competing he never drinks - he likes to wait until we get home.

Re the train, I used to have lessons with an instructor who had a train line running behind a her arena and he never looked at it although it was still a couple of hundred yards away.

We'll be going in a group anyway and one of the other horses is apparently fine with trains so it should be fine.
 
I find if I go on hacks 2 hours plus then I am absolutely gasping for water and feel I might get a migraine, I am a very thirsty person! So would recommend taking a bottle of water or two for yourself and see if your horse is interested in a bit from your hand, the bottle or even take a little bowl!

I have been meaning to find some sort of saddle attachment for water bottle actually, but a backpack would do.
 
Our lot don't bother with the trains - they might tuck their bums in if one sneaks up behind them and they don't expect it but that's it - its actually a really nice ride along that line and it goes for miles. I walk the dog along it too now. And you will pass by the front of my yard although you wont see it as its at the opposite side of the road from the track. I will be at work if you are up there over the weekend but you might see the other girls out and about. There are people with dogs and cyclists do use it and families out for walks but nothing you wouldn't see in the country park and nothing your guys cant deal with
 
JingleBell said:
I was wondering what is the average distance/time that people hack regularly.

I'd recently only hacked about 6/7 miles but there are a few of us at the yard now who enjoy long hacks so we did a nice 10/11 mile hack on NY's day.

I've been planning some additional hacks for us to attempt and some of these would exceed 15 miles in total.

I'm happy to do this but wondered, what, if anything, hpeople do about giving horses access to water when hacking such a long distance?

Also, we have the option of hacking on a cycle track that runs alongside a railway line. Some of the track is very close to the line. My horse has seen trains from a distance but not close up. Do they tend to bother with these things? All horses are great with traffic and will happily go over/under motorway bridges so I wonder if passing trains would phase them?
Click to expand...

I do 5 or 6 miles a couple of times a week, then maybe one of about 10 and another of about 20-25 miles, depending on weather and time I have. This is just a rough guess, but we do a lot of walking, some trotting and have a two or three long gallops/canters on long rides. One ride which took us 4 hours was 25 miles I think from looking at the map. One ride we do is not too far from a train line, but the line is the other side of a wide river, so it wasn't a problem.
Also, there are lots of streams where we are, so if we pass one, I give my horse the option to drink - he usually doesn't though.
 
well...... I once trailered Charlie across to hack with a friend whose fields were next to a railway. When a train came as I had just mounted, he absolutely wet himself and took off, out of the gate (narrowly missing shattering my knee on the post) and along the road for several hundred yards before I pulled him up:o We both got a fright! However I was back there a couple of months ago with Joy (who used to be kept near a railway before I had her) and 2 high speed trains came from opposite directions at once!! This time it was just me who wet myself, Joy didnt bat an eyelid and they went through at full speed too!
 
It's quite nice on really long rides to stop at a pub, though my horse does harass me for my beer or coke and crisps... Some of the pub carparks a couple of hours away have a bit of grass which is ideal as the horses can get rehydrated to an extent from that too.
 
Hevs do you have to kick the poo off the cycle path?? Just out of curiosity as when i was out on the Mulled Wine ride we had to dismount and kick the poo to the side.

Mine dont bother with the trains been on pleasure ride where they have gone past and not batted an eyelid :)
 
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