hacking - rules and general etiquette

[narkymare]

I have started to hack out with other experienced friends at my yard.
I have learnt some general hacking rules but am sure there are lots more i do not know!
So - what to you are important hacking manners - or huge no nos?

 

[loverly]

Always keep to the left - is the one I majorly think is important.
Also, try and be in control on canter tracks etc.. and slow down if there are other horses using it as well.

 

[LaurenM]

I think it depends on the company to be honest. I'm not fussy but will not ride out with anyone that holds their horse back a few yards just so they can canter up my backside. It's not fun. I hate other riders not with my group catering past - its just plain rude and sets them all off.

In general aslong as people don't bomb around and can control their own horse, I'm happy.

 

[Kokopelli]

If you meet someone out hacking always ask if its okay to overtake, especially when your in a group. If they say no respect that.

 

[snoopyinfrance]

Are there any rules? Are you just talking about 'other horse rider' general etiquette?

I always pass another horse at walk, giving as wide a berth as I can.
Dog walkers - I ask them to put their dogs on a lead if my horse is nervous (one was terrified of the little ones...)
Generally I use the same manners as when I'm not riding.

One time, I had a horse bolt with me and I had to shout at a couple of riders coming the other way! I got the chance to apologise because we were stopped by a 5 bar gate (I wasn't sure we'd stop as I was riding a ex 4 Star eventer but she took pity on me!). The couple came and checked we were OK and, although I shook all the way home, we were both fine!

So.... huge no - galloping past other horses!

Enjoy your hacking - you can't beat getting up close and personal with nature

 

[PoniesRock]

If you meet another rider out and want to over take it's polite to ask. Some horses - like my mare hate having horses randomly trot past them. However if the rider is made aware you would like to overtake them then they can move their horse to the side.

 

[Booboos]

I prefer it if a group of riders decide on the pace before taking off at a canter, so I'd expect someone to ask "Shall we have a canter up this hill and aim to stop at the top?" before they set off at great speed leaving everyone else going nuts behind!!! Also, if a horse in the group has a particular problem, I'd want to know about it and try to help them out, e.g. if the horse is scared of lorries I would position myself up front and to the outside and wave at the lorry to stop.

 

[narkymare]

Brilliant - these are the sort of things i am wanting - i dont want to unintentionally upset anyone - i know on our first hack out we all decided to trot on a field - automatically i clicked (as well as squeezed) my horse into trot - not a good idea, my friends horse proceed to canter at my click - i just had never thought and was mortified!
My yard mates are brill and i dont want to upset anyone - one other question - because we are learnign we are always at the back but my horse likes to be almost sat on the horses in front bum! I do pull him back but what is a decent riding distance - one horse from another when in single file?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

People who are pleasant to hack with (IMHO) usually:

Don't do any changes of speed without verbally mentioning it to others 1st
Discuss the route, rather than dictating it.
Happy to take turns in leading or going behind
Not leaving out a 3rd rider (its easy to do when going out as a group of odd numbers)
Carry their whip away from the side of anoter persons horse where possible (its so easy to forget if its needed to be used & can upset other horses)
They don't let their horse stop to turn out
Tells you if they have a problem with bins/bags/pigs/horses/anything BEFORE you meet said items when out!
Keep at least one horses distance from the one in front.
Doesnt turn off when riding beside (not without saying so!)

Have a great time, there are no real rules - just quite a few 'considerations' of others

 

[narkymare]

ty fuzzy - what do you mean stop to turn out? Stop to munch or stop to poo? lol told you im new!

 

[Kenzo]

Respect other road users:-

If its a narrow road, don't ride two abreast when you can see that motorists can't pass you, move back in to let them by, it only winds them up otherwise, I always do what I can to keep motorists happy, their more likely to slow down, give way, remain patient and not slag us riders off if we use a bit of common sense and remember to thank them or waive them by if they can't see, if your is patting about in the middle of the road and won't pass something, again pull over, let your horse calm down and let them by.

Wear high viz.

Don't ride on paths, if you do need to nip on for a good reason, if your horse does its droppings, go back later to sweep it up, don't just leave it as it gives the rest of us a bad name.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

ty fuzzy - what do you mean stop to turn out? Stop to munch or stop to poo? lol told you im new!

to poo but stopping for horse to snack is height of bad manners

 

[narkymare]

lol ty - he does stop to poo but i will work to stop this!

 

[narkymare]

Respect other road users:-

If its a narrow road, don't ride two abreast when you can see that motorists can't pass you, move back in to let them by, it only winds them up otherwise, I always do what I can to keep motorists happy, their more likely to slow down, give way, remain patient and not slag us riders off if we use a bit of common sense and remember to thank them or waive them by if they can't see, if your is patting about in the middle of the road and won't pass something, again pull over, let your horse calm down and let them by.

Wear high viz.

Don't ride on paths, if you do need to nip on for a good reason, if your horse does its droppings, go back later to sweep it up, don't just leave it as it gives the rest of us a bad name.

ty - even though i hate doing it ( i do like to keep hold of 2 reins cos my boy can sppok at anything) i do always wave a big ty - after reading some horror stories on here and elsewhere i must say im very happily surprised at how good and pateint other people and road users are. people with dogs loose will pull them up and put leads on as soon as they see us - i always wave a ty to them - last week w ewere goign up a very long windy country lane and were followed so so patiently by a white van man! I was so worried but he was brilliant - even if id fallen right off i had to turn to wave a special ty to him

 

[ShowJumperBeckii]

Dont say thank you unless they SLOW DOWN... some people mime 'thanks' or shake there head its like well if you slowed down i might say thanks
always on the left.. i thought it was country road law? or whatever thats called

 

[Dizzydancer]

generally when hacking i think it is polite to:-
Always keep to the speed the least confident person is happy with
Always ask if it is ok to pass others
Never go faster than a walk when passing others
Ensure everyone is aware of when you are changing pace
Alter who is infront/behind
Ensure everyone is aware of what scares the other horses/if one is extra nervous
Always ride on the left
my personal bug bear...ALWAYS THANK POLITE DRIVERS and try to get to a gap as quickly as possible to allow them to pass safely if the road is narrow!!

Wear HI-VIZ

 

[narkymare]

again ty - i really really do appreciate all these tips x

 

[YorksG]

Ensure that the lead rider can maintain COLLECTED trot on the road, hate it when the lead pounds off at breakneck speed, on the forehand, in trot.
Ensure that the group waits together to pass parked cars etc. otherwise the ones left behind can get very fidgety while waiting. If in a really big group, split into smaller groups with a confident leading file and to bring up the rear.
Make sure you leave at least half a horse length between you and the horse infront. I nearly ended up with my mares backside being hit by a car on one ride last year, when for millionth time (ok a bit of an exageration!) the woman behind me used my mare as a buffer for the horse she couldn't stop.

 

[gugglebum]

Don't ride on peoples front lawns if their gardens run down to the road.

I'm sure you know this but don't hold on to branches or brambles, a horses distance is just enough to have to let go and smack the person behind in the face, just dodge it & take care of yourself.

If you're at the back of a string and a car crawls up behind you waiting to overtake on a bendy lane don't assume others further up the string are aware of its presence, engines can be very quiet. Shout 'car!'. Its good to communicate any potential hazard - dog, spooky plastic bag, approaching mountain bikers - anything you spot that others may benefit from being aware of.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Wear hi-viz,
Take all other road-users and their needs into account, so thank drivers, by a wave/
smile/nod and move out of the way asap of cars waiting to pass. Shout 'car' when one approaches.
Say 'Good morning etc' to pedestrians/cyclists as you pass them - they are probably drivers too.
Put the most experienced riders in the lead and last in the group - keeping the least experienced in the middle, where the most experienced can keep an eye on them and their safety.
Keep spooky horses in the middle of the ride.
Check that every-one is happy to change pace and happy to continue with the pace.
Keep all paces collected, so that no-one is left behind, or having to charge along to catch up.
Lead rider should warn every-one when s/he is going to slow down/stop (hand-signals are good for this).
Give very clear hand-signals to other road-users.
Walk past other horses.

 

[narkymare]

omg how interesting is this
pearls - because i am learning (my horse is much more experienced than me) i always follow on behind - what you have said makes so much sense - i would like an experienced horse and rider behind us

Again ty everyone - im reading everyone of these posts and will do as you all suggest - i love how you all share your knowledge ty xxx

 

[fitzaud2]

well, it depends on the horse in front of you, but in a riding school they reckon a horses lenght between each rider, for safety sake. If your horse likes being up the bum of the one in front, it will depend on their horse, some dont mind, others will kick them back into place, just make sure your knees are not in the way!!

 

[narkymare]

well, it depends on the horse in front of you, but in a riding school they reckon a horses lenght between each rider, for safety sake. If your horse likes being up the bum of the one in front, it will depend on their horse, some dont mind, others will kick them back into place, just make sure your knees are not in the way!!

lol ty xxxxxx

 

[Dubsie]

I always say good morning to any cyclists I see coming up behind us (we get a lot as it's a quiet road & official cycle route - pony might not have heard them coming up behind.

 

[narkymare]

ty dubsie - oh im so pleased i posted this - gettign so many tips id never have thought of - ty x

 

[MrsMozart]

Wait at cross-roads, etc., 'till you can all cross! The more experienced riders/calmer horses making sure everyone is across.

Communicate that you're going to come down a gait; nothing worse than a shunt!

Let others know if you have any wonky bits that will affect your abilities to go at any speed/distance.

Let all know if you have to be back by a certain time.

 

[jroz]

Announce changes in speed to whomever you are with, check to make sure everyone is ready before setting off at a faster pace (you never know when someone might be fiddling with their helmet, reins etc). Pick a place to stop if going faster (ie: top of the hill, before a turn, etc). If you are coming up behind another horse and rider, announce yourself and don't blast up the other horse's behind...I had this happen to me once which sent my horse into a broncing fit...was not fun!!

 

[gugglebum]

Take your phone with you, and charged.

If you ride out alone tell someone where you're going and how long you plan to be out for. Even scribbled on the black/whiteboard is better than nothing. Tag your tack with contact dets incase you come off.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Don't leave gate opening to everyone else unless you've agreed beforehand.

If someone is having problems, give them the time to sort themselves out.

Try to keep your horse at the same pace as everyone else. No fun having to constantly check a horse because another rider is ambling along- and vice versa.

Agree the speed and any known potential hazards on a particular route; ie if one horse hates farm machinery, don't turn off to ride along a field with a combine harvester in it.

On our yard we tend to have the 'baby rides' for green or back-to-work horses and faster, longer rides for those with fit horses, so everyone is comfortable.

Don't cross a road and leave another horse behind.

Don't ride away while someone is shutting a gate.

If you can't remount from the ground, train your horse to stand by fences, rocks etc so you can get back on.

Nice hacking partners are those with mannerly horses who can usually hack without a series of dramas and are thoughtful about ensuring everyone enjoys the ride.

Smile at pedestrians and give them room. It can be intimidating having a large horse walking past.

Bring some cash. On a hot day, your mates will be dead chuffed if you suggest a break at a pub and get a round in.

 

[skewby]

I think it depends on the company to be honest. I'm not fussy but will not ride out with anyone that holds their horse back a few yards just so they can canter up my backside. It's not fun.

Oh God I HATE that. Also riders who try and race you and take the opportunity of you pulling up to charge past. Usually resulting in your horse putting in a turbo with about 3 metres of field/canter track/fast space left. SO annoying!