happy hackers with been-there-done-that ponies

[Firehorse]

jst wondered if you ever work your ponies in the school for refreshers. i'm a happy hacker and find schooling a tad boring to be honest, plus can never think of what to do!!. much rather be off on the Downs somewhere.

 

[JadeWisc]

Well why do it if you don't enjoy it and don't think your horse needs it I say

 

[Black_Horse_White]

I mostly hack, my lad is not well schooled. We do school now and then and he is a quick learner but i much prefer hacking and farm rides, and he seems happy.

 

[Sprout]

I do you the school sometimes, and my daughter or her instructress ride him in there to remind him how to do things properly or for some jumping, but I would much rather be out hacking.

 

[ladyearl]

I mostly hack but also school on a hack. Every now and then 2-3 weeks I get a lesson and top up in the school. This is 'cos I think it makes hacking even more fun!! I suppose it depends on what you do on a hack. I ride strong and forward going horses and regularly canter and have a gallop and also jump on hacks so I want control for safety.

 

[Pedantic]

I school approx 2 to 4 times a month, put out some road cones or tyres and canter in and out kneck reining and normally, small jump/s, figure 8 to work both reins/legs/sides, rein back, turn on forehand, transitions, anything else I can think of to keep his brain ticking, 30 mins to 45 mins, walk round park to cool off, then I'm knackered, but it helps with doing gates when out etc and general discipline.

 

[Firehorse]

thanks! mine needs his schooling when we're out really. such as "we galloped here yesterday, so today we keep all four hooves on the floor, and walk!" maybe i should do a bit in the school to remind him who's boss. i guess with the weather turning now, staying in the school paddock and not too far from the barn might be a good option anyway!

 

[NeilM]

I don't know too much of the brief history of my lad before we got him, but last year we got the exclusive use of a school, so I thought we'd give it a go. He had obviously been schooled on the right reins and ONLY on the right rein, on the left rein it all got a bit exciting.

So, we now have four separate ponies. We have safe(ish) hacking pony, schooling pony, who is very good. Jumping in the school pony, again very nice and XC jumping pony, who is a complete loony.

I find schooling really physically hard work and so does H. It is good for our partnership and our technique, and we try to work on different aspects each time that can then be incorporated into our hacks.

It is what you make of it, but if you don't enjoy it, don't bother and given the choice of schooling or hacking, you wouldn't find me in the school.