How would you handle this situation?

[Lone Ranger 38]

Hi All,

Im an avid lurker on this forum but could really do with some advice.
I am due to move house shortly which will also mean moving my pony to a new livery yard. My current yard is very small (1 other livery and myself) and we are both happily lone hackers, for our own reasons.
Most of the yards in the area I am moving to are larger then my current yard and I am sure the current liveries will want to get to know us both once we arrive. However should it come up, how do I explain I prefer to hack alone without coming across as antisocial/rude? Do I just drop it into general conversation when the opportunity arises? The last thing I want to do really is make any enemies ?

 

[Barlow]

If you get invited to go out with someone, you could just blame it on your horse getting overexcited in company and therefore you have learnt over time that you are better off going out alone

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Clip clop

 

[FireCracker238]

Clip clop

Is that the wine talking again ??

 

[Arzada]

There's a good chance that they will guess from your name

 

[Lone Ranger 38]

Clip clop

Im sorry I don’t know what this means?

 

[Lone Ranger 38]

If you get invited to go out with someone, you could just blame it on your horse getting overexcited in company and therefore you have learnt over time that you are better off going out alone

Thank you yes that’s a good idea, it’s my first yard move in over 15 years so I am nervous about the whole thing

 

[Lone Ranger 38]

There's a good chance that they will guess from your name

Probably

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Is that the wine talking again ??

Is that the wine talking again ??

Posi

Is that the wine talking again ??

Yes it is

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Is that the wine talking again ??

How do you know about my drinking habits??

 

[FireCracker238]

You declared on another thread that you had been drinking wine ?

 

[FireCracker238]

I have had wine tonight sorry!

It was in the "selling an arthritic horse" thread

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It was in the "selling an arthritic horse" thread

I am always on wine!

 

[Caol Ila]

If you get invited to go out with someone, you could just blame it on your horse getting overexcited in company and therefore you have learnt over time that you are better off going out alone

This.

It could be seen as a bit weird if you dropped it into general chat, but if anyone asked to ride with you, just say your horse plays up in company, so you prefer riding alone. Or work out times when the yard is quiet and if work and other things allow, ride at those times and no one will ask. Or you could try what someone told me once: "I'm training for endurance and I'm going fast and far."

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I would just say thank you for the offer but I really prefer to ride alone. One day you might fancy hacking with someone else and then wint be able to.

 

[magicmoments]

Generally I prefer to ride alone for a number of reasons, so I can concentrate on me and horse, also don't have to rush to be ready to ride with someone else. I am on a very friendly yard and am often asked if I want to come out with them. On occasions I do as I think it's good for the horse to remain good in company. Would rather chat to other liveries on the yard, than ride out with them.

 

[ycbm]

I would just say thank you for the offer but I really prefer to ride alone. One day you might fancy hacking with someone else and then wint be able to.

This. I'm the same, but every now and then I used to go out in company. I just explained I really liked to hack alone most of the time. Don't lie, it will catch you out one day and then you really will be unpopular.
.

 

[sport horse]

Be honest - say you mostly prefer to hack alone as it gives you some quiet time. Be polite and leave the door open so they continue to invite you.

 

[Kat]

I find going for really long hacks puts most people off! ? People get warned off hacking with me, as they are likely to be out all day!!!!

Seriously, if someone asks you to ride with them and you don't fancy it just say thank you but you were planning to go alone/need some quiet time. People will understand, on the other hand you might enjoy some company from time to time.

 

[Birker2020]

Hi All,

Im an avid lurker on this forum but could really do with some advice.
I am due to move house shortly which will also mean moving my pony to a new livery yard. My current yard is very small (1 other livery and myself) and we are both happily lone hackers, for our own reasons.
Most of the yards in the area I am moving to are larger then my current yard and I am sure the current liveries will want to get to know us both once we arrive. However should it come up, how do I explain I prefer to hack alone without coming across as antisocial/rude? Do I just drop it into general conversation when the opportunity arises? The last thing I want to do really is make any enemies ?

Just say it. I am the same, I much prefer my own company or that of just my horse. It's not that I am anti social as I have enjoyed many hacks with friends and fellow liveries before, but I just like doing my own thing, letting my horse stop to eat grass for example, or singing to myself, or chatting away to my horse. It gives me time to think without having to constantly think of things to say in company or try to conform to a way of going.

 

[huskydamage]

I find going for really long hacks puts most people off! ? People get warned off hacking with me, as they are likely to be out all day!!!!

Seriously, if someone asks you to ride with them and you don't fancy it just say thank you but you were planning to go alone/need some quiet time. People will understand, on the other hand you might enjoy some company from time to time.

This!
the majority of people ive known only want to do a short ride with barely enough trot/canter. Which is ok sometimes but not when my horses need a proper ride. I've had many a person hack out with me then complain theyve never gone that far/horse is tired/arse is sore ?
a 20min plod is not worth me putting my boots on tbh ?

 

[ihatework]

Don’t make up excuses, just be polite, smile and laugh at yourself and say thanks for offer, really appreciated but you really like hacking alone and please don’t take offence.

TBH often people feel like they should invite new people out for a hack, just to be nice and welcoming, but I doubt they care if you take them up on it or not

 

[Birker2020]

Don’t make up excuses, just be polite, smile and laugh at yourself and say thanks for offer, really appreciated but you really like hacking alone and please don’t take offence.

TBH often people feel like they should invite new people out for a hack, just to be nice and welcoming, but I doubt they care if you take them up on it or not

I sometimes find that if you get asked its because they have been told by someone that your horse is particularly good on the road and they want a nanny for their spooky monster!
I don't mind helping others but I'd rather people were honest with me - I didn't then want someone pretending they wanted to hack with me to be friendly when it was for an ulterior motive.

 

[Lone Ranger 38]

Thank you everyone, some really good advice here, very much appreciated ?

 

[lottiepony]

Be honest will cause less problems in the long run!

 

[Kat]

This!
the majority of people ive known only want to do a short ride with barely enough trot/canter. Which is ok sometimes but not when my horses need a proper ride. I've had many a person hack out with me then complain theyve never gone that far/horse is tired/arse is sore ?
a 20min plod is not worth me putting my boots on tbh ?

I say it isn't worth tacking up if it is less than an hour. I'm happy to tootle along gently but I don't want to be back in 30 minutes. I'm sorted now, I make it clear how far I am planning to go and say I am happy to go alone if that is too far for them. I do actually enjoy hacking with others, providing they are reasonably compatible.

Also, if you want to be alone go in bad weather. No one ever wants to tag along in the rain!!