Looking for the perfect hacker!

Natalieshort

Natalieshort

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30 April 2012
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Where can i find a happy hacker which is 110% safe and bombproof and just gentle? Somewhere between 15,3-16,3hh just aslong as its safe. Dont mind about the breed but i also have a little budget!

Is that too much to ask for? honestly? haha :D
 
If you have a small budget, you'll struggle - as the horse you're after is going to cost you.

However, there was a post on here yesterday about a horse that was essentially a happy hacker. Will try and find it.
 
Safety, bomb proof with traffic and will hack alone seem to be (understandably) what you'll need to pay good money for...

If you're going to struggle on budget, it might be worth considering loaning an older horse - maybe one that's retired from competing... I've got a lovely 19yr old mare on loan... Eventing background but quite happy these days to toddle around for hours a la old lady style with me or be far more on her toes with my son... :)
 
Natalieshort said:
Where abouts are you? :)
Click to expand...

I'm in S Wales... I was shopping to buy and realised over a bit of time that I didn't have the right money to buy what I wanted - and I already have one unsuitable for me courtesy of him being such a dejected mess when I saw him that I couldn't leave him where he was...:o

A friend noticed an advert for this mare on Facebook and unbelievably, I was the only one interested enough to go and see her as her age made other enquirers put the phone down... Her owner gets to see her beloved horse staying active and we get a safe schoolmistress... :)
 
You're looking for what everyone wants unfortunately.

With mine: when I bought him he'd never hacked solo as had been in a trekking centre and was just used to following the bum ahead, also was a bit daft in traffic for the same reason - he'd never encountered tractor-dragons or anything on his own.

So with my trainer, we had to start from scratch and get him used to solo hacking and the stuff he'd meet.

I think because he's actually got a fairly laid-back temperament, we were able to work with him on his issues; so what I'm saying is that sometimes the "package" you want isn't there to start with and you might have to get something with a good temperament and work on solo hacking if that's what you want to do. Although personally I would insist that whatever I bought was OK in traffic, sometimes horses can (and do, cos mine did), lose confidence if they're solo or with a different rider, so you might need to give it some time and be prepared to work with a trainer to get your horse where you want it.

But it IS possible. I don't consider myself confident or big or bold, and yes I did have to work with my boy (and my trainer) to get him safe for hacking, in fact someone told me that I'd never do it!!!! Well, um, we did!!!

But what I'm saying is that sometimes you might have to take a chance on something and be prepared to work towards what you want it to do (s'pose like any horse really!). Sorry am probably rambling and/or stating the obvious here.
 
I don't think it should be too difficult if you're prepared to have an older horse. Equally it might be worth contacting your local RDA associations to see if they know of any horses looking to retire to a quieter life. Friend of mine did this and got a lovely gelding who had just turned 20 on permanent loan and they're still hacking out happily together ten years on. It is the most unflappable and gentle horse you've ever met but still loves to have a good canter and gives the youngsters a run for their money but never gets silly or strong.
 
Police horses are often retired about 20 years old, you'll never meet a more traffic proof horse there!
 
I have just seen an ad for a 16.2 TB free to good home as only suitable for hacking he looks sweet in the picture. This is the ad...

Free to a 5* local home. 13 year old 16.2 TB gelding. Sound and healthy but has old tendon injury so not suitable for competition but would make a superb happy hacker. Must be stabled in winter and will only be sold to 5* home for life.
 
I think I remember that ad when I was looking for a horse earlier in the year, do you mind posting the link to the ad so I can see? If it is the same horse, it was 300 originally
 
Wiz201 - a friend of mine took on a retired police horse - he was very spooky out hacking and she was told that was to be expected as he had lived his whole life in a city and the countryside with its strange sights and smells were all very alien. Nice horse though and perfect stable manners - her 3 yr old daughter could lead him out to the field.

My point is no horse is ever 100% safe - and even those that are described as such usually have some issue that you will have to contend with.

Also, if you have a limited budget be very careful taking on a horse with a known tendon injury - it will be excluded on your insurance and if it needs further treatment may end up costing you a lot.
 
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