Off road hacking in East Dorset, with Horsebox parking??

[cariadssogreat]

Hi All,

I live in East Dorset and am looking for some places with (free of charge) off road hacking, where I can park my 3.5t box safely. I know about the areas very local to me - holt, critchel etc - but am looking for some other places.

If any one has any suggestions please let me know. I am trying to get my confidence back riding after being hit by a car on my other mare in Oct 07 -and thought it was best to start without traffic

Equally any one who lives in the area who would like an off road hacking companion - I would love to hear from you - willing to box up to most areas including the New Forest.

Thank you

 

[frannieuk]

How about Badbury Rings? You can park nearby, hack up a quiet road to the bridlepath, then its offroad all the way up to Kingston Lacey, across the main road (but not too hard to cross as v good vis) and then all around Badbury, back down the otherside, across the road and down another bridleway back to the lorry.

 

[cariadssogreat]

Thank you very much frannieuk - it would be local too! Is it a fairly straight forward route? Dont want to get lost lol!

 

[frannieuk]

Yes, it's v straightforward. You need to drive through Sturminster Marshall, over the bridge and the car park is on the right off a T junction. Then ride up the lane for about a mile, the bridlepath is clearly marked on the left. Then all the way to the top, ride along the left hand side of the Kingston Lacey Avenue, right turn onto Badbury Rings and follow the bridle path, all the way around until you are back on the avenue. Cross the road again, turn right and ride along the verge (which is massive) until you see a gate in the hedge on the left (marked as bridleway). Then tootle down that one (you can have a fab gallop on this one too) until the end, through a horse friendly gate, turn right onto a track and then left onto the road. This brings you back out right by the car park - whole thing takes about an hour if you canter lots! x