Oh Lord !!!! Opinions on this please ....

My OH would LOVE this!!

He is a really keen boarder and after several failed attempts to get the dog to pull him in the snow (she's a malamute so more than capable, she just couldn't be bothered!) I ended up pulling him in the car.

*might* have a go with this, though wouldn't want to tie the rope to the saddle...
 
I'm actually riding in this - not in the photos though! It's good fun, even if it won't be everyones cup of tea. It's a nice sport in that any horse can do it as long as they take to it, so as an adult who rides ponies I'm not excluded, and it means my other half can get involved with my horse riding hobby without having to ride. It's more of a rush for the boarders obviously, but for the rider your job is to control the start box and the speed according to your boarders directions. Too slow a start and you lose obviously, too fast a start and you will whip your boarder straight off the board! It isn't always the fastest horse who wins. The horse I ride loves it and gets mega excited, but it means he can spend too long bouncing on the spot in the start box whilst a colder blooded horse may get a better, smoother start every time and more consistent points on the board.

In terms of people worrying about the welfare of the horses, we have a quick release system on the rope, so as soon as we get slack in the rope (i.e boarder falls!) we release it to prevent it getting tangled. The horses barely notice the weight of the board and it is attached to put pressure as evenly as possible, rather than on one side. They are introduced to the rope and board really carefully. We do it for fun and it's no fun if your horse doesn't enjoy it! Many of the horses do other 'normal' jobs like dressage as well, this just gives them a bit of a blast at the weekend!

Oh pants, my cat has just brought in a live mouse...best sort that out!
 
Looks like amazing fun to me, there is a similar thing with roller skates where they show jump as well. To be honest I know lots of ponies and horses I would trust to try it on... so long as it was someone other than me being dragged along behind! (if you found suitable horses and the rope was long enough, you could do your best to avoid being kicked in the head :))
 
I'd love to have a go. It was on a news programme some time ago. Properly done, don't see a problem.

Jane
 
I saw a comment left by someone in one paper that Rohan (the grey in bottom photo) looked terrified in that pic, i thought 'erm, no, if you knew him you'd know he is just p'd off that Dan keeps asking him to go steady!' Rohans favorite words are 'go, go go, push on!

It should be on BBC breakfast tomorrow if you want to see it in action, with me as Rohans slightly incompetant pilot...at least I didn't deck the journalist though, phew!

Edited to say: I'm working on the boarding as well...it is surprisingly hard, but if you can already board you will love it!
 
KatPT, so where do you get the quick release rope things from then? What board do they use? Ooh! feel a bit excited about this!

K was alright with a small boy on a shiney bike with stabilisers, so *could* be ok with this...

ETA - he was not pulling said small boy!! :D
 
I would say it would be worth going along to the National Horseboarding Centre in Wolverhampton to see how they rig the ropes, as the quick release is like the snaps you get on some trailer ties but is attached by carabiner to a rope system attached to the saddle which is a bit complicated to describe. The horse must wear a breastplate as well.

If you can't get there, contact Daniel Fowler-Prime (he has a facebook page and there is also a horse boarding championship page) and he may be able to describe it properly! He can also explain how he starts introducing the horse to the board, although its really common sense.

Boards are mountain boards...I bought the cheapest one I could find, being a non-boarder, but apparently they do vary in the kind of ride they give.

Contact him and give it a go!

(Mouse removed...I am apparently as talanted a mouser as my cat...although I can use the computer at the same time!)
 
Looks like a lot of fun for horse, rider and boarder! And from posters say, it all seems very well organised with well trained, happy horses (might need a 'don't try this at home' warning though before someone ties a rope to their pony's tail and gets kicked through the head!!!!).
 
they did this on countryfile last summer, it seemed really good aslong as horse takes to it and the rope is usually pretty long then i dont see a problem...if someone just tries it out in there field with no guidance then there could be mistakes. i used to however use my pony to pull sledgers along!!
 
I've seen this a few times. I stood to watch in at the Nas Festival one year which was fun and the horses were stunning! Might be a good exercise to help my pony get over his fear of things coming up behind him??
 
Looks like fun. I'd give it a go. But TBH I don't think it's been 'invented' It just looks like Schijoring on a board. You can do this at plenty of ski resorts
 
I think its more that he has created the National Horse Boarding Championships, rather than that he has invented being pulled by a horse (papers can be nightmares for putting their own spin on what is said!).

Like others have said, you just have to be careful. My little horse is very unsettled by the board even being dragged near him, so it will be a long time and plenty of groundwork til he is happy with it, and if he still isn't then I will just not play it with him. And there are plenty of ways of attaching ropes that are down right dangerous.

(I had a go at the boarding side yesterday (towed by other half running on foot and I think im starting to get better at it!)
 
It is the rope attachment I am having difficulty with as I can't find any info anywhere :( not going to try it until I can sort this aspect.

Still getting the oh a mountain board though, will just have to get the dog to do what she was bred for rather than lazing around!
 
I know how to rig the rope, just not how to explain it! If I can get any pictures I will try to post them.
 
KatPT said:
I saw a comment left by someone in one paper that Rohan (the grey in bottom photo) looked terrified in that pic, i thought 'erm, no, if you knew him you'd know he is just p'd off that Dan keeps asking him to go steady!' Rohans favorite words are 'go, go go, push on!
Click to expand...

KatPT would I be right in saying that it's you who do the jousting too, or am I putting 2 and 2 together and making 5? It's just that I'm sure it was Dan et al that stayed at my yard a couple of years ago when doing a performance at Hartpury....

Sorry if not you!
 
Hey looks great fun!! Thrill seekers are always looking for new ways for an adrenalin rush, need a pretty bomb proof horse for the sport - not for me personally!:eek:
 
Woodykat said:
KatPT would I be right in saying that it's you who do the jousting too, or am I putting 2 and 2 together and making 5? It's just that I'm sure it was Dan et al that stayed at my yard a couple of years ago when doing a performance at Hartpury....

Sorry if not you!
Click to expand...

I imagine it was Dan and his Independent Horse crew that stayed with you...sadly I wasn't one of them...I'm just learning!
 
KatP, that would be great if you could! Are you able to buy them? I so can't wait to start, but am not going to do it until after the wedding - can't have both of us with broken arms!!! ;)

A friend of mine is sourcing a mountain board for me and he thinks it is an awesome idea too!
 
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