Opposite of other thread - how to get company out hacking without annoying anyone?!

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ecarylloh

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Just been reading the other thread where OP wants to decline offers of company when out hacking. Well... I'm the opposite really:

Just moved to completely foreign part of the country, old mare who hasn't been out hacking in several years, but I'd really like to take advantage of the beautiful bridleways.

I'm not the most confident of riders. I'm not bad and I don't flap, but I don't particularly want to go exploring the countryside on my own with an Arab/Thoroughbred who doesn't like to be away from other horses.

There are some really lovely people on my yard, and one of them has said that he'd be happy to hack out with me on his 4 year old, but when I mentioned that she hasn't been out for a few years he went quite quiet - understandably!

I don't know how to solicit some company, make it clear that I might be a little bit nervous, and not piss people off... any ideas?!
 
I am sort of in that position too. Recently moved to a new area and finally have something to ride that will behave in company. I'm actually quite happy to hack out by myself and use the maps etc to work out routes, but it is nice to have someone to show you where the best routes are as they are not always obvious on the map. I keep mine at home, so no other liveries to ride out with - not that I would change that! I guess I'll just have to keep working through all the bridepaths until I find my favourites. :)
 
Just ask around. If you make sure that you don't go with the same person all the time and become reliant upon them people won't mind.

I remember hacking out with a nervous hacker when I was sharing a section D. Her horse was bombproof but she wasn't. She came out with me and with a small group of us quite a few times and we didn't mind taking it steady, because we could have fast hacks other days.

Try to find a few different people and go out with each on different days so that you aren't relying upon the same person. And give them opportunities to get out of it if you are disrupting their routine or something. You could also advertise in the local tack shop/feedstore for a hacking buddy.
 
Having said what I said on the other thread, I don't mind people coming out with me, no matter how 'naughty' their horse is as long as 1. they keep up 2. if they ask me what time I'm riding and I say "ready at 10", that they are, in fact, ready at ten 3. Again, with times, if I say ten then there's a reason for that, don't say 'can you wait til the afternoon' 4. once we're on board, don't say 'I've got to be back by half ten' so can't go far.
No wonder I'm a hermit ;)
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

Luckylou - I'm in Portbury/Failand, which looks like it's quite far away from Iron Acton... :(

Katt - good idea re:hacking out with lots of different people. I've put something up on the yard board but now that I'm starting to meet people maybe I can ask them directly (eek - there's a reason I work from home and in a job that doesn't involve interacting with people much! Hate asking people to do things for me!)

Dooble - I think those conditions are very fair! I'd certainly abide by them if someone offered to show me around.
 
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I hasten to add that she's no longer that tubby, and she's not normally so grumpy either! OH caught her on a bad day methinks :rolleyes:
 
Thank you! :D

She's lovely. I'm sure you'll find a hacking buddy soon. :) I wish you were closer to me as I also have an AA mare and no-one to hack with at the moment. :(
 
How frustrating! I'm just too far away as about half an hour from Failand but always looking for someone to ride with and I work from home too! Good luck, hope you find someone soon.
 
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