Pick our First hack

[Boughtabay]

Just been thinking about where our first hack should be once I’m on board! I’m breaking my boy in at a new place so I’ve never taken a youngster round the routes here. I’ve got an idea which option I’ll go for but interested in what others think would be a good option (if any). OH will be on hand for ground support.

option A: short circular hack that is mostly quiet in the middle of the day except for a strip of busy main road at the beginning (big lorries at high speeds). Could maybe lead along this stretch and get on once we’re on the quieter road.

option B: longer route, only crosses main road, tiny country lanes combined with stretch of bridle path. Involves passing through small but busy village on the way out & in, plus some long steep hills.

option C: very short route on along a countryside residential dead-end lane, so it’s a there and back. Houses line the road, dogs out in gardens etc. very short, flat, and unlikely to meet cars.

We’ll have “hacked” around the farm and been traffic watching in hand before we tackle going out on the open road! He’s accustomed to heavy farm machinery.

 

[stangs]

Option C as long as he's fine with dogs.

The strip of busy road and the busy village put me off A and B respectively, plus you don't want the first hack to be too long.

 

[TheHairyOne]

Option A or C depending on his nature. If you didnt have ground support it would only be C, but a person hi vized up next to you should stop them being able to tear past you, especially if its busy with traffic in both directions.

Also slightly depends on how long that strip is! Our hacking has a 60mph road to navigate before we hit miles of quiet lanes, fields and bridle ways, but its only about 50m on a straight bit to get off it on the shortest routes which I have done with babies and an escort quite happily.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would do all three leading in hand - like taking a dog for a walk - multiple times as part of your breaking process.

Then you will know, when the time comes to do your first on on board, which he finds easiest / least stressful

 

[Tarragon]

I would do all three leading in hand - like taking a dog for a walk - multiple times as part of your breaking process.

Then you will know, when the time comes to do your first on on board, which he finds easiest / least stressful

This is what I would do, except I am not in favour of any non-circular routes.
When they are happy being led in-hand, then lead out, mount at some point on the circuit and ride home (though I do appreciate that I ride ponies so getting on while out isn't such an issue!)

 

[scruffyponies]

I would try to get a friend to tail me in a vehicle with hazards on for the first stretch of A. Once you're safely off the main road, they can leave you to it.