Roads and hacking - Avoid or not

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stanley1234

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I'm considering choosing a livery yard based on the fact that it's quite close to some amazing hacking but the problem is that it's a good 5-8 minute walk on some very busy roads to get to said park. My horse is a four year old so was thinking about walking him up the road until I got to the park and then jumping up on him there (until such a point as he is fully trustworthy, which will come with time because he's actually pretty sensible). Do you think I'm being completely naive? Or should I only choose a yard that has access to hacking without crossing any roads?
 
I have to cross a busy A road to get some amazing off road hacking. It doesn't bother me, but my boys a saint
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I would be happier riding him than leading though.... I be worried he might get away if something happened?

Is there a nice sensible horse you go out with at first untill your boy is more confident with the hacking? Is there any hacking from your yard with out having to go on the road?
 
If you have good ground handling and your horse is well behaved leading... then I'll go against the grain and say that I would lead, then get on when I was on the safe riding.
I always introduce mine to traffic in-hand, I sort of assumed everyone would, but I realise I am wrong.
A horse can "get away" from you if it is scared, whether you are on the ground or on their back. I just do not believe that you have more control when riding. And to be perfectly honest, if the horse did "get away" I'd rather be on the ground weeping and wailing than on top.
 
i would never lead a youngster up a busy road. you have no control of its quarters if it spooks and swings them into the traffic, plus it might get away from you.
if you can be sure that someone there with an older, good-in-traffic horse, will nanny you up the road for a while until your boy's used to it, then great though.
 
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you have no control of its quarters if it spooks and swings them into the traffic, plus it might get away from you.


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The same applies if you are riding. Personally I make sure that my youngsters are properly trained, and I control the hindquarters by asking them to move over with a light stick, just as I'd use my legs when on board.
Haven't any of you been truly bolted with when riding a horse that got frightened? You can't stop them, no matter what you have in their gobs. The best way to get a youngster used to traffic is to have good handling and introduce them sensibly and gradually.
 
Yes I was on a hack years ago as a teenager at a riding school when a a horse bolted with me. My friend who was behind me said she was scared for me as there were sparks flying off the shoes on the road.
I was scared yes but at the the time more interested in trying to regain control of the horse and make it stop before it took off down the next part of the ride ( to the woods) which was downbank down a road
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I agree about having a nanny horse though and make sure you pick one that is as sensible as they come as you don't want the youngster being unsettled by the behaviour of another.
I would also consider building him up gradually to the traffic and not necessarily going all the way to the part where there is safe hacking. If you can ride so far and it is safe enough to turn around and head home then it may help. Otherwise facing the horse with such busy traffic before going for a longish hack may just wear him out mentally and physically depending on how good he is with traffic.
The fact that you have a nice long ride at the end of it will count for nothing if you spend five minutes or so aboard a horse that is really worked up by it all.
That of course applies whether you are in company or not I would still consider riding so far then heading for home the first few times before going all the way.
I would also have to disagree about the leading as well because controlling a horse on the ground when surrounded by traffic is harder because your field of vision is reduced by the horse's size and it is not so easy to keep an eye on what is happening not only in front but behind also. Also horses can become 'toey' and shift about a lot and could put you in more danger than if you were aboard them.
Good luck and I hope it all works out for you Stanley.
 
I knew I'd be against the grain, but it's worked for me with many horses.
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A friend of mine threw herself into the hedge and saved her life seconds before her horse bolted into the path of a car and died instantly. She's an amazing rider and very experienced. She couldn't stop him, if they are really scared you just can't. So I'd always deal with a dangerous situation on the ground.
 
I don't think you are been naive at all, guess when you get to the yard there will be horses there who will be used to the road who could nanny yours at first. Difficult to find hacking that does not involve road work, just a modern day hazard us and our horses have to deal with. Whether you ride or lead will be what you feel safest doing. Don't think I would venture out at first until I felt confident I could control the horse and I had some help and/or nanny horse.
 
Id go for it if there's someone with a sensible horse you can hack with. I regularly ride down a very busy road to get to good hacking with no problems.
 
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