Should I hack on the bit?

Mule

Mule

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Hello, I am learning to ride my horse consistently on the bit, but should I ride him on the bit while hacking? If so for how long?
I'm planning to do some trec next year so I would be riding out for longer distances than I usually do. What do you think is best?
 
This is one of those questions that throws up more questions rather than a clear answer, I hack mine on a long rein most of the time, long as in on a light contact with the horse in an open frame, not on a loose rein, that way I can take up a bit more if required to remain in control going past something that is spooky or to get them working a bit harder, if the horse is used to being worked correctly it will be happy to remain in whatever frame asked of it.

So if you are expecting your horse to work correctly in the school it makes sense to ask for some degree of the same work most of the time, try and think of it as powering from behind into the contact, in other words working properly, and keep expecting that power so it becomes second nature for him, rather than being "on the bit" .
 
Our hacking is really boring, mostly road work and some of it quite busy. I like to mix it up, some time in competition outline, some time in a longer lower frame, neck up, neck down, get him listening and paying attention, practice our free walk on a long rein and a bit of stretching and some time on the buckle on the quieter residential streets.
 
I ride out regularly to avoid using the arena too much. So I school my horse out as well. I usually try to start out on a loose rein, then pick up a low, then regular contact. I mix things up by doing transitions, some degree of lateral work plus some loose rein breaks as well. My horse can be quite spooky, so doing a variety of different things helps keep her concentration on me rather than that rock over there. Of course there are some rides where all I do is poke around on a loose rein, I find it helps relax both me and my horse between days of more challenging work :)

ETA: When I was learning how to ride my horse in a consistent frame, asking for it out on hacks did a lot for a nice consistent contact. You don't want to ask for it constantly in the arena and the confuse the horse by not asking for the same degree of contact out on rides.
 
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It entirely depends on what you want to achieve

When I hacked my own young mare I did like to vary it, so I had moments where I asked for a contact maybe get some bits of shoulder in, leg yield, some small transitions between halt, walk and trot. But then I would also allow a longer looser frame, again maybe doing some small transitions to keep her focused on me.

When I hacked the schoolmaster stallion I didn't bother, he was in his 20's and had done his time so I hacked out on the buckle. But then he was so well schooled I didn't need a contact to ask for things and he was utterly bombproof, never met a horse like it. In 4 years I never saw him spook, ever!
 
That's a good point.

ETA: When I was learning how to ride my horse in a consistent frame, asking for it out on hacks did a lot for a nice consistent contact. You don't want to ask for it constantly in the arena and the confuse the horse by not asking for the same degree of contact out on rides.[/QUOTE]
 
Working in a long and low frame should still be "on the bit" it doesn't need to be an "advanced outline" for them to be working correctly.

Ultimately working correctly will be more comfortable for the horse especially if you are planning on doing long distances. I generally do the same as micropony and do varied schooling on a hack
 
It depends why you're hacking - if I was getting a horse fit then I would have him on the bit. If it's a relaxing/downtime/time out hack then on a long rein, but I usually do lateral work at some point so it can be a mix of short periods of on the bit/long reins.

I think it also depends on your horse - a lazy horse I'd be wanting to hack them up into the bit so they are active, but one that marches and is active I'm happy to be on a long/loose rein :)

But I always hack on a steepish downhill on a long rein as we only have roads and they can be slippy so want horse to balance himself.
 
I must try my boy on a long rein to see if it helps him. He slips quite easily on the road. More so than other horses I've ridden. It can be a bit unnerving if there's traffic 🙂
only_me said:
It depends why you're hacking - if I was getting a horse fit then I would have him on the bit. If it's a relaxing/downtime/time out hack then on a long rein, but I usually do lateral work at some point so it can be a mix of short periods of on the bit/long reins.

I think it also depends on your horse - a lazy horse I'd be wanting to hack them up into the bit so they are active, but one that marches and is active I'm happy to be on a long/loose rein :)

But I always hack on a steepish downhill on a long rein as we only have roads and they can be slippy so want horse to balance himself.
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I never hack on the bit. Hacking is hacking and schooling is schooling for us and I like there to be a difference, I would never have him gambling along and going walk to gallop in the school but that is ok for hacking. I prefer my horse to be able to see clearly and balance himself as well as enjoy hacking, though saying that he is a native with a naturally lower head carriage so giraffing and hollowing aren’t really an issue for us. Not to mention I have more important things to concentrate on, like chatting or snooping over hedges or going really fast.
 
mule said:
I must try my boy on a long rein to see if it helps him. He slips quite easily on the road. More so than other horses I've ridden. It can be a bit unnerving if there's traffic ��
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it may not help at all, depends if he is still actively walking in balance or just slopping along. Have you asked your farrier to pop some road nails in? our roads are like glass and I wouldn't hack out without them.

For my horses, hacking is their downtime, done for variety and fitness. They are expected to walk positively to the contact but not in any prescribed frame. They do enough of that in the arena. They have to remain on the aids but I'm happy for them to look around and take in their surroundings, in fact I encourage it because I think it makes for more worldly & confident horses.
 
be positive said:
This is one of those questions that throws up more questions rather than a clear answer, I hack mine on a long rein most of the time, long as in on a light contact with the horse in an open frame, not on a loose rein, that way I can take up a bit more if required to remain in control going past something that is spooky or to get them working a bit harder, if the horse is used to being worked correctly it will be happy to remain in whatever frame asked of it.

So if you are expecting your horse to work correctly in the school it makes sense to ask for some degree of the same work most of the time, try and think of it as powering from behind into the contact, in other words working properly, and keep expecting that power so it becomes second nature for him, rather than being "on the bit" .
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^^^^^
this, excellent reply
 
I must ask my farrier about road studs. I never think of it when he comes.
milliepops said:
it may not help at all, depends if he is still actively walking in balance or just slopping along. Have you asked your farrier to pop some road nails in? our roads are like glass and I wouldn't hack out without them.

For my horses, hacking is their downtime, done for variety and fitness. They are expected to walk positively to the contact but not in any prescribed frame. They do enough of that in the arena. They have to remain on the aids but I'm happy for them to look around and take in their surroundings, in fact I encourage it because I think it makes for more worldly & confident horses.
Click to expand...
 
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