Wanted - hacking buddies!! where are you?

lauraea

lauraea

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I am on a small, private and lovely yard (owner and 1 other livery) and me and my horse are completely settled and happy here. The hacking is great and no "yard politics" - imagine lots of you would think this is perfect!!

The only thing I am missing however, is lots of people to hack with :( the other 2 ladies do hack out but sometimes I feel I am not getting my boy out enough and I look at other yards in the village and pretty much wish I knew everyone so we could get out even more and have lots of fun!

There is a riding school just opposite and I see groups of them out and about and wish me and my boy could tag along without them noticing haha. Has anyone ever turned up at a yard and offered themselves as a buddy?! I'd love to but in all honesty, I just don't want to seem a creep ;)
 
I would go and ask at the other yards. If you don't ask you don't get.

When I moved my horses to home I knew nobody and it was only by riding past other places where people kept there horses at home and getting talking to them did I find anyone to ride out with and made friends
 
Why not put up some notices at nearby yards - Hacking Companion wanted, times available, etc. There are often people looking for a hacking friend, organising when you are both available is the tricky part.
 
Can sympathise! hacking where I am is not that great and although ill go for miles it seems so many people don't ride or are too nervous to hack their horses out. I have only ever crossed paths with another rider once in about 5 years! I did have a hacking buddy when I was younger who was awsome and that was someone who came out and asked me while I was riding past. But they moved abroad in the end. I am now a law unto myself_ solo hacker lol If you feel too creepy to ask (which I get lol) a local ad is a good idea. Good luck :)
 
If there a reason why you don't want to hack alone. Hacking in company is great but so is on your own, being able to go at your own pace, lost in your thoughts, just you and your horse.

However nothing wrong in asking, try local facebook groups too.
 
Lauraea I am in Oxfordshire too but as its such a bid county we could be many miles apart. If you would like to pm me your location, we can work out if we are near enough. I have one lady who I ride with once or twice a week ( she rides my older pony) but could do with other experiences with my youngster.
 
Just a word of caution, do try and ensure that any 'hacking buddies' ride in a similar 'style' to you. I have ridden out with a number of people over the years, but am quite picky these days. I have chosen not to ride out again with those that ignore traffic, those who always trot/canter in the same place, those who saunter down the middle of the road while texting, those who vannish round corners before ensuring that the ride is altogether, those who cross roads with no regard for if there is time for the group to cross and one memorable woman who boasted about when she knocked a dog walker over while galloping!
 
YorksG said:
Just a word of caution, do try and ensure that any 'hacking buddies' ride in a similar 'style' to you. I have ridden out with a number of people over the years, but am quite picky these days. I have chosen not to ride out again with those that ignore traffic, those who always trot/canter in the same place, those who saunter down the middle of the road while texting, those who vannish round corners before ensuring that the ride is altogether, those who cross roads with no regard for if there is time for the group to cross and one memorable woman who boasted about when she knocked a dog walker over while galloping!
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I mostly prefer to hack alone due to the above sort of thing.

I find those who let their horses dawdle along at a snails pace equally annoying. Why do some people insist on slowing their horse to a plod the second it shows some enthusiasm and starts stepping out? Drives me mad.
 
criso said:
If there a reason why you don't want to hack alone. Hacking in company is great but so is on your own, being able to go at your own pace, lost in your thoughts, just you and your horse.

However nothing wrong in asking, try local facebook groups too.
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I used to enjoy hacking alone but since an accident out on the roads I now feel much much safer in company, it also gives my boy a lot more confidence to have a companion as he can be a little spooky and insecure alone (although he will go!)

A short hack close to the yard wouldn't bother me alone but I hate the thought that if I am venturing further and something happens, no one is around to help! A companion just generally makes the hack more fun for everyone in my opinion :)
 
YorksG said:
Just a word of caution, do try and ensure that any 'hacking buddies' ride in a similar 'style' to you. I have ridden out with a number of people over the years, but am quite picky these days. I have chosen not to ride out again with those that ignore traffic, those who always trot/canter in the same place, those who saunter down the middle of the road while texting, those who vannish round corners before ensuring that the ride is altogether, those who cross roads with no regard for if there is time for the group to cross and one memorable woman who boasted about when she knocked a dog walker over while galloping!
Click to expand...

Very good point, thank you! I have been lucky to not experience anyone doing the things you have mentioned however I certainly wouldn't tolerate it or put me and my horse in danger through someone else's carelessness.
 
Lauraea, Im in Milton Keynes and in a similar boat to you, I am on a small yard but noone else ever hacks out so Im always alone. I do enjoy it, just me and Muds but sometimes wish I had someone to ride out with. I came off earlier this year, knocked myself out and ended up in A&E with concussion. I dont remember anything about it, the first thing I remember is arriving at the end of a bridleway to be met by my YO, aparently I had rung her for help!! I dont remember how I came off or calling anyone so how I managed to do so is a mystery. I spose the point is that although I was on my own I managed, it could have been much worse, I wasnt physically hurt and had walked me and the pony back to the roadside. Since then I always text my OH with my starting point, route and again when I get off. Its not foolproof as he is usually at work and cant always check his phone but its better than nothing. I do think it would be nice to have a like minded riding mate though so we could go off a bit further afield and be there for each other if anything happened.
 
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