Waste of a horse

SO1 I love your quote...very apt. Horses and ponies are happy when they feel safe and in a routine were they know they will get access to food and exercise, even if that is turn out only.
I used to compete but as I've got older I've lost the drive, don't think either horses are bothered, in fact the oldie who only hacks now, seems to have a permenant look of self satisfaction on his face.
You only live once, enjoy every minute of it doing what you enjoy.
Sadly, there are too many over opinionated idiots in the horse world.
 
Your friends friend is either a google warrior or a snob! Of all the horses people say would not be happy to just hack, only a fraction are really not going to ever be happy with it.

Do me and yourself a favour and next time this person or anyone else says something like that again...reply with a huge, beaming smile and say, "nah...he loves it and so do I" and keep smiling. xxx
 
Ha, what a thing to say!! What high level competition does this woman do?

My boy loves his competing, but he also loves hacking, schooling, jumping, carrots, hay, bucking, licking me... He's a horse!! As long as they are treated well, fed and loved they are happy.
 
absolutely rubbish, I sold a young pony a couple of years ago who would jump DCs with his eyes shut and had lovely paces, but he was far happier just hacking and taking life at a chilled pace. I had people come to try him for eventing, para dressage (he was very well behaved!) and pony club, but he didn't quite have the enthusiasm for eventing and I just didn't get along with the other potential buyers as he would have been a number or sold on. I was delighted when a lady wanted to try him for happy hacking in a forever home, the pony now has the best home he could wish for strolling around the countryside :) I'd take a guess that the person you spoke to is a bit of an idiot ;)
 
Yes, I agree with the other posters, I think horses/ponies main priority is food, shelter, company and exercise, they are only individually competitive when one of those categories are under pressure.

Many horses do enjoy the buzz of competition, but probably not for the same reasons that humans do.

You enjoy your hacking, and maybe assume that the comment originally came from a misinterpretation of the phrase "Horses for courses".
Maybe you can educate the person next time the conversation comes up!
 
Well OP you can see from the weight of the replies on here we all think this is a load of ball oaks!

Sounds like the kind of comment people make out of jealousy: ignore, ignore, ignore.

You get your horse and have a wonderful waste of time together!! :)
 
I bought a competition horse and his old owners said he loves competing, he whinnies with excitement when we get the lorry out and drags us up the ramp! He had never really hacked and only knew the competition life and had limited turn out at that home.

He took to hacking like a duck to water, he absolutely loves going out in the field with his new herd mates, and the other day when I started up the lorry, he dragged me across the yard - and into the field! He was horrified that he might have to go to a show instead of a day out eating and chilling.

Before it was all he knew, but once allowed to be a herd horse he no longer misses the buzz and excitement of a show - I have turned a 1.30m horse into a happy hacker, and he loves his new life :)
 
How silly!!

Our ponies adore hacking! We are lucky to have several routes we can take and they are always super keen to explore! I can't think of anything nicer and it's a wonderful way of bonding with a horse.
 
Absolute B******s - they have no concept of "potential", and anyway the type you are looking for would be more than happy with that way of life. As long as they are getting the necessary food,water , health car, exercise, and above all LOVE it is all they need competing and showing are done entirely for the owner's benefit not that of the horse (and there is nothing wrong with that). I don't doubt that some horses love it, but would imagine that most would be just as happy to be doing hacking, beach rides etc. She may bean experiienced horsewoman, but has a very limited veiw ofhorse welfare!!

Rant over (Sorry, but it is something that REALLY annoys me!!
 
To be honest I think your friend's being a bit of a wally. Horses aren't ambitious, as long as they're fed and looked after they couldn't care less if they're out showing or not. Admittedly some do go a bit stir crazy without a "job" to do, but being a happy hacker is a job!
 
Lol a horse doesn't know he's even being competed. Does this woman really think a horse cares if he wins or goes to a competition?!
There's a reason they call it a "happy hacker" that's because it makes you and the horse happy! Hacking is the best thing for a horse. It's calming, natural for them and relaxing for you as well.
Don't listen to this woman! She sounds like one of these up their own arse people who think of you don't compete you're nothing.
 
Just tell her if the subject is raised again that you do not need to get up at silly o'clock, put the horse through being bathed, scrubbed, primped, polished and plaited, then dragged somewhere strange to be blatted several times round a ring (which is even less exciting than the arena at home) - to be told that you have the most beautiful horse in the world - you already know this!!! Clearly she has self esteem problems (too much, rather than too little!!)
 
When mine has been hacked, he's in a lovely mood for days. He has been ridden twice in the past month, the rest of the time, he's either lazing round in his box or the field with his best mate. He couldn't care less if he gets ridden or not. He does nearly faint at the sight of tack!

Some horses 'need' to be worked, others don't. As you said, you'd check with any sellers about temperament, so fine, go get one!

MotherOfChickens said:
both of mine are/will be happy hackers. poor, hard done by creatures with their secret ambitions of county shows and HOYS :D
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PMSL! The idea of my horse longingly thinking of cob class at HOYS! Too funny!
 
Another who thinks the friend of a friend is an idiot.
I would recomend getting an older (in her teens) ride and drive mare. She will be traffic proof, will have been there and done it all and be a perfect companion for exploring the world :)
 
Utter rubbish - I expect most competition horses would rather just hack out and be looked after well - good luck for any future horse purchase :)
 
I don't think many horses get up and are sad they've just gone for a beach ride or forest hack and not got a rosette compared to going to a competition and walking, trotting and cantering round an arena being told how to move each stride of the way!
 
casserolecollie said:
After 20 years+ of lessons/sharing other people's horses I finally have the time and money to buy a horse of my own! I am just looking for a happy hacker sort, I am quite short and light so thinking 14.2ish native/cobby type, maybe something older that needs a quieter life and would just enjoy hacking/beach rides/maybe the odd sponsored ride. I would be able to ride most days and there is no shortage of varied hacking where I would be keeping it.

I have a lot of experienced people to help me and a lovely yard to keep a new horse at, but a friend of a friend threw me a bit yesterday by saying she thought it would be unfair on a horse just to be hacked about and not to be competed or shown, and that I should stick to sharing if that is all I would be doing. She is a very experienced horsewoman so it has dampened my enthusiasm a bit, do you think it is enough for a horse to just be hacked about, or do you think they need to do more in life to be happy?
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I have not read the replies as, on reading your post, I felt compelled to reply straight away!!

I know people like this and each to their own, live and let live etc.

However, I just want to say what a lucky horse, your horse will be! To be loved and live a very happy life with someone who wants nothing more than do something that makes her happy too!! Many competition horses and showing horses will be green with envy.

Riding is not about competing or showing, it's about a partnership. It's a gift to have the friendship and trust of a horse and that alone should be the ultimate goal. The horse will be happy if it has all it needs whether you enjoy that in the hustle and bustle of shows and competitions or the quiet solitude of a purposeful hack.

OP, I wish you well in your very exciting search for a soul mate :)
 
What a load of utter tosh! My two are happy hackers, and slow happy hackers at that. I don't do speed! Haha. I can tell you this... Neither of them have ever said to me..'we need to do some eventing, we are just missing something in our lives' !!!!! ;) They are happy horses and have the life of Riley.

Now, go get your horse and have fun doing whatever you want to do!
 
Thats rubbish horses don't think they should be going to shows most are happy to just live in a field and do nothing, don't let it put you off I hope you find something suitable for you soon:)
 
I'm a happy hacker and sometimes feel that others on my yard look down their noses at me because I dont jump/dressage/lunge my horses every hour of the day! And even more so because my favoured riding attire is head to toe hi vis yellow and dirty jodhpurs as opposed to white jodhpurs, designer jackets and bling hats! I wonder if anyone has ever said behind my back "those poor horses being wasted just hacking!" Wouldnt suprise me! I have 2 fairly "posh" horses (ex showjumper and ex polo) so it probably looks that way, however they both now have a much better life with me than they ever did in their previous lives (especially the polo pony who still gets to have a good gallop without fear of being beaten with a stick and prodded by spurs!) She was so nervous when I got her and you couldnt touch her flanks without fear of being double barreled, which I have always maintained was probably due to the rough tacking up and spurs.
Sometimes I feel as if i should be doing more but then I think why? I like hacking, hate jumping anything bigger than a dog agility jump and get bored plodding round the school (as do they!)
When people ask me what I 'do' with my horses, my reply is "I ride them!"
Horray for happy hackers!
 
I must agree with all the other posts - I think your horse would be very happy to have a lovely hacking home. It provides some interest and stimulation for them and is the best way to bond with your horse. Comps are fine, and a lot of horses enjoy that too, but I think as long as they're doing some kind of job - they seem to thrive. As for challenging your riding skills - there's lots of challenges out there when you're a happy hacker!
 
^^ this

My Hanoverian is fairly well bred competition lines. .......she adores hacking and isn't so convinced about competing and would more than happily be a 'happy hacker'
 
casserolecollie said:
After 20 years+ of lessons/sharing other people's horses I finally have the time and money to buy a horse of my own! I am just looking for a happy hacker sort, I am quite short and light so thinking 14.2ish native/cobby type, maybe something older that needs a quieter life and would just enjoy hacking/beach rides/maybe the odd sponsored ride. I would be able to ride most days and there is no shortage of varied hacking where I would be keeping it.

I have a lot of experienced people to help me and a lovely yard to keep a new horse at, but a friend of a friend threw me a bit yesterday by saying she thought it would be unfair on a horse just to be hacked about and not to be competed or shown, and that I should stick to sharing if that is all I would be doing. She is a very experienced horsewoman so it has dampened my enthusiasm a bit, do you think it is enough for a horse to just be hacked about, or do you think they need to do more in life to be happy?
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I have never heard such utter rubbish in all my life. What a silly woman! You go for it, horses don't have aspirations, a horse does not stand in the field dreaming of one day going showing or competing, humans do. Go get yourself a horse and have a fantastic time together exploring the countryside. :)
 
Your friend's friend is a moron - to put it politely. In this day & age, only the bravest & the best riders hack successfully. Duh, I hate people like that.
 
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