Waste of a horse

Its an expensive hobby and supposed to be fun, so whatever you want to do is fine, horse wont care as long as he is cared for, this woman does not sound that experienced to me if that's the way she thinks!
 
My daughter used to event fairly successfully until about 3 years ago when her horse suffered a tendon injury. Thankfully he eventually came sound but it put an end to them eventing. We can only afford one horse and daughter chose to keep him, rather than replace him and continue eventing. He is now a happy hacker (with a little bit of low level dressage thrown in from time to time). He always seemed to love eventing, especially xc but I can honestly say he is just as happy mooching around the lanes and exploring the countryside with my daughter. I therefore think the friend of a friend is misguided and you and your equine partner will be as happy as any competitive partnership, if not more so.
 
Loving the completely unequivocal replies to this post, think you have your answer op. I do compete my horse, but because I want to, and she would be very happy hacking and bumbling about in the field.
 
My horse was bred to be a high level comp horse, but with the pros he was too stressy, so he came to me to do Nov/ Int max. I only had him six months when I hurt my back. My horse was fit and able, and I am now not.

Same horse now does not even have shoes on, hacks and has fun. We may do some dressage, may do some lower stuff, may even shoe up and do a bit more, but that is if I want to, because I can tell you that Jay Man is as happy being a happy hacker as anything!
 
It's safe to say my lot would be more than happy mooching about doing begger all! I compete because I want to and as mich as Gray loves poncing around showing off he is equally at home laying flat out in the field in the sun snoring his head off! (I don't tell him he snores 'cos that would dent his confidence a wee bit - he's a sensitive soul so he is!)

Your horse, your choice! No horse that is loved, no matter whether it is a 5* competition horse, a field companion or anything in between, is wasted.
 
There is nothing wrong with just wanting to hack.

However I also think it is wrong to sneer at people that want to go to competitions!
 
Wow, thanks so much for all your replies! My old instructor knows of a pony for sale who sounds like he might be very suitable, so I'm hopefully going with her to see him sometime in the next week or so. I didn't mean to sound rude about those who compete, I think the lady in question has just been competing from a young age and is not very open-minded about those who haven't! Thanks so much again for all your kind words.
 
There is nothing wrong with just wanting to hack. Get yourself a horse that also loves to hack and you will build up a great partnership of love and trust.
 
I think the majority of horses would rather hack than go to a competition. Good luck in finding your new horse, he/she sounds like they will have a fab life with you!
 
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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There is a horse/pony out there who is going to be very lucky to have you as their owner - they'll probably be a very long queue of them hoping to be chosen :)
 
As long as horses are well cared for and get varied work it's nonsense that they need to compete .
I have just bought a beautiful fit sound advanced event horse because I wanted a really nice horse to ride as I rode out yesterday morning the truck from his old owners yard went past did C care he was not off for a weekend spent mostly standing in lorry no of course he did not .
Buy your horse enjoy him.
 
Comments like that really annoy me, so long as the horse is cared for properly that is all that counts. Some of the horses/ponies I have seen at competitions look as though they would really rather be somewhere else.
Not everyone wants to compete but that's up to you. Take no notice of comments like that, and enjoy your new horse!
 
Another who's says RUBBISH!

Just hacking? JUST HACKING? I don't think these people know what "Just hacking" can be!

I think hacking is one of the most thrilling things you can do on a horse. I love setting out, not knowing exactly where I'll go, or how long I'll be. I love galloping and jumping things. It is a real test for the horse, because you have to be able to do schooling movements to be able to move them around scary things and you have to have great control at all times anywhere you go!
 
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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No, she's a prat. IMO they need some form of work to keep occupied, mentally and physically sound but they don't give a stuff what it is.
 
I agree with everyone else - most horses love just hacking. They do not feel the need to better themselves and earning rosettes!!

As long as a horse is well looked after and happy in itself - nothing else really matters.
 
The so called experienced horsewoman obviously is not that experienced or she would know that hacking keeps many horses sane and happy not to mention letting them see the world and experience different types of terrain etc.

I compete at affiliated dressage and country showing and do lots of hacking. If I had to sell my lovely horse and it was a choice between a home where he was schooled constantly and not hacked much or a hacking home then the hacking home would be my choice. Never under estimate hacking, there are quite a few successful dressage and western riders in the region where I live and many spend all their time in the arena as they are too nervous to hack out! I feel sorry for their horses as they only ever work in an arena.

So enjoy your hacking and new horse. I suspect the person concerned is just jealous.
 
wench said:
There is nothing wrong with just wanting to hack.

However I also think it is wrong to sneer at people that want to go to competitions!
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This is a strange thing to say wench. I have now read every response and I don't think anyone has sneered at anyone who wants to compete!

I like to compete and love hacking in equal measures and I haven't felt offended by any single post here whatsoever.
 
Found this in my grooming box yesterday:-
==========================

Dear Mum (if that even is your real name)

As you know, my real dad was all that and a bag of chips, to whit his sperm is still being sold a decade after he died.

I find it quite insulting that all you've done with me for the last year is "potter" by taking me down the lanes and talking to sheep, cows, otters and other passing wildlife.

If you don't get me some matchy-blingy and a pink-windowed horsebox by the end of the month, I am O.F.F. as I have better things to do with my summer than be your beach donkey. n.b., not bandages, brushing boots, overreach boots, travel boots, etc. as I totally lose my **** when I have my competition garb on - I'll tell you about it one day.

Yours (allegedly)

Twinkle Toes
 
casserolecollie said:
Wow, thanks so much for all your replies! My old instructor knows of a pony for sale who sounds like he might be very suitable, so I'm hopefully going with her to see him sometime in the next week or so. I didn't mean to sound rude about those who compete, I think the lady in question has just been competing from a young age and is not very open-minded about those who haven't! Thanks so much again for all your kind words.
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Well I hope you update us all! If it does sound perfect I would go now, today. Good horses do not hang around.

Also wanted to say, have a look at my Avatar, when my back was at its worst this was us out hacking. We went to play on the beach and I did not even ride. I found people have "opinions" about that too, but heck, as long as we both have a good time, what does it matter? A lovely day on the beach with my horse. Funnily enough the people who thought I was silly tended to be those very much of a competition only mindset. Some people seem to have lost the ides of doing something just because it is fun. Not for training, not for fitness, not as a stepping stone to anything, but just because, in that moment, you and your horse are having fun.
 
The vast majority of horses like to be doing something and enjoy parties, but a party doesn't have to be a big show and most horses enjoy their hacking , beach rides etc.

Bit mean of your friend to throw cold water on your dream as well.

In your shoes, with your wants, I would look at all the horse rescues first...they are over run and may very well have your perfect equine partner waiting for a second chance.
 
Someone once told me that a previous horse was far too good for what I wanted it for and I should look for a "gypsy cob".

I figured if I could afford a Ferrari and wanted to pootle around in second gear that would be entirely my prerogative.
 
When people say that horses 'love' going to 'parties' and that their horses 'show off in public', I can never tell if they're being serious or not.

They're not 'showing off', they're high on adrenaline. They have no idea where they are or what is going to happen to them, which is why so many horses become bargy and appear to have no awareness of personal space at shows. They're not calm or thinking straight.
 
Well, I agree with everybody else and think said woman sounds like a bit of a muppet. I think being a 'happy hacker' is the most wonderful life for a horse and that the horse or pony you take on will be very lucky to have found you.

People like that really do my head in. God forbid a horse might have to live an easygoing life, that would be tragic...
 
TTK said:
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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There are far too many horses and riders that feel unable to leave the arena and enjoy the great outdoors these days. A good hack needs to be brave, forward going, sensible, responsive and well mannered. He may need to jump a little, to leg yield, to turn on the forehand, rein back and probably passage, pirate and half pass on spotting a spring daffodil!! These are things to be proud of on any terms and there are competitive riders who work hard to achieve these things in a more formal setting. Hacking out is or should the part of any horses education and on going fitness and maintenance. Hacking is so positive in so many ways but in recent years has acquired a 'dumbed down' reputation. Riding is a skill and an art which we can enjoy developing and improving in any setting. OP, yours sounds like a fantastic home. Hack and be happy!
 
I thought exactly the same, up until very recently. I have had my horse nearly a year now and he is quite athletic and loves to do what he finds exciting, gallop, jump and generally have fun. I have the odd lesson and maybe one day will end up at a small local show, but for now we are just having a ball exploring the new forest, short rides, long rides, very long rides, fast and slow rides, pub rides etc etc both with others and just us. He has been in a competition home before I got him and whilst he is really good in the school, knowing his job etc and moving very nicely but I know where his heart lies. I can feel his excitement when we find a new path, a different log to hop or a new route to try. It's what I like doing and He loves it. I just try to vary things... Never do the same thing in the same place and use the areas I hack in to do things like circles and lateral work. do what you want to do, it's an expensive hobby and you shouldn't feel you need to do sinerhing to please others :-)
 
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