By
Tony Handley
Before you start your hack, take a minute to explain yourself to
non-horse people to avoid being reported to any animal welfare groups,
for gruesome treatment of your horse. If someone has not heard of
'hacking' in horse riding terms before, they may be totally unaware of
what it is, so far easier to say "I'm planning a gentle ride outside the
riding arena tomorrow", avoiding any confusion.
Most riding centers offer hacking out as part of their horse riding lessons, so suitable for to total beginners and advanced riders looking for a more gentle ride. Before you set off your riding instructor will cover a few basic safety guidelines with you, ensuring everyone including the horse has a pleasant experience.
Dependent on the number of riders and horses participating in the hack will affect the rules of the day. There is far less activity and room for error if there are just two experienced riders on the hack, rather than twelve novice children very excited to be there and itching to get going. Generally if there are more than four people going out then an assistant rider to the main instructor will stay at the rear of the group to assist you if there are any problems.
The most common rule most riding schools adhere to is that you should not overtake the horse in front when hacking out. Overtaking can cause the horse to become excited or startled and you may find yourself going faster than you hoped.
If your hack will be partly on the road your riding school may insist that you have your arms completely covered in case of any accidents, but this will depend on their guidelines so check before you arrive. If you intend to hack out on the road frequently it may be advisable to complete the British Horse Society's Riding and Road Safety Test. This can provide useful information and skills required when out on the roads and give you more confidence in your own riding.
Once you are ready to mount your horse, ensure you are comfortable with the stirrup position and your reins are at a suitable length for your arms. Your instructor will decide before you venture out if you will be riding two abreast or single file, sometimes two abreast is suitable for woodlands but mostly single file will be used. During the ride if you skills are up to it your instructor may give you the chance to have your first canter, which is slightly faster than the trot but not as fast as the gallop.
Riding on a hack can improve your balance as the horse in generally traveling in a straight line, together with further confidence you will be an expert in no time.
Most riding centers offer hacking out as part of their horse riding lessons, so suitable for to total beginners and advanced riders looking for a more gentle ride. Before you set off your riding instructor will cover a few basic safety guidelines with you, ensuring everyone including the horse has a pleasant experience.
Dependent on the number of riders and horses participating in the hack will affect the rules of the day. There is far less activity and room for error if there are just two experienced riders on the hack, rather than twelve novice children very excited to be there and itching to get going. Generally if there are more than four people going out then an assistant rider to the main instructor will stay at the rear of the group to assist you if there are any problems.
The most common rule most riding schools adhere to is that you should not overtake the horse in front when hacking out. Overtaking can cause the horse to become excited or startled and you may find yourself going faster than you hoped.
If your hack will be partly on the road your riding school may insist that you have your arms completely covered in case of any accidents, but this will depend on their guidelines so check before you arrive. If you intend to hack out on the road frequently it may be advisable to complete the British Horse Society's Riding and Road Safety Test. This can provide useful information and skills required when out on the roads and give you more confidence in your own riding.
Once you are ready to mount your horse, ensure you are comfortable with the stirrup position and your reins are at a suitable length for your arms. Your instructor will decide before you venture out if you will be riding two abreast or single file, sometimes two abreast is suitable for woodlands but mostly single file will be used. During the ride if you skills are up to it your instructor may give you the chance to have your first canter, which is slightly faster than the trot but not as fast as the gallop.
Riding on a hack can improve your balance as the horse in generally traveling in a straight line, together with further confidence you will be an expert in no time.
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