Schooling as you Hack

Claire Lilley

Schooling As You Hack

Hacking is good relaxation for you and your horse, but why not take advantage of a ride out to test out your training in strange surroundings and ride your horse with correct aids and training, as you would in the school. It is so easy to undo all your good schooling work with a casual attitude to hacking. Make sure that you have appropriate head gear and safe footwear. Gloves are a very good idea, especially if it is very cold! If your hands are frozen, you lose sensitivity for the contact.

Ride your horse out in the simplest of tack. It is easy to inadvertently cause tension and stiffness buy taking short cuts with auxiliary reins or gadgets. Try not to fall into the trap of using these for riding out. You may think you have more control, but in the long term, your horse’s muscles will alter incorrectly, neck ligaments and joints can become injured, and you may end up with a horse that cannot work through its back and into the bridle. It is far better to concentrate on you own riding position and your aids. School your horse so that it is attentive and responsive to your aids in any situation.

The horse that works beautifully on the bit in the school can give you a super ride in the countryside if you maintain this outline in a relaxed manner. In this way he will work the correct muscles in his back, and avoid problems that can be caused by working for long periods in incorrect carriage. Slopping along on a loose rein can leave you little time to react if a dangerous situation arose. Use frequent transitions between the paces to help the engagement of his hocks. If you have a long stretch that you usually canter along, why not try to ride medium or extended trot for a change?

Lateral work brings an added dimension to riding out. It is very handy for keeping your horse’s interest focused on you should a combine harvester appear over the horizon! Bending around suitable bushes and trees can improve suppleness. If you have a steep hill, power walking will strengthen your horse’s back and hind leg muscles. He will have to use his shoulders, too

Shoulder in is a great safety device; by being able to ride your horse on an angle bending away the “dragon” will enable you to get past most things and is great for control on the roads. If you are riding along a road, bend your horse towards the traffic so that its body is inclined to go towards the hedge, for example, and not leap into the path of a vehicle.

A safe horse is a joy to hack. Even if it is frightened by something unexpected, your aiding should be well established so that your horse trusts you and is not so afraid that it runs away. Hacking should be fun for you both and your horse benefit from correct schooling in the process.

Hosted by www.HorseData.co.uk.

The web's equine information service.

Equine Consultant and Author