Went on a hunt hack (pic gallery)

[fleabitten]

Ok so technically it was just a hack round the roads! Went with my friend on her traditional cob (not sure you see many of those in the hunting field!) and was near sick with nerves as i had never ridden out in a big group like that before and i didnt know what to expect, i just assumed there would be no jumps as it was advertised as a hack. I decided to upgrade murphys brakes as had a few silly moments in the field during the week and thought id be better safe than sorry! Popped this in www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=283&xSec=20 Last year i used the same bit XC in case he was strong but i only had the reins on the 'snaffle' ring, however this time i put them on the bottom ring and boy was i glad i had!

When the day dawned of course we were the first ones there and waited over 30 mins for anyone else to arrive once a few people came we got murphy off and tacked up, he was super chilled, and just stood about sleeping. I actually started to feel a bit excited and i took your advice brig and made sure we kept up with the front! However, murphy must have felt this excitement too - we ended up jogging when everyone else was walking (albeit in a straight line, at least no sideways carry on lol) and when we started trotting he started to canter with me trying to pull him up afraid of cantering on the tarmac but to no avail! He cantered the whole way up the first hill, there was a man behind me on a big 17.2hh and he had the same trouble lol We kept cantering past people and were right up in front as nowhere else to go lol!

Anyway this continued most of the way round after a couple of trot sessions where he cantered i decided to stop fighting and just let him because he wasnt for trotting (plus my friend pointed out he was probably hammering harder in trot) I was actually quite enjoying it but i must have been tense as i am so sore now lol! Still had to keep him in check as he would have ploughed on past everyone including the 'master'! However, apart from that he was perfectly behaved and stood like a rock when we pulled in to let cars past and didnt mind being bounced off other horses in the slightest or anyone being up his bum.

As for my friend on her cob, normally shes the one having high jinks (shes like a TB in a cobs body most of the time) but she was pretty good and settled very quickly and just trundled along! It was only near the end that murphy actually walked and i was able to let him walk on the buckle, but then a few horses went on ahead to get refreshments set up and murphy fired up again lol The man on the big 17.2hh ended up cantering back to the horsebox with no choice lol! At least murphy didnt bog off on me!

Unfortunately the weather wasnt very kind and it rained on us so we arrived back looking like drowned rats, murphy was still jogging when we got back! So all in all we both had a brilliant time although i was glad we didnt do any (intended) cantering as it might have been hairier lol! Not sure i would pay to go on a road hack again though but it was a great experience as i hadnt done anything like that before. An achievement! I looked up the map when i got home and it was 7 miles so no bother to him at all!

Murphy was still buzzing when we got home, he was all perky, so nice to see him enjoying himself!

[haffyfan]

Well done for getting out and doing it! Sounds a very positive experience, maybe next time he'll be a little calmer throughout and not want to lead the way. (or maybe he enjoyed it so much he will want to be upfront again, bless him)

[brigadier]

They do settle to it Flea and it sounds fabulous. One of the horses I rode always cantered on the tarmac, he was balanced and well behaved so I just let him, I found it better than tugging all the time and he never bogged off. Basil also cantered most of his endurance- found it easier than trot.

[fleabitten]

Yes, hes a sensible sort so maybe he will settle the next time! They are running a few more hacks and go as you pleases so will see whats on and if it suits. Im a bit wary of go as you pleases around peoples fields after his accident on the same sort of thing last year but i suppose thats basically what hunting involves, you arent going to get it handed to you perfectly like on a XC course! I'll not worry so much about the cantering the next time, it was actually easier to ride than trotting.

[pboy]

It sounds like Murphy had a lot of fun!! Well done for giving it a go :-)

[racaille]

Wow! Sounds a little hairy but you coped very well, it seems. Well done - and when's the next one? Good for you to keep challenging yourself too!

[fleabitten]

Yes it pushed me out of my comfort zone rac! Just got upcoming dates, most of them are on saturdays which may not suit, but theres another hack on a sunday, depending on where it is and what else is on, we will see what happens!