A bit too much drama

[racaille]

It's rare that I get nasty surprises out hacking, but I did yesterday!

On Friday P and I had gone for a long adventure so I wasn't planning much yesterday but it was so warm and sunny .... and cr@ppy weather is on the way .... so I thought I'd go for a rapid hour and a half just round about my hill.

First we met three dirt bikes with the noisiest exhausts I've ever heard. P is fine in traffic but he didn't like them on 'his' path. Even though they pulled over and killed their engines (nice boys) he threw a bit of a wobbly.

Then we met a mountain biker struggling up a stony path (was he MAD??? ) Again P is usually fine but this time he threw a huge strop - rear, spin and run away. I got him under control before he crashed through the undergrowth and pointed him at the silent dragon and he just stood there snorting and trembling

But things come in threes and yes, you knew there'd be another one .......

Having a last blast up a grassy slope, going at quite a lively canter when a pheasant suddenly screeched out of the vineyard alongside and flapped right under P's nose. Poor boy! He leapt sideways and for a moment there I thought I was coming out the side door.....

By the time we ambled home we were both nervous wrecks - every pop and bang from the hunters who were by this time all over the place had us both leaping out of our skins!

[Jen]

oh dear, that doesnt sound like too much fun :/ im glad you both got back in one piece though

[FirenLady]

Yes, Well done for hanging on! I love autumn and the colours but always find the hacking hap hazard between shooters, motorbikes, creatures etc

[fimacg]

some hacks are just like that, what should be so simple, just isn't and other days you think its all going to go wrong and a bomb could go off under their nose and they dont react

[scattymare]

Those bloomin pheasants are a nuisance. We hack on shooting territory so it's full of them. They always wait until you're right alongside before running out - same as when you're in a car!

[solomon]

The pheasants get in our way too. Mostly I am amazed at what our horses are happy to walk past. But there are some days Rac aren't there?

[dannyboy]

I love the way you tell your tales, they are so descriptive. Putting that aside, well done for staying on and getting home safe. I take it you have a lovely glass of vino?

[duckles]

I think that once they get spooked they get very jiggy and almost enjoy spooking again - at least that's how I find my two . Sorry it wasn't the greatest hack ever but as DB said you got safe home. I was exercised JB yesterday in the field, he was very stiff so it was gentle enough stuff - then a jeep and cattle trailer went past into the next field - not at all unusual and JB changed into a snorting prancing racehorse wannabe - it was funny but also a bit disturbing and when I brought him back into the little wooded area, he spooked at everything that we had plodded past earlier. Personally, I think he enjoyed the bit of drama!!

[fleabitten]

i think you are right duckles - after they get spooked once they are all on edge!

[brigadier]

Sounds like just one of those daft hacks that pop up from time to time. Im just bringing Basil back into work after a nasty field bite on the saddle area (typical!) and I expect to have a few of those, he has grown a bit woolley whilst off so Im going to have to clip him a bit, just to sharpen him up!(As if he needs it!)

[solomon]

Poor Basil getting bitten, thinking of clipping too. Be first time I have clipped Pete, I know he was fine with it with old owner.

[bonnyben]

Blimey Rac, sounds a very eventful hack..

Lucky you know things come in threes and were well prepared for the pheasant!! Shame P didn't remmebr it as well he might have been less "agile"...

We have guinea fowl near us and they always pick their moment !!! Leap up making that God awful noise just as we stroll by. The first time Ben leapt up in the air and now his eyes are out on stalks and he is on his toes every time we go past...

[zara]

B****y pheasants, always pick their moment i was trying to school AJ on Sunday and I had 2 females hanging around the school which was unnerving enough and then the little b*****s came in the school, wandered about, flapped about and then proceeded to jump on and off the fence!

Couple of girls last weekend had to change their route on their hack from my yard and walked straight into the middle of Remembrance Sunday parade complete with brass band! Very alarming for all concerned!

Glad you made it home safe and sound and hope your next hack is less eventful Zx