Welcome to the Happy Hackers Community Group on Trot on TV. For anyone who loves hacking with their horses!

Sharing horse experiences, photos and videos

Links

American Quarter Horse Association uk

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society

The Exmoor Pony Centre

Suffolk Horse Society

Paso Fino

Banham Zoo

Eastern Counties Heavy Horse Association

British Percheron Horse Society

Happy Hackers

	Happy Hackers	200 members
	For anyone who loves hacking with their horses!
Group creater	ponysweetie

Latest Forum Posts (43)

Recent topics in General	Posts	Last Post
How good are the hacks near you?	21	09.03.2010 21:37:57
Hacking Pictures and Videos	7	16.02.2010 19:01:47
Bridle ways for happy hackers	1	15.02.2010 16:13:37
Should we have a horseway code?!!	2	15.02.2010 09:27:21
anyone hack in the dark?	8	01.02.2010 17:25:38
Has anybody been on a great hack recently?	4	05.01.2010 22:41:01
		More >>

Category	Topics	Posts
General	10	132

Activities(11) and Notes (44)

Notes From Group Members

I love hacking out with my boy only wish I could afford a trailer so that we could go further a field. However where I live there is access to two really big wooded areas Westwood and surrounding areas any other hackers in that area. Would love to load up some more photos have technically work it out as I can't seem to get my pics to load onto this site me rather that site problem. Happy Hacking everyone.

i have 2 spanish horses and am fasinated with the spanish steps so when we went to southern spain we found a riding stables with Spanish horses so i could have a few Spanish lessons.when i arrived for my 1st lesson the owner was on a crazy horse and after an hour announced that this was my mount..I mounted him eventually and had such a nice ride and the steps are harder than they look, he wasnt as bad as e looked just brilliant. The next day we went for a hack in the parc natural it was such a great place to ride.we went back every day untill we went home.we are going back to ride in one of the big fiestas in May cant wait,i am also reschooling my horse the Spanish way.

I am in sunny South Africa and living in a coastal village, beach rides are best!

Too bad it's getting too icey now for hacking in Ontario!! I miss the trail rides from the Summer!!!

thanks yoffee will tell mum in law! got wet thru yesterday and today taking clo out i hate leading in the wind and rain i want dry! ! ! !

aufull weather this weekend but managed to dodge the downpours and ride both days.!

to vesophie for holiday �150 and you can have a field or keep horses in and its self catering hope thats ok thats for all of you

hi yoffee,how much would you charge for 4 adults two kids and 2 horses for a weekend?

if anyone would like a holiday in cornwall i will gladly put you and your horse up you can have a mobile home and a stable for very little money and enjoy the hacks and the beaches to ride on miles of sand

Hi Jackattack, it's true - most people will call their dogs back when they see the horses, but some seem to think that their dogs can do no wrong - even if their dogs are chasing after the horses and quite obviously upsetting them. I know lots of people who ride with their dogs walking along behind them, and their dogs are as good as gold. If only every owner was sensible enough to make their dogs do the same.

_BertieBassett_

Thought you might like to make sure we all ride in the forest for free by following the link below. I've put something in tack room tea room too and I think we should all have our say. http://www.bhs.org.uk/Press_Centre/BHS_News/Current_News/BHS_heads_Forestry_Fight.aspx

I agree, there's room for everyone and I too enjoy walking my dogs in the woods etc. I think most people are sensible when they see riders coming and call their dogs back - but as with anything there are always the exceptions who just don't think. I think we need to respect each other both riders, walkers and dog walkers.

Hi Jackattack, that must have been pretty scary, I've been riding before, and the horses have bolted. They cantered as fast as they could solidly for around a minute - was very scary, and took me a while to get my confidence back properly. I understand that people like to walk their dogs, as they appreciate the countryside as much as we horse riders do, but it's not the dogs' faults, it's the owners' faults. Sophiewhiffin, you're lucky that the bridleway you ride at warns dog walkers about horses cantering. I was thinking today that if the horses were to kick the dog, that it would be us riders who get the blame.

_BertieBassett_

I appreciate the people have to walk their dogs but they should keep them on leads especially on a bridleway,theres a bridleway where i am and at both ends of it,it warns walkers that horse canter up in and that all dogs should be kept on leads and that walks should stick close to the edge,but they dont seem to listen.The other day i cantered my horse up the track,mid way a Rottviler came out from behind us and chased us the rest of the way.at the top the owner was just standing there didnt appologise at all,it was very lucky that my horse didnt kick the dog.

Personally I think when it comes to sharing the countryside with dog walkers it's important that there's a little give and take and we all manage to co-exist peacefully. My horse is just as likely to spook at a pheasant gettting up or a rabbit running out in front of her. I don't want to start telling people they must have their dog on a lead at all times as unfortunately I bet a lot of walkers with or without dogs would in turn have a lot of restrictions they'd like to put on us!!! As a rider there are less and less places for us to hack off road so I don't want to lose any more of them.

High Bertie Bassett - just reading your comments reminded me of an incident I had when I was riding in my local wood. I was riding along the track and ahead of me were a couple walking in the distance. As I started to come closer a dog jumped out of the wood behind me and my horse bolted. We were headed straight for this couple - I shouted "get out of the way" - thankfully they did! By which time I had brought my horse to a halt - I apologised for what had just happened - but then became quite angry - this dog that had jumped out was their dog - If they were going to have it loose, they should have at least had it close to them and under control. Needless, to say, I was not happy - they should have been apologising to me!

I hack around local woodland with my loan pony almost every time I ride, and he absolutely loves it. He doesn't ever get bored of exploring the different routes, and loves a good canter and jump over any fallen trees. My only concern whilst hacking is that people sometimes let their dogs run behind the horses, which can spook them, and sometimes cause them to shoot forwards. I recently rode and a dog ran behind the horses whilst we were cantering. Luckily, it scared me and my friend who was also riding more than it scared the horses - who didn't even flinch! But another time, I've been riding at a walk with a friend and her pony, and a dog ran behind the horse, causing them to canter forwards until calmed down. My loan pony then started leg yielding, which was quite funny! Luckily, no one fell off or was hurt, it just shocked us a bit.

_BertieBassett_

having a lovely hack around Middlewood

hey i dont have my own horse but the last time i took a pony on a hack it was last summer when we could not use the schooling ring. but i dont like going out on my own i dont know what to do in an emergancy and im just plain scared the last horse i took out and on the way home it took of with me not know it would do this it was my first time riding the horse for a friend we were both out at the same time she shouting and me not fearing what she was saying because i had a big tactor behind me.

Hi - has anyone else even taken their horse on a trail ride? I took mine to Somerset recently, and it ws brilliant!

It wasnt taken today, sadly. Have tried and tried to upload photos on 'my seat' page but with no luck

What a lovely photo of Charlie and you, karen1. Was it taken today? - you can't live near me because it's cold and damp here! You should upload this pic on to the Group photos.... either add it to the album that is already there or start a new one of your own. It's a great picture!

just been out for a hack, had got off as we have a steep windy hill on our way home. Charlie has arthritis and finds it tricky going downhill

You want to be a happy hacker. well here's one!! we are in the stunningly beautiful highlands of scotland and we live on a croft + 4 Cob's and a shettie!! Its half a mile down a single track country road (with the odd tractor) to get to the loch, and the path goes down the side to a beach at the far end, through the forest. turn the other way out of our driveway and within 5 minutes you are on the forestry commission track that goes for miles. you have to share the path with deer and other wildlife but i can stand that!!! Over the back of the croft is common grazing land that launches you straight into the highland countryside of single track roads mountains, heather moorland and streams, rivers, waterfalls...etc.the big problem is....where to choose today!!

14.1hh but have had no new news yet i try find out more info

how big is this horse Rachel?????

well iv got news i think one of our horses at our stable maybe going up for sale i will send more news when i know more i think the mare is just a happy hacker but will tell more soon

Leave a comment for the group here...i am only now venturing out ely is just 6 an im used to going out on elderly horses who dont bat an eyelid at anything thats why i was so pleased with her i hope we can keep it up

That's a steady horse you have there HAFY. And I bet it makes you feel good that you can trust him...I've been on a bolting horse, startled by a plastic bag, and galloping hard towards a main road. Not something I'd like to do ever again!

Leave a comment for the group here...hi i went for a hack this afternoon ely was very good even when we went past a group of children kicking the ball in the garden and watering with the hose on the way back we met a few motorbikes an quite alot of traffic ely even managed to stand still while we chatted to a friend makes you feel good when you go out an they well behaved

we are lucky enough to have good hacking nearby but to get to it we have to ride along a road which crosses a main dual carriage way over a low railed bridge ( see Photos)added to this at each end of the raod is a farm who constantly ferry huge tractors & agricultural machinery ,not to mention the grain lorries moving grain & the delivery lorries bringing fertilizer!! This is a quiet back road but sometimes becomes a nightmare. My horses are traffic proof & the drivers mostly are very good , Gallante is the only one now who is not 100% & we always shield him with another horse as he does flinch & can get quite scared . We have an ongoing battle to keep our tracks open , funnily enough the one thing that is difficult to control is a few riders will tresspass on the tracks we have been told we are not allowed on making negotiatins with the farmers difficult! Even so we do enjoy the tracks we are allowed on & when the horses are fitter we venture further afield to a resrvoir which has a track round it I will take pics when we go there as we need at least 3 hours to do that one & we usually have a picnic too & make it a day ride Im looking forward to doing that.

Is there anybody in Happy Hackers who lives, rides or is based in Herts? If you do you should join Hertfordshire riders to share info about where you hack and to meet other riders in Hertfordshire.

HI there! I share a 12.2 Welsh Pony called Rupert but unfortunately he is old and can't hack that far. I love and hacking though and might buy a pony who loves hacking and can go on LONG hacks!

Check out the idea of holiday riding with Endurance GB in the new forum topic above...nice idea for the coming Summer and there are groups all over the country. Taking the happy hackers amongst us to new ground.

Wonder what you Happy Hackers are up to in all this snow and rain. All the fields around me are flooded as the river has burst its banks overnight...and there isn't a horse to be seen. Not ideal for riding of any kind.

It's always a blast to be out on your horse, whatever the weather, and it can banish winter blues just brillantly. Hope you have some nice riding round you for that cob of yours. We've great riding where I live but the lanes, this week have been treacherous and all the riders have stayed at home. Most unlike them.

Hi there, i have a 15hh cob called Charlie who i ride. The weather does play a part in how much i ride him, but managed to get out on him last week.It was great to get out and the weather was great too!

Lovely pic of the two of you, Karen. Who are you riding these days....or are you waiting for the weather to improve?

This is me about to set off on a hack on my friends former horse Chester. He's a big lad!

Hi Rachel, good to hear you like your rides and when the weather improves you might do some more. For me it's the best; just easy time together and the world going by. Mind you, if you have a pony called Marble who throws you off, hacking can become something altogether more Exciting. Steer clear of him is my advice!

well hey saddleup well i lke to hack out because i like to see the country side it is so beutifull but iv only hacked out twice so far on a pony calld tango but now she is too small for me even though she is great fun for it i love all the scholl ponies but she was the best for hacking all apart from tango do hack apart from fritz which iv never riden before coz hez not riding scholl horse and marrble the same but he is quite strong and can through people off

Any of you inspired to think of holidaying with your horse yet? I have to confess it's looming large in my daydreams....when I should be doing all the serious things (i.e.boring things!!) in my life.

Hi Rachel. Good to know you're out there even if a little reticent to begin with. Why don't you tell us why you love hacking and where do you most like to ride?

hey good to have joined this group hope you are all well i like to to mett new people at first im shy but i get to know better things get better hope to talk soon

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