Just wanted to tell you about the most fabulous hack out I had on my young QH today – it’s taken a little time, getting him to hack out calmly on his own; when he arrived, he was a little skittish outside of an arena. He’s done extremely well hacking in company, but was very much lacking in confidence when out on his own.
Today he proved that he’s a bit of a solo hacking star and I’m just so proud
! We went out for 2 hours on our own across the downs and over to the next village on a route he hadn’t done before. He dealt with farm traffic, deeply rutted ground, loose dogs, pheasants, deer, shooters, hikers, trail motorbikes, ponies being galloped up and down a stubble field right beside him by kids who clearly like to go somewhat faster than us, and he didn’t bat an eyelid. He loped and jogged when asked, just the politest horse and a pleasure to ride. To cap it all – he crossed a 30ft river, this from a horse who was puddle-phobic! It took some persuading to get him in at first and I pulled a fast one by backing him up into the water when he refused to go in forwards – but the strategy worked better than I could have imagined! Once in up to his knees, he didn’t hesitate in turning around and wading across, getting a full under-chassis wash in the process! He was a bit taken aback by the current as we passed by the bridge arches but just got on with the job, so careful with his footing on the pebbly base. Maybe the round of applause he got from the walkers watching him from the bridge made up for the dunking – but he felt so much more confident after the crossing, and was quite happy to wade back in on the return journey!
A lot of 'proud mum' blah blah, I'm afraid, but some people on this site have been so helpful in getting us this far. Thanks, in particular, to Shane Borland for giving my horse some essential foundation in the arena, to Joey for providing some invaluable nannying with Seren and great tips on riding out, and to QQH for inspiration and moral support(!), and of course to Tommi for proving to be such a big-hearted polite horse and taking all my challenges with such good grace, even scary, icy rivers on a cold December day!
Next challenge... Highland cows
!
I am booking up six months worth of lesson so I am up to speed so to speak.
, this is outride heaven round these parts and why I moved here from London! The more routes I discover, the better it gets... Seriously, I know the livery yard I'm at is considering trying to organise a trail ride/weekend (AQHA.UK or other); but I'd love to have more western riders to ride out with, as Curly says, when you've got outriding this good, it's a crime not to use it! 
