Three More Hacks

Another week has flown by and 3 more hacks under our belts all with varying levels of company and success. The diet continues although this morning I have a sneaking suspicion the grass is putting weight back on we shall see.

We are still using Equifeast's Cool Calm and Collected and it definitely makes a difference although I am still tweaking the magnesium levels and we have migrated to Sensible Essentials which includes vits and mins  as we are soaking his hay and with the weight issues that needs to increase to mostly soaked.

The Hacks - firstly with one other horse who wasn't very forward going so we ended up in front too far and for too long. All disobedience was minor however when I sternly said 'Get on' at one point my companion whimpered that her horse was frightened and started walking out more. Apparently he was worried.

Second hack with 3 was lovely and I gave myself a holiday by riding at the back so I didn't have to plan and think. It also gave me the chance to practise a sneaky leg yield or two as the others don't hack and school so much. I was delighted that when we trotted up the very steep lane home I could actually use my legs and close my hands to slow the trot down with no objections and then soften and let him catch up. Perfect.

The last hack on Sunday was the big one. It was an OMG and eek from me as we went with 3 others, no change there, but but but we went up the hill the other way and through the woods to the scout hut. I have not gone this way since the infamous incident of the mountain bike which I believe was September. Obviously my memory is better than Charlies as I was tense and he was just chilled and very nosey.

We had one incident where he spun 180 as the pretty mare with us spooked and he loves her to pieces and immediately though oh no Lions Run! and one where she had a bit of a flid and he said eek and did a bounce.
I was absolutely delighted as none of this sent my heart racing and I felt very stable and secure. I was also delighted that as back of the ride I could slow his trot down and get some sneaky steady quiet canters in with no issues at all.

My tools of safety are :-

Neueschule Verbindend with Universal fittings. Its the same mouthpiece that we school in so he is used to it and doesn't get upset at gently applied brakes.

Breastplate and Martingale (doubles as a neck strap).

Acavallo Gel out pad <<<<< I had not had a chance to test this in emergency situations but when he panicked and spun in the woods I was delighted to find that my legs were still wrapped round his sides and my bum was firmly in the saddle.

My lovely Ariat Grasmere boots which keep my legs hugging his sides.

And not forgetting my BP hat and on the advice of my trainer a nice short whip so I can hold it on his worried shoulder.