15 things to try out hacking

Whether an adult has given you permission to hack alone or you’re heading out with friends, we’ve got 15 tasks for you to try while adventuring with your pony bestie. Can you complete them all? 

1. Sing a song to help keep your rhythm

Being able to establish and maintain a clear rhythm in all three paces is an essential skill. Pick your fave song and match it to your pony’s rhythm to help you keep in time with him. 

2. Ride a transition at every tree

The perfect way to test your accuracy and aids. Depending on the ground conditions you can try all sorts of transitions – walk to trot, trot to halt, walk to canter, the list goes on! 

3. Stand in your stirrups in trot 

Riding requires loads of leg strength and standing up while trotting is one of the best ways to improve it! How long can you stand up for? See how many strides you can manage and try to beat your score out on your next hack!

4. Ride up and down banks

Keep an eye out for banks that aren’t too steep or slippery and, if they’re safe, have a go at riding up and down them in walk. It’s a great way to work on your pony’s balance, adjustability and also his sure-footedness.

5. Leg-yield across a path 

Fancy polishing up your dressage skills? Most ponies are more active and responsive when hacking, so make the most of this and try to refine your aids for the movements down a straight bridleway.

6. Jump a log

Have you spotted a tempting little log that’s just calling to be jumped? Check the footing either side is safe, then give it a go!

7. Enjoy a tasty treat

This is the ultimate adventure – ride to a café, meet an adult to help hold the ponies and get a hot chocolate and yummy snack to fuel the rest of your ride. Alternatively, you could plan an epic picnic or ice cream trip for when the weather is warmer!

8. Canter in light seat

Shorten your stirrups one or two holes and have a go at cantering your pony like a jockey! Pick up two-point position, allow with your reins and let your pony have a blast. 

9. Splash through a puddle

If it’s safe to do so, why not ride through some water to boost your pony’s XC skills? If he’s nervous, allow him to follow a friend and praise him loads when he splashes through. 

10. Practise a dressage test

Even if you don’t have a comp coming up, give it a go and see how you get on! You could ask an adult to come on foot or get your friend to judge you – it’s a great way to practise! 

11. Try medium trot up hills

Hills are sooo good for improving your pony’s paces and teaching him to power up from his hindquarters. As you ask for medium trot, you’ll need to rise a little higher, allow with your rein slightly and squeeze with your legs to encourage your pony to lengthen his stride.

12. Practise shapes in an open space

How accurately can you ride figures of eight, loops and even circles? You could use trees or bushes as markers for the loops to make it a little easier!

13. Have a go at interval training

Used by pro riders to improve fitness levels, interval training involves working your pony in periods of high- and low-intensity. It’s a fab thing to try out hacking because you have loads of space to do it! 

Have a go at this interval training session and then gradually increase the faster pace periods and start to include some canter over a few weeks…

• 6 minutes walk 
• 3 minutes trot
• 2 minutes walk 
• 3 minutes trot
• 6 minutes walk 

14. What can you spot?

Come up with your very own hacking bingo and see how many items you can spot on your ride. You could include things like sheep, snowdrops, sparrows and signs! 

15. Let your pony choose the route

Stuck trying to decide where to go on your hack? Unsure whether to turn left or right at a bridlepath junction? Why not let your pony choose? Allow him a slightly looser rein so he can lead the way. Make sure the routes are pony-friendly, though! 

@ponymaguk

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♬ Sunroof – Nicky Youre & dazy