5 fab things to do out hacking

We love hacking here at Team PONY. It’s an amazing way to spend quality time with your fave pony – but that’s not all you can get up to. You could practise some dressage moves or get your pony fit with fast work outside the arena – hacking’s full of awesome opportunities.

1. Puddles of fun

Lots of ponies like to duck round puddles and have a look at the water on a cross-country course. If yours is one of them, hacking’s the perfect chance to get some practise riding through puddles. Remember to take a friend with a brave pony for yours to follow, as this’ll give him a confidence boost.

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Always walk through puddles first to check the ground underneath them is safe.

2. Mighty moves

Hacking’s a great way to give your pony a rest from working in the arena, but it doesn’t have to mean a break from schooling. You can practise transitions, bending and lateral work out on a hack to help get him really strong and supple. Even if you don’t compete, all these exercises will make your pony easier and more fun to ride, so it’s still a great idea to give them a go at home and on a hack. If your pony can be strong or silly out and about, using flatwork exercises can help you regain his focus and keep him settled, too.

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If you’re not sure you’re getting the movements right, ask your instructor to go over them in one of your lessons

3. Log on!

If jumping’s your game, why not look for a log to pop over out on a hack? Make sure the ground on the approach and landing side is safe to ride on, then give it a go! If you’re worried, ask a friend with a brave pony to lead you both through. Not only is it great fun, but it’ll give you a boost when you get out on the cross-country course because your pony will already be used to jumping natural fences.

4. Fit as a fiddle

Going for a blast is such an awesome feeling – and a hack is the best place for it! If you can find a bridleway with good ground and visibility, it’s the perfect opportunity to do some fast work that’ll get your pony fit, as well as being really fun for you both. If you’re short on suitable routes, why not go for a walk with friends or family to check out the local area and see if you can find the perfect bridleway nearby?

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Make sure you wear plenty of high-vis on you and your pony so you stand out.

5. Spook-proof your pony

Your pony will see loads of things out hacking that he might not at home, such as dogs, pushchairs, cars and signs. Take a confident friend and their pony for a ride out around your local area and you’re guaranteed to see something new each time. This is a great way to build your pony’s confidence around new things and the more he sees, the braver he’ll be when you get out and about. Remember to give him loads of praise when he goes past something scary and stay super-calm and relaxed so he knows you’ll keep him safe.

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If your pony’s really spooky, you could take a friend or family member on foot to give you both a big confidence boost.