Congratulations, you must be leasing a horse!!!! The following is a guideline to help you on your hack day. Not only is it a fun time to bond with your new mount but also a time to work on your fitness, strength, and continuing the good habits you work on in lessons.
Catching your horse or pony –
ALWAYS lock the gate behind you
If you take grain or treats with you be careful of other horses
You must hook all straps on the halter and use a lead rope
Grooming your horse or pony
Pick feet before and after riding and treat for thrush
Check that all shoes are straight and tight
If they are not then you should NOT ride that day. Find a staff
member and alert them. The shoe may need to be removed to prevent
injury.
Curry, curry, curry – this is the best thing for your horse’s coat. Brush and
look for any nicks, scrapes, fungus, swelling, etc. You should know every
bump on your horse so you can notice any changes
Tacking
Double check tack to make sure it is fitting properly.
Do not tighten girth until you are in the ring
Now you are ready to ride!
Walk to the ring with loose girth, make sure saddle is in correct place, adjust
if need be. Tighten girth but make sure you can still fit your fingers between
it and the horse. Too tight is WORSE than too loose
Mount IN the ring, walk at least one lap – you can ride in any of the 3 rings
Trotting Exercises 10-15 minutes
Try to keep your horse 5 ft off the rail at all times ensuring it is
between your legs not hugging the fence
Circles
Figure 8’s
Serpentines
2-point/uncomfortable 2-point
Double posting
Sitting trot
NO SITRRUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cantering Exercises 10min
Circles
Simple Changes – NO FLYING CHANGES
Transitions from Canter to walk, canter to trot/sitting trot
NO STIRRUPS!!!!!!!!!
IF there are poles on the ground you can trot or canter over them. DO NOT
rearrange the course. DO NOT jump over boxes. If there are multiple poles
be careful as they can present a danger if not set correctly
ABSOLUTELY NO JUMPING
Once you are comfortable you can also hack in the field assuming no horses
are turned out
Limited bareback at the walk
When you are finished, walk for 5-10 minutes to cool horse down
Putting horse away
If sweaty – hose down, sweat scrape, sponge face, towel dry face and legs
If not sweaty – curry and brush
Treat for thrush, corona on cuts and scrapes, fly spray, sunscreen
Keep tales conditioned – limited brushing or you will tear it out
Vinegar bath if they have been rained on
And of course lots of treats and hugs!!!!!!!