New 2026 Hacking / riding thread

[Trewsers]

The heat has relented slightly, but still no rain. I was able to ride 4 times - with the heat and hard ground its mostly walk at the moment

Harvey was very proud of his new colour scheme (and he did it 2 days running!)

Hacking
5 hours
15 miles

Totals
Schooling
25 minutes

Hacking
301 miles
92 hours 45

Love his new colouring ! hehehee. I know someone else that likes to have those patches............

 

[newforest]

Quick ride down to the farrier and back.
We have a lovely purpose build mounting block, but alas I am still very unladylike getting on
So maybe I need to work on her standing nearer?

 

[GaryB]

Its still parched here - no rain for 10 weeks now, but the heat has relented a bit. On Thursday I made a long overdue trip to hack with C. We stuck to roads to avoid the hard rutted ground and had a nice wander round and a catch up (I only see her when I ride). On the other days I managed a longer hack and a couple of short ones

Sorry no pics this week

@horseandgoatmom how are you getting on with Night?

Hacking
5 hours
17 miles

Totals
Schooling
25 minutes

Hacking
318 miles
97 hours 45

 

[newforest]

Got out for a lovely ride. Mostly walk with a bit of trot.
Just threw the pad on as didnt fell like tacking up.
It has inspired a new thread, you will find that if you like.

The lanes are getting really dusty without the rain and one area her back end seemed to slip. She's just been trimmed, but I think the footing is slippery in places.

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

Harmony been a bit off but she had hydro last monday, walked out in hand tues/wed, ridden friday went very well, boxed to Roxburgh to ride to Kelso on the old railway only to find a Park Run taking place, so waste of time. Walked out Sunday. This morning instead of doing hydro she hacked out with the owner's eventer who is fully fit. She kept pace with him all around the field margins for an hour, trotted nicely if she needed to catch up, they are both 16hh so good match. She did really well, started her on bute on Saturday so will try to do same next week to see when she comes off bute, how she does. Saddle checked no issues so we see how we go.

 

[Bodshi]

Did a hunt PR at the weekend. After last weekend's success where AJ was a total star, Sunday's event sent me straight back down to earth The difference was that this one was a big group ride, rather than a 'go at your own pace' and it seems that although AJ is indifferent to horses coming and going as long as they're not too close, he struggles with up close and personal. I'm not sure if it's being crowded or not being able to go at his own (brisk) pace, but he gets crosser and crosser. It was an uncomfortable joggy ride but looking back at the photos and headcam footage it doesn't look as bad as it felt, and he didn't do anything worse than constant jogging, and head tossing, and threatening to kick my friend's horse, after he had been nuzzling him a minute ago. He really is very contradictory He spent most of the ride like this ..

But he can also look pretty, although he's nothing like as photogenic as Raf!

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

Did a hunt PR at the weekend. After last weekend's success where AJ was a total star, Sunday's event sent me straight back down to earth The difference was that this one was a big group ride, rather than a 'go at your own pace' and it seems that although AJ is indifferent to horses coming and going as long as they're not too close, he struggles with up close and personal. I'm not sure if it's being crowded or not being able to go at his own (brisk) pace, but he gets crosser and crosser. It was an uncomfortable joggy ride but looking back at the photos and headcam footage it doesn't look as bad as it felt, and he didn't do anything worse than constant jogging, and head tossing, and threatening to kick my friend's horse, after he had been nuzzling him a minute ago. He really is very contradictory He spent most of the ride like this ..View attachment 137121

But he can also look pretty, although he's nothing like as photogenic as Raf!

View attachment 137122

Actually don't blame him. I personally don't like group rides and avoid them as i prefer to suit myself. Sadly the trend locally is for rides now to be group and my favourite one, Threepwood, just announced for September is group rather than a time slot when you can go out. So won't be going. I don;t like the pressure of going at speed on ground if I don't think it is suitable.

 

[GaryB]

The lanes are getting really dusty without the rain and one area her back end seemed to slip. She's just been trimmed, but I think the footing is slippery in places.

I'm finding its slippery too - I wondered if it was to do with the temperature of the road

 

[newforest]

I'm finding its slippery too - I wondered if it was to do with the temperature of the road

That's possible. She is not in shoes. But her back end certainly found something.
When it finally rains, it's going to fill up drains with all the debris and dust.

 

[GaryB]

On Thursday the heat relented for a while so I had a long overdue trip to the local forest. Friday was hotter so a walk round the local bridleway (its far too hard to canter now even though Harvey wanted to). Saturday hotter still so a walk round the block. Sunday roasting A day off for Harvey

We met the woodland spirit

That sculpture in the Wyre Forest is one of the remarkable chainsaw carvings created by local artist Steve Field and other contributors as part of the forest’s Sculpture Trail. The piece you’ve shown is often referred to as a “Woodland Spirit” or “Forest Guardian”, carved directly from a standing tree trunk.

Key features and symbolism:

• The human face with leaf-like hair represents the Green Man, a mythic figure symbolizing nature’s renewal and the bond between humans and the forest.
• The owl on the shoulder adds a layer of wisdom and watchfulness, common motifs in woodland folklore.
• The sculpture’s elongated form and integration with the tree roots emphasize harmony with the natural environment—it’s meant to feel as though it grew from the forest itself.

Hacking
12 miles
4 hours

Totals
Schooling
25 minutes

Hacking
330 miles
101 hours 45

 

[Trewsers]

On Thursday the heat relented for a while so I had a long overdue trip to the local forest. Friday was hotter so a walk round the local bridleway (its far too hard to canter now even though Harvey wanted to). Saturday hotter still so a walk round the block. Sunday roasting A day off for Harvey

We met the woodland spirit

That sculpture in the Wyre Forest is one of the remarkable chainsaw carvings created by local artist Steve Field and other contributors as part of the forest’s Sculpture Trail. The piece you’ve shown is often referred to as a “Woodland Spirit” or “Forest Guardian”, carved directly from a standing tree trunk.

Key features and symbolism:

• The human face with leaf-like hair represents the Green Man, a mythic figure symbolizing nature’s renewal and the bond between humans and the forest.
• The owl on the shoulder adds a layer of wisdom and watchfulness, common motifs in woodland folklore.
• The sculpture’s elongated form and integration with the tree roots emphasize harmony with the natural environment—it’s meant to feel as though it grew from the forest itself.

Hacking
12 miles
4 hours

Totals
Schooling
25 minutes

Hacking
330 miles
101 hours 45

I love the woodland spirit. I have a green man ornament here, I love them. What lovely scenery for your ride.