#Hack1000miles
Explore somewhere new on a guided ride
GUIDED HACKS ARE growing in popularity. Whether it’s to form a bond with a new horse, rebuild confidence or enjoy a change of scenery and company, there are numerous reasons riders are turning to hacks led by a guide.
Danielle Rowles runs Hoofing Around — Tales from the Trails in the Peak District.
“Guided hacks take the stress out of finding a new place to ride, knowing where you can and can’t go, where to park and following a map,” she says.
“They’re also a chance to do as much as you want — either sit back and enjoy the scenery while having a chat with new friends, or get involved with map reading, leading the group and doing things like learning to open gates.
“There are entirely walking routes or some with a bit of cantering, right through to training for endurance. For most people, it’s about having that extra support and confidence. Groups are kept to a maximum of six and we only go as fast as the slowest person is confident going.”
High Wycombe-based Tracy Mundy regularly takes her Friesian, Marmite, on guided hacks in the Chilterns. She’s getting to know a new area and her riding confidence has grown.
“I always hacked alone and was very nervous about getting lost due to my terrible map-reading skills,” she confesses. “The more hacks I do, the more Marmite and I gel as we experience new things together. You start to trust your horse and get to know what his limits are.”
Tracy keeps Marmite fit enough for regular sponsored rides, covering around 15 miles in a day. Going out with a guide pushes the boundaries as they ride further and quicker than they otherwise would.
“We do lots of trotting and cantering uphill so he builds muscle. I’ve made really good friends through guided hacks and I know the routes so well now that they even let me lead,” adds Tracy.
To get the most out of your guided hack, Danielle adds that it is important to do your research.
“Work out where you want to ride and then call a few companies. Make sure they take time to understand what you need — it isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Know what you want, but go with an open mind — people are often surprised by what they and their horse can do.”
‘We overcame our fear’
Diane Mccallum discovered guided hacks shortly after buying her ex-racehorse,
“People are often surprised by what they and their horse can do”
Danielle Rowles
George, in January and describes them as “a life changer”.
“I rode as a child, but then I joined the Metropolitan Police and didn’t ride for 20 years,” explains Diane. “I left the Met with PTSD and got back into riding with my sister, Jo. Unfortunately, she had also lost confidence which meant we fed off each other and would just amble around the roads not really enjoying ourselves.”
An advert on Facebook for Danielle’s business caught Jo’s eye and the sisters booked themselves in.
“I explained that I hadn’t cantered much and didn’t know how George would cope galloping with a group in a field. On the way there, Jo and I talked ourselves out of it and by the time we arrived we were nervous wrecks. We agreed we would give it a go, but if either of us wanted to leave we would both turn around.”
Diane and Jo set out in a group of four and before long they were riding alongside a canal and hacking over and under bridges, as well as cantering through fields.
“The last canter was in an open field. I looked at Jo with the biggest grin on my face and saw she was smiling too. Having someone encourage us, guide us and take away the stress of where we’re going and whether it’s safe allowed us to enjoy ourselves and learn to trust our horses.
“We still go back regularly, but we also box up and hack out all the time now. We’re even planning fun rides. We were nervous riders, but with the right guide we overcame our fear,” says Diane.
‘Something for everybody’
Guided hacks provide an enjoyable horsey fix for Sam Capp from Manchester, who has ridden for 18 years but doesn’t currently own a horse. She’s been on 10 guided rides so far and says:
“The good thing about guided hacks is you can just enjoy it. You’re not thinking about where to go or how the horse will react because they’re bombproof.”
Group rides are a chance to ride a variety of horses — great for honing riding skills.
“I’ve ridden a Shire, hunter, Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, Fell and even ridden in a western saddle,” smiles Sam. “There’s something out there for everybody.”