Hack diary
Athene Turner and husband Matt make great progress with their coloured horse’s hacking confidence during a day in the Peak District
Athene Turner and her husband Matt explore the Peak District
UPON FINDING OURSELVES in the lucky position of buying Thor from the lady who has kindly been letting Matt (Mr T) ride him, we jump at the opportunity. However, Matt has his work cut out. Thor isn’t a straightforward first horse. One of his most significant quirks is napping, mainly when hacking alone but occasionally in company if he thinks the other way will be more fun.
Thor uses his strength through his shoulder to turn for home, and despite his less-than-streamlined build will hotfoot it back to the safety of his herd.
While I’m unable to ride, I hand Shoop’s reins over to my mum, Pat. She recently retired her mare, Martha, and is enjoying — maybe a little too much! — keeping Shoop fit.
I spend time working with Matt and Thor, building the trust in their partnership with the aim to get them hacking alone.
Matt has a very calm and patient approach to working with Thor, which is a great starting block. Knowing that
Thor is comfortable being led out alone with Matt on foot, as they have spent three years getting to know each other, we start with Matt riding and me on foot, accompanied by our Collie, Sprocket.
Initially we go on rides we know Thor is familiar with, making sure they are fun and positive experiences. Then we start to include routes that Thor is less familiar with, making sure that whenever he feels unsure I take the lead and show him it is OK.
In between our family rides, Matt tacks up and leads Thor part-way round some of our local routes and rides him home. Their confidence and bond are growing.
Escape routes aren’t required
Over a bank holiday weekend, with perfect weather and with no other commitments, we pack the saddle bags and a backpack and set off for a day in the Peak District, with Sprocket in tow.
I pack a lead rope and Matt brings a positive mindset. We set off.
If Thor finds our adventure too much to cope with, Matt will get off and lead him until he is confident again.
We choose a route that has multiple ‘escape’ options so that we can head home a shorter way if required. But it isn’t!
Thor is amazing. He takes the whole ride in his stride and ten miles, some spectacular views and a fabulous gallop later, we are all home.
We continue to work at building Thor’s confidence about being away from home with just Matt for company and it’s working.
It would be naive to believe Thor’s napping is resolved, but now Matt has the tools, experience and knowledge to manage the situation safely should it happen again. Watching them develop a deep bond and become a true partnership is so rewarding. I guess you don’t need to be in the saddle to enjoy your #Hack1000miles journey.
ATHENE TURNER, 35, is a staff nurse working in the dermatology department of Tameside Hospital. She lives in Glossop, Derbyshire, with her husband Matt, their dog Sprocket and cats Tigger and Mindy. Her #Hack1000miles partner is 11-year-old Shoop, who goes barefoot and bitless.