Hacking vs Schooling

[skipollo]

[QUOTE=crazybootlady;7420481]
Thanks for all the info guys! I’ll learn, I promise! I won’t even be eventing til next year but we are doing some baby work with Titan this year.[/QUOTE]

Don’t feel bad–I too come from hunterland and grew up thinking that hacking=doing flatwork in the ring. Most people didn’t really ride outside of the ring, only rode in the ring or the designated riding field (fenced.) When I moved to an eventing barn, I didn’t ride in the ring at all for a good month–I was so excited to get out and really hack!

It’s okay to ask questions! I ask tons of them!

[quietann]

Hacking = outside the ring and outside any schooling areas. my barn has a flattish grassy area that is used as a warm-up area; it isn’t fenced (though occasionally gets stakes with plastic chain put up around three sides, which I actually dislike), and riding out there, while good for schooling, doesn’t count as hacking.

Hacking, in my mind, is going out into large unfenced areas and riding in a relatively relaxed fashion. For me, it’s mostly walking because of footing issues, but I will trot or canter where I can, pop over little logs, etc. It’s actually my favorite riding activity.

[FatDinah]

You can do a lot of effective schooling because it presents your horse with a logical reason to do it.
For example, a horse may not “get” why you want him/her to move sideways across a dressage arena. But if you put your leg and seat on to ask them to move over for a real obstacle, I think that helps them connect the aid with the result you want. I routinely leg yield my horse to miss overhanging branches, for example.
It’s the way to introduce a horse to jumping. Trotting them over small logs on the trail is less mystifying than a bunch of poles.
And it is the best way to introduce water. I mean, if your horse’s buddies have all walked through that stream (or jumped into it, etc.) and ARE LEAVING HIM ALL ALONE, he is gonna be a lot more motivated to do the same than if you walk him up to water jump that any sensible rider would just go around (channeling my I
“I am smarter than my rider” gelding).