Hack Day Information

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!!!!!!!