As I was driving through Southend yesterday...

[BeeStrainer]

I saw a local riding school out for a hack.
They were crossing the road, via a busy six lane traffic light junction. They were standing in an orderly queue in the secOnd or third lane, waiting for the lights to change. The instructor was in front, with her pony sideways on to stop anyone going off prematurely. It was truly a sight to behold! and my heart was warmed in todays world of H&S

blimey - that was one brave instructor. I hope that riding school has good insurance. Isn't there anywhere around there to hack off road?

Good for them I think it is important to know how to hack safely in traffic.We once tried out a pony in a town and had to stop at traffic lights on a hack and the dds thought it was amazing-the only traffic lights near us are when there are roadworks.

Marge, it seemed to me that they were crossing to get to the open ground. All the ponies were ridden by adults, and seemed totally laid back. The instructor looked really comfortable. I'd imagine she does that often! It was lovely to see.

Cool. I gues they only let capable riders out on hacks. One riding school round here were notorious for taking lorry loads of horses to Windsor Great Park with beginners from London in high heels and once even a skirt. Then not surprisingly often losing control of the whole hack and ending up galloping out of control . I used to lead hacks out from another yard and they were a total nightmare if we saw them we went the other way in a very controlled way.

I do think learning to control a horse on a hack is the natural progression of learning to ride - that is it should be. Far too many schools these days seem to follow the go large, circle get off formula that keeps everyone at the 'can sit in a horse but not really ride' stage forever. I know our school gets everyone out as soon as they can reliably canter and sit a minor spooky - but our school is far from normal lol. Dd went on her first canter hack at just 6 and, I feel, she is a far better rider for it!

Sometimes the 'different' schools are much better. The one we used to use wasn't Bhs accredited. Apparently because their horses weren't stabled! It was excellent. The horses lived in huge single sex herds in summer, and in huge barns in winter. They were very happy.

Sometimes the 'different' schools are much better. The one we used to use wasn't Bhs accredited. Apparently because their horses weren't stabled! It was excellent. The horses lived in huge single sex herds in summer, and in huge barns in winter. They were very happy.

Bloody iPhone!

Respect to them !
Where I ride now, everyone hacks out - the littlies on lead reins, those who need support (inc an adult who is blind, and some other adults with sn) led off another horse, and extra walking adults as needed. Its funny to see adults who have been riding elsewhere and think they are pretty good being totally phased by riding outside the arena.

I want to hack!

Actually, it's not a problem for most people where I ride - I was leading a pony on a hack for my DD's class last week. However, I'm not good enough to hack out the big beasties I ride at the school - one is very nervous and the other would totally take the piss!

Ah ours doesn't do lead reins. On the lunge till you can kind of feel a trot then on your own

A school near us does lead rein, including learning to take three strides of canter until the kids convince parents to move or they give up riding in a fit of despair! No idea what they do with adults though!

sorry this has NOTHING at all to do with horses, but what is southend like? could you help me with this?

I was thinking of taking all three of my children there in the summer, one is severely disabled (both learning and physically wise) is it good for wheelchairs? are there any nice guest houses/hotels etc to stay?

i think they would enjoy a british seasidey type place and southend isn't that far

Oh, the lead ropes are only for hacking, and then only for the very nervous novice riders! DD's been learning for just 10 months, and she's not on a lead rope in the school, just when out. Can't see why you'd try to teach canter on a lead rein

I started to learn as an adult, and have never been on a lunge, never mind a lead. However, from looking at tack room posts, it seems like I might benefit from doing some lunge work - any thoughts, oh wise ones?

PS No idea about Sarfend, Fio, sorry.

Sorry fio, I've not been there.

Hehe no lead reins for hacking, it is very old school 'get back on and stop crying' it can take some getting used to

Lunge work as a tool for improvement is invaluable, ideally without stirrups. Having the opportunity to ride without having to control the horse so you can concentrate and also having someone in the middle who is also only concentrating on you... Fab. Also pretty exhausting for you and the horse! If you can get lessons on a reliable horse I would say go for it.

Try Southwold instead.

FioFio Southend is quite hilly in the town centre.
We went last year after a few years break.
The beach is quite nice, there's a funfair (not huge but ££ for the 'bands' that let you have unlimited rides).
There's a SeaLife centre on the seafront.
And a new glass lift to get from the beach level to the high street level.
My DC liked it, we had lunch in the Weatherspoons pub.