HAPPY HACKING! About Natasha
Natasha Baker is a gifted Para-Dressage rider, who is rapidly becoming an international name to watch out for. Natasha contracted a virus, Transverse Myelitis when she was just 4 months old, which means that she cannot walk unaided and does not have any feeling in her legs, therefore when she is in the saddle, Natasha rides without stirrups as for her to loose her stirrups or get them stuck could cause a nasty accident, so it is safer and easier for her to ride without. Despite her disability, Natasha’s talent has shone continuously, with the young rider also competing successfully in able-body competitions. Natasha is currently on the World Class Programme and has two talented horses, JP who is currently working at Elementary/Medium level and youngster Bam Bam as seen in this feature and her Rio 2016 hopeful!
www.natasha-baker.com
Whether you are a top professional using hacking for variety and fitness or a leisure rider who simply enjoys exploring the great British countryside on horseback, hacking your horse should be something to be enjoyed!
Courtesy of Golly Galoshes, the versatile equine gaiter, we catch up with Para-Dressage rider Natasha Baker for her top tips for hacking your horse out safely and enjoyably this autumn!
As the season starts to change, those long lazy summer hacks we all enjoyed can start to turn into a bit of a challenge as the temperature starts to drop and the weather starts to turn, so you need to be prepared and exercise your horse according to his temperament!
Hacking out forms a large chunk of my horse’s routine, however we are mindful, that some of them can be a bit fresh, so rather than keep confined to the school all winter, we play it by ear and if one of them has been a bit fresh at home, then we will often lunge them or take them in the school to do a bit of work, before venturing out on a hack. This might be seen as a
bit overly cautious, but we live in a very built up area and roadwork is an evitable part of our hacking – to take a fresh horse out in this environment would be silly and dangerous, so we only hack them out when the conditions are calm and so are their minds!
If you hack out on your own a lot, always tell the yard the route you are planning and always approximately how long you will be out. This is so important – if you do part company with your horse and he doesn’t head straight for home, your yard wouldn’t know to be concerned about your delayed return home, thus wasting valuable time!
I always wear high viz clothing out hacking and Bam Bam, my youngster also wears the high visibility Golly Galoshes gaiters over his boots. This helps increased visibility to the drivers and the gaiters not only again brighten up a dark bay horse on a bright or gloomy day with their colour and also reflective strips, but also help keep Bam Bam’s legs clean and dry with their breathable and waterproof fabric (So no cold hosing legs off when we get back to the yard!) Even if we were based
in the middle of the countryside I would still wear bright clothing, as if its not road traffic, it could alert cyclists, farm vehicles etc and help prevent a situation occurring.
If you do ride out on the road, as we have to, make sure that you are courteous to other road users and thank them if they pass wide and slow. A nod of your head and a smile will suffice if taking your hand off the reins is not an option!
Hacking out with a friend can be fun, but if your horse is easily set off by another horse’s antics, then choose your hacking partner carefully, if you don’t fancy a ‘wild’ hack out or don’t have nerves of steel!
Schooling your horse at home to respond to your leg and seat aids is also very helpful, even if your horse is retired or just a happy hacker. For example, ensuring that you horse moves away from your leg and will stand patiently is vital, should you need to move over to a verge to allow traffic to pass.
I also find leg yield and shoulder- in, extremely helpful exercises out on a hack, if we meet something scary, which perhaps we are not too keen to go past! Turn on the forehand is also a good exercise to teach your horse at home, so that if your hack involves opening and closing gates, this can be done without having to dismount and
remount.
With the nights starting to draw in, make sure you allow enough time to get back to the yard before it starts to get dark and never ever leave the yard without your mobile phone. You never know if you might need it in an emergency!
www.gollygaloshes.com 01465 861 274
Photographs: David Miller
Be courteous to other road users
Make sure you have a mobile phone with you
Don’t forget to tell the
route you are taking if you are heading out alone
TURN TOENTRYFORM TOENTER WIN WIN WIN
British brand Golly Galoshes are giving one lucky reader the chance to win these eye- catching limited edition equine gaiters!
The Golly Galoshes Patriotic Gaiters are styled in a smart Navy Blue waterproof and breathable fabric and feature patriotic embroidery, bold Red stripes
and reflective strip, making them ideal for keeping your boots or bandages clean and dry out hacking or in the school and your horses legs free from mud, debris or sand. When Para- Dressage rider Natasha Baker and event rider Victoria Bax aren’t out hacking in their fluorescent versions, they use their Patriotic sets for training and schooling at home and away. Designed and
28
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk
manufactured to last, the gaiters also feature a full-length sturdy zip with luxury fleece lapel and Velcro fastening for a secure and comfortable fit.
Golly Galoshes are quick and easy to put on/take off and also help to extend the life of your boots and bandages and your washing machine! They are also a great first aid essential; due to their ability in helping to keep medical dressings clean and debris free
yard which hacking
Golly Galoshes are bright and keep your horse’s legs dry
both in and out of the stable.
Prices start from £29.99 per pair Pony through to £36.99 for horse sizing.
www.gollygaloshes.com 01465 861 274
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