Making hacks more fun

Here are a few ideas to make your hacks more exciting.

Set out buckets or hay nets along the route you plan to ride, placing each one so the next is visible from the last. Start with a short stretch, perhaps 100 metres, building up to a kilometre.

Walk your horse round it to begin with. At every bucket, leave a small reward such as a treat or a bit of food, something he likes but does not get too excited about.

Repeat the same loop a few times so he learns the routine and starts to look forward to going out. As he grows keener, ride the same stretch and drop the treats down from the saddle. Once that goes well, make the loops longer and reduce the number of buckets. You can also reward him at fixed landmarks, such as the neighbour's postbox or other clear markers along the way.

Good luck!