If you have any issues whilst out hacking in the parish of Warfield, Binfield or Winkfield, please contact the Bracknell Forest Borough Council and they will sort the issue.

 

Riding on roads is a hazardous undertaking and one that most horse riders have to risk regularly. There is a petition calling for mandatory speed limits of 30mph, or lower where appropriate, on narrow lanes such as those typically found in rural areas.

 

 

 

 

 

The refusal by BMW to replace an ancient bridleway has resulted in not only a lost path btut a £50k bill to the BHS. If you would like to make a donation, please visit Access Fighting Fund 

 

BBTrust 

BHS South - Access, safety, training and lots more for Berks, Bucks., Hants, IoW and Oxon

Binfield Bridle Circuit

Bridleways - Bridleways and Quiet Lanes

  

Chieveley

 

Chilterns

Emagin - find your local safe off-road riding and carriage driving routes

Hurley Bridle Route

The Lookout - Bracknell

 

Open Spaces Society

Maidenhead Bridle Circuits

 

National Trail

  

Ridgeway

Riding & Road Safety - If you have an accident involving a car whilst riding on the road, fill in a form. These are available from the BHS Safety Dept

TROT - Toll Rides (Off Road) Trust 

 

UK - The National Bridleroute Network including Hants, Oxon, Bucks, Berks, Wilts

 

V Bandz - light weight li-viz for summer riding

 

West Berks Council

Windsor Great Park and surrounding areas provide superb opportunities for horse riding. Permits are required

LIVEN UP YOUR HACKING

If you live in an area where your hacking is uninspiring, then you CAN do something about it.

Box your horse to another area – it doesn’t have to be miles away. Perhaps you know of a bridle circuit just outside your hacking range? If you don’t have a horse box or trailer, see if you can share a ride with someone who does have one. Alternatively, find a couple of people to share the cost of hiring a horse box. Really make it worth your while – go to the beach.

Hack out at sunrise or sunset – the difference in light will make your usual route feel different.

Ride the route in reverse. You will see things from a different viewpoint.

Build up the time you work your horse and after a few weeks, you will be able to hack longer distances or stay out for a picnic lunch. You may even find a horse friendly pub on the way. (The Dew Drop Inn, Honey Lane, Ashley Hill, Nr Hurley)

Along your route, put out some jumps so you can encounter these along route. Please however make sure that other users of the paths can get past. You may even have some natural ditches you can use as jumps. If you plan to jump, let some-one know where you are going and how long you will be just in case you have an accident. This is very good practise to get into anyway.

Keep an eye out for other equine establishments or houses. They may want someone to hack out with as well. If you don’t ask – you will never know.

Take your feet out of the stirrups and lengthen you legs to get the correct riding position. Clench and release your pelvic floor muscles and your core (lower stomach) muscles when you ride. You will flatten and strengthen your stomach and it saves you doing this when you get home! Try some schooling exercises whilst hacking. If it is safe, you could try the serpentine, halt and back up, lengthening walk and trot, shortening walk and trot, leg yield and shoulder in. The more you think about schooling lessons, the more you will find you can do whilst hacking. All the more practise for when you next have a lesson.

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