“Horsing around” appears to be gaining in popularity as people look to the equine arena for recreation.
No matter the term, hacking, trekking or trail-riding, plain old horse back riding is once more fashionable and considered a nice healthly way to enjoy the great outdoors.

This age-old form of recreation (or “Equiration” as some call it) is catching on with people of all ages, especially the Tweens and Boomers who have time and money to enjoy it. I’m glad to know this as I think that horseback riding adds a great dimension to one’s life experience. Having been lucky enough to have had dressage lessons long ago, from a young Olympic hopeful no less, I am proud to say that I have enjoyed horseback riding in safety and comfort for many years. Of all the riding lessons I had, one pleases me the most… I still get a kick out of being able to leave a gated area and get my horse to back up so that I can lock a gate behind me while still on horseback. Yes, I am easily amused.

While I’m no great shakes as a rider, I’ve still enjoyed trekking in many countries, climates and conditions from blazing hot desert to raining-cats-and-dogs mountain treks. Some of the best have been in the coolness of spring, though they are also some of the funniest. Horse people all know that one gets a much greater work-out in spring when horses are the friskiest. The horse-rider must pay attention and continually rein in the freedom-seeking, hormone-driven horse! After a long winter horses just want to run… which is not a problem if you enjoy the rush of a full-tilt gallop. 

Money is certainly a requisite to properly enjoy this sport. In addition to what you will pay to go trekking there are special duds you will need. Sturdy riding boots, jodpuhrs (riding pants that prevent chafing), a safety helmet and gloves (for some) are the bare minimum, in my opinion, of what is needed for a safe and enjoyable trek or hack. From there one can get outfitted with a jaunty jacket and crisp bright shirt or blouse. 

Depending on your horse riding abilities or lack thereof, you may want to forgo the crisp bright anything until you can be sure you will remain on your horse and not in some horse watering trough or muddy field. Remember, horses are not cars. Even skilled horse riders someimes find themselves “grounded”.

Many people who go out for a trail ride like to ride in jeans, shirt and cowboy boots… that is all fine too. (Safety riding helmets are still a good idea though.) One friend who had some experience riding horses decided to ride in shorts only (desert trip) despite my urgings about the need to wear long pants because of the heat and the excess energy of the horse (spring!). I can still remember the blisters. They were the size of eggs and ran all along his inner thighs. His raw sunburned chest did not help his image much either. He told us how much his arms (despite his strength) ached trying to rein in this freedom-seeking horse. Needless to say his sleep that night was not great, to say nothing of his ego when everyone chided him all through dinner.

Horse trekking (hacking) is gaining appeal as a great way to vacation. It is particularly popular in the UK where one can find trekking holidays in such picturesque places as Lincolnshire Wolds, Cornwall, Gloucestershire Cotswolds, Dumfries, Galloway and the Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, and seaside hacking in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Training can be included as part of the vacation if you are new to horseback riding and want to “learn the ropes”.

So if you are looking for a change of pace, a new and wonderful experience or a new way to socialize with others in the fresh country air then hacking or trekking is the way to go.

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Becca Ross - Freelance Writer