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Quarabian
Platinum Member
 Wales
4340 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Nov 2015 : 11:44:43 AM
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Hi All. I have mostly open spaces to ride in and while it has it's merits, as in beautiful views and being able to see predators from a distance, I have always liked riding along woodland tracks. Can any one tell me if there is a down side? for instance flies in summer.
One of my horses is spooky on the hills, but feels safer on enclosed paths.
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2015 : 12:18:57 PM
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| Most of my riding is forest rides. My boys love the little canter tracks and never spook as they feel safer.One is more spooky in open spaces. If you ride early morning you won't have a fly problem. I had a headshaker once and that is a big problem as the tree pollen bothered him. I also find it is warmer in winter as you don't have the winds but the ground stays wetter longer as the wind doesn't dry it up. |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2015 : 3:11:15 PM
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We have access to the moor through a little wooded track and I love it. Only downside was the heavy going as it never dried up even in summer however wonderful YO had it drained and surfaced for us.
Got me thinking about spooking as my boy is always alert on the moor and enjoys the occasional swerve however never done it going down hill or when picking his way through mud maybe because his mind is fully occupied on his feet so no time for his imagination to kick in lol |
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2015 : 5:43:10 PM
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| Really miss riding in the woods....lovely and shady in the summer! |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2015 : 6:50:45 PM
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It is funny that you say that about spooking.Both my boys don't like narrow paths with little visibility and they are spookier than in wide open spaces where they can see around them for miles.Which makes sense as their ancestors came from prairies where they could see predators from a distance.Last time we were on a narrow path (Mediterranean woods are not very tall but very intricate with no visibility unless there's a path or a clearing,and lots of thorns!) and he really spooked at something in the trees,couldn't hear let alone see anything but he was really scared,never actually seen him so scared;could have been a wild boar or even a wolf (yes we have those)
Yes horseflies are a big problem in the hot season in the woods  |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2015 : 11:19:19 AM
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| I have open mountain & also forestry riding. Rarely use the forestry (mostly hard stone tracks), in the winter sometimes it is nice to ride in a more sheltered environment. I avoid it in the fly season :D |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2015 : 6:49:21 PM
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| I would love some forestry to ride in , we are up on the edge of a moor and boy did my face sting today when i came in from riding with this relentless wind we are having . Hoping to do some ride in Hamsterley forest over winter subject to the weather being ok. |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2015 : 12:26:41 PM
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We have nearly all forest riding here, you get used to it and so do the horses, there are a lot of flys in the summer though! There are open spaces and the horses get used to it.
If you want to get blown away we ride over the top, good for summer, in the winter we ride in the woods it's more sheltered., the main spook is seeing a person walking!!! It's as if they have never seen one! |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2015 : 8:07:17 PM
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| Thanks for your replies. I suppose the ideal situation for me is to find forest tracks I can box to. |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2015 : 10:24:29 AM
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| Where abouts are you, I might be be able to suggest more :) |
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Forest riding
