Whats a Hack?

appsRtheway2go · 10-29-2009, 04:47 PM

I read articles and stuff like that and the use the term 'hack'..?? What is it?

SWRerider · 10-29-2009, 05:01 PM

In the "old" days, and I AM old, hacking referred to riding on trails, and I think still does in British english. So there were flat classes for hacks, who were supposed to be well mannered. Sometime a horse from a livery (hired out) were referred to as hacks.
Now in the western US barrel racers call hackamores "hacks", or even hackamores with bits added. Someone else will be more familiar with it than me. (Not so old and with a better memory).

SWRerider · 10-29-2009, 05:03 PM

I just saw a bunch of "hacks" in the similar thread list below and I bet they explain it beter than I.

Chester · 10-29-2009, 05:08 PM

In Australia hacking is done on hacks. Hacks come in all sorts of sizes from pony, midsized, small and large. Even hunter hacks.

Traditionally hacks were horses that were ridden for enjoyment, eg ridden by the upper classes for their entertainment.

Today they can be any horse that is pretty enough, educated and moves well.

Classes are normally judged on a circle to start with then with individual workouts. These may include a hand gallop, flying changes.

Hacking is a very subjective sport and relies entirely on the judges personal preferences. Many will not place a grey horse. Others may not place a horse with no white on it. Others will just place their mates. I never said hacking was fair.

appsRtheway2go · 10-29-2009, 05:14 PM

OOOOHHHHHH!! ok thats makes Sense!!! thanks

HUS_WP_lovr · 10-29-2009, 05:23 PM

I've also heard "hack" used as a informal ride, just to stretch the horse out under saddle without a ton of structure. One might just get on an w/t/c on a loose rein for a while and not work on structured things like a ton of collection/yielding/advanced maneuvers,etc one day.

Also, in stock breed shows(APHA, AQHA, ApHC) we have a hunter hack class which is basically a pattern over two jumps(nothing higher than 2'3-2'6) and then some rail work. It's judged like 70% on jumps and 30% on the rail work.

JBandRio · 10-29-2009, 06:41 PM

Depends on the context.

As mentioned, it can mean a leisurely ride, wherever that may be - "My horse worked hard the last 3 days, I'm just going to hack him today".

It can refer to the under saddle portion of a division - "We just did the 2 over-fences classes, now we're going to do the hack" or "hack winner" meaning the horse wins the flat class.

It can also be a derogatory term for an ill-conformed horse - "wow, that horse is such a hack!"

10-29-2009, 04:47 PM	#1
appsRtheway2go Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 396 Images: 62	Whats a Hack? I read articles and stuff like that and the use the term 'hack'..?? What is it?

10-29-2009, 05:08 PM	#4
Chester Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inland of the coral sea Posts: 13,479 Images: 869	In Australia hacking is done on hacks. Hacks come in all sorts of sizes from pony, midsized, small and large. Even hunter hacks. Traditionally hacks were horses that were ridden for enjoyment, eg ridden by the upper classes for their entertainment. Today they can be any horse that is pretty enough, educated and moves well. Classes are normally judged on a circle to start with then with individual workouts. These may include a hand gallop, flying changes. Hacking is a very subjective sport and relies entirely on the judges personal preferences. Many will not place a grey horse. Others may not place a horse with no white on it. Others will just place their mates. I never said hacking was fair. __________________ Aussie Aussie Aussie OI OI OI Senior Australian Correspondent Is it full moon time again? Did the cereal truck overturn and fruitloops got spilt? Thanks for your time,then you can thank me for mine, after that's said, forget it. Rodriguouz

10-29-2009, 05:23 PM	#6
HUS_WP_lovr Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SW FL Posts: 8,455 Images: 208	I've also heard "hack" used as a informal ride, just to stretch the horse out under saddle without a ton of structure. One might just get on an w/t/c on a loose rein for a while and not work on structured things like a ton of collection/yielding/advanced maneuvers,etc one day. Also, in stock breed shows(APHA, AQHA, ApHC) we have a hunter hack class which is basically a pattern over two jumps(nothing higher than 2'3-2'6) and then some rail work. It's judged like 70% on jumps and 30% on the rail work. __________________ Felix & Jackson I Have Been Gobbled by Thom Turkey!!!

10-29-2009, 06:41 PM	#7
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,003 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	Depends on the context. As mentioned, it can mean a leisurely ride, wherever that may be - "My horse worked hard the last 3 days, I'm just going to hack him today". It can refer to the under saddle portion of a division - "We just did the 2 over-fences classes, now we're going to do the hack" or "hack winner" meaning the horse wins the flat class. It can also be a derogatory term for an ill-conformed horse - "wow, that horse is such a hack!" __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

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10-29-2009, 05:01 PM	#2
SWRerider Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rural southeast Arizona Posts: 125	In the "old" days, and I AM old, hacking referred to riding on trails, and I think still does in British english. So there were flat classes for hacks, who were supposed to be well mannered. Sometime a horse from a livery (hired out) were referred to as hacks. Now in the western US barrel racers call hackamores "hacks", or even hackamores with bits added. Someone else will be more familiar with it than me. (Not so old and with a better memory).

10-29-2009, 05:03 PM	#3
SWRerider Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rural southeast Arizona Posts: 125	I just saw a bunch of "hacks" in the similar thread list below and I bet they explain it beter than I.

10-29-2009, 05:14 PM	#5
appsRtheway2go Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 396 Images: 62	OOOOHHHHHH!! ok thats makes Sense!!! thanks