WHEN KELLY RICE is hacking out on Frensham Common in Surrey with her friend, Mel, she notices a major difference between their two Thoroughbreds, One, Dilly, works the whole time in a lovely outline that wouldn't look out of place in a dressage arena, while the other, Bug, has his head in the air on a long rein that allows him to look around and take in his surroundings.
As well as hacking, Dilly competes in low-level dressage, while Bug enjoys most riding club activities. Mel feels that Dilly is more confident out hacking when ridden on a contact because he has the security of clear, consistent communication with his rider. Kelly believes that Bug is a calm, confident horse because he is able to think for himself.
The pair of riders experiments with their techniques, only for Dilly to become spooky and hesitant when the rein contact is allowed to slip. Meanwhile, Bug becomes tense and starts to jog when the contact is picked up because he
