advice please from experienced hunters

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beechwoodbutch

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I have an 8 year old cob who has a lovely temperament, she does dressage and a little jumping and she is very good to handle in or out of the saddle, however, up to 5 years old she used to hack nicely but from going through her growing up years she has become more and more anxious when out hacking getting quite wound up at times over silly things like seeing someone walking their dog it will unsettle her and she continues to simmer and boil until we get home, like jogging and huffing and puffing. I am not a happy hacker but do get her out twice a week, more in summer. I don't get any of this behaviour in the school or warm up arena etc. It has been suggested to me that she goes hunting but there seems to be 2 trains of thought, one it will make her, and the other it will blow her brains. When she was 4 my husband took her on the boxing day hunt (he was a total novice rider) and she was fantastic. So can anyone advise me please from theirs or friends experiences.
 
Sounds a lot like my mare, she is 15, but in her defence she is great with novices. I would say try her and see, you don't have to stay out if she goes wild, but I think the more she does (whether it's dressage, jumping or hunting) will help build her confidence. When she has an episode, you can try either ignoring and carry on or if you stopped to placate and reassure her would that help. Also makle sure that however wound up she gets you mustn't react to her (mentally or physically).
 
Maybe as you took her out more she was fitter and enjoying herself?? Take her and see if you make it past the meet you will be fine. xx
 
Try and cut down on the "octane"in her food,my cob used to do three days a fortnight on hay,rubbish fillers like sugar beet and only two pounds of oats a day. She went a bit over the top once on a bareback hack when she spotted a rider in a red jumper with a houndey marked dog alongside.:D
 
One thing that sprang to mind, I've known of a few laid back types get nervy because saddle not fitting correctly. If a horse feels something hurt it can react nervily I believe. As for hunting gosh yes take her, she sounds perfect for it and will probably adore it and find a new lust for life :)

Also wholeheartedly agree with East Kent, mine is draught x so similar belly to cob, he hunts all season on nowt but darn good haylage xx
 
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