Annoying things, trying to find a new hunter!

[Starbucks]

We've been looking for a young hunter and every single one has been "perfect", Jumps any country, perfect manners, not strong etc. etc...

REALLY?? It normally turns out that they've had one propper day and jumped a 1 small hedge.

We also went to look at a horse who was "Too good to be just a hunter"? What's all that about??

 

[soggy]

Who do you think the second hand car dealers and the double glazing salesmen learnt from?

Horse traders thats who.

 

[conkers]

Why don't you give Judi Thurloe at Thirsk a go? She has loads that have been used as hirelings so have done plenty of hunting. And she gives a 3 months warranty. Judi loves hunting so is unlikely to say 'its too good to be just a hunter'.

She has a website if you google her name.

 

[JenHunt]

or Pam Ashworth - another one who sells good hunters! or Helen Bell!

 

[spacefaer]

What are you looking for? pm me if you prefer!

I know of a couple who would be honestly described! (they're mine lol!)

 

[Goldenstar]

I have to aggree finding good made hunters is hard.

 

[spacefaer]

It also depends a lot on your country - we have a lovely young ID who, for most countries, would be easily described as "made". He stands at the meet, on point, will go anywhere within the field and jumps everything. And all in a snaffle. I would happily put him at the vast majority of fences anyone is ever likely to jump on him. so for all but the biggest packs, he is made. For the big jumping hedge packs, while he has the heart and the scope, he has yet to do it, and so I wouldn't describe him as "made" for them. (just give me time lol!)

Different people within each hunt have such different requirements too - the perfect hunter is probably the hardest horse to find as they are all so personal.

What most people don't appreciate is the time it takes to do the job - they either don't have the knowledge or the patience to do it. I love taking a green baby and making it into a mannerly hunter, but then I'm prepared to take 2/3 seasons to do it.

 

[Goldenstar]

It also depends a lot on your country - we have a lovely young ID who, for most countries, would be easily described as "made". He stands at the meet, on point, will go anywhere within the field and jumps everything. And all in a snaffle. I would happily put him at the vast majority of fences anyone is ever likely to jump on him. so for all but the biggest packs, he is made. For the big jumping hedge packs, while he has the heart and the scope, he has yet to do it, and so I wouldn't describe him as "made" for them. (just give me time lol!)

Different people within each hunt have such different requirements too - the perfect hunter is probably the hardest horse to find as they are all so personal.

What most people don't appreciate is the time it takes to do the job - they either don't have the knowledge or the patience to do it. I love taking a green baby and making it into a mannerly hunter, but then I'm prepared to take 2/3 seasons to do it.

This is so true it does take 2/3 seasons to do it and it's a special skill.
The horse has to be right for the country ie for ours it needs to be able to jump upright timber carefully often from deep mud with a short approach.
It's mind set must match its riders especially if it's going to be a gents hunter and the gent won't sit on him all week .
We found my OH an ID it's perfect for the job we will never part with him and that's the reason great hunters are hard to find once they find a home they tend never to be sold.

 

[spacefaer]

Exactly GoldenStar - we generally have old fashioned gents hunters - all 17hh and above, all up to weight, but quality with it. They're like hen's teeth to find - particularly sound ones lol!

I love producing the young ones, and making them slowly and properly. My OH likes to go on, so we're quite well matched

sometimes we'll have one that I've done, that he doesn't need -I try and produce a youthful replacement for an older one, so we have a mini production line and so we'll sell that one, and I'll get another young one

We've got 2 younger ones coming on nicely atm and I think at least one of them will be for sale at some point as his 2 older ones are a long way off being ready to retire

If we had time and room, we'd never sell any of them!