Anyone been hunting and NOT liked it??

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wizbit

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Hi :)
Got a horse that is having a few issues atm with, well just about everything!! Do you think taking him hunting would help??
I have never been myself and would absoloutely P my pants but am willing to try anything to help sort his head out.
So just wondering, anyone been before and NOT liked it or had a bad experience??
Also am worried he may ditch me or tank off past others or something just as embarrassing!
Thanks for any replies! :grin:
 
hi, i love hunting, as in live for ti but thought id reply anyway :)
done worry about tanking off etc. we all do it once in a while, or in my case most saturdays :smirk: although i never go past the field master!!! :grin:
anyway, i would read the post below about being a first timer but feeling intimidated, many people have offered great advice on where to start etc. etc.
also im not sure what your horses problems are- ??? but it may help as horses do enjoy it. it has helped my horse improve his was of going XC no end and has just generally imrpoved his way of going and experience!
 
hi thanks for your reply! :)
My horse is unconfident jumping / hacking / on own. Think he'd enjoy hunting but not sure if i will be alive by the end of it!! lol
 
well you can go whenever you want, but do make sure your horse is fit, do plenty of slow cantering work on hacks so his fitness level is good. i think itd be worth a try but if he is undonfident you could first take him cubbing (before hunting and starts earlier than the 11am meet for hunting) it is much quieter and less jumps and less galloping so may help him.or you could go to a hunt meet on a weekday as less people out so easier on a novice horse. but as i say you can leave when you want, many people leave at about lunch time as that is when the second horses come out but obviously this is not compulsory (sp?) and you can leave when you want :)
 
I do know ofa couple of people who tried and hated it, but they didn't do any research, didn't make themselves known to the staff and did no preparation.
As already said ring the secretary he/she will be able to advise of any good meets, and you don't need to stay out all day. With novices I usually just do an hour and a half, which is long enough for them to settle, but not long enough for them to get tired.
If you are worried about brakes/steering then please use a double bridle, there is nothing worse than being out of control! I use a double on my pointer, who except for racing wears a hackamore for other ridden work.
And lastly please thank the staff. Enjoy!
 
Me!!!

They say for some horses hunting just 'blows their brains' and it did to mine. She is the normally so chilled, takes everything in her stride, perfectly behaved at competitions-even a little laid back. I trust her completely and was so looking forward to hunting. On the first hunt she was ok, started to get very strong towards the end, but only to be expected. The second time we went she knew what was coming, was a quivering wreck, before we started and then just kept tanking off with me. I couldn't hold her and nearly gave up straight away. Someone felt sorry for me and he kindly escorted me round the area with his horse. I went back one last time as I had agreed to go on the Boxing Day hunt and thought this would be my last try. I know lots of horses tank, but she was dangerous. She had no regard for me or other horses. She was pushing past horses, she took me down a ditch to get past, through branches. She nearly ran across a road and I had to aim her at some trees to stop. I had no control. I was practically in tears and so scared. My horse has never scared me before. I left after the second line, as I knew one of us was going to get injured. She also became really bolshy after each hunt-it really changed her.

I would love to have another go this season, but everytime I think about it I feel sick. I think I may get my instructor to take her or just give up. Its a shame as the first hunt was such fun.
 
My first time hunting (I was about 12/13 - now 26!!) was out with a Children's Meet with the Quorn. Unfortunately the field took off at an amazing pace and my pony was rather keen to keep up - then over took and kept going. He ended up heading into a small wooded area and into a tree which knocked me out!!! Luckily (god knows how) I stayed on board - when he realised I'm come round he bombed off again!! This experience put me off for many years, but am happily back out again. I guess with everything in life you have to take the rough with the smooth - and horses for courses as people say!!!
 
Me!!!

They say for some horses hunting just 'blows their brains' and it did to mine. She is the normally so chilled, takes everything in her stride, perfectly behaved at competitions-even a little laid back. I trust her completely and was so looking forward to hunting. On the first hunt she was ok, started to get very strong towards the end, but only to be expected. The second time we went she knew what was coming, was a quivering wreck, before we started and then just kept tanking off with me. I couldn't hold her and nearly gave up straight away. Someone felt sorry for me and he kindly escorted me round the area with his horse. I went back one last time as I had agreed to go on the Boxing Day hunt and thought this would be my last try. I know lots of horses tank, but she was dangerous. She had no regard for me or other horses. She was pushing past horses, she took me down a ditch to get past, through branches. She nearly ran across a road and I had to aim her at some trees to stop. I had no control. I was practically in tears and so scared. My horse has never scared me before. I left after the second line, as I knew one of us was going to get injured. She also became really bolshy after each hunt-it really changed her.

I would love to have another go this season, but everytime I think about it I feel sick. I think I may get my instructor to take her or just give up. Its a shame as the first hunt was such fun.
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When I first took my mare out she was so impeccibly behaved a lot of people said to me "wait until the second time when she knows what she is doing, then you'll have trouble". Thankfully she was fine and I am just fortunate enough to have a horse that would quite happily have a nap at a meet.

I think it depends largely on how well your horse behaves. My friend refuses to ever hunt again as we went out a couple of years ago and her horse was a complete psycho, I think if mine had been awful first time It would have been my first and last. You should be fine though the horses absolutely love it and you don't often see people out of control! Not sure if people have said already but I would advise putting some green tape around the top of your horses tale so people know you are a newcomer and give you a bit of space. Have fun.
 
My sister went when she was about 15/16. She was riding a friends horse, who has a reputation anyway, but behaved like an absoloute b!tch. Scared my sister to death, but i have no doubt she would go again on a differant horse.
 
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