Cubbing 1st hunting experiance tips?

N

newalclover

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 September 2009
Messages
56
Visit site
Ok must be mad but am going cubbing for the 1st time ever!! Horse can be strong but has been well hunted in Ireland I have only showjumped her to Discovery level tho, Oh and did 1 working hunter class in the summer!! :p So tips please I usually compete her in a 3 ring on the 2nd ring with a chain that comes above the noseband like a hackamore and umming and arghhing whether I should put it on the bottom or whether it might be too much.. Any other tips for a green person with no hunting experiance appreicated x
 
she may be fine... do you have a flash on her???
make sure you hack a little to the meet so she chills a little... try her on the second ring but if you find her strong/keen then put her on 3rd ring. best of luck!
 
Thank you very much :) she already wears a flash.. The hunt is about 30 mins hack from me, wasn't sure how easy it will be to change bit on the bottom errr once we are going!! :p
 
I used to hunt a fruitloop pony who was just a nightmare in one of those 3 ring bits! They just seemed to concertina him up, and when I wouldn't let him go forward or back he just went up, a sort of all 4 feet off the ground leap! So he was better in a plain snaffle and flash with drugs!!

Now I use a Cheltenham gag on my strong, slightly dead mouthed TBxID.

So it depends on the horse! I'd stick with what he's used to for the first time, and just try to keep him chilled out.
 
Keep him in the bit he's in at the moment and see how you fair out.

I had a mare who was very strong on the hunting field and kept her in a snaffle, she learned to calm down after a few hunts!
 
Agree that you shouldnt try anything new on the hunting field in case it ends in epic failure (think most of us have been there at some point!) With a forward going or fizzy horse its often easier to start off at the front (but behind the Master ;) )and quietly work your way back into the field rather than waiting til last and having the horse wind itself up into a froth. If you are a newbie then put a green ribbon or tape round the tail so everyone knows to give you a little more room. If you are going on your own then its a good idea to tell the secretary and also have a card in your pocket with your name,yard address and an emergency tel number- that way IF there is a problem, it can be sorted out so much quicker. If you are nervous then you can either stay with the secretary or they will find you someone to "nanny" your first day- i do it all the time- have even done it this season off my newly broken youngster as he is so steady :) Chocolate and a small hipflask are worth carrying along with a mobile phone- a quick reminder to everyone to put an ICE (in Case of Emergency) number in their phone.

Most of all- have fun :)
 
Thank you everyone for your tips have spoke to the hunt secretary who's very nice :) have hacked down to where the hunt leaves today to see how long it will take exactly 30mins!! and had a good canter round the feilds where it leaves from.. Thanks Beckey have already said but will ring you to hopefully tell you we survived and that I can't wait to go again!! :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top