Determined to take Pony hunting this year or next.

[bearTessy]

I really like the look of hunting and something i would enjoy doing. My only worry is Tess is fine standing still etc, good with dogs and other horses but doesn't like being at the back of a group when cantering with friends i get flung into orbit and she sets her massive muscly neck and tanks with me. It's difficult for us to work on this as we keep her at home and dont tend to go out hacking with others rgularly as the yard is quite a distance.

She isn't nasty or naughty it's just excited and i think after an initial mad 5 minutes of flat out going she would calm down and i would have better control. I am a bit worried about how others would take this though is it acceptable to let your horse have a mad 5 minutes at the start and get a nice gallop out of her ? I am planning on changing her fulmer snaffle into something stronger does anyone have any recomendations someone said a Pelham ? Just so i can have a bit more control. she is schooled well and usually very responsive I don't think she has had much exposure to situations like this so i am planning on doing lots of fun rides etc. before we go so she is used to being out in groups.

I just wouldn't want to make a bad impression or ruin the day for anyone else !!

 

[be positive]

You may not be able to let her have 5 mins of galloping if on tracks or tight narrow areas, not all hunting is in open fields or at a gallop so some work needs to be done to eliminate the behaviour before you go, otherwise it could be dangerous and not much fun for anyone.
Some fun rides would be ideal to get her exposed to others and learn that she is not in charge, a stronger bit may help and give you a chance to try different ones to see what works, then autumn hunting to get her used to standing quietly, see the hounds working and some less exciting activity, usually once they have been several times they learn to settle wherever they are put in the field, being a cob she will find it harder work to keep up the pace over a tb type so should learn to conserve her energies for what is required not fighting you to get to the front.

 

[bearTessy]

You may not be able to let her have 5 mins of galloping if on tracks or tight narrow areas, not all hunting is in open fields or at a gallop so some work needs to be done to eliminate the behaviour before you go, otherwise it could be dangerous and not much fun for anyone.
Some fun rides would be ideal to get her exposed to others and learn that she is not in charge, a stronger bit may help and give you a chance to try different ones to see what works, then autumn hunting to get her used to standing quietly, see the hounds working and some less exciting activity, usually once they have been several times they learn to settle wherever they are put in the field, being a cob she will find it harder work to keep up the pace over a tb type so should learn to conserve her energies for what is required not fighting you to get to the front.

Thank you for the reply, she doesn't do it in trot or walk she is very calm then it's just canter and i suppose if tracks are narrow etc cantering wouldn't happen then ? I mean more in the sense of when everyone is cantering i might have an issue. I certainly don't want to make it dangerous for anyone and i have the control to stop it from being dangerous, it just won't be fun for me fighting her .

I think like you say after she has been a few times and it's not something new and exciting she will calm down as she is quite laid back anyway.

 

[RunToEarth]

No, I would not advocate going for a mad 5 minute gallop at all. IIRC you're Spalding way so similar hunting country to us. When you are going around the edges of fields you are single file and the chances are if you run up anyone's bottom you are going to get kicked, and if you run out into the crops you're going to get told off - it isn't often you get a good gallop unless you are on stubble - not at all in this weather.

I would aim to do some fun rides this summer, take her autumn hunting when they are a bit slower and go from there. I do find that some horses which pull tend to lean on a Pelham so I avoid them - might be worth something which will pick her head up a bit like a Cheltenham?

 

[JenHunt]

I agree with RTE ^^

one thing that may help is to get a good long hack to the meet in, like literally 3 or 4 miles, at a good trot.

Ron leans and sets his neck when he's fresh and not 100% fit, so I use the long hack and a double bridle for the first 6ish days of the season, then see how he's doing... usually I can shorten the hack to half a mile, and sometimes even switch to his snaffle bridle!

defo recommend that you aim to do fun rides, and hound exercise over the summer and autumn, and see how you get on.

 

[CrazyMare]

My grey mare HATES to be behind out hacking, and will ALWAYS beetle her way to the front. She is quite happy at the back out hunting!

Play around with bits - I hunt one in a pelham, and I XC her in a Cheltenham gag, the other is in a hanging cheek for everything.

 

[Templebar]

I have a mare that gets excited going out, a good hack to the meet to take the edge off. Perhaps ring and speak to the secretary or they may say the master to get a better understanding of land type you will be going across. The last time i took mine was new country for us so we spoke to the master who told us there was a maize stubble right by the meet and to blast her round that before hand. We were actually late so didn't do it but parked further and hacked which worked.

If she leans already and fights you then i agree with the Cheltenham suggestion but play around with others at home, have you thought of noseband changes too? I would prepare perhaps for next season by going to lots of fun rides and instead of letting her have her way then make her behave and wait then let her gallop. It may not been much fun for you but in the long run you should have a far better horse.

 

[Mince Pie]

being a cob she will find it harder work to keep up the pace over a tb type so should learn to conserve her energies for what is required not fighting you to get to the front.

Tell that to mine please!! :biggrin3:
On my experience with my lad cubbing blew his brains more then actual hunting, his blood was up so standing around was a nightmare - I ended up spending most of the morning schooling in walk as he refused to stand still. I don't know if this is an option but my RC runs a 'mock hunt', they have different levels and for the 'beginners' they specifically have a steep hill where they gallop up to give the horses a chance to settle.
Regarding bits I'd also look at something like a Cheltenham over a pelham if she's likely to put her head down, a loose flash and an 'oh *** strap' might not go amiss either!

 

[bearTessy]

Thanks everyone certainly don't want to be the person ruining the day for everyone else, We have pencilled in about 4 fun rides so far with the aim of going to more once dates are finalised I think hacking her before hand will do some good and I shall try and get together with the locals from the yard as much as possible this year. Friend has a Cheltenham so shall try that on her and see how she goes next time we have a group canter.

Broke I shall definitely attach an 'oh **** strap'

 

[Mince Pie]

I find a 3 or 5 point breast plate much better than a stirrup leather - much easier to find in a hurry!

 

[JDH01]

My advice would be to ring the hunt secretary - as one this is exactly the sort of frequently asked question we get. Get a hunting breast plate to hold if necessary and learn to bridge your reins and make sure you have mastered the half halt. Also pick your meet - the secretary will advise

 

[spacefaer]

Echo everything said so far. ... and I'd add, make sure she is tired before you go -give her a really good work out the day before -there is nothing worse than hunting a fresh horse!