do you think my horse had an 'off' day?

[aregona]

2 years ago I hunted my 17.2hh 10yr old warmblood and he was a saint. Snaffle mouth. He is the type of horse you can put anyone on. You lead from him etc etc. I have done bd and be with him and his manners are great. Out hunting the once I took him he was a proper ladies hunt.

The hunt came to the mountain I live on yesterday so I thought I would go and join them. He was a nightmare! He ran backwards, spun, bucked, and then went vertical. He got himself double barreled by another horse. After the rearing I decided he was too dangerous and took him home. I made up for It with Bailey and sandwiches for everyone

Anyway, my question....do you think this was because his own yard is less than half a mile away? He was such an amazing horse before I really want to hunt him but I am concerned that if he behaves badly again he could hurt someone else. You views please

 

[Starbucks]

Sounds like he was a really naughty boy!!

If he's been good before then I think it's worth another try, although sometimes they are a bit shell shocked on their first go and then go crazy on the next - but seems strange if he had a big break?

Haven't ever known for our horses to act any more silly than normal when it's local, but we did once have to walk along the bottom of Badgers "gallop" field and he was a bit crazy, for him! But for Badger that just means chomp your teath a lot and make rider take an extreme hold - or I'll bugger off!!

 

[aregona]

Naughty? For him, yes very. He is normally so good. Like any comp/hunt horse he has his moments but never like yesterday.
He has only hunted the once 2 years ago and was great.

What makes it difficult is he was just going up, down and backwards, I stronger bit won't help me this time!

 

[naza]

I've always heard that horses can be good on there first time as they don't know what happening etc but after the 2nd/3rd they know what is gunna happen and get wound up, maybe your boy knew excitement was coming?

 

[Chumsmum]

My old pony was great the first time but a good 12 months later, when we went the second time, he was too much, bucked and nearly had someone's head off etc.

Hacked to both meets.

Never had chance to try him again as was diagnosed with Bone Spavin that year.

Still goes bonkers if the hunt nearby or even if he hears the horn played on a mobile phone

This pony is generally a saint in every other way..

 

[TGM]

A lot of horses do seem to be good the first time and nuts the second, because they anticipate what is going on! Also the type of hunt can be a factor - if there is a lot of fannying about backwards and forwards it can wind them up, whereas if you get a long decent canter in early they can get the excitement out of their system!

 

[A1fie]

I'd say try him again. I have hunted mine all season and I had one silly day where she lost the plot. It was very cold and all of them were on their toes. She got stronger and stronger and then lost any sense of self preservation and just went bombing around not looking where she was going, doing v impresive hand stands! It was not fun. Took her home after two hours and she cantered sideways the whole way.

The thing was it was a one off and she hasn't done it again since.

Maybe try a mid week meet when chances are that it'll be a bit quieter. If that fails, maybe wait till autumn hunting and start again then when it's much slower.