Does hunting change your horse?

[skewby]

And if so, is it temporary, or permanent?! Since taking my lad out on Tuesday for the first time, he's been rocket-propelled ever since. He was always forward going but today we did an hour and a half long hack in 50 minutes!! He was still attentive and obedient so I'm not complaining, we had a great time. But I wondered, is this a temporary thing that happens straight after hunting? Or does it change them for good? And, when I take him again, will he continue to go up the gears?! Today was great but I don't want to blow his mind!

 

[Karswell]

Very unlikely that you will blow his mind! The more hunting you do, the more he will calm down. The enduring benefit is that he will be quite a bit bolder x country. All those strange things he will meet out hunting and successfully negotiates will give him huge confidence.

 

[Baked Bean]

First and second timers often take a while to come down from the adrenaline rush, riders and horses alike. I can only echo the advice above that your horse will settle the more often you are out.

 

[star]

mine was rocket propelled on his first hack after his first hunt. now he's completely normal in between hunts and today was his 3rd time and he was actually very well behaved!

 

[skewby]

That's a relief, I have heard of hunting sending horses crazy! I spent a good few years calming him down and I didn't want to undo all that! Star how did you get on and how were your brakes today?? I would have loved to have gone today but was advised not to do Boxing Day for 2nd time out!