Drag hunting, a better option?

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PingPongPony

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Hi all :) I have been thinking hard about going hunting recently, the tought both appeals and scares me! My loan horse has been hunting before but i have been told that she does not stand still, as long as you keep moving you're ok, otherwise she will throw a temper tantrum and rear.
We have done loads of xc and she jumps great, and is bold jumper, we've also been to a fun ride at the weekend, and again i found that as long as i kept her moving she was ok, the second i'd ask her to stand she'd threaten to rear, she also got a right stomp on in walk bless her :) however, she would throw a hissy fit if someone was in front of us, she would chuck her head about and canter sideways.
I just thought wether its worth trying to take her drag hunting so just incase it goes wrong i can go round the jumps, also its not such a long day.
What does everyone else think?
And what doea drag hunting mainly involve??
Also, any drag hunting pack reccomendations around Grantham, Lincolnshire or Melton Mowbray, Leicstershire???
Thanks!
 
the jumps aren't always optional draghunting so you'd need to check with the secretary what would be a good meet for you. also, there is still standing around. Generally we do 4 lines of around 2 miles and stand around for 10-15mins in between each line so everyone can catch their breath and have a natter. It's possible to keep walking round during this time for those with fidget bums like mine though.
What does draghunting involve?
Port and nattering
Galloping fast over a great variety of fences and hedges
More nattering and sloe gin drinking
Repeat 4 times
Food
Home and collapse!
 
Thanks for the reply! Thats the thing that appeals to me though, that if you want to you can just keep walking around so i could keep her moving and keep her occupied doing some flexions, collections, leg yields etc.
It does sound good :D
 
I personally prefer draghunting and it sounds as though it would suit your horse better.

You have long runs and set scheduled breaks (usually in an area where you have room to keep them moving if needed). With foxhunting, you can stop and start a lot and also where you stop can sometimes mean not much room to move around.
 
I've never tried drag-hunting, but IME, you need to teach most horses to stand out hunting - I was taught that you wouldn't take a kid to a party and expect them to sit still, so why expect a horse to stand out hunting? You need to keep them listening to you, keep them occupied, even if it's just walking small circles and asking for 5seconds stand then walk on!

hunting folk are more than happy for you to be doing this, quietly at the back of the field while you're standing about, and horses learn pretty quickly that it's easier to stand and relax!

to my mind draghunting, from what I understand, would be more likely to wind a horse up...
 
You could try the Four Shires Bloodhounds or the Burne Bloodhounds, they are fairly close to you and both have a non jumping field so no need to jump if you don't want to. They hunt a runner not an artificial scent, so you are still "hunting live quarry", but it is a planned route with scheduled stops. They are very friendly too, I did a report on my first time out with the Four Shires, and I've followed the Burne on foot in previous years and both hunts are very welcoming.

If your horse doesn't stand still then I would take it off to the edge of the group and make it walk small circles and figures of eight so it is working rather than just messing about, also if it is bending and flexing it can't go up. But I'm sure there will be more experienced people than me with better advice.
 
JenHunt said:
I've never tried drag-hunting, but IME, you need to teach most horses to stand out hunting - I was taught that you wouldn't take a kid to a party and expect them to sit still, so why expect a horse to stand out hunting? You need to keep them listening to you, keep them occupied, even if it's just walking small circles and asking for 5seconds stand then walk on!

hunting folk are more than happy for you to be doing this, quietly at the back of the field while you're standing about, and horses learn pretty quickly that it's easier to stand and relax!

to my mind draghunting, from what I understand, would be more likely to wind a horse up...
Click to expand...

Agree with your comments entirely JenHunt :) I know a lot of horses who don't like the standing around part, but they have been taught to be quiet and if that means standing at the back and walking small circles then this is how it has to be! Sure enough walking about in circles gets boring and some soon settle.
 
Thank you for the advice :)
I'm only going off what i have been told about her behaviour out hunting, and i have been told that this horse is only on the ground with all 4 legs when its moving, they have tried everything to make her stand still but it doesn't work. On the other hand though, i have been told by many people that they have never seen this mare so relaxed when ridden, only when i ride her she truly becomes relaxed and quiet. When i first got her after about a week i got a jumping instructor out for a short lesson to give me some pointers as he's known this horse for years and been giving lessons to her owner on this horse. He actualy asked me if i'm sure i got the right horse because she was working quietly, long and low, and no matter how long of a run up i gave her for a jump, she just jumped it quietly, so i do know that she is a lot more quiet with me than anyone else which might help :)
I think i will have a chat with her owner, see what she says and then might take her if i get the ok to do so :)
 
The only way to find out is to give it a go - at least then you will know one way or the other!

TBH a drag hunt may be more forgiving of her behaviour than a foxhound pack, as there are times when silence and calm is needed, and her antics may be frowned upon..........

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
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