Ex Racehorses & Hunting

[Christmas Crumpet]

I've now taken my ex racehorse cubbing three times and on hound ex. twice. He was v.wound up first morning but settled enough to stand on a hill eating grass by end of morning. Second morning just took him out for 2 hours and he was good even jumping a large tiger trap although did lots of jumping about. Third morning - Sat - he was terrible and would not stand still and generally behaved quite badly although as soon as we left the last field of kale he went back to being like a donkey again.

How long did it take other people's tb's to settle? Were they better once proper hunting had started? He is fine when we are moving, just can't stand still.

Anyone have any advice for me at all?!!!

 

[Springs]

They normally start to settle down after the third time out. mine was the same the first time was fine, second time she was a bit more stronger, the third time she had a complete fit (didn't make it past the hour mark!) the 4th time she was a lot better and improved after that.

Cubbing is the best time to take out a new horse and introduct them to the hounds and hunting etc.

Good luck

 

[echodomino]

I can only say how mine was out hunting, it's not very helpful. He was very settled and well behaved from the word go, and the breaks worked

 

[Baggybreeches]

Mine took about 3 times last season, and we went out for the first time on Saturday I was expecting to have to bear with him being a divvy, but he was perfect. If theres a lot of standing round, my boy fidgets a bit, but I would sooner that than getting carted off with. :grin:

 

[Heidi1]

My little girl was a star, very settled and stood when asked and even held a gate while everybody went through and didn't bat an eyelid, breaks worked and my arms didn't feel like they had come out the sockets, also she was happy at the front or back, no tantrums. My other TB who isn't an ex-racer is a monkey to start with and pulls all the time, she prefers to be up front and she's done 4 seasons with the bloodhounds, don't think she's going to change.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

The horse is a complete arse standing about yet he will stand to do gates even if people gallop straight off after the gate. Our KH said beware the fourth time - that's Thursday. I'm hoping he won't be any worse than Sat though. I think I need to stand my ground when sent off on point and ask to stay with someone because he's much better with another horse. I was thinking about my other hunters I've had whilst out exercising this morning... the one I've just sold was exceptionally strong but 100% in all other respects. The one before that was strong but stopped when the others did - he just would have a few "having a breakdown" moments and had a horrendous stop at times.. one before v.strong... I've never had one which was a perfect gentleman yet!!

Happy was bought to hunt so he's going to have to get used to it!! Thanks for words of advice and experience.

 

[Baggybreeches]

I would class mine as pretty much the perfect gent now, brighteyes even commented on what lovely manners he has, I am sure he will be fine, some just take a bit longer to take the hint, as long as he's not getting worse behaved then I wouldn't be bothered.

 

[Kenzo]

I don't think you can really put time scale on them, be it ex racers or any other breed for that matter, they all handle it in their own way and may take longer to settle than others, indeed some ex racers take to hunting quicker and better than your average riding club type horse, I think you just have to suck it and see, give them a fair old trial about a dozen times, routinely every week so they excitement feels more the norm so long as keep safe, keep out of harms way and don't disrupt anyone else etc.

I found hunting one ex racer who has her moments even when hacking out a hell of a lot easier and safer than one of the other horses on the yard that is normally a very safe, steady snaffle mouth well schooled cob....oh yes, gimmy an ex racer any day! and we didnt get chance to cub with the TB!

 

[StefDua]

Our's was a complete git the first time we took him out, had to be brought back after about 2 hours. He was then taken again by a mate and he was a perfect gent. We now have another one who came out of training at the beginning of May and he'll be going hunting this season so will be interesting to see what he's like but we're expecting it to take at least 3 goes before he settles.

 

[LindaW]

Mine was a git the first time, and about the fourth or fifth time he'd settled into an absolute star.

 

[swellhillcottage]

Mine was great 1st and 2nd time but 3rd and 4th time he was a menace but after that he then he settled. It is the nature of the beast but no doubt by the time has hunted 6 or 7 seasons it will figure it out!! On the standing still issue I feel you have to make them stand Good luck really Exracers are the best!!!

 

[runaway]

I agree with some of the other points made... all horses differ. My ex racer who I've had 15 yrs and hunted intermittently (sp?) was always a kn*b!! :smirk: he's now 24 and last season was the first time he actually stood, but that was more because he was stood with my dad's horse who is rock solid. If he's by himself he stands for so long, picking grass and then fidgets badly and if he's "in the field" he is terrible, I end up taking him off and walking round which he'll do for so long and then he starts getting mardy doing that :crazy: If he's on home turf (where he hacks out) he is worse!! I'm actually starting to think he doesn't like hunting with the way he behaves. He doesn't pull badly or anything like that but he just hates standing and waiting and doesn't seem interested in the different noises etc. Dad's horse is great cuz he stands there looking and listening and if you follow his ears you know where hounds are :grin:

My mum's old ex racer (sadly no longer with us )who dad took was good other than when you stopped he would turn and face the other way so you couldn't see anything! Dad's ex racer mare was ok other than she got strong and disliked being at the back so bucked and cantered crab style most of the time :shocked:

A friend's ex racer was amazing, you'd never think he'd been in training!! (probably the reason he was sold) He would canter along beautifully and didn't put a foot wrong from the word go.

They all differ but most people say it's not the first couple of times that you want to worry about it's the 3rd / 4th time when they realise what's going on

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

4th time is tomorrow morning - will keep you all updated!!