first time hunting

[[59668]]

Hello all

I have a query.

I have a wonderful cob who is very sensible and level headed. We are the pair who are asked to nanny out babies hacking or for their first canter in company etc
I have done sponsored rides, hunter trials etc and he is always a star.
I want to hunt him, really really want to hunt him but I am so worried that it will blow his mind and I'll never get my calm lad back!
So I emailed my local hunt secretary and asked her advice. She was so helpful. The master doesn't allow horses on hound exercise but she has said she'll suggest a nice quiet local to me meet and pair me up with someone with a calm experienced horse and we'll just do an hour or so the first time to see how he is. No jumping and minimal fast work.
I think maybe this combined with some autumn hunting next season should be a good way to do this. I want him to be as calm and mannerly hunting as he is for everything else

What do you think and do you have any advice? Am I being silly thinking it might blow his mind and ruin him?

 

[RedImp05]

I hunt my 5 yr old who is a level-headed lad at home but a bit of a nutter hunting (although reliable as they come!).

No matter how wired he gets out hunting, he is always completely back to normal back home and seems to understand the distinction.

I suspect others will have different experiences but my point is that you'll not know unless you try a 'quiet one' e.g. optional jumping, split field.

One session will not be irreparable and even if he does hot up on his next hack out, he'll soon figure out that there's no hounds. I don't think you'll lose your boy over giving it a shot.

 

[JenHunt]

Ron, and actually Tom as well, are both keen as very keen things out hunting but very laid back at home. Tom stresses a bit when you first get home but settles once he's had a roll.

If you stay calm he will I'm sure, take him and enjoy it.

 

[CrazyMare]

And conversely, I have one that is a bit nuts to hack out, a bit too stressy in the school who is as cool as a cucumber out hunting, and a perfect lady! She'd never spill your drink, always lets you say good morning, pass things to people etc, yet no on can get near her if I'm on her at home!!

 

[Fiagai]

And conversely my horse who gets stressed out anywhere else is completely well behaved ( albeit a thruster) hunting. Go figure...he loves hunting but not much else. Suits me tbh.

 

[spotty_pony]

No, you are not being silly. Each horse reacts differently to hunting so can't really say whether it will blow his brains so the only way to find out is to go! He sounds fairly sensible though if he is used to nannying babies so you might be alright. You won't know until the second or third time in any case, once he has got used to it!

My boy is a fidget out hunting - there is no other way to describe it! He just wants to get on and do the job. We spend as much time as possible glued to the Field Master and he usually takes a day or two afterwards to calm down completely. He loves it so much though and I can contain his excitement (most of the time!)