Fitness required to hunt. Please devise fittened plan!

[Kallibear]

How fit does a horse need to be to hunt?

There's two horses I'd like to take hunting this winter but need to get them fit (leaving it a bit late )

Please devise me a fittening plan! I've got a general idea but I'd like some alternative thoughts and a step-by-step guide to present to the girl riding one of them.

Horse one: 16.3 HW hunter type. 8yrs old. Started being ridden daily ( an hours schooling at walk and trot, bit of canter, 2hr hacking at weekends with a bit of cantering and hills) last month but needs to build up her fast work fitness. Previously at 'regular hacking' fittness.

TIME: Can be schooled 7 days/week for up to an hour and a half. Can hack for 2hrs 3days a week. Dad may be able to lunge for 15-20mins most mornings.

FACILITIES: lovely sheltered, well drained 20x60 outdoor. OK off and on road hacking at weekends with hills. Day light is the limiting factor mainly.

Horse two: 15.1hh Welsh cob x arab. 7yrs old. Totally soft. Was fittened up for common riding in the spring but done little since then.

TIME: Can be ridden for an 1 1/2 hours 4 days a week and twice daily (unlimited time) 3 days a week.

FACILITIES: presently - nought. Good hacking inc the pentland hills but that's it. No where to school or lunge. Not alllowed to ride in the fields. Soon though (once we've moved, fingers crossed) - 3 outdoor schools, big roung pen, 500 acres of farm hacking, XC course.

Horse one I'd like to take for her first meet at the end of novemeber, so 4weeks to get her fit.

Second horse I'd like to aim for boxing day hunt, so 8 weeks to get him fit. If possible.

Please suggest fitteneing plan :crazy:

 

[Lollii]

I think if you can hack & school your horses most days they will be ready for an hours hunting (you can always come back when they get tired) within a couple of weeks.

My horses were not that fit when I started Autumn hunting, but hacking out most days for and hour or two - walk, trot & hillwork on the lanes as I don't have anywhere to do any gallop work, this has fittened them up quite a lot, but as soon as they are tired out hunting I bring them back.

No help really - but this is how I am doing it.

 

[JenHunt]

I think you've probably got the right idea. trotting up and around hills as much as you can will do their fitness no end of good.

Hunting in many ways is the best thing as long as you don't over do it. Take the 1st one for an hour or so the first time and bring him back as he's starting to get tired. see how he is the following day, and if he's ok then do a little more the next time out. if you are able to get them out most weekends then you'll be fine by Christmas.