Getting fit for hunting, by going hunting?

[skewby]

This probably seems like a mad thing to do, but horse is sooo bored at the moment. He even escaped from his stable the other evening and went and HID from me in the dark. He's nibbling my arm, pawing, making mischief and generally yelling "BOOORED".

He lost a bit of fitness during the snow break (well, tell the truth, it wasn't the snow break - it was my lack of motivation and being precious about taking him out on the subsequent frozen ground) so I decided to get him fitter again before taking him. I absolutely will not risk him. This coincided with my lorry door falling off so worked quite well.

Have been hacking him and cantering etc., but he's still bored. He really wants to go out. I am loath to pay for a day's hunting and manage an hour, would this be madness? I know when he gets tired and needs to head back - he gets terribly heavy in front (although his adrenaline would keep him going all day if he had his way).

A friend (who doesn't hunt but does plenty of other stuff) pointed out to me today, that when he was at his fittest, he was phenomenally fit. Which is true. We hacked together and the gap in their fitness was obvious (and her horse is fit and in work). So she pointed out, yes he may have lost a bit, but compared to how he was, he can probably afford to!

Thoughts? Is it silly to pay a load of cash and go out for an hour? I do think he would love it though. As would I!

I am fortunate enough to have some time off now, so hope to be going a few times a week in the near future.

Hacking and schooling just isn't doing it for him!!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

well it depends on a few factors! how fit was he before the snow break? how much work has he done since? how much pavement pounding has he done? is he fat? how much turnout? depends on who you hunt with and how fast the country is! take him out and have a jolly! up to 2 hours first day! walk him off and turnout next day! up to 3 hours next time out! build him up, work in between and take him home ~BEFORE he wilts! or just as he is showing signs of wilting! i have a duracell bunny, never gives up til knackered!

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

I would go, you'll both enjoy know wit mine it alot easier to hunt her then ride her lots at home, normally goes out like 3 times in a fortnight if I lucky!! So is fit, she gets very overexcited and strong at home if has too much time of huntin, had a week off for a bruised foot and wen she was back in work rode her three times in a row and she got worse and worse luckily was able to go out on yesterday and she loved it was v pleased to b out again!!! So yer go for it!!!

 

[skewby]

Thank you both awesome replies.

Ofcourseyoucan he was very fit before the break - however, not proper hunting fit. Last time we went out we only managed a few hours - it was a fast day and the country is very hilly, with lots of jumping. He would usually manage more than that, but that day was pretty non-stop.

The bonus is, he is turned out from 6am until 3pm on a massively steep hillside. This tends to keep him up together - he's also herd boss so works a bit harder, chivvying the others up and down the hillside, and demanding a charge about if mum hasn't done quite enough with him. He's not fat.

JBJ what you said struck a chord - this horse has had the "hunting hit" and now it seems all his old diversions don't quite seem to cut it!!

Cool. We are off out next week then woo hoo!!!

 

[JenHunt]

We're the same with Ron, but He's off out tomorrow. we've done very little really since the middle of december, but our country is usually pretty slow. had an hour last weekend, was planning to go on Thursday but it was frozen off and am going tomorrow.

Ron's so happy this evening that I plaited him up, I even got an almost pleased to see you face in return!

 

[humph]

Have pm'd you but I've put 2 and 2 together and probably made 3,497 but I suspect you keep your horse at bownhill. If so your horse must be pretty fit because with those hills, even with the break for snow, he's unlikely to have lost what he must have had before.

As a result, I'd say he'd be fine but obviously to watch him carefully when you're out. Bear in mind that most seasoned hunters also had time off when we all had snow, and yet came back. Normally I'd say that busy hunters would be fitter than an occasionally hunted horse but, if you do keep your horse there, with those hills, I reckon he'd be fit enough. I used to keep a horse there and it was the ideal place for keeping/getting a horse fit.

You know your horse better than anyone so I'd head out for a day's hunting and pay close attention to how he's feeling. If you have to finish after a few hours, it'll be worth it because you'll have got what you came for, a bit of zing back in his life.

 

[skewby]

Jen once again, don't they sound similar?! Dyl is visibly "tutting" at me at the moment. I hope you are having a terrific day!

Humph yes spot on and you're right, I do know exactly when to bring him home. He gets heavy in front and my brakes go. With Neil babysitting us and knowing the country so well, I'm sure he'll be able to direct me home safely when we need to depart.

Thank you all! Excited now! *bounce*!!!