Getting horse to settle

[Bubbles]

Am musing about taking my horse out this season: he's a 15.3 ISH wannabe eventer and I did take him autumn hunting once last season. He was mostly extremely well behaved, stood nicely, not phased by hounds brushing past and for the first hour cantered and pulled up beautifully: people were remarking on just how good he was.

Then things got a bit manic and before I knew it the field was strung out and galloping: I had nooo brakes and was given the most terrifying yet exhilarating ride ;p ie, scared *****less whilst grinning like an idiot. It was rather dangerous though, he ran like a steam train until I found a small area that I could turn him into. I'm now really worried about taking him out again. I've bitted him up with something I *think* I will be able to stop in, but the idea of having a raging lunatic on the end of the reins is making me feel a bit sick... what do I do, take valium and get on with it, pay some other idiot to take him til he finds it less exciting, or spend the next 12 months kicking myself for putting it off again I would really like to have a horse I can hunt without it being a trauma and blowing his brains for everything else...

Oh, and I'm currently in plaster, so autumn hunting this year to keep things quiet is definitely out. Although last time out was not the quiet jaunt I was promised!!

All suggestions gratefully received please

 

[meesha]

i went out for the third time last week, decided in my wisdom to put 2 reins on so had snaffle rein on top and gag rein underneath (cheltenham gag) as he had been really good the other 2 times in just gag rein - BIG MISTAKE - had NO brakes and i mean NO brakes - first canter across a field did sliding halt just before hitting a landrover (parked up) and then we cantered off behind the group to go through a 12ft gateway- lady in fronts horse stopped in gateway so having no brakes I pointed my horse into a hedge to stop him - he jumped it !!!!!!!!

However, saying that it was brilliant ! I went home after that as I realised it was dangerous to continue (should have stopped and removed snaffle rein or tied it up but my brain was a bit fried) but hopefully will be out Tues - will be taking snaffle rein off and riding on the gag

I would stay right at back and I mean if necessary one field away until you are confident you have brakes but definately go, I will be shi**ing myself again but would be gutted not to go again.

Have fun x

 

[Aces_High]

I am also a believer in sticking them right out the back with a friend and mooching along at our own pace. I think it stops them from getting too keen and also means you won't be hanging around quite as long as you'll still be moving when everyone else has stopped! I wouldn't stick him right out the back on your own though as that will just wind him up. Enjoy and good luck!

 

[Goldenstar]

making hunters is a skill in it's self . Our groom is a master at this and they start out autumn hunting we go out as much as we can with a older hunter as companion then when hunting proper starts they do only the quiet days Mondays some Wednesday we go along at the back shut gates go up to the field when not a lot is going on until they think it's not as fun as perhaps they thought ,we will jump small fences when they are calm but never when they are excited when its time we will let them have a bit more fun and then we step back ad calm them down again with a completely quiet day it can take 2 seasons but we should end up with snaffle mouthed horses who have great manners I love watching them learn and don't miss being up the front when I'm watching a youngster starting his working life done like this most can do other jobs as well our youngster this season will event and do dressage but once he's learnt hunting he will be able to come back to it when he's older.
You need to set aside enough days to do this you can't just do a day wait. Month and do a day and expect them to be calm some might most won't be.

 

[Bubbles]

Thanks for the advice all I think realistically I should wait until next season and start properly with quiet mid week meets in quick sucession and go from there. I want him to have another job to do that I can enjoy without needing clean pants, if it takes a bit longer then so be it! Thank you again.