Green Mare, to take or not to take that is the question?

[kchappers]

Hello.
Im wondering whether to take my mare hunting or not? she is 5 and was broke at 4 turned away for a year and restarted in april of this year. She is quite fit (worked 5-6 times a week including schooling, hacking and lunging) but she is very green.
Im wanting to go with the burne bloodhounds at the start of december and it does say all jumps are optional, which is good as we are only just learning to jump (ie 1ft) she has done big group hacks and had no problems having a good canter/gallop with the group but getting it during schooling is a different matter! shes fine on roads (we would be hacking there) and sensible when out and will follow a lead horse through and past anything.
Shall i take her or am i be completely dense and should wait till next year??
Thanks in advance

 

[Suziq77]

I took mine autumn hunting at 5 last year, we went out twice a week and just hung around at the back. She was always well behaved but quite tense under it all. I took her autumn hunting again this year and the second time out she 'got' it and became totally chilled standing still. Our opening meet was last weekend (I didn't take her!) and we are going to have our first proper day out mid week next week when it should be quieter.

I haven't taken my other 6 year old out at all yet as she's a very different personality and more inclined to fret and dance.

It depends on the horse but as mine are both quite sharp I prefer to introduce them slowly as hopefully I will be hunting them for years to come.

Is your mare already used to travelling and has she been out and about for a look around at competitions etc. where there are lots of other horses?

Can you go along on foot first and then see how you think you mare might cope?

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

Yes take your mare hunting, it will be the making of her! She won't be green after a season, she will be thinking for herself and have superb manners Can you tell I think hunting is very educational for horses?? hehe X

 

[Ditchjumper2]

I took my 5 y o mare today to the opening meet.....and I only bought her on Wednesday!! Spent 2 1/2 hours out mainly at the back / middle and took it steady. Then took her back to lorry where she stood on with a net waiting for OH to come back as he whips. All very good for them as long as you are sensible.

 

[3Beasties]

I took my 5 y o mare today to the opening meet.....and I only bought her on Wednesday!! Spent 2 1/2 hours out mainly at the back / middle and took it steady. Then took her back to lorry where she stood on with a net waiting for OH to come back as he whips. All very good for them as long as you are sensible.

Bloody hell, that must have taken some guts Kudos to you!!

 

[kchappers]

Thanks for all the replies guys! im definitely leaning towards taking her! and may try to go to one on foot first to have a look! Good idea
My only worry was with the jumping, even though it says optional, i was worried people may have said i shouldnt take her as shes not ready for the jumping.
Id love to be able to do a season but we dont have any transport at the moment, hence why im wanting to go to this one as its a hackable distance away!

 

[JenHunt]

Go for it!! even if you only do a couple of hours of avoiding the jumps! She'll learn so much, and having a few days that you can hack to is even better as she'll learn that yes it's fun and exciting, but it's still work! She'll come on so quickly, and make a good hunter I'm sure!

 

[Floxie]

Sorry to piggyback on this but it doesn't seem worth a new thread - how long would you persevere with a green and 'dancing' horse in the hopes that it will calm down? How do you ensure you stay safe and out of the way if you're going up and down every time you have to wait? I ask because I also have a youngster that I'd dearly love to hunt but he does get quite anxious and I expect I'll be the one spinning in circles and quietly wetting myself...

 

[JenHunt]

You need to make him do something, rather than stopping him from doing something... So walk circles, keep him listening to you and focused. No one mins a young horse being kept busy!

As for how long to persevere.... Does he settle quickly once you leave? If so then try staying out longer, make him realise that hunting is work not just fun! If he hunts in his head for days after then I'd be inclined to say it's not for him, unless he is improving gradually with each outing.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Bloody hell, that must have taken some guts Kudos to you!!

Thank you.....but it did not take any guts really. I didn't want to miss the opening meet as my boy was lame....so it was the new one or nothing! Just kept her at the back and she was very chilled. Was well pleased the way she popped over a ditch with running water. I like my hunters to go back, middle or front and away on their own. Sat was the first lesson in going at the back. I am well chuffed!

 

[Foxhunter49]

Go to Ireland - back a horse two days ago and take it hunting!

I would take her and use a good lead horse to encourage her over the smaller fences.

 

[Beany1800]

I have started with Autumn hunting and now hunting m=with my green mare - she is 6 but might as well be 5 as she had 6 months off with a virus warlier this year.

Put a green ribbon in her tail to let everyone know she is a novice hunter and go for it - stay towards the back to stay out of trouble and see how she is. There are always people who will offer you advice out on the field and dont be shy in asking for help and any questions.

 

[showpony]

I have owned my Mare for couple mths. Decided to take her to a local hunt last wk - turns out group wasn't split as I would told it would be, also way more people turned out than expected! Turned into a bit of a free for all & had to give up after about 20 mins, too much too soon, I had a " companion rider " but my mare just wanted to be at the front & my lack of brakes was worrying - also she threw in a couple of big bucks which she hasn't done before - she was just too excited....BUT I did manage to hack her down & give it a go! going to do way more group ride outs & get her more used to riding in a "Pack situation" out & about & we may give another go next year.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

This is all encouraging as I'm looking to take the 5yr old to a hunt near me this season to get her comfortable jumping over solid fences and in company

Problem is she can be free with the hind legs should anyone run up her bum. going to have to put red and green in her tail I think

 

[showpony]

You need to be careful if she can kick out as know of alot of people that have been asked to leave hunts due to their horses kicking other horses.. Its not tolerated much in the hunting field...

This is all encouraging as I'm looking to take the 5yr old to a hunt near me this season to get her comfortable jumping over solid fences and in company

Problem is she can be free with the hind legs should anyone run up her bum. going to have to put red and green in her tail I think

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I don't think its tolerated much anywhere in all honesty but ill take the precautions necessary, its a necessary part of their education if I'm honest, and she's been to common ridings all summer in larger groups than she would hunting with only one instance that she has kicked and it wasn't her fault but the person whose horse was pretty much treading on her hocks

I have spoken to the hunt I'm planning on going to with her.

 

[astridday]

I live and hunt in Ireland and out here a five year old will be starting it's third hunting season this winter! It's true that they are often started in the summer and will begin hunting with little or no schooling done and perhaps a small bit of practice over some drains (ditches) beforehand. They will follow others who have done it before and learn as the season progresses and at the end of their first season they will have been over, and possibly through, everything Ireland's countryside has to offer. They will load perfectly, behave perfectly in company, travel perfectly over any ground (deep going takes on a whole new meaning here in Ireland!) and never question what their rider points them at. Many of them will then find themselves in England!

Start with your five-year-old as soon as possible!

 

[kchappers]

Well guys, im taking Raggs on sunday to her first hunt, its said to be a shorter day ideal for novice horses. my only confusion now is on the website it says book in, and a mobile number. well what do i say?? ermm hello i want to come hunting? thanks bye?
yes im being dense

 

[JenHunt]

well what do i say?? ermm hello i want to come hunting? thanks bye?
yes im being dense

something like that. Introduce yourself, say that you'll be bringing a novice horse, and perhaps confirm where best to park!

have a good day, and let us know how you get on!

 

[ConnieLove]

Shut up K! She'll be fine and you'll never look back. I'll see you on the field come Sunday

 

[Stark Dismay]

Long, complicated story that I won't going into here, but we thought the horse I bought was older than he actually was. He whipped in every week as a 4 year old, and now (age 5) is the most fabulous hunter. I would not have sent him out to work had I known he was so young, but it seems to have done him no harm at all.