Help my horse is a loony!

[Paint it Lucky]

I can't go hunting much as don't have own transport so can only go when they meet near enough to hack to. My horse is somewhat of a lunatic whenever i go! Despite him being 20 he normally acts up more than any other horse, he cannot keep still whenever the hunt stop and has to walk round or go backwards and sometimes randomly rears up or leaps on the spot as he is so excited. He is very keen to the extent that he can't contain himself! He's not as bad once we're moving, he is strong but does at least listen to me (to an extent!) Before i got him he was in a riding school for several years so i can't blame him for being excited i am just worried he will injure someone. The first time i took him hunting he cantered into a crowd of standing horses nearly knocking several people off (including me!) (I took him home after this). I vowed never to take him again but then my younger horse was lame so i took the old man again to a recent hunt summer ride and he managed to rear up next to another horse and kick the rider with his front feet! I felt very bad, the rider was fine but obviously it's bad manners for a horse to do this, do hunts frown on such behaviour? I can't decide whether to take him again, i would like to for his sake as he really enjoys it but obviously i don't want to cause a danger to others! Do most horses get calmer the more they go hunting or do you think he'll always be like this!? (He is a bit crazy anyway!) There is a hunt meet coming up soon and I'd really like to go but my younger horse has only just come sound so won't be fit enough, should I take the crazy old man! Any advice/similar experiences greatly appreciated!

 

[LizzieJ]

If a horse is a potential danger to others then he shouldn't be hunting imo and lots of hunts would have asked you to take him home.

In general they do calm down if hunted regularly but you are not able to do this. I think if they only go out a few times a season they can get worse. Your other horse won't need to be very fit for cubbing at the moment - there will be a lot of standing around.

 

[combat_claire]

Please don't take him, he could seriously injure someone or kill a hound if he starts pratting about at the right moment. It just isn't worth the risk for you or the others out that day.

It happened in our hunt, someone's horse kicked the farmer hosting a meet and broke his leg - the farmer sued her for loss of earnings and as she didn't have insurance she had to find the money herself.

Too many people I know have ended up on crutches after being kicked by other horses.

 

[Kenzo]

If you are not in the position to be able to take him regularly in perhaps a more quieter, calmer meets (cubbing etc) to get him used things and more climatised to the excitement, speed and all the other horses, then please do not take him to at all, by the description you have giving of how he behaves, then it is only at matter of time before someone is injured and you sound like an accident waiting to happen, which could involve a child...in which case could be easily killed, also remember that there are others there too that are newcomers or exercising younger hunters, you horse could indeed put newcomers off and indeed upset the the fresh horses that require the steadiness, control and manors of a more experienced hunter.

Its not your horses fault..nor yours, of course they get excitable, but they really need to be going out a few times a week to get them settled, the odd meet near where you live will never do this, in fact it will only excite him even more ...specially in his own hacking territory.

Try if you can to ride out in large groups and do some fast work, this may help get him used to the hunt atmosphere, only then should you think about trying him again.

 

[Chumsmum]

I would say that if he is that excitable it might be too dangerous, you need to go more often to calm him down - and even then not all horses take to it. Perhaps take him on a few fast fun rides to see how he reacts - cheaper than hunting lol.

My normally quiet 16yo pony was very excited the first couple of times (no rearing though) so I would have needed to have taken him quite a bit to try and get him used to it. However, he has just been diagnosed with Bone Spavin so no trotting on the roads for me so our hunting career is over before it's begun

TBH I don't know if he would have ever chilled out, the alarm on my mobile accidently went off which just so happens to be the hunting horn - he went bonkers, galloping up and down the field looking for the hunt! And this is the pony who never normally lifts his head from the grass unless it's to put it in his feed bucket :grin:

 

[Paint it Lucky]

D'oh I thought people would say things like this! You are right though he is dangerous and sadly i don't have the option to get him used to it so i guess he'll just have to stay at home in future. Poor boy, he will be disappointed!

 

[Chumsmum]

I know what you mean about them loving it, perhaps just loving it too much lol.

Hopefully your younger horse will be fit enough soon to give it a go.

 

[Girlracer]

Nimby was 21 when i first took him hunting, that was my first and only time. I'm quiting while i'm ahead

I find it funny how the old ones are always the flippin worst!