Hirelings - experiences?

[chestnut cob]

This isn't a post asking where I can get a hireling in my area as I know of someone, recommended by a friend's OH. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experiences of hirelings - generally fairly sane and sensible? Or am I going to have my arms pulled out all day long?

My boy isn't likely to hunt again (ringbone in front) though I may take him to one more meet after Xmas and possibly cubbing a couple of times again next season. So, I'm thinking about treating myself to a day out on a hireling after Xmas. Just wondering what sort of experiences others have had, good and bad. I assume they must be pretty well mannered generally, as they're out every week? Worth the money to get my hunting fix?

Thanks

 

[jellybaby]

Come up here and take asbo out for a day - that'll put a smile on your face!!

I would imagine that a hireling will be a fairly sensible sort, that knows what its doing.....I'd be a bit peeved if I spent £100 or whatever it is on a hireling and it pulled my arms out!

JB xx

 

[chestnut cob]

I might take you up on that one day JB!! ;-)

I've read posts on here before where people have complained about the hirelings they had but this guy comes well recommended by people I trust to know a good hunter so I'm hoping they'll be pretty sensible!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

most hirelings are good. nothing pulls if going at the speed of the pack its only if you personally want to go a bit steaadier!!!! make sure you are clear when you book the hireling what you want .... fast forward runner and jumper or a more social catch up when we can sort!

 

[chestnut cob]

Thanks for that, it actually hadn't occurred to me that there would be different "types" of hireling and I should tell them what I want! As long as I can trust the horse, up front runner and jumper is fine - my horse goes best up front, so am happy with that, we've only ever had crap days when I've tried to keep him at the back anyway!

 

[JenHunt]

I've had hirelings on our own country, and hirelings in Ireland, and can only say good things about them. generally, if you're honest about what you're capable of the yard will find the one most suitable for you.

Having said that, OH took a horse that was known to be strong and said he was quite glad when we got to the end of the day to stop!

 

[chestnut cob]

Thanks jen... re. your OH, it sounds like he knew what he was getting from the start though? A strong horse, which it proved to be! ;-)

The people who've recommended this particular yard know me, I kept my horse on her yard for years and seem to have spent every day I've been out this season riding alongside her OH so I'd hope they wouldn't have recommended them if they thought their horses would be too much for me

 

[LEC]

We have hired out horses - they know the country and are generally what we would class as superb and easy hunters who would jump the country. We were fussy about the kind of rider and only took a nice one as it was an occasional thing not a business.

All the hirelings I have met are normally a wide variety of shapes and sizes but generally know their job. The ones in Ireland have been hit and miss (some amazing, others more green) You should be asked a few questions and matched up well.