Horse wired hunting - better to hunt frequently, or rarely?

[skewby]

See my previous posts, my lad has been out twice now (once proper hunting, then hound exercise which doesn't count, then autumn hunting). He gets very wound up (though not "lights gone out", more, opinionated . With no brakes). We went out on Tuesday this week, and I now have the opportunity to go out on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

Is it best to keep getting him out, now that I have the chance? Or would I be wiser to give him a break for a while, then take him out again? I am inclined to just keep going. He is very fit. Advice? Thank you in anticipation

 

[Lollii]

I am pondering just this at the moment, the only thing is I can't go out this week as my horse pulled me about so much on Saturday I still can't sit/stand or move straight, every muscle in my neck, back & arms still aches

But, I am thinking the more we go the easier it will be by the end of the season ... if I am still in one piece then!!

I know how you feel :crazy:

 

[Patches]

I'm going again this week....probably a death wish...but hey ho! )))))

I won't be going next week, and possibly the week after, but I might do a farm ride with my daughter next weekend. Figured a farm ride *might* just show her that going out on grass hasn't suddenly become just an excuse to gallop everywhere.

We'll see.

Good luck.

 

[chestnut cob]

I've had this conversation with a few people as (as you know) mine is pretty much the same. My YO, who has always hunted and used to work for local hunt stables, tells me to keep taking him and the general consensus from everyone at the hunt is the same. I also spoke to my boy's owners who said keep taking him, he has hunted a lot in the past and he will settle. Fingers crossed!

Skewby, have you found a bit that you can stop in yet? I'm on a pelham now, so far so good... As long as you have brakes, he should settle given time once he realises it's hard work. How about just taking him out for an hour or so to start with? I can't take mine out for more than a couple of hours ATM, he gets too silly (like an overtired kid who wants to show off to everyone). Are you proper hunting yet or still cubbing? He'll probably be better once it's proper hunting as it should be faster.

 

[L&M]

Keep going as often as you can - my lad took nearly 2/3rds of his first season to settle, but we got there in the end. Now, even after the spring and summer break he settles straight back into it.
Good luck!

 

[Patches]

Oooo thanks Sidney.

Ladies, it appears there is hope for us all! ))

 

[skewby]

Thanks guys! Lol shall we start a "my horse passes the master" clique?? (Or is it just me who does that? :embarrassed

I am definitely going to keep taking him, I must be mad but the bug has well and truly bitten! It's just, how frequently is frequently enough?

CC glad you are having success in the pelham! I have always done anything remotely exciting (fun rides, fast hacks in big company) in a pelham with two reins, which I just about held him in. I went out in a double on Tuesday. I'm pretty sure this will be more than enough once he settles, so I'm sticking with it for the moment. He can evade a gag and has run through pretty much every bit at some point in his life. So I'm just looking for his mind to settle! Also, if I could get even half as fit as he is, we'd be better off.

I keep him out longer in the hope he'll settle! I'm sure he'd be well chuffed off if I took him home early. I'm not sure it would help. He knocked seven bells out of the lorry all the way home on Tuesday. I tried to explain everyone had gone home, but he wasn't having it!

Thanks too Sidney, we will all hang on in there!!!

 

[chestnut cob]

Mine gets so excited that he won't go back on the trailer to go home.. They're meeting 3.5 miles from the yard tomorrow so at least I know I can hack home if need be LOL!

I tried him in a single jointed pelham tonight which I think I prefer to the straight bar, so going out in that tomorrow. Wish me luck...!! It's probably not quite strong enough but I'd rather be taking a pull than spend all day going backwards and upwards.

When are you out again? As for how often - as often as you can afford it I think!

 

[skewby]

Ooh good luck CC, have a fab time. Post an update please!!

 

[MrWoof]

See my previous posts, my lad has been out twice now (once proper hunting, then hound exercise which doesn't count, then autumn hunting). He gets very wound up (though not "lights gone out", more, opinionated . With no brakes). We went out on Tuesday this week, and I now have the opportunity to go out on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

Is it best to keep getting him out, now that I have the chance? Or would I be wiser to give him a break for a while, then take him out again? I am inclined to just keep going. He is very fit. Advice? Thank you in anticipation

Keep going out, as most do settle - eventually.
I hunted ex-chasers for years - and I am only 5'1".
I dumped the single rein option (apart from a Scurrier on some) and decided that a Double Rein worked far better.
However, a Cheltenham Gag on a Double Rein works brilliantly on hard pullers.
Try various bits until you find a braking system which does work. Nothing worse than see-sawing all day, making your ned's mouth sore, your arms even worse - and neither of you having a happy day.

 

[chestnut cob]

It's official, the big man has settled down out hunting

Bitting is sorted (single jointed pelham with 2 reins and a grackle noseband), he doesn't object much to it and it's easily solved with dropping the contact for a second and booting! We even managed a couple of good gallops today. Kept him at the back for the first hour or so to chill out, had a couple of silly tantrums but then settled and had a great time.

Keep at it Skewby

 

[skewby]

Oh wooooooooooo! I have come on here especially in the hope of a report from you, and it's a terrific one!

Aaaahh there is hope for us all!!!

How many times was that then? (Starts counting... )

Seriously, excellent news. Bet you had a great day? Must be SO much fun on a calm(er) horse??

 

[chestnut cob]

It is fun on a calmer horse, which is why I kept thinking "why did I sell my cob??!" because he was lovely to hunt! ;-)

It was 3 times, poss 4...I think 3, because it would have been 4 if we'd managed to get on the trailer that time! Oh, he loaded like a dream both ways too

We didn't have an amazing day but it was good fun. I've had better days but it's been a massive learning curve, can't believe how much I've learnt about my horse in those few outings. We seem to have come to an understanding now! Hung back to start with, after the first temper tantrum yesterday, and just had some steady canters right at the back. Once he'd settled, we managed some good gallops near the front and I was able to let him stay up front. He's an odd one...happy to be first or last, but can't tolerate the middle! He gets really upset with horses whizzing past him, or alongside, but fine at the back or following the Master.

All good anyway

Have you been out this weekend?

 

[skewby]

Oh goody! Tuesday is go 3 for us

Excellent that the loading is sorted too! Sounds like he's loving his hunting and that's sorted that out

I'm not allowed to hunt on a Saturday yet :grin:. We did a HT today, I was very pleased though as I took him in a snaffle and he was fab. Usually after hunting he's ridiculous, so that bodes well!

Off out again on Tuesday...autumn hunting again but with a faster pack I believe (gulp) but also plenty of jumping. I'm hoping that this will make him think a bit and also tire him out a bit more!

I shall let you know how it goes