Hound exercising - am i being stupid every contemplating it?

[JackDaniels1]

I've never been but thinking about it however my horse isn't fantastic on the road, fine with traffic but she thinks there are monsters hiding in round every corner in every other hedge!! I've contacted my local hunt and apparently it's mainly trotting possibly a bit of canter work, it's mostly road work and tracks.

Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to ride out with so I don't even know how she'd take to a group situation, I don't think she'd hot up, I just wouldn't want to ruin everyone's ride by spooking into everyone (& me going splat!!) Also, we are not use to trotting on the roads, just walk due to the spooking. My reason for wanting to go is eventually I'd love to go hunting and she's the closest thing I've owned that may come round to the idea!!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Give it a go!! My curent hunter is spooky when he hacks out but is mainly good out hunting because he has something else to think about. My old boy was dreadful in traffic but again really good when he hunted.

 

[PorkChop]

I agree, go for it, often in company with a lot going on, normally spooky horses behave beautifully.

Also good on you for thinking ahead about getting your horse accustomed to hounds and reading for hunting - you will have a blast - let us know how it goes!

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Another to say go for it. I know plenty on horses that are brill hunters yet rather spooky/cheeky etc to hack. It's amazing what they will go past out hunting. I would however try and get him more trotting fit on the roads ideally, can sometimes find they are less spooky as have to concentrate more, the slower mine goes the more time she has to look at things!! If you can't then don't worry too much just take as steady as possible. I'm sure someone will buddy up with you on the hound exercise. But one of the biggest tips before hand, is to go tacked up. Also pop a green ribbon in the tail.

 

[L&M]

And stay at the back ie not up close to the hounds - if your horse did spook and catch a hound by mistake you wouldn't be popular!

I took my youngster this morning and it was very low key - like yours mine can be spooky, but was fine as had plenty of distractions.

Have fun!

 

[JackDaniels1]

And stay at the back ie not up close to the hounds - if your horse did spook and catch a hound by mistake you wouldn't be popular!

I took my youngster this morning and it was very low key - like yours mine can be spooky, but was fine as had plenty of distractions.

Have fun!

was yours mainly on the roads? Is it mainly all trotting?

 

[L&M]

Yes atm - ours is between 4 - 6 miles on country lanes. You do it at a 'hound jog' (don't know if that is a technical term but one i use!!!) which is a slow trot, intespersed with a little walking and some faster trot. Basically you are going at the hounds pace if that makes sense?

The way it works with our pack is that the kennel huntsman leads, then has the hounds tucked behind him. Behind the hounds are a couple of whips/nominated people to keep hounds in check, then any 'field' following at the back.

 

[Jenny Wrenny]

I would also say give it a go, until you try you just don't know.

It's a great opportunity to get your horse used to hounds and being ridden in a group without the added excitement of actually hunting and a horn being blown etc.

As for the trotting, I too would increase the trotting on roads, both for fitness and building up strength in their legs. I agree that they are often less spooky when they are trotting as they have to concentrate on what they are doing rather than the monster that is lurking in the hedge and waiting to pounce!! If my mare is having a bit of a spooky day or I see she has clocked something ahead of us, I usually push her into a trot with a "no nonsense" attitude and she then generally forgets about whatever it is she has seen and behaves herself.

Good luck, I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[Goldenstar]

I don't take my inexperienced horses hound exercising it's more trotting than I like to do as I don't like them too fit when they start autumn hunting .
I prefer to take them out as such as I can when autumn hunting starts to teach them that hunting mostly about being able to stand around and being well mannered .
You can also go away from the action if the horse becomes upset and then go back you can't do that hound exercising you have to crack on at the speed they are going .