how fit and what to expect when autumn hunting

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xloopylozzax

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As title :)

I've only hunted twice (half days due to lack of transport back, but had a fab time :D) and that was "proper" hunting, not early morning starts(!)

How fit realistically should my horse be- shes been off work due to an injury (now healed, windgalls flared up with hard ground) but is sound. shes a lot less fit than she was when i took her last year (she was a little over the top tbh) but isnt a great fat lump if you see what i mean. Am i right in thinking autumn hunting is a little slower cos everyones a bit unfit lol

just want to be a bit more prepared, I will of course let the secretary know if I am planning on attending, wont just turn up :)

TIA
 
Im wondering this also as am taking Arion to his first hunt on 16th - a Newcomer day, so am wondering what I should be doing with him exercise wise to help him cope with the day. Lots of hacking Im assuming would be good, but do I need to practice my downhill canterwork *eek*
 
Me too - we have a newcomers day this weekend and I am wondering if my boy is fit enough.

I am also wondering what to expect, as I haven't hunted for a LONG time and I am a tad nervous! I am I right in thinking Autumn hunting is quite a sedate affair?
 
Are you doing the fife one Hevs? If so see you there :) Pete is totally unfit so he will just be as fit as I can get him in the next 3 wks!! Serephin - Im hoping it will be quite a sedate affair as im not much fitter than Pete lol!!
 
Fitness is a tricky one, depends on what you usually do with your horses throughout the winter, so in short and for others to comment I would say they should be able to trot for about 10/15 Min's without getting hot (in what ever terrain you live in) that would be my rule of thumb, that is not full fitness but for Autumn hunting that should be OK.
 
Agree with Simsar, and remember that when you think they, or you!!, have had enough then go home. When you think you should pack up but stay for that extra 30 minutes you can guarantee that that is when something will go wrong......every time. There is always another day.
 
10/15 min trot is easy peasy- can do upwards of half an hour really even now (when i took her last year we were cantering 3 miles, trotting about 45 minutes in a solid working trot etc in an average ride without breaking a sweat/out of breath)

little bit happier to take her now, thanks :)
 
xloopylozzax said:
10/15 min trot is easy peasy- can do upwards of half an hour really even now (when i took her last year we were cantering 3 miles, trotting about 45 minutes in a solid working trot etc in an average ride without breaking a sweat/out of breath)

little bit happier to take her now, thanks :)
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Excellent sounds like you have a good full fitness already. Keep us posted on your hunting. x
 
JulzS said:
Are you doing the fife one Hevs? If so see you there :) Pete is totally unfit so he will just be as fit as I can get him in the next 3 wks!! Serephin - Im hoping it will be quite a sedate affair as im not much fitter than Pete lol!!
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YES!!!!! Looking forward to seeing you :D
 
I like to keep her fairly fit- shes a welsh so would pile it on too easily if out of work. my thought is if she already has the muscle there, she uses calories to mantain it so i dont need to muzzle/strip graze.

unfortunately my car just failed the MOT :@ so am now transportless to get to the yard for that time and my mums working a 12 hour shift so cant give me a lift.

next time huh :(
 
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