How long does it take for them to settle?

[liliro1]

I've taken my ned cubbing 4 times so far and he's still not settled.
The first three meets he has got a little better at standing around each time, however he finds moving off very exciting, but does have breaks etc when once we are on the move.
Went to first jumping meet on sat, and his standing was better, however had no brakes(was trying new bit - not good so will be goi ng back to the old bit) and was hurtling at the fences with no control and once we had started jumping out in open got stupidly excitable backing up, swinging his bum about and not caring about the great big drop bank that we were walking along. I eventually resorted to taking him home.
I really want to hunt with him as hes so bold and we were generally both enjoying ourselves, but he just seems to boil over after a couple of hours.
Would you keep at it... he'll settle eventually or give it up as a bad job, even though its something i realy want to do?

 

[chestnut cob]

I could have written your post!! I had just opened up the hunting forum to post something v similar when your post popped up - glad it isn't just me having this problem!

Mine is 14 and has hunted all of his life. Have been out cubbing twice so far this season (went autumn hunting with bloodhounds last season once but it was so fast, and he wasn't fit anyway, that he wasn't too bad) and I'm wondering how long to give him to settle. He knows his job but unfortunately believes his rightful place is at the front, and he will do anything to get there. Been experimenting with bits and saturday's bit was much too strong...we spent the day backing up, spinning round, backed ourselves down a ditch at one point, and even had to be led around the corner after he got himself in such a tizz that he was rooted to the spot :smirk:

To answer your question, I am going to try a few more cubbing sessions with mine as I think he will settle eventually. I'm hoping that he'll be better after Opening Meet as there will be jumping, which should keep him occupied. Maybe just take him cubbing for a couple of hours to start with? Mine was a nightmare for the first hour or so, then settled, but by the 3.5 hour point was like a child who'd had too many sweets so we had to go home.

So I think I would keep at it for now. You should have a few more weeks of cubbing - maybe try some mid week meets when it might be quieter?

 

[BMA]

he will settle...it just may take some time. My has now done about 8 seasons but the first season i just made sure i wasn't out too long. He used to get wound up he was stood around...esp if someone else in sight was still moving. I found mine had a 'time limit' and after a couple of hours he'd get really frustrated etc etc so I used to make sure I took him home before. (Think he was almost like a toddler playing up when he got tired).

He'll settle more when hunting starts and it isn't so stop start.

After a season of just watching how long I was out for I now have one of the most manerly horses on the field...and 7 seasons later it was worth it

 

[Nina76]

I'll keep an eye on this to see what opionions develop, I've been asking the same thing after going out last sunday on hound excercise.

So far we have done a full hunt in Dec last year with the Readyfield Bloodhounds, then last Jan did almost a full day with the south Notts, but there was lots of stopping and she gradually got more and more wound up so left with approx half hour to go.
On Sunday we did just over 2 hours at trot/canter/gallop with hardly any standing around on but she got very tizzy and would buck and kick out in canter when I held her back. Plus when we arrived and got tacked up she realised what was occuring she was visisbly shuddering (fear or excitement?)

Because of this we had a red ribbon and stayed near to the back at all times only venturing more forward when the field was very open and no-one close behind.

I worried all day about her bucking into another horse/pony/hound and I am only actually able to ride her again today as I strained almost every muscle in my body by holding her back for 2 hours. (thankfully others have riddden for me since to keep her moving) It was damn hard work.

I talked a great deal to the Whips/Masters who said they thought she hadn't been too bad and that I should try again that the 3rd time is the worst etc I'm not sure that I can hold up physically though! She is very much a WIP and I love her to bits but maybe I should accept that its all too much for her pea sized brain!

I am a single parent and can't possibly go every week so maybe the gaps between are too long? Couldn't ask anyone else to take her as she is so nutty!

hmmmmm

 

[Lollii]

Have you tried a calmer? I have put my horse on a calmer as he was just like you described (before I took him hunting) it has made a big diference.
I wouldn't have taken him out without it, I hope to eventually take him off it but while it is working I'm not going to stop, he is like a different horse - in a good way

 

[Nina76]

Did you use a branded calmer ie pink powder etc or epsom salts, as apparently epsom salts have the magnesium in that most of the branded ones use?

I tried epsom salts for a month last year but didnt notice much difference, but it wasn't during hunting season....

Might be worth another look perhaps.

 

[Lollii]

I used Anxicalm liquid (not the 'compete' one) it has valerian in it, which you can't use when competing, but is amazing - does the job!

I brought it here http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_17

 

[annatutt]

I think they are often worse out cubbing as it's often not for long enough & too much standing around.

I know not everyone can but the best thing to do in my experience is to hunt them as often as possible. One of my horses used to only be manageable if she went twice a week at least! :grin:

 

[Nina76]

Thanks I've just got some from http://www.healthyhappyhorses.com
It was a quid cheaper! every little counts!

I've just agreed with my mum that for for my xmas pressie she will pay for 2 days hunting, inc trailer hire etc and babysit for me for those 2 days aswell. I will give my mare this before I take her and see how she goes, they will be her last 2 chances!

Also my friend has offered her 14hh coloured for me to hunt on, but I'm not ready to give up on my girl yet hopefully this will be the answer!

Did you only give a single dose before hunting, or did you give over the preceeding week etc?

The 'cubbing' with the bloodhounds was I think faster than the full south notts hunt that I went on, I think from my limited experience that the bloodhounds are generally much faster with less stopping etc so I'll stay with them for the next couple of tries, as the slower pace really doesn't suit her.

Thanks All!

 

[chestnut cob]

I think you're right Cleo. My YO has been head girl at hunt yards in the past so hunted for years. Someone out hunting a couple of weeks ago suggested I gave mine ACP or a calmer for the next few sessions but YO just said no, keep taking him and he'll settle. She said she never takes her hunter cubbing because it's too slow with too much standing around - he needs a few good gallops to settle and be sensible, and she thinks mine is probably the same. He's definitely happier when he keeps moving, and I think he'll probably only be sensible about it all when he's out regularly.

So...that means I will just have to force myself to get out more often ;-)

 

[Patches]

I keep telling you that's why you should join me out with the Bloodhounds one weekend.

There isn't all that much standing around with them. :smirk:

 

[chestnut cob]

Let me get my brakes sorted first, then I will bring him out with you

I've got to order that Myler bit when I get back on hols, then see if YO will take her big hunter out on the field with me to get him wound up and see how he reacts...

 

[Patches]

Let me get my brakes sorted first, then I will bring him out with you

I've got to order that Myler bit when I get back on hols, then see if YO will take her big hunter out on the field with me to get him wound up and see how he reacts...

We need to get over to Somerford. If I popped P in front of Monty a few times, you should get a reaction then?

I will definitely get out with you at some point as a visitor too. Be interesting to ride out with different groups, especially being as we hunt with different hounds.

To the OP....I am wondering what my mare will do next time. She's gotten faster the two times we've been out! Everyone else says a few gallops settles them....for my mare a few gallops wakes her up! lol