How old are your hunters?

[VictoriaEDT]

I want to start hunting in Somerset (south) but dont know where, possibly Cotley and not sure which horse to take.
I think I will take the horse I have had for 12 years but he is 18 now and hoping it will not be too much for him?
He is 18 going on 5 and ridden 4 times a week.

 

[LizzieJ]

Mines 12. I had a horse who hunted weekly well into his twenties though so Charlie will be fine It's not mad hunting with The Cotley either

 

[LizzieJ]

You not taking Ro?

 

[VictoriaEDT]

I will die if I take him!!!!

 

[VictoriaEDT]

I dont know who to hunt with! Never done it and have no idea what to expect!
Used to go hurling round the countryside on charlie (coloured) but if I stay at the back is it quieter and slower? He is so hard working that he would run all day and get so excited and I dont want him to injure his suspensory again (injured it 9 years ago and is more or less sound now)

 

[Starbucks]

How is he "more or less sound" he's either sound or he isn't, especially 9 years after the injury!!

My horses are 9 and 12 but i've hunted horses in there 20's and they were fine. Although if your hunting a horse that is "more or less" sound I can't see him lasting long hunting I'm afraid.

 

[druid]

One is 14yo, one is 7 have known lots to hunt into their 20s

 

[Gamebird]

7, and this is my 4th season on him! He's the oldest horse I've hunted in a while, usually have babies.

Have just been given another to hunt for a month or two but I've no idea how old it is :blush:. Usually whip/master's horse so I would guess somehwehere between 8 and 11.

 

[Aleka81]

My boy is 19 and hunts, bloodhounds and Team Chases. However he is sound...

 

[VictoriaEDT]

How is he "more or less sound" he's either sound or he isn't, especially 9 years after the injury!!

Cos in my opinion no horse is 100% sound if you investigate deeply! Yes the vets say he is sound with the occassional 1/10 lameness if he has a stiff day.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

and I was only planning on taking charlie to first couple of hunts (not a whole season) so I can get an idea of what goes on before I take my big oraange monster young horse!

 

[LizzieJ]

He'll be fine. You don't have to stay out all day Try the Cotley, they are a pretty friendly pack and not mad either

 

[VictoriaEDT]

going cubbing next weekend with a friend with Seavington!

 

[Irishcobs]

Mine own is 13, this is our first season.
My bosses are: two are 9, 10, 11 and his old horse was 17. The 17 yr was hunting 3 days a fortnight only missing 1 day at the end.
My friend used to work for someone that hunted a 30yr. Only on quiet, easy days but the horse lived for it.

 

[LizzieJ]

There will be some Cotley meets you could hack to I'd have thought I've never been out with the Seavington but I think it's similar country

 

[chestnut cob]

New horse is 11 and has really only ever hunted, not a lot of anything else. My pony, now out on loan, is 13 and has hunted for the last 4 years. He's taking his loaner out this season for her first time.

 

[Baydale]

My 22yo ex-advanced horse fieldmasters with my OH on. He's fine (still manages to p*** off with us all on exercise :shocked but we pick our days, and he likes the going "good to soft" as he's a bit creaky!

 

[palomino_pony]

I hunted my 21 year old, but IMO, whatever you take they need to be fit and worked more than 4 days per week. Hunting is hard work and takes its toll on a horse. (Fittened up properly too not just cantered a bit more) I have seen too many suspensories/tendons go from people that thouht you could just go hunting for the day, like you would go on a fun ride or show. I used to be based at a hunt yard and helped with the fittening programme (one of the master's horses was 19) but now I am at a livery yard people don't seem to fitten up their horses quite as thoroughly. I suppose my point is...take your older horse as long as he is fittened up for hard work

 

[Girlracer]

I took Nimby when he was 21, something i won't ever do again the nutter.

I'm taking Lantern this season and he's 16 and has been a hunter most his life...