how "schooled" would you want horse to be to hunt?

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mirandaharry

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Hi

As it says above just wondering what level of schooling/how "together" you would want a horse to be to hunt it?

Would love for my boy to go, but I'm a bit concerned that he can struggle with his balance in canter - I'm not sure how he would cope with cantering downhill, it's like watching bambi's first steps as it is cantering him in the school
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Have heard people say that taking horses hunting really teaches them balance and to think for themselves, basically helps them grow up, but I don't want to put him to end up flat on his nose
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Also he doesn't like the standing still bits
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!!! Is it OK to quietly walk round or do you get a b*ll*cking from the master for disturbing them
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Cheers x
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It usually the other way around here - most young horses would be brought hunting early on
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This can teach them to think forward and also it enables them to "think for themselves" as you said.

Obviously they would be schooled at home over ditches etc first but it's not uncommon for 4 year old to go hunting over here. You dont have to challenge him on his first outing, just take iit nice and handy and maybe even just do a half day!

Bst of Luck
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Don't worry about it too much - there will ALWAYS be someone worse than you!!

As long as his temprament is good and his brakes are OK you will be fine.

With the standing still bits - you will be fine to walk around as long as you stay and out of people's way.
 
How schooled?

That the brakes work would be my first concern
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and that the horse is happy popping over small fences - if you can do those get out there and enjoy!
 
I took my 5 year old for the first time recently hes very unbalanced in canter in the school, half a days hunting has done him the world of good he just got on with it, as for standing still we just hovered quietly at the back by the end he got the idea and stood up, we hadn't done much jumping but we popped a few fences out. Best bet is to ring the secretary and arrange to go on a quiet day, I got allocated a kind of nanny who looked after me. I was terrified about going but it was a really great day.
 
I hear your concerns and thought that perhaps a local pleasure ride with other horses might be a good starting point for him to get used to being out with lots of others.

No one really knows how a horse is going to perform for their first hunt and I think you are being sensible considering all the possibilites.
 
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Get real, as long as it can canter and jump it really does not matter. People don't hang around looking to see if your horse goes in an outline/on the bit. Sorry bout the rant but it is a stupid question!

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Steady on - that's a bit strong. Why is it a stupid question? I think it's a very sensible one actually - and if you hunted you may appreciate why it's a sensible question.
 
I do hunt as often as I can afford it. I do appreciate that good manners are important, but at the end of the day horses learn to think for themselves when hunting, which is why it is vital in educating them. You can do all the gridwork and related distances in the world but that doesnt take the place of natural instinctive self preservation.
BTW hoping to go out on Saturday if I am better from horrid cold
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but at the end of the day horses learn to think for themselves when hunting, which is why it is vital in educating them

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Agreed - and this is the type of guidance the original poster was after!
 
You'll be fine, 'sit back' my mum used to yell at me as I tore down hills on my pony!!
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Put a green riboon in, and walking in circles is fine, preferably not on the drill!
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Try to plan ahead so you don't end up bottled in on a narrow place (blows my neds brains!).
Have a ball!!
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Thanks for all your replies
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, just to stress the point that I'm not asking whether he needs to be able to go in an outline, and I certainly wouldn't expect him to spend a day's hunting working "on the bit"
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My concern was that he can be very unbalanced in canter, I didn't know whether hunting would help him sort out his feet, or whether he should be better schooled so he's more balanced before he goes.

Fatarse2, it may be a totally stupid question, but hey, you only learn by asking! *calm thoughts, deep breathes!!*
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In think the most difficult thing with hunting is if your horse wont stand still at the rest points when everyone is having a little nip from their flask and your dancing around all over the place just makes it more hard work, but just stay calm and take deep breaths and have plenty to drink you will be fine, there is usually a way round if you dont fancy a fence - Have fun
 
You seem to forget that this forum is about being nice, friendly and helpful. You post was none of that, and to be honest I would keep your comments to yourself if you cant be polite.
 
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You seem to forget that this forum is about being nice, friendly and helpful. You post was none of that, and to be honest I would keep your comments to yourself if you cant be polite.

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I agree.

I've read lots of mean replies from fatarse this evening...i'm afraid I don't think being i'll is really an excuse.
 
I have to agree with you too FinnMcCoul about FatArse! I also feel ill at the moment, but doesnt mean i have an excuse to be damn right rude to people i dont even know!! FatArses comment was completely uncalled for and if he/she is feeling rough then do us all a favour and dont bother posting unless you have anything valuable or constructive to say!!

I got "told off" the other day for posting something that was simular to a post i had done in the past......i mean, does it really matter? I think some people think that it is their duty to "police" the boards and tell people off all the time for having a harmless opinion.....leave that job to H&H!!

This post has been valuable to me, as i was thinking the same thing in regard to taking my young mare hunting, so thank you for posting!!
 
Berllimmmey Fat Arse . . . stop being a DumbArse!! You may be ill, but there is no need to be rude. That is a perfectly reasonable question - one which I was interested in, as my horse is terribly unbalanced, although he did hunt all last season.
You were also rude in Kelly's thread.

There is, whats called, giving advice, and this is what helps people. Therefore consider this as advice, as it should help.
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