Hunt Ride tomorrow

[Orangehorse]

Eek - considering taking my very bored Orangehorse out on the hunt ride tomorrow, it is promised that it will be gentle exercise suitable for young horses and novices. No hounds.

My horse is old enough to know better, but he does get excited in company but he is so fed up with just plodding round the lanes, same old, that I thought I would take him. I was going to wear best velvet hat, pale breeches and brown halfchaps and boots, but not quite sure what to wear on top. If it is with hounds the Masters have asked for Ratcatcher, but this is just a gentle social ride (hopefully!).

Sorting out my neckstrap and considering flash noseband just to help with brakes, etc.
I intend to trot most of the way to the "meet" as it is on one of our normal rides and will take about 20 minutes to hack there to take some of the bounce out of him.

When he gets excited his head and tail go up in the air and he lets out some extremely loud snorts and he always looks as though he is about to go bucking in all directions, but so far it hasn't actually come to anything, so I hope it doesn't tomorrow. At least the ground will be soft.

 

[JenHunt]

was going to suggest you took ratcatcher and a tidy jumper and wore whatever everyone else was.... but that doesn't work if you're hacking there - which is a very good idea if he's excitable in company!

better safe than sorry where the flash is concerned. It's not like a stronger bit - you won't do any harm if you don't need it, but you'll certainly miss it if you do need it and don't have it! does he wear a martingale?

Ron shoves his ears up your nose at the start of the season too, and he's only ever hunted really (well, odds and ends of other stuff, but nothing serious!), and he's 18 this year! I'm hoping he'll learn one day that it's not usually as exciting as he thinks it's going to be!

if he gets a fidget on, keep him moving, keep him focussed on you and then reward a calm stand when you ask and get one (even if its only 10 seconds!). No-one minds a keen horse if he's not causing chaos!

Have fun, and tell us all about it!

 

[Orangehorse]

Sorry, I chickened out. I don't mind riding in the rain, with good clothing, but this was soak to the skin type rain, so he stayed in the stable until eventually the rain stopped and the sun shone.

I don't know if the others braved the conditions, maybe they set out before the rain started.

 

[JenHunt]

ah well, there's always next time!