Hunting with a Boulonnais French Draft

Why ever not? As long as you ensure he/she is fit enough to cope with a couple of hours of reasonably paced hacking work, try some Autumn hunting for a taster.

Any horse can hunt as long as they're mannered and sensible and heavy horses can make great hunters - obviously not suited to the fast Shires packs but I'm assuming you're not contemplating huge hedges, walls and flat out gallops in Englands prime country!

A wonderful Percheron hunted with our pack for a couple of seasons and was a real cool, calm and collected horse, a splendid chap who really looked after his owner.
There are also many heavy cob types out too (including mine). They can cross a ploughed field second to none and, dare I say, are often more suitable than the finer types in plough and ditch country.
 
Thanks for that, Sky hacks out twice a week for 2-3hrs and is worked in a field i use has a school 4 times a week, I am going on a summer amble with the Readyfield Hunt 15/08/10 from BroomhillGrange Farm, what is Autumn :)
 
I've not hunted with the Readyfield for a while but I remember them as being a fast and big jumping hunt, with quite a number of hedges in their country. But they may have less "full-on" days. I'd give them a ring. Most hunts do cater for different types of follower
 
I regularly hunt 2 big boys...a Shire and a Percheron. Both wonderful and jump anything, but do be careful if he gets keen in heavy going such as wet, deep stubble. Bigger horses more likely to break if you don't go steady. Many, many years ago when I was young and brave I used to hunt with the Readyfield. They were very fast but oh so much fun. We used to love NY day when in those days you did some of the event jumps at Osberton. Oh how I remember being carted down some grassy verges....and that was only to the meet!! Wish I was that brave now!
 
Autumn hunting is the term now given to what in the past was referred to as "cubbing" though is now considered more PC. Also harrier packs use the term as not correctly cubbing with hares.
In any case these days are earlier, shorter and of a calmer pace than after the opening meet at beginning of November and are ideal to take along a new or young horse as means of an introduction to the sport.
It does sound as if the Readyfield Bloodhounds are quite a racey pack although you'd have time to chat and suss them out at the "amble" you intend to do next month and it's a great way to accustom your horse to hounds.
I've had very odd days out years back with both the Cranwell and the Three Counties Bloodhounds which were both amazing experiences. I know in both cases a field master was specifically appointed for those not wishing to jump so non-jumpers could follow through gateways etc. There were always several non-jumpers on the days I went out. Ask if that's the case with the Readyfield if you'd rather not jump, which may take the pressure off you the first few times out.
Oh, and good advise from Ditchjumper 2. Heavyweights may be tanks but can be keen and are apt to "plough their way" through plough! Keep things steady if going's particularly deep. This is where tendon injuries commonly happen. Just not worth it. Hours and hours of walking on roads is essential IMO in order to harden those legs. Don't skimp. Personally hunting is about the only time I'll trot my heavywt on roads, I never do by choice as feel concussion on joints must be greater than in lighter boned equines, but then I think I'm rather leg-obsessive if there is such a thing.
Do have fun when you get going though. I bet your horse adores it. Any photos of your Boulonnais? Would love to view!
 
Thanks for your replies the other thing that is worring me is Sky lives out all year with out a rug do you have to clip for hunting.:confused:
 
you don't Have to clip for hunting, it really depends on
how grubby she gets,
how easy she is to clean and dry off when she gets sweaty
how often you want to go hunting
how easy it would be for you to rug her if necessary.

she sounds a sweetie, she'll cope with heavier going much better than most TB or TBx's. I wouldn't worry too much about trotting on roads if you include it as part of your fitness for her - the trick is to try to maintain a steady trot rather than a pounding trot where she'd slam her feet down! Ron hunts 2 days a week most of the season with no probs and he's a (moderately) hw with 10 inches of bone.

another vote here for some pics please!
 
Thanks for all your advice, i will post some pics asap she is lovely keep trying to find someone else who owns a Boulonnais but no luck has yet.:)
 
We have a few heavy horses out with the 4 Shires Bloodhounds, one in particular who hunted every meet from January until the close. As there are two fields it's easy to split your time and limit how much you take on in a day, the back field doing selective or no jumping.
There are Hound exercise meets up on the website and an evening meet on the 26th from Hodsock Priory near Carsington water which is usually very popular and well attended, not sure where you are located.
 
Great i have been hoping to find another Boulonnais owner, aren't they wonderful, Sky is a 9yr old mare i have had her for 3yrs she is stunning.
Over the last few years i have struggled with her napping she is very very stubborn if she doesn't want to move she just plants her feet and that can be it for hours i have persevered and am now schooling and hacking out 6 days a week i have also just started jumping her andd when she goes she goes. I have loads of problems with mud fever winter and summer but apart from that she lives out 24/7 unrugged all year with my New Forest and 2 mini shetlands. Please let me know about your mare i live in Nottinghamshire were are you:)
 
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