Introducing a youngster to the hunt!

[Buds_mum]

Just any tips please!! I'm taking my rising four year old to stand at our local hunt's cubbing meet this saturday, we're hacking down and its in a big carpark so lots of space and going with my yard owner on his sensible cob.

He's a laid back character and like him to stay this way really We're only going to stand at the meet and let him see all the hounds and generally get a sense of it all! Maybe ride a little way with them depending on how he is!

Also, from another forum i've got alot of negativity about even being on the back of a three yr old let alone introducing him the H word. However he isn't in work exactly, maybe ridden or lunged 2-3 times a week, and is built like the proverbial outhouse haha. Is this something you would do with a baby? I've heard many say to leave it till there 6?! This to me seems far too old, i'm not exactly thrashing him across country. More giving him a positive experiance of whats to come in his life as a hacking/hunting horse.

He'll be turned away at the end of this month most likely, due to dark nights and work. I suppose i'm just fishing for some reasurance that riding a three year old isn't a henious crime!!!

 

[Sparkles]

No difference mooching him elsewhere, to mooching him at home...

 

[JenHunt]

I think you'd be doing exactly the right thing - no harm at all in showing them things! better to do it now IMHO than when they're older and more set in their ways! It's no different to socialising a puppy!

which hunt are you going with?

remember to be positive with him and make him do something rather than nothing.

have fun and let us know how you get on!

 

[VoR]

Have a look at the 'Excited Horse' thread a lot of that may be useful.

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

I think that sounds perfect, and no I wouldn't say that he is to young, you can do as little as you like. 6 sounds rather old to start if you have the choice, alot off youngsters are hunted in Ireland and in this country and 4 and 5 yr olds and allowed to see such things at three yrs.

Look at this thread for pictures off another youngster out cubbing before having a holiday

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=485518

 

[Buds_mum]

Thanks for your replys, Jenhunt we're going to the Goathland hunt, its only teeny but lots of noisy hounds

Aw I love the piccies of the three year old cubbing! Will hopefully have some like this of Buddy on sat! Will let you all know how it goes

 

[JenHunt]

Hope it all goes well! you're not a million miles from me!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

Took a baby hunting last meet of last season and he was fab.... fidgetted a bit, but thats normal, so my advice would be :-

Don't make him stand still doing nothing, if he wants to fidget let him have a potter about.

Keep his bottom away from hounds (some packs let them run loose at the meet)
Keep his bottom away from other horses

When the Port/whisky is brought around take a glass and down it in 1! Nothing likea nice relaxed rider

Most of all have fun!!

Only thing our boy did wrong was on the way to the draw he had to go past one of those road mirrors and he saw horses trotting towards him, and he spooked, so just remember things like that

xx

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

I think that sounds perfect, and no I wouldn't say that he is to young, you can do as little as you like. 6 sounds rather old to start if you have the choice, alot off youngsters are hunted in Ireland and in this country and 4 and 5 yr olds and allowed to see such things at three yrs.

Look at this thread for pictures off another youngster out cubbing before having a holiday

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=485518

^^Thats my boy we've just been out for the 4th time and whilst he has his unsettled moments, overall he has been fab. Its a wonderful way of educating them whilst they are still young enough not to be a problem. I cant imagine leaving him until he is a strapping 5 yr old then trying to have the same "discussions" i have now..

Tips- upgrade your brakes- ideally with 2 reins so you can ride on the snaffle but IF they get strong you have the facility to say "No" and mean it. big green ribbon, tell everyone around you its a youngster, wear a neckstrap. watch out for hounds/whip zooming up behind and spooking them.
and keep them moving if they wont stand rather than have a battle..afterall going forwards is FAR better than going sideways, backwards or up..

Good luck

 

[Buds_mum]

Thanks for all the fab advise!! Think i'll need to take my hip flask

 

[Buds_mum]

He was foot perfect, stood like a rock at the meet and trotted along behind very sensibly when we set off... We went through the villiage and over two fords, had a wee canter up a feild and then stood on top of the hill whilst the hounds drew the wood. He stood like a statue and even when the hounds came right through where we were stood he held steady... Sooo proud



He loved it aswell, as it was cubbing we had lots of young hounds who were very rowdy but Buds couldn't care less, he has the makings of a brilliant hunter. Couldn't be more pleased!


We hacked home and he was full of beans, now back in the feild having rolled copiously due to being far too well groomed for this morning!

 

[VoR]

Brilliant, well done, glad you both had a good time



But remember......next time he'll know what's coming!!!!

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

Brilliant well done, but ditto above the next few times they know what it is about, but moat soon settle back down, and some are just fine each and every time

 

[JenHunt]

I'm so pleased you had a good time and he went well for you! He will know what's coming next time, but you're armed with all our hints and tips so I'm sure you'll be fine!