Introducing horse to hunting - advice

[Wigglypigs]

I have a big solid 17hands warmblood. He is a bit nappy/wussy out on his own and is better in company.He is very spooky too, not in a fresh way but more attention seeking/boredom.

Im dying to go hunting but am a bit wary about taking him. I dont actually hack him out as he can make me nervous in traffic (spooks, naps and spin) BUT he only does it rarely and almnost never if in a bigger group. He is not silly cantering at the back of a group of horses and will pull up easily.

Id love to take him hunting as i think he would love it (he thrives on hard work) but im a hunting novice too and im worried id make him worse if i was tense. My main worry would be at the start getting on an waiting about as he had a tendency to get stressed and end up up on his back legs. Has gone over backwards once at xc schooling when upset about being forced into water so threw toys out pram.
I could perhaps convince a friend that hunts to take him but im slightly scared he might squish her

How bad have your horses been first time out hunting?

 

[sexyspev]

I took a total dressage diva 7 year old out cubbing on Tuesday, it was my 2nd time on him, and 2nd time hunting, and I have a broken finger (yes, I am a mad 19 year old!!!)
He was a little silly, doing our best digging on the road, and doing some bunny hops and head throwing, but after an hour or so he totally chilled out, and at the end I was walking him on a loose rein with some poor lady whose TB had completely lost it....
If I were you I would call up your local Hunt Sec and say your a little worried etc... the big downside of cubbing is the hanging around, and if your boy gets a little wound up, the last thing you want him to do is to try and tip over when he sould be waiting like a statue!!!!
Really good luck, I have adored both my days out, and I can not wait to go again...

 

[LauraWheeler]

My first time hunting Lucy bolted and over took everyone even the huntsman and the hounds :crazy:. But we have now been hunting for many seasons and we hunt while leading a 5 year old on her shetland pony. I would go if your horse gets stressed waiting around you can walk him around you don't have to stand still. I used to go to the meet pay my cap then hack up the road a bit and wait for them to move off and i would catch up. Lucy soon got over the excitement when she realised how much hard work it was! I would give it a try. Good luck and have fun if you do go.

 

[Wigglypigs]

The bit about her TB loosing it makes me a bit incase thats me lol
I might convince my friend to let me borrow her nice big sensible mare thats hunted for years to break me in and once ive seen what our local hunt is like I will decided whether ill survive taking Cruise.

 

[Wigglypigs]

Glad to hear your mare improved a good bit. Im thinking id need a good hipflask to help me through! He would hate standing still so id need to keep wandering around. Dont think he would ever bolt, gets too wound up to go forwards hence the going up - he is very balanced on his back legs though (practice makes perfect ehh lol) so id hopefully stay on ok

 

[Patches]

I've only been out once, will be out again on Sunday, but there's precious little standing aroung with Bloodhound packs. Maybe that would be an option for the first few times?

 

[HCkernow]

Hi, they've all got to start somewhere. Make sure you put a green ribbon in your horses tail just to let everyone know that its his first time out and to give you some space. Dont be afraid to ask for some space at gateways or similar. I have a very well behaved horse who has been hunting for years but he cannot cope with being crowded at jumps or gates etc. People dont mind as long as your polite. Maybe cubbing isnt the best time to introduce him as it is quite slow with alot of hanging around and i've found its best to keep newbies moving.