Is a hunters bump always cause for concern?

[Birker2020]

What are your thoughts on hunters bump?

Is it always due to damage to the SI and supporting ligaments?

Been sent a link of a horse for sale but really unsure of bothering to view given I've been down this road before.

I have protected horse/seller best I can by cropping the photo.

 

[I'm Dun]

That one, I wouldnt bother viewing. Theres a fair few where its just a sloping croup and low set tail. They wouldn't bother me as much. But a true hunters bump where there's that tell tale bump, then its just not worth it. You've got a decent budget and want a big sound horse, hard enough to find without buying an issue.

 

[Equi]

The hind quarters look fairly undermuscled in comparison to the muscle that’s developed over the si, so I’d be cautious.

 

[HeresHoping]

I wouldn't touch that one with a barge pole.

 

[nutjob]

I tried one with a hunters bump when I was buying, the horse was broken. I'd give that one a miss, the lack of muscle is also worrying.

 

[Birker2020]

Yes I thought I was right. But sometimes don't trust my instincts. This is the horse in full, again tried to crop out/colour in any defining identity.

I thought maybe ground work programme/myoplast and correct pro schooling might build it up like it did Lari (not that it helped with him).

He's very weak looking all over really.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

In your position, I wouldn't consider buying anything with an obvious question mark before it even gets to a vetting.

 

[Equi]

You don’t want to buy a project at this stage.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Looks weak and under muscled all over. Dipped back as well. I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[I'm Dun]

Ground work would help loads with the horse, but that bump is even bigger in the ridden pic and shows the rest of the horse to be weak and under muscled. If it was an ex racer I was taking a punt on for a few hundred quid and it had an outstanding temperament I might be tempted, knowing there was issues and it might or might not be improved on. I am also an idiot and happily buy lame horses to see if I can fix them. But for a proper riding horse with a good budget, not a snowballs chance in hell would I even view.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

If I had been so super critical as some I would have missed out on some Fantastic horses over the years. I think you need to view in the flesh as photos can be very deceiving. I generally go for blood horses and some of the angles on some would leave you weeping, yet they've hunted and team chased year after year with no issues. Did dressage with a few during the summer as well as other things.

 

[Widgeon]

Ground work would help loads with the horse, but that bump is even bigger in the ridden pic and shows the rest of the horse to be weak and under muscled.

In your position @Birker2020 I think I'd leave it, after all the heartache you've had I wouldn't go for a project even if it was a good price. You *might* be missing out on a gem, but it seems more probable that you'd uncover issues as the work started to pick up.

 

[Red-1]

I would have viewed that one. I have seen a lot worse, that were also happily working.

I would like a detailed history and for the horse to currently be doing everything that I wanted it to do with me, with a rider of similar weight/build.

I don't suppose you want to be jumping huge fences or doing other terribly hard work.

Perhaps send a video to a couple of people?

 

[Tiddlypom]

That’s one very weak looking horse.

Birker, please carry on with your weight loss program before trying horses. Though you have lost weight since you were last looking, it is not hard to work out from your previous posts what weight range you are in currently. Remember that I’m the same height and build as you, and I also need to watch my weight in able to be ethically ok to ride.

Hunter weight divisions​

Show hunters are divided into three weight sections; lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.

• A lightweight should be able to carry up to 12st 7lb, stand around 16-16.2hh and have about eight and a half inches of bone under the knee.
• A middleweight hunter stands around 16.3hh, can carry between 12st 7lb and 14st and has around nine inches of bone.
• A heavyweight stands around 17hh, has nine to nine and a half inches of bone and is capable of carrying more than 14st.

 

[Widgeon]

I would like...for the horse to currently be doing everything that I wanted it to do with me, with a rider of similar weight/build.

That's what would bother me I think - the general lack of muscle suggests it's not doing very much. If it was already doing the job needed then I wouldn't worry too much as it would be demonstrably functional!

 

[teddy_]

To be fair, a close friend of mine has an ISH with a very pronounced hunters bump. He’s never been sick or sorry and is still doing lower-level BE at almost 20.

I’m not saying do, or don’t view that specific horse (as others have noted, he’s not well muscled in general), but I don’t feel a hunters bump alone is a reason to write a horse off.

 

[ihatework]

A horse with that sort of musculature will need a lighter weight rider than his height might indicate. He is very very weak.

 

[ester]

I think that's going to look pretty terrible from behind too.
I guess like a lot of things are based on our own experiences, I've not known a horse that looked like that that didn't have an SI issue behind it. I do believe others when they say they exist but for me nope.

 

[Birker2020]

I think that's going to look pretty terrible from behind too.
I guess like a lot of things are based on our own experiences, I've not known a horse that looked like that that didn't have an SI issue behind it. I do believe others when they say they exist but for me nope.

Yes I'm leaving it.

I've focusing my attention on another horse now that I've had my eye on for a while with the same breeding as Bailey had. They are quite rare now.

Waiting for the dealer who has a brilliant reputation to ring me back. They have a couple that I may be interested in. Even though it means stopping over a night in the area as it's such a long distance from home at least I will have better choice.

 

[Red-1]

Yes I'm leaving it.

I've focusing my attention on another horse now that I've had my eye on for a while with the same breeding as Bailey had. They are quite rare now.

Waiting for the dealer who has a brilliant reputation to ring me back. They have a couple that I may be interested in. Even though it means stopping over a night in the area as it's such a long distance from home at least I will have better choice.

If you're prepared to do that then Jack Thomas-Watson has a brilliant reputation in Northumberland. He would have the type of horse that you would be looking for as he does both hunters and eventers, and also has more than the standard under 6yolds.

 

[skinnydipper]

Hunter weight divisions​

Show hunters are divided into three weight sections; lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.

• A lightweight should be able to carry up to 12st 7lb, stand around 16-16.2hh and have about eight and a half inches of bone under the knee.
• A middleweight hunter stands around 16.3hh, can carry between 12st 7lb and 14st and has around nine inches of bone.
• A heavyweight stands around 17hh, has nine to nine and a half inches of bone and is capable of carrying more than 14st.

Curious non horsey person here, wondering why it doesn't give the maximum weight a heavyweight can carry. There must be an upper limit surely?

 

[Clodagh]

Curious non horsey person here, wondering why it doesn't give the maximum weight a heavyweight can carry. There must be an upper limit surely?

Because the poor old heavyweight is expected to carry whatever is put in his back. Tbh anyone over 18 stone with tack and gear should not sit on a horse. The spine is a hammock between bony bits. Not designed for weight carrying.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

If you're prepared to do that then Jack Thomas-Watson has a brilliant reputation in Northumberland. He would have the type of horse that you would be looking for as he does both hunters and eventers, and also has more than the standard under 6yolds.

Friend bought a horse off him. Unfortunately it liked to bronc! He swapped horse no problems.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Curious non horsey person here, wondering why it doesn't give the maximum weight a heavyweight can carry. There must be an upper limit surely?

There isn't, but the stewards can stop a horse if they consider there to be a welfare issue. Many of the top heavies are ridden by ladies. The weights are set as weight each section can carry for a full days hunting.

 

[skinnydipper]

There isn't, but the stewards can stop a horse if they consider there to be a welfare issue. Many of the top heavies are ridden by ladies. The weights are set as weight each section can carry for a full days hunting.

Wouldn't it be better if it was clear-cut, ie don't climb aboard if you weigh more than X?

 

[I'm Dun]

If you're prepared to do that then Jack Thomas-Watson has a brilliant reputation in Northumberland. He would have the type of horse that you would be looking for as he does both hunters and eventers, and also has more than the standard under 6yolds.

Thats where I would go as well. Its a lovely part of the world for a weekend away as well.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I included the show hunter weights as a guide as it’s readily available to find. I do agree that there should be an upper weight limit for the poor old heavyweight.

Does anyone know whether the weights given are:-

a. naked rider weight
b. rider dressed for riding inc boots and hat - adds 1 stone to naked rider weight
c. rider dressed for riding inc boots and hat plus all horse tack inc saddle, bridle etc - adds 2.5 stone to naked rider weight

 

[AdorableAlice]

Wouldn't it be better if it was clear-cut, ie don't climb aboard if you weigh more than X?

impossible to enforce unless the shows attempt to weigh riders before they enter the class.

 

[skinnydipper]

impossible to enforce unless the shows attempt to weigh riders before they enter the class.

Thank you for taking the time to explain.

 

[skinnydipper]

Because the poor old heavyweight is expected to carry whatever is put in his back. Tbh anyone over 18 stone with tack and gear should not sit on a horse. The spine is a hammock between bony bits. Not designed for weight carrying.

So the heavier the person the more stress on the horse's joints, not only the back but also shoulders, legs and feet?