Is hunting much different from a fun ride?

[Connemara24]

There is a hunt meet at where i work next week, I've never hunted before. But my horse who is on loan has done loads of fun rides and was well behaved. He has never hunted before, I've asked the owner and she isn't sure not sure if it will blow hid mind or he will be great. So are fun rides and hunting very similar? Or completely different? My instructor or instructors daughter will be hunting aswell on the same day. Thanks

 

[Zoeypxo]

Quite different. Is the horse good with hounds and good in open spaces?

 

[Tiddlypom]

IME hunt fun rides are even wilder than hunting proper. That is presuming, though, that the horse won't kick a hound if one barrels into its hind legs.

 

[Starzaan]

I would say they are totally different. I find fun rides are often a bit dull (personal opinion) and much more controlled. You get the odd moron galloping past people but in general it's much more sedate.

You have to remember that if you go hunting you need to know your horse is steady with hounds running into his legs, under him or past at close quarters. You need to know proper hunting etiquette, and if you follow a jumping field master it is much, much quicker than fun rides with often much trickier fences without "small" options.

I would say if you've never hunted before it is really not a good idea to take a horse out for the first time. I would suggest finding a good hireling and getting used to things before you take your horse.

 

[spacefaer]

Depends on the hunt. I've been with some where we barely got out of a trot round the roads and others where it has been the quintessential gallop over big hedges and gates.
It's likely to be somewhere in between. Most packs have a non jumping field master - although one of my local packs doesn't as there are generally only hunt rails which it's expected followers would be able to jump.
You have limited choice as to where you go and at what speed.
You also need to make sure that your horse is fit enough for several hours under saddle, at varying speed and differing going. (And that you have sufficient bitting as it can be very exciting first time out of the season, even for seasoned campaigners)

 

[Connemara24]

Quite different. Is the horse good with hounds and good in open spaces?

He doesn't seem bothered, about dogs so not 100% sure. He is good in open spaces most of the time he Is more steady in company than without.

 

[Connemara24]

Thank you everyone, think i might take him on a fun ride first as also haven't had him long. Thanks again

 

[scats]

IME hunt fun rides are even wilder than hunting proper. That is presuming, though, that the horse won't kick a hound if one barrels into its hind legs.

I used to do an annual charity hunt ride and it was probably my favourite day of the year. They were nuts! Me and a friend used to go and we would be laughing so much sometimes that we could barely breathe. It was not for the faint of heart!

 

[palo1]

It really depends so much on the day, the hunt etc. Our hunt is pretty steady as it has mostly hill country and though there are no jumps we are expected (and supported/encouraged if new) to keep up and some of the country we cross is definitely challenging. We do have to be able to negotiate all sorts of things (and stay calm hahahaha) and occasionally we will need to jump something (usually rather trappy lol!) Pace varies from virtually stationery if hounds are not finding much scent to exhilarating gallops across open moorland with big water jumps (ditches/puddles) and even the odd rail or wall. I try not to anticipate these things... Even after many years I still find it pretty thrilling but you kind of need to be prepared for several outcomes. Bloodhounds tend to be a bit more predictable but are pretty speedy once hounds are on. Drag hunts are simply mad; fast and take some pride in the number and size of jumps offered!! Having said that most hunts these days want to support everyone participating so there is almost always a steadier, non-jumping field.

Hunting has quite a focus on being sociable and staying together as a group; it is a lovely way to meet new people and I have found hunting people to be generally extremely kind and open.

 

[L&M]

Yes and no, so much depends on the pack and the country. Hunting can be hairier than a fun ride or more sedate, but in my experience horses that behave on a fun ride tend to cope with hunting......

 

[millikins]

Yes and no, so much depends on the pack and the country. Hunting can be hairier than a fun ride or more sedate, but in my experience horses that behave on a fun ride tend to cope with hunting......

We had a pony who was a marvellous hunter, even the excitement of dragging, but a nightmare on a fun ride, it was no fun at all for anyone.

 

[L&M]

We had a pony who was a marvellous hunter, even the excitement of dragging, but a nightmare on a fun ride, it was no fun at all for anyone.

Well that disproves my theory!!!

 

[Connemara24]

Yes and no, so much depends on the pack and the country. Hunting can be hairier than a fun ride or more sedate, but in my experience horses that behave on a fun ride tend to cope with hunting......

OK great thank you

 

[TGM]

I would suggest going to watch a meet of the pack you want to hunt with, it will give you a good idea of what a typical day is like. As said above different hunts vary a lot in the type of pace, jumps and whether there are non-jumping options. Look on the hunt's FB page and website as well, if they have them, as a lot of people post GoPro footage of the day now.

 

[TheHairyOne]

Yes and no, so much depends on the pack and the country. Hunting can be hairier than a fun ride or more sedate, but in my experience horses that behave on a fun ride tend to cope with hunting......

My horse is brilliant on fun rides and a complete lunatic (drag) hunting.

But you never know until you go!

I suspect mine would settle eventually, but would take more funds and a braver rider than I am to do it. Fun rides are also in much nicer summer weather so just sticking to those.