No more hunting for my boy :(

[chestnut cob]

After yesterday's outing, I've taken the decision to retire him from the hunting field

He's 14 now, has hunted for most of his life so he loves it, and I've taken him a few times now. Unfortunately, I just can't get him to settle into it. He really needs to be out twice a week to get settled again but it seems that he's feeling his ringbone in front leg now afterwards. This season, including cubbing, we seem to have done a lot of road work and he just can't take the concussive element of it. If he was more settled, I'd take him on occasional days but in order to settle him, I'd need to get him out a lot more, which will just end up breaking him.

So, having gone to a lovely meet yesterday, had lots of compliments about him, that was his last meet. He adores it but I've spent a lot of money this year getting him sound (he has spavins in both hocks) and going well, so it's not worth risking breaking him again. Until I can afford another horse I will be following on foot from now on. Gutted that I won't be a mounted follower but I want my horse to still be going strong for a few more years which means no more hunting

 

[LauraWheeler]

I have been posting in new lounge about my pony lucy. She has been diagnosed with a rare illness and no one knows if she will recover but even if she does she will probably never hunt again. Lucy lives for hunting and will have to be shut in with the top door shut on wed when the hunt come past as i know she will jump out to follow if i don't (she has done this before!). I have to hunt for my job i have to take the kids i nanny so another horse has been provided for me. I was so sad on sat hunting yoyo as i knew it would never be the same as lucy.
But it sounds like you are making the right choice for your boy however hard it is. I hope you have many happy years doing something else you can both enjoy.

 

[chestnut cob]

Oh Laura, poor Lucy I really hope they can get her sorted out and she recovers ((hugs))

At least with my boy I know that, as long as I am careful with the ground, he can continue with fun rides, HT (will be doing lots of HT!!), and dressage. Will be off XC schooling to Somerford Park in a couple of weeks so I'm grateful that he can do other things, but it's just not the same as hunting. Good to hear you have another horse to hunt but it's not the same as your own is it.