Predicting a horse's reaction to hunting...

[Chumsmum]

I've got a bit of a theory going, which is bound to be proved wrong lol, but interested in your thoughts

In my limited horse/hunting knowledge it appears the quieter the horse, the more likely he is going to be bonkers out hunting?

The fizzy types that you think might be worse seem to settle well to it??

I'm sure there are exceptions to the case but interested in your experiences / views.

 

[Starbucks]

No, I don't really agree I'm afraid!

I don't think it has that much to do with how quiet/lively they are, more about if they can be unpredicatable/scary in different situations.

My mums horse is an old dobin at home, but is a complete little sh*t when he goes hunting, he bounces around all day and is generally annoying and makes you tired! He is, however, extreamly safe and looks after himself, and therefore his rider.

Badger is really forward going/strong XC etc. and he is even more strong hunting, but he still thinks what he's doing.

All horses think hunting is mega excited, it's just the ones that loose the plot and forget to think what you are doing that you need to be wary of.

 

[Starbucks]

I would agree though that some horses that you'd think would be really bad aren't that much worse than usual, and you see a bigger change in quieter horses sometimes because they actually have something to be excited about!

 

[Chumsmum]

Perhaps bonkers is a strong word, I had something like your Mom's horse in mind, dobbin by day but opposite out hunting, still safe but tiring.

Three of the quietest horses I know are like that, riders have had enough after an hour, they seem to wind up rather than down.

But some horses I know who are a bit more sparky seem to get over that initial excitement and are on the buckle the rest of the day.

My friend is hoping her 5yo tb will fall in to this category lol.

Thanks for reply, I find this whole thing fascinating, all things to bear in mind when I can afford another horse :grin:

 

[BigBird146]

i thought my horse would be in the bonkers category, (if we have a canter while out hacking he pulls like a train til he's overtaken my friends!) but I've just done my first 2 hound excercises and so far so good, he's been an absolute star. Kept him at the back cos he can kick out if stressed, no problems at all. He's even stood quietly while we've been waiting around (the bit I was most worried about).

 

[wizzi901]

have found whatever temperament ours are they all turn into nutters including the oldie but takes him a bit longer to wind himself up!!

 

[CrazyMare]

Mine is lively and hot, but not spooky and she is fab out hunting. My friends TB who is lively but not as hot headed i.e. you can ride her more rather than sitting and trying to chill turns into a raving nutcase.

 

[Silverspring]

I think it's all relative! A TB that's quiet at home would seem quite bonkers had you alway ridden him when quiet but a fizzy TB would seem less so as you'd be used to the fizz and it would just be fizzier!

But there are plenty of cold bloods/warm bloods (and dare I say the odd TB) out there that are quiet and home and would bearly wake up at the sound of hounds...sadly I don't own one!