Question

[jesterfaerie]

Hi I have never hunted nor do I have or ever will have the guts to hunt.
However I have a horse (ex-racer) who if he proves himself to be fairly bold I would like him to be hunted or at least taken out with the hunt and popped over a few small fences and taught to behave in fields with other horses.
Would it be better to send him away to a yard/individual who would take him out aswell as work with him at home, they school him the way they see fit to, jump him over pole/solid fences, whatever they want.
Or to keep him at the yard he will be kept on and I just school him (mostly flatwork)?

Also is there any added insurance that will be needed or a contract drawn up?

Any help would be appriciated, thanks.

 

[JenHunt]

i would find a friend you trust, and like the way they ride, who could take your horse for a few short days hunting - see how he gets on and then look at it again....

meantime, make sure his schooling is as good as you can get it in the time on the flat and over little fences - you're aiming for obedience and his confidence.

make sure whoever takes him hunting for you has adequate insurance (third party liability) and that your horse is insured for someone else to hunt (not as a hireling)
a contract IMO would help everyone be aware of their responsibilities and might help you feel more secure about sending him hunting with someone else.

 

[jesterfaerie]

Idealy I would find a friend to take him but I don't think I know of anyone who does hunt.
What sort of things should the contract include?
This won't be happening until next season as he will not be ready by the beginning of this season, although he could prove me wrong.

 

[JenHunt]

the contract should include anything you think could cause problems .... like
who's responsibility it is to ensure the horse travels safely to and from the meet,
who's responsibility it is to ensure the horse is fit enough beforehand.
who would pay any vets bills in the event that the horse get injured and requires treatment or worse...
who would pay for any damage the horse causes to another horse, person or other property whilst out hunting.
who pays for the hunting, you or the other rider?
what would happen if the rider was to get injured as a result of something the horse does?
what would happen if the rider was injured, but it was not as a result of something your horse did?

think about all the things that would worry you about going hunting or someone else hunting or even just riding your horse, and think about what would need to be done/ who's responsibility it would be to sort out - that's the sort of stuff a contract would include - see if you can speak to the secretary of your local hunt and see you can speak to the person that runs their hirelings as they might be able to give you some details of what they expect a rider to be responsible for, or the sort of risks that it would be worth considering.

don't rush into anything with him. give him time and find someone you are happy riding him in unfamiliar situations, and that you are happy will give him the best start at it.

have you tried asking your instructor if they know of anybody they can recommend, or are there any adverts in local saddlers for people looking for horses to exercise? word of mouth is probably a better way of finding someone suitable, but you can always vet them first!