Road pounding when hunting..

[Starbucks]

Does it ever bother you?

I think most of us would never dream of going full pelt down the road out exercising, but then everyone seems to do it out hunting. It makes me worry every stride after a while!

I tend to get my horse to do a big trot, but I've heard people say it's better to canter (not as bad on their legs) but my horse isn't really happy with a steady canter.

Thoughts?

 

[Grey_Eventer]

I think this is long debated- trot vs canter.
My dad says you should always try and trot- even if its a "hunting trot" ie. big long stride, going at a good pace, but who knows whether that is correct!

I think the thing is, you don't do it a lot (well we don't out hunting) so its not like your doing it for 4 hours once/twice a week. Keep the horses fit and that's how you keep the leg trouble away!

Best thing to do is trot on the kerb if its not part of someones house etc.

 

[Goldenstar]

I worry about this too but you sometimes cannot avoid it, I think you need to have your horse fit , the correct wieght and do lots of slow work on the road when you are bringing them up.

 

[Starbucks]

Horses fit, done plenty of steady road work at home. Both horses hunted for years but as they are getting a bit older, you think a bit more?

Not normal for my hunt either but after about 4 miles of road pounding today we packed in.. too much for our boys.

 

[TwoPair]

QR. I always pop on a verge if I can (Old Leics country, we tend to have nice enough verges.) If not, mine are good enough to pop up into canter. I get up off their backs as much as I can anyway (I'm usually the pr*t that's trotted for three miles in the two point seat with my ar*e up ) I was always taught the moment of suspension is greater in canter than trot so bpm (or strides/m) = less in canter.

 

[Lawhorse]

After 15 years of not trotting my horses on the road excpet for steady short uphill stretches I am hunting again. Happily we have Dartmoor where we don't pound the roads and I avoid in-country meets for exactly this reason. Great idea to get them very fit, build up road work and do some road trotting in exercise to prepare them but really the answer is - don't pound the road unless you absolutely have to. Don't do it just cos everyone else is and then stand around for half an hour - you could have jogged or even walked there! It does do long term harm, even though they may come home sound.

 

[Bernster]

Yes!! I have the same worry about this. Horse does a spanking trot on the roads out hunting (never anywhere else, mind you!) but it's balanced and in shortish bursts. Always worries me whether this is doing long term damage and he did develop a splint first season (but fortunately had no lameness etc on it).

I try to keep to verges when I can and don't trot him on the roads any other time. I do roadwork in walk and generally do lots of activities so he's reasonably fit (and we don't go out all day). I also don't hunt every week.

Have heard mixed views on trot v canter though.

 

[L&M]

It is a worry but 'touch wood' mine have been sound for the last 5 seasons, despite periods of road pounding!

I let them find their own comfort zone - my ISH prefers a steady canter, where as the cob prefers a big trot. They are also kept reasonably fit over the summer, and begin their seasons by helping with mounted hound excercise, so by Opening meet their legs are hardened up to whatever is thrown at them.

Having said that, if I was taking a youngster or less fit horse I would be more hesitant....

 

[g&tanyone?]

ooooh yes i have always worried about this i have to say if we are going for a long stretch on a road i will always pop them in to a slow collected canter up off there back or find a verge *touching every bit of wood possible inc head* never had a horse lame from hunting... dear lord why did i put that

 

[Daddy_Long_Legs]

We try to keep to the verges as much as possible if there is a good bit of road work, I also prefer to canter them but some horses prefer to trot! I suppose it depends on how much hunting you do with your horses. Also I would imagine if hounds are not hunting we take it easy but if they are we go at a canter!

 

[cheekyvimto]

i think if your horses are fit enough and you have done enough road work getting them fit there legs should be strong enough! i dont worry about cantering on road other than for slipping!

 

[Judgemental]

Interesting and much debated subject, especially with current weather conditions, necessitating considerable road work by way of exercise.

The issue of concussion on horses knees is the factor one should always consider.

Also for younger less experienced members of the forum, when you have been doing considerable road work, whether hunting or exercising, always check your clenches. Almost certainly and without fail you will find they have lifted.

Don't rely on what you can see, run your hand right around the hoof.