Should I hunt my eventer? And a whole load of questions!

[rotters13]

I have a TB 5 year old eventer 15.3hh mare. We have the whole dressage/showjump thing sussed but the xc is proving to be more difficult.

The problem is that she doesn't have the confidence over more solid fences (especially the dreaded ditch) or the confidence to move forward when I ask her too. (She believes that a showjumping canter is all she'll ever need in life!) Do you think that hunting will help her open up and gain confidence? I've heard it sometimes works wonders! Hopefully, she may even find it "fun"!!

Also, if theoretically I do take her hunting, she's currently in a rubber snaffle, do I up the brakes just in case or do I stick to what I have at the moment anyway? Do I use a green ribbon or a red ribbon as she kicks when in season and has never been in a hunting situation? Help!

Many thanks in advance!

 

[winterhorse]

I say go for it. :grin:
Speak to the secretary of the hunt to find a suitable meet for first timers. You may want a meet with optional jumping, rather than going to a meet and getting stuck as your horse won;t jump.
Keep your bit the same for now, she may react differently just because you have a different bit than what she is used to.
Put a red ribbon in if there is a chance she will kick and try to stay at the back.

 

[Fergs152]

I'd echo above. Speak to someone who hunts regularly to find a good meet for youngsters, make sure you go with someone who hunts regularly with a horse that hunts well so you can get leads if necessary and your mare has a 'friend' to be with.

If your friend hunts regularly they may be able to take you off on point, so you are not in the thick of it to start off with. Make sure you don't crowd your mare at the meet too, maybe aim to arrive a little later so you aren't standing around for too long.

I'd leave your bit the same, and put green and red ribbon in tail!!

Hope it all goes well!!

 

[JenHunt]

hunting will do her and you the world of good -
it will help her lean to go forward (she'll hate being left behind whilst doing her pretty little SJ canter!)
it will help her confidence over solid fences, and learn to sort her own legs over jumps and rough ground.
it will help you as a partnership as you have to learn to trust each other to get it right.
it will be brilliant fun!

don't up the brakes the first time out, if you need to the second time that's different - but be warned, my lad can tell the difference between his hunting bridle and his hacking bridle!

stick a green ribbon in the first time, and then a red ribbon in if she is in season.

talk to the local hunt sec for ideas of good meets to try first time - they're always helpful!

but go out, have fun, enjoy it and you'll be fine.