Should I...

[UnpaidGroom]

Hi!

I have got a 14.1 Arab X Welsh/TB that I would love to take hunting but I have never been before and neither has he! He's ex-riding school, very much a kick along pony (not quite what I was after but it was love at first sight!). I am finding him really hard work to ride, he naps a lot, he is not forward going at all, unless we are out on a hack, on the way home! Had teeth and back checked and he doesn't seem to have any problems causing pain or anything.

I have always wanted to try hunting but I am a bit scared of not knowing what I'm doing! Also as he is only 14.1 and I am an adult about 5'4"/5'5" I'm worried I will just look ridiculous! I weight about 9 stone - is that too heavy for him? Maybe that's why he doesn't like to move?!

I think he would enjoy hunting and hope it woud get him going a bit after years of going round a sand school - what do you think?

 

[gloster_image]

I'd say go for it, it definately livens them up and if he is bored it will illeviate that. However the important thing is you must get him fit before you go hunting.

 

[UnpaidGroom]

Thank you - yes, I definately have some work to do getting him fit before we give it a go as he has not had much exercise recently. This is mainly due to the fact I have a problem getting him to go forwards but I'm working on it!

Thanks

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I think you should definately give it a go, he'll probably love it and it will help liven him up for his other ridden work as well. I'm sur eyou're not too big for him, it just sounds like his time in the riding school has made him stale. I used to have a cob I bought off a riding school, which he had been in for 7 years! He was very lazy initially, it gradually got better but it wasn't until I started hunting him that he dramatically became more enthusiastic in his other work too. My cob absolutely loved hunting (as do most horses!) So try it, I'm sure you'll bith love it. And plenty of people go on ponies so you won't look silly height-wise.