Should you hunt a 3 year old?

[Noodlejaffa]

As the title suggests. Friend offered me a horse for sale - three year old - ideal for hunting this season, she said.

We've never hunted any of ours that young. Is this wise/the norm?

(not buying the horse, by the way)

 

[Faithkat]

I hope not, I wouldn't even be riding a 3 year old, let alone hunting it.

 

[RedVendetta]

I hope not, I wouldn't even be riding a 3 year old, let alone hunting it.

I agree

 

[Nats_uk]

Completely agree with the other posters - personally I would never be riding a 3 year old so it would be hunting fit

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Thank you for confirming my thoughts! And I am now concerned about my friend and her ideas!

I have a three year old at home already who, after light backing this summer, has been turned away to mature. I thought this was more what three year olds should be doing...

 

[BigRed]

There are 3 year olds and 3 year olds who are nearly 4, also do you mean a full days hard hunting, or a morning cubbing ?

A well fed, well grown, big strong 3 year old is not going to be ruined or end up broken down if he is taken for a mornings cubbing as part of his education.

I'll bet most of the 4 year olds coming out of Ireland have hunted as 3 year olds.

 

[Rowreach]

I'll bet most of the 4 year olds coming out of Ireland have hunted as 3 year olds.

I am considered quite odd not to be hunting my 3yo this season, or to be having a foal out of her, or to be loose jumping her competitively. :crazy: It's normal in Ireland for them to be doing a lot at 3, but personally I think they should be growing happily in a field.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

My 3 year old was out "cubbing" and did some quiet full hunting but for no more than 1 1/2 hours. This was RECOMMENDED by the very experienced horse vet who vetted him- he said it was the best way to begin a horse's education AS LONG AS THEY ARE PHYSICALLY MATURE ENOUGH and guess what- I have a 4 year old who will stand like a rock at shows no matter what goes on around him and he is a lovely forward going bold showjumper/ xc horse. He has not been hammered up and down roads or allowed to jump anything bigger than 2' out hunting.
The trick is to do it for education and not to thrash them for hours.There were others out with 3 year olds too

 

[billyslad]

It is very educational for a 3yo to hunt providing it is not all day and it is strong enough, it is quite unusual to find an Irish Sports horse in Ireland as a 4 year old that has not hunted and they seem to make pretty good eventers !

Dont forget TB's are raced as 2 year olds, albeit with lightweight jockeys.

I intend hunting some of my 3 year olds over the next few weeks for a couple of hours a few times rather than wrap them in cotton wool

 

[Baggybreeches]

I was thinking the same thing. A lot of people (myself included) hunt their horses carefully and as such that wouldnt be a problem to a mature enough 3 year old. I would much rather they did 1/2 a day hunting than 3 days a week on the lunge (for the sake of their legs)!

 

[Maesfen]

Well my vet has gently broken Joey over the summer and is taking him cubbing tomorrow for the second time; he'll be out about two hours and come home. He plans to do that another couple of times and then it's shoes off and relaxing until March to begin his four year old career.

As others have said, I've known some Irish horses come over here at four and they already have two seasons hunting under their belt; they seem to thrive on it - and I can't remember one that 'went wrong' in later years because of that either.

 

[Nats_uk]

I guess it depends on what school of thought you come from in terms of young horses.

I see what you mean about 1/2 day hunting compared to lunging and probably most of the horses in Ireland have been hunted quite young. I just personally would only be breaking and turning away at 3 so would not be fit/mature enough (in my hands anyway ) to go hunting.

 

[Girlracer]

A 3 year old should be being introduced to tack and maybe when approaching 4 weight on the back not going out hunting!!!

 

[Kate260881]

If you are intending to have a sports horse you need to be out doing things when they are 3 otherwise there simple aren't enough hours in the day for their education for things like the 4 year old classes that are run. As long as people are responsible and doing only what the horse is capable of I see no problem in this. Fantastic education for them as well as fantastic fun.

 

[Gamebird]

I would generally break them in in their 3yo summer, a couple of quiet mornings cubbing and possibly a couple of hours hunting from one of the 'quieter' meets early on then shoes off and out. Bring back in after Xmas to start going to some tiny dressage/jumping shows (and I mean 2 or 3 ) and maybe another couple of half days hunting in March/April of their 4yo year. If they are destined to be competition horses that should leave them educated without being hammered, ready for 4yo classes in the summer.