So what if my horse isnt built like a whippet!!

I would like to see a qualifing (sp) card that is handed to the judge,that has been signed by the Hunt Master to prove horse or pony has actually been hunting!
The amount of horses that go into a working hunter class that have not even seen hounds is beyond belief, That would sort out the horses from the wannabes IMO :-)
 
JenTaz said:
I hate people who look down their noses at heavier horses if they have a more sporty type, i get it alot, i have a lovely irish draught, who i bought to common ride, but have now started doing dressage and jumping, you should see the looks i get its so funny as if to say yeh right like your going to get anywhere but its all about having fun and he's perfect for me. I prefer a bit of a chunkier horse
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Yup - my Daughter has a heavy weight cob who is the most fun you can have on 4 legs. She has done V well in novice working hunter and show cob at RC this year - most of the judges have commented on what a lovely solid old fashined type she is, and have commmented on her 'ahem' exhuberance - well you shouldnt have to kick on a hunter!!!

Last show of the season she decided to go in for a SJ class, got a few 'looks' from some of the regular SJ crowd, to be fair it may have been her trad showing gear and lack of bling rather than the shock of a HW cob doing SJ. Out of a field of over 25 she was one of only two to get double clear - horrah for the chunky monkeys I say

PS - By chunky I mean larger boned equines not fatties

PPS - I like TB's and warmblood too.
 
The best hunter I ever had was, I have recently found out, by a kWPN (albeit one with a lot of TB blood in it). He was just over 15 hands and had only 7.5 inches of bone. He would hunt all day up the front and still jog back to the lorry, never had a day lame and never wore boots for hunting.

I also had a 3/4 ID who was a fab horse, but I was too chicken to hunt him properly 'cause he was so bloomin strong!
 
You do get some stupid comments, you honestly wonder what some people are about at times. I've had comments that my 17.1 middleweight bay classic hunter type is terribly large - in hunter and working hunter classes. He's just about the same size and type as every HOYS Workers winner...

As for TBs hunting, I'm often perplexed why people hunt TBs in the boggy, rocky country that tends to prevail nearest me. Not all of them need PTP quals. They seem to suffer constant injuries because of it and don't stand up to it that well. I sold a proper hunter type recently to a gentleman who had hunted TBs all his life and it has given him entirely a new lease of life - the gentleman, that is!
 
I'll throw in my two cents for what it's worth...
I wouldn't say that a TB cannot hunt, but I think everything depends on so much. If it were a case of lots of walls, drains, dykes etc I'd be happier on something with a bit more bone (Irish draught type or similar). However, I think everything depends on the individual horse (can't always stereotype :) ) and also the circumstances. Like, for example, I'd be happier going out on a sensible level headed lighter type, than a wired heavy type if I knew it was going to be a hectic day.

My lad is small and chunky (connie cross m/w cob type). I'd like to think of him as an ideal small hunter, at just over 15hh he is still very capable of keeping up with the field and jumping what's in his path. He's done many a full days hunting (inc. whip's mount). However, this doesn't necessarily translate in the show ring. Now as bias as I may be, I know my lad isn't drop dead handsome or a exceptionally flashy. I'd think that these (and perhaps other things also.. who knows?) would contribute to our placings (rarely top of the line up), as we are more than often placed below the more lighter, eye catching types.

When it comes to showing, everything is very much a case of what's what on the day, who's judging, thier frame of mind and so many other variables. It's no something to always take to heart, and what happends on a day, is just what happens on the day, the important thing is that your horse is healthy, happy and up to the job you want it to do at a level/standard you're happy with. Others opinions are more than not irrelevant once your horse ticks the box for you.

My laddie (excuse feathers and unruly tail :o)
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pinball said:
have had the same comments,that my boy's fat,does he look fat cc please if he does

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Is he stood on a slope?as he looks very bum high which in turn makes him look a little large behind,he looks well covered over his barrel which I would be happy with going into winter...the overall angle of the picture dosnt do him any favours tbh x have you a different recent pic? x
 
I have a part bred shire, I love him, he has a fair bit of bone, lovely big feet, a big strong head, and is just generally a big sexy hunk of chunk.

I think he would be fab in a hunter class, but unfortunately he has a muscle tension problem in one of his back legs (in walk only) which causes him to occasionally lift his one leg up and out slightly. So his showing career is a no go.

Here he is.

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It is my tiny friend riding not me, she was terrified bless.
 
SophieLouBee said:
I have a part bred shire, I love him, he has a fair bit of bone, lovely big feet, a big strong head, and is just generally a big sexy hunk of chunk.

I think he would be fab in a hunter class, but unfortunately he has a muscle tension problem in one of his back legs (in walk only) which causes him to occasionally lift his one leg up and out slightly. So his showing career is a no go.

Here he is.

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It is my tiny friend riding not me, she was terrified bless.
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Thats alot of horse for the tiny lass,lol :) x
 
Hadfos- isn't he just! Luckily she is a very good rider and he is fairly well behaved most of the time. He's such a character too, you can't help but love him!
 
hi hadfos
the pic was taken 4 weeks ago.yes he is on a slope so not bum high,what annoys me is they see his full brother who's 14.2hh and built like a tb but he is so like his sire he's 15.3hh with 9inch of bone and they say he is fat,because people now his brother,just don;t unerstand why people think he should be the same weight

rache
 
OP I'm afraid your horse does look quite overweight. Why not condition score her, there are plenty of guides on the internet. It looks like she would shift it with grass restriction and a bit more exercise.
 
Seems my post has been taken over by those who think I was taking a shot at thoroughbreds!!!! Yes well wind your necks all the way back in I have a thoroughbred too who years ago before a neck injury I used to show!! Back in them days when hunter classes where full of what I class as hunters she looked ridiculous in the line up and was always placed middle of scale behind the heavier ones! Stick her in a riding horse class however and she won 2 local agricultaral shows and was champion at the county! Not just me that thought my thorougbred was not suited to a hunter ring the judges clearly thought so too. I'll stick to my big boned ID thanks
 
Oh and suppose I best get up and go get her bathed and plaited ready for the show that was originally on about before my post became a hand bags at down situation over chunkies and skinnies lol!! Thanks to those who wished me luck and can sympathise with our hacky looks to those who just simply wanted a rant about their thoroughbred go get your rugs and divers washed ready for winter I've done mine for my thoroughbred already ha ha ha (lighten the hell up)!! Let you know how get on chunkie fans!!!
 
I don't think it's a 'handbags at dawn' situation at all! I was just asking for clarification, that's all. I agree a WH should have substance.

FWIW, I have a chunky, who does affiliated SJ despite the comments ('ooh, he wasn't built to jump') is amazing XC, has driven and hunts. Show him a solid fence and you can just close your eyes and let him do the work, he's amazingly bold and honest to anything. He will be doing dressage this winter too. I also have a young TB. It just saddens me when people can't see that their horse is fat , because they assume horses with bone should look 'big' :( (NOT aimed at anyone on here, btw)

J&C
 
I can't understand what TBs are doing in hunting??! Do you see Draugh running for prices? No, because they to heavy and cant run fast anough. They're not addapt for the easy thing on flat ground. TBs are the same... They're like flies: coming in everything and want to change the rools for them...:mad::mad:

In Ireland, no TBs will take the king place of I the Irish Draugh in Hunting! No way, no how! You need strong legs, strong bones for this sport!
 
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