Strong on the hunting field ( general moan)

[Silent Knight]

I took my new horse out on a hunt today for the first time. He was quite wired and progressivley got stronger on each leg. I had him in a pelham with double reins. I thought i'd use the curb 'if I needed it.

He was clearly hyped up and so half way through I took the advice of one of the regulars not to hold him back to much, and well, that was a big mistake. He wanted to tank off evey time. It got to the stage of two hands on one rein to try to turn him. Not fun. I decided to retire before i had, or caused an accident.

Feeling very deflated. I bought the horse to hunt with. so don't know whether to try a different bit of give up

 

[meesha]

Dont give up, I had the same issue - first of all - tuck in behind the other horses and stay behind in a line - it only took my chap one day to learn that he HAD to stay behind the other horses in a line (circle if need be to stay behind). Second - change bits if need be - I use a cheltenham gag - on the gag rein he is stoppable - still very strong but stoppable - tried him with a snaffle rein as well as gag rein and jumped a hedge whilst everyone else used the open gate (tried to use hedge to stop and couldnt so jumped it -retired and went home) - moral of story dont use 2 reins on the gag or if you do make sure you only have contact on one. I also use a grackle with the cheltenham gag - works really well - brakes and steering.

You could also try hacking to meet to take the edge off.

Ask the hunt secretary and if you are worried they may be able to pair you up with a very sensibe experienced hunter you can stay behind.

I am jealous - havent been out for a month due to illness, other comittments and wont be out now till Feb as on holiday in Jan skiing and have promised not to hunt between now and then "just in case" haha

Good luck - think most people who hunt have been through it !!

 

[immoralorchid]

I can only take my big grey in a double and even then she is incredibly strong but controllable I would keep trying xxxx

 

[pansy]

My daughter has started to hunt & was out on Boxing Day & she pulled her horse before the end of the hunt as she had ~no brakes~ - he had been out quite a few times, he started off cubbing around August & had been fine - this time of year there are more horses out -the hounds & horses are very fit - we are going for stronger bit next time (a Dutch Gag) as he was out in a snaffle which so far had been ok - if it is his 1st time you could always ask the Secretary when there is a quieter meet & build him up that way - they can normally also recommend someone experienced that will keep an eye on you & your horse - so that he can become accustomed to the hunt - Don't be deflated you will get there - it is just very exciting for them

 

[JenHunt]

don't fret! we all go through a stage like this at some point!

try a true double bridle, or a cheltenham gag, or a tom thumb bit
try tucking in behind other people to stop him tearing off.
if you don't do too much jumping, then a standing martingale may help you too.

get used to pushing him on when you can (as long as you don't over take the field master or the hounds it's fine!), then he'll come to understand that you pull him up/steady him up for good reason, not just because you're "being mean"

 

[kirstyhen]

First time I took mine, I took her on a Nelson Gag with two reins and had a horrendous morning, she was so strong and I honestly didn't particularly want to go again!

However she has been out several times since and although strong she isn't out of control. I still take her in the Nelson Gag, but with just the gag rein. She is a super hunter now, glad I decided to give her another shot. Although if we aren't near the front she gets much stronger and starts to be stupid when the field start moving off, so for a far more enjoyable experience, we stay up at the front!

 

[Foxhunter49]

If you want strong come hunt my cob!

I have ridden many racehorses that 'tanked' but nothing that can pull like this cob.
I have tried many different bits and finally ride him in a gag. Two reins. He still pulls but I do have a semblance of brakes.

 

[CrazyMare]

Mine used to be really strong too - I have her in a NS pelham, now she is a perfect lady, but I keep the pelham in!!

I take the approach of letting her get on with it, but if shes being rude, and not listening to a check, she gets one BIG reminder down one rein, and thats usually enough to restore the manners these days!

 

[Kick On]

Has gg hunted before? If yes find out how previous owned hunted and in what tack and if strong how did they hunt?. If not, i would have has much brakes in as poss and get nannyed or sit out on point. Then wait until autumn hunting to work out the best way to hunt your gg. I have a horse which i can't hunt after 1.30 as his brain blows, so we enjoy upto the point the brain cell goes.
I would say not every gg can cope with hunting, but if like gg take your time and i'm sure you'll sort out

 

[Silent Knight]

Thanks for the support guys,

Still a bit shook up by the experiance tbh. He had hunted twice before but by men. Had a dutch gag apparently. I'm thinking that I may not be strong enough to hold him back.

I need to get my guts together again. It shook my confidence a bit.

 

[I*HM]

Perhaps the horse just needs to get a few more hunt up his sleeve? If he's only hunted twice, he may just need some more time on the hunting field so that it becomes less of a major excitement and more of a regular happening.

I would try a stronger bit on a quiet day and preferably going out with at least one horse you know you can stick in behind.

My little lad is so strong to hunt, he's fantastic, but god love him, all the hunting he'd done before I bought him was as a whip's mount and with a keen teenage lad - his mind was blown. The first hunt we did, he was right as rain, the second was a large meet (think 90 horses) and his brain fried, he got too wound up and me keeping him at the back didn't help! He settled when he got to the front as he stopped rushing and racing.

Also, depending on what bit you choose, do really consider the noseband, a kineton might help perhaps?

 

[chestnut cob]

Keep at it! Mine is can be pretty strong out hunting, though the more often I take him, the better he gets. I find hacking there, if possible, settles him down and takes the edge off. If I stress too much about holding on, he is worse. If I can get him jumping and have a good gallop early on, he settles quite quickly.

Would also play around with your bit but it does sound like maybe he just needs to do a bit more so he isn't so excited.

Our Secretary keeps saying to me that a horse is only strong when you're pulling against him, so stop pulling!

 

[maggiesmum]

How about a myler combo? Sometimes moving the emphasis away from the mouth and spreading the pressure helps.
Also might be worth having a friendly word with the field master and trying him up at the front, if theres nothing much in front then theres not so much to chase.

 

[becca1305]

Im currently having the same issue - both hands on one rein to turn/stop. So far I have gone through with no success - an American gag with lozenge, a cheltenham gag and some kind of pelham my friends YO shoved in at 2nd horses in desperation. Still no brakes. Im hoping she will settle as she has only been out 3 times - twice with the bloodhounds and once with the foxhounds and has actually got progressively worse she also gets progressively worse on each hunt - starting off calm at unloading and hacking to meet a little fidgety at meet but easily controllable until the first blinking gallop. I think cubbing would have really helped her but unfortunately we missed it as she had a minor skin infection right where her saddle went *typical!*.

She doesn't do anything except pull and yank at her head but is SO strong! Ive got a waterford dutch gag on order to try on the advice of my instructor, and as soon as Ive got something I know I can always physically stop in without cutting her mouth on then (again on the recommendation of my instructor) she will go out at least twice a week until she settles. Thats the plan anyway! . If I can't find something to stop her in then will put plans on hold and retry at autumn hunting next season .

It is very depressing I know particularly when said horse is a cracking xc horse usually - eventing and pairs/team chase, its just hunting that has so far seemed to blow her brains and knock common sense out the window . Hope yours settles soon

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks for the support guys,

Still a bit shook up by the experiance tbh. He had hunted twice before but by men. Had a dutch gag apparently. I'm thinking that I may not be strong enough to hold him back.

I need to get my guts together again. It shook my confidence a bit.

Get someone knowledgeable to hunt him for you for a month. It sounds as if he just needs to settle to the job.

 

[VoR]

I have two horses, hunt both. One is strong first time out for a while then after a gallop settles (last time he came back in to work after a lay off at the start of the day he decided to tank off up a road at the gallop , then 20 minutes later I was cantering across field with hardly any contact at all!!!!), the other takes a number of days to settle and whilst doing this if you ask for a gallop he doesn't want to stop.......then of course he has a lay off and so we have to start again On Saturday I was out of control quite a few times particularly when he started to tire!!!
With both I've learned the worst thing to do is to try to fight them, just winds them up and I have to trust them to stop when everyone else does but that takes some doing when they are ' not in complete control' and lining up a hedge that is taller than me and wider than I am high!!!!
Guess what I'm saying is they are all different and it may be that this horse of yours needs a bit more time and a few more 'outings'!!??

 

[Miss L Toe]

Learn how to bridge your reins, so you don't have direct pull on your arms.

 

[VoR]

Learn how to bridge your reins, so you don't have direct pull on your arms.

Good point, does help with one of mine.

 

[amage]

Definitely learn to bridge your reins....and perhaps try a dexter ring bit! not half as severe as they look but also prevent the horse from grabbing a hold of the bit and running through it!

 

[rosie-ellie]

I feel your frustration, that was my experience this weekend.

Shes okish on the move (strong though), even though she wants to be up front but i do tuck up behind another horse it possible. I find it hard when we're waiting around though she does want to be on the move constantly.

e.g. We were at yard entrance, standing lovely waiting for my mate, she was being calm and civilized then who should come past - the HOUNDS OMG that was it spinning on a sixpence, pulling after them. She turned into the devil.

BUT give it time dont be dis-heartened

 

[Flash12]

Had the same issue with my TB when I first started hunting...runaway freight train....spent lots of time working on the whole " whoa" thing every time we went anywhere....6 years later...I hunt him in a gag....but for the most part I dont use much force....he goes when I ask...slows down when I ask....( occasionally has a TB moment...and I have to remind...

 

[spotty_pony]

I agree with the replies about trying a double bridle. I know a few horses who can only hunt in a double as nothing else is strong enough!