Taking a competition horse hunting, yes or no?

My show cob hunted on the Monday, was placed at HOYS on the Wednesday and hunted again on the Saturday- unless you lot think that he doesnt count as a competition horse :p

I would put a green ribbon on Pidge and go and have fun :cool:
 
I don't see why a competition horse cannot be a allrounder too, and vice versa.

I hunt my BE Novice Mare, she is a bit loopy, and makes her strong as anything at home, but why have a horse, pay for it, and not use it for what you want? I plan to take my youngster a couple of times this season, it's all good experience.

I always wear boots on Ballet, she strikes into herself and stands on her own feet.

Oh and green ribbon first, and ask for some space if you have to. If he does go to kick, red ribbon. Don't make him a "kicker", before he is.
P.S. And have fun!! :)
 
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I class both of ours as competition horses!

Go for it. you will both love it and Pidge will look after you.

I never use boots for hunting, more trouble than they are worth.

And don't red ribbon either.
 
After the first couple of meets my mare was a bit strong at home, but has settled to it well now - I can hunt on the Tuesday, have a lesson the Thursday and go on a canter hack on the Friday and shes no stronger or naughtier than any other time.

I never use boots - we have lots of sand or clay around here than gets up underneath.
 
QR when I went out with the Readyfield a few weeks ago Piggy French was out on one of her horses, the photo in H&H said it was Chase the Moon, think he was third at Blenheim a week later.....;)
 
I never, ever use boots out hunting, especially in the muddy winter conditions, to me they are a complete no-no. I take every horse out hunting that I can, if they love it, and you love it, it does absolutely no harm. Quite frankly, so long as your horse is fit and you are careful where you go, it is as likely that they will do a tendon in the field than they will out hunting. Also I would love to be shown a boot that stops horses *doing a tendon* - unless it is caused by a heavy knock and then ensuing problems, the tendon will go whether booted up or not! Think race horses ;)

Pidge is an allrounder, this is true, but he is also YOUR competition horse :)
 
Weezy said:
Also I would love to be shown a boot that stops horses *doing a tendon* - unless it is caused by a heavy knock and then ensuing problems, the tendon will go whether booted up or not! Think race horses ;)
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Very much in agreement with Weezy over this. I've taken every 'competition' horse of mine hunting, including my just turned 5 year old, who has been out twice this fortnight.

JamillaParr- sorry, can't figure the multple quotes lark. I think it highly unfair, and certainly not true that hunting destroys schooling. If it did, why does Lucinda Green hunt? Why does WFP hunt? Or Piggy French? Or most other 'top' eventers? It's certainly never ruined any of mine....they get XC experience, and the fifth leg ability from the hunting field to me. Quickness of mind and agility comes best from hunting IMHO.

And DEFINITELY no boots- believe me, I boot/bandage as much if not more than the next person for schooling and hacking, but never ever for hunting.
 
do it do it! I'm telling you now you'll be on a complete buzz for the rest of the day.

im taking my 5yo out for her first time cubbing tomorrow and she is what i woud class as my competition horse who im very precious about but i know it will be great for her and that she'll love it.

im going green ribboned and will be wearing boots - were not going to be out all day and judging by the worn patches on my brushing boots she needs them!
 
i use boots all round and OR boots. have seen some horrid wire injuries from horses midjudging fences that would have been avoided had they been wearing boots. (our fences are all timber over wire, but if they get it wrong and scrape up the fence then there is wire on them). i've never had any probs with grit or rubs etc and that's with a chestnut with v sensitive skin and 3 white stockings. my dressage trainer had a few heart attacks when i first started draghunting my boy, until he realised it was doing his dressage no harm at all and actually making him more forwards and fitter. He did the BD Regionals one day and went draghunting the next!
 
Don't see why not..! My mare loves it and by the end of a summers showjumping she is getting a bit bored, think it does them good to have a change!:)
 
Personally... don't boot apart from OR boots, they will just rub and cause more problems than they solve. If you think he is going to kick then red ribbon, otherwise put a green one it. Introduce yourself to the Sec. Make sure you have brakes and control - don't overtake the Master!

Enjoy it, Pidge will be fabulous :)

Who are you going with?
 
Go you'll love it! Are you going with the Albrighton? I know the secretary - Julian - very friendly. I think he is on my facebook page if you want to contact him. I used to take Holly all the time - she loved it. Be prepared with warm clothes and stop start galloping to then standing around then off again quickly. I'll warn you - fast work with lots of trotting fast on roads / verges when you can. Never did that much jumping with Albrighton except later in the day when your way out in the country and no other way to get to the next field (lol).

Brakes are needed. Don't overtake master etc etc. Follow all hunting etiquite (sp)

I was so knackered my first time but I was doing gates (closing them for the day) on Holly who I'd only had for 2 month and I was 12!! I never got on and off so much in my life. I enjoyed the second time tho! Had funniest times hunting including dragging my mate out of a river and wading in a bog.

Anyway - go - you'll love it.

Boot q - Took Holly the last few times in boots but they were close fitting and plain colour. I would wear them but never had any probs with boots rubbing.
 
Just read OP again - you'll only be cub hunting. V early get up but its lovely! My fave! Quite chilled and lovely as the sun comes up around you. Pidge will look after you and a nice intro to proper hunting. Not so fast and you don't go so far either
 
JamilaParr said:
hey, (haven't been hunting so this might be slightly biased, i have the idea that it's a load of people galloping around jumping fences 1ft behind the other?!)

i probably wouldn't take an affiliated (any discipline) horse hunting (if you're serious about the sport) as i can imagine it'd just go against all the schooling done at home. Something competing unaff you might as well take but not about leaving all boots off? surely whether your horse is worth loads of £££ or worth lots to you as most people's are you don't want him sustaining an injury- it only takes a minute to put on boots/bandages! a small rub is better than doing a tendon.
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What nonsense, the Grade A's are out as often as it can be managed over winter and even my PSG poof loved it - all unbooted!
I take it you don't turn yours out then........ Had worse field injuries than anything competing or hunting!
 
Robert Smith takes his International Grade A Stallion hunting. Not quite in the same league but my sister used to take her Intermediate/Grade A hunting as well.

The only things that would stop me from hunting a horse is if they pull. I like to be able to walk the next day. Or if you think they are going to be a total Pain in the butt and be complete idiots - thats no fun to sit on either.
 
dieseldog said:
The only things that would stop me from hunting a horse is if they pull. I like to be able to walk the next day. Or if you think they are going to be a total Pain in the butt and be complete idiots - thats no fun to sit on either.
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the exact reason i'm still umming and ahhing about whether to take my 5 year old. i think he's be fine in the pulling dept but i think in the bucking/rearing/spinning dept i might be a gonner :rolleyes:

FWIW i think you should take him. he's done it before so will know what to do and will look after you :) oh and i would class him as a comp horse as well. i have 2 horses- one is sort of retired from competing but happy hacks, does the odd bit of jumping- i class him as a happy hacker. my 5 year old is classed as a comp horse...and he's only competed at BE intro...:rolleyes:
 
Thanks for all the replies, still umming and ahhing about boots or no boots, but..................... I've sent an email off expressing my interest in going along :eek: competition horse or not :rolleyes::p:D
 
my trainer (experianced 4* rider) knows i love my hunting, and knows my horse is the business out hunting, but he has told me not to go bonkers with him this season, to only do quiet days and not go loads as i will undo all this years hard work, (me as well as the horse) and now i am totally addicted to eventing again & only occasionally hanker after point to pointing (not strictly true as i'd but another tomorrow but my husband would kill me) I KNOW HE IS RIGHT, but i'll still be there hooraying it over hedges and totally buggering up my ability to sit & wait for the fence! (either that or i could try to SJ a hedge)

go, enjoy yourself, it's great for teaching horses to jump awkward fences out of dreadful ground, and for that alone is worth masses, but take him home before he & you get tired, you (& I & everyone else who does it) will kick yourself if you do something to your competition horse for the sake of looking good over a big hedge

(with all this in mind i have obviously told my husband that if i am to become a successful event rider, my trainer says i need a new hunter!!!!)
 
Thanks but don't think we'd ever look good over a big hedge so no chance of that :D It's cubbing so shorter and I know I'll get pooped before Pidge does.
LOL what did hubby say to the request for a new hunter?
 
racingdemon said:
but i'll still be there hooraying it over hedges and totally buggering up my ability to sit & wait for the fence! (either that or i could try to SJ a hedge)
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Yeah I did that to wall last season, first time ever, why the ******* did my showjumping genes kick in at the particular moment?? I am a bit to yeehaa for my strictly SJ family, but every now and again I can sit and wait (usually when I should be kicking!)
 
being non horsey, i have appealed to his speculative side, and cleverly explained that if i buy a green one, hunt it over the winter & sell it in the spring, i will obviously make loads of money, and that really he should think of it as a business transaction, unfortunatly that didn't work, so i'm now working on the poor little me having no fun hunting approach, which unfortunatly suits him as he can go shooting, leaving me with the kids!

need a new approach!
 
Hmmm racingdemon, I have a feeling we are 'cut from the same cloth' I now turn every horsey aquisition in a a full on business proposal (stopping just short of a powerpoint presentation!) and this has increased my success rate by infinite proportions! My acquisitions are usually labour saving devices, I definitely do not want/need more horses!
 
Go and have fun!

Boots are probably more bother than use, and as the best event riders in the world take some of their horses hunting, as well as some trainers sweetening up soured racehorses, I don't see why you shouldn't! :D:D

*ETA, not that I think your boy is soured! :eek::D*
 
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