Taking a competition horse hunting, yes or no?

Pidgeon

Pidgeon

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Friend is going hunting next weekend and has asked if I would like to go along. Now I've never hunted before but Pidge has when he was in Ireland.
So short question, would you take him or not?
If so do I boot him up and what can I expect?
 
Without sounding rude (it's not meant to be!), personally, I wouldn't class Pidge as a "competition" horse....

So therefore its ok :)
 
Ok. So what is your definition of a comp horse then?
Apolgies I assumed Pidge was as we do dressage, show jumping, showing, hunter trials, ode's and have done British Eventing this year.
 
I wasnt meaning to be rude - dont think that at all (pls!)

When you put in the title "competition horse" hugely expensive horses going around Burghley is what sprang to mind for me!
 
Go for it if you are willing to take him, but just be warned about any lumps/bumps/blemishes/marks which could come out of it, which if you show, will dramatically affect him. Occasional fun hunting I'm sure will be fine....but as a true 'hunter', then no, I don't think true competition or top show horses are suited for a permanent place on the field if their competing is the sole aim/income for you etc. If that makes sense?

For boots, it's personal preference, but I leave off for hunting. Too easy to get a thorn stuck underneath, get mud trapped underneath, cause rubs, etc.
 
:D LOL :D But did you not know that Pidge is worth far more than those that go round Burghley, to me that is, as he is priceless as I wouldn't sell him for any amount :D
 
Cheers Binky, don't worry about his legs as he hunted before I had him so has a splint and a smattering of lumps and bumps and scars so we never do very well ridden showing anyway :D
Would prolites be ok to use as they fit well boot wise? and taking him hunting is something I've always wanted to do even if its just once
 
Well when I had Henry, he (attempted) to do everything in your list above. Took him hunting and he was fantastic. Didnt need boots, he went at the front, back, middle, jumped anything you pointed him at and went into a river up to his chest for me (at 16.3 tb thats high!)

He will be fine!

Only problem he kicked anything that rammed up his bottom, and had a paddy when he couldnt go off with the hounds (has been used for whipping in at some point)
 
:D sounds like Pidge then :D Pidge doesn't like horses up his bum if he's cantering or quicker so should I put a red ribbon in his tail? Just worried about no boots though :(
 
I would post this in hunting as you'll probably get more responses re. boots etc. However the general consensus appears to be leave boots off, and if your using them, use prolites


ETS: yes, put a ribbon in his tail, will give you a bit more space on the field, you can put a green one in for newbie, or red for kicker
 
On one hand I agree with wench, I would list "competition horse" as a horse ridden at a high level (eg Int BE or above and the equivalent level for other disciplines). I don't class Hopalong as a competition horse, as wench said, she's an "allrounder" who can dabble her hoof at a low level of most things. It's not an insult at all, just realistic?

If you want to do something, then do it. :) It is something I've always fancied trying but just never got around to being organised to do or dates have clashed with things I'd prefer to do instead. I think you'll both have fun and there's as much risk of something "going wrong" (I'd think) as there is doing any other activity with him- something could happen XC, beach riding, hacking... you just never know with these big daft beasties.
 
my show (shock horror, not even show hunters!) horses both go hunting. great education for them, they look forward to going on the lorry and dont get stale and its fun for me aswell.

no boots either, ditto the water/mud/grit issue
 
If hes hunted in Ireland I def wouldnt worry about boots - I would very much doubt he had any on for hunting over there.
 
Go for it. Godders used to hunt even though he was a little bit too "over enthusiastic" about it :) Lucinda Green told me to take him even though he was wild ;) Madam may do, depends if I can trust her not to buck me off :p

ETA I used prolites infront, nothing behind when I took Godders :)
 
I would definitely take him - go and have fun! Personally I always put boots on for hunting and over-reach boots. I tape them on so no fear of losing one. I've always booted up for hunting and never had any thorns, sores, rubs etc (touches wood now) so I personally dont see a problem with it! Id rather be safe than sorry. But everyone is different.
What I have seen tho is a couple of horses put a back foot through a front tendon out hunting, easily avoided with boots imo! And a horrible injury!

Oh and I class my horse as a competition horse too (does about the same as Pidge) he may not be to some people (most people even) but to me he is my equivalent of a Badminton horse as he gets me home safe everytime and tries his heart out! So yes I do call him my comp horse!! :D
 
def take him :) you'll both love it

FigJam - drop me a pm if you want to go out ;) i'm doing the odd day with the fife (finances mean i can't do more :() but would be more than happy to meet up with you for one - (or i'd be happy tro travel to further away hunts if they looked good ;)) HRH is a seasoned hunter so would be a good 'buddy' horse - although you'd prob have to give us a lead over the fences tehehehe!
 
As regards boots, I must say our pony has hunted mostly without boots, but then I got a bit precious about her and the last couple of times she went wearing boots. However, the last time she did get a mud fever type reaction under her hind boots (but then they were hunting down on the marshes).

I suppose the wetter and muddier the conditions underfoot, the more likely you are to encounter problems with mud/grit etc.
 
I'm taking my dressage horse autumn hunting in a few weeks. He's currently competing Elementary - working Medium/Adv Medium at home.

My theory is you pay alot of money to keep them and invest alot of time in them, therefore you need to enjoy them!
 
Well most of the professional eventers around here (of which we have a fair few) take their youngsters hunting and the older horses usually have a few days of fun too.

Personally, no boots, they cause more harm than they solve and it's too long for them to be worn, the legs would overheat.

Enjoy yourself, you know Pidge will.
 
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.
 
I have just started taking my boy Cubbing. He's been out twice this week as I'm trying to desensitise him to the excitement of going out before we go hunting proper. He's my version of a competition horse and I'm doing it to get him bolder xc as although he jumps BE100 no problem he spends too much time spooking at what's going on around him!

I say go for it, you only live once and if your training is established then it shouldn't be undone by hunting (I say with my fingers crossed!) - I'll let you know tomorrow after we've been to our first BS comp!

Oh, and I boot up, I really can't help myself. My theory being that his boots are getting fairly worn so he's obviously using them and I really don't want him to knock himself, esp just now when he's still over excited about it all.
 
Take him hunting and enjoy it - I bet he will love it. Put a red ribbon on his tail - red electric tape works well - just as a warning to other people that he may kick out if people get too close. Better to be safe than sorry! I never put boots on my horses for all the reasons everyone else has pointed out, but that is entirely up to you. Gentle message - boots do not prevent horses doing a tendon, they only protect from bangs, knocks and damage from hind feet!
Go and enjoy and let us know how you get on.
 
Years ago we used to take the JA ponies out to sweeten them up, never did them any harm, although 2nd/3rd time they were strong.

Piggy French has recently been out with the Readyfield with Chase the Moon, no harm done there.......;)

Go out, it will be fun for both of you, no having to look pretty and stay in an outline, enjoy it... :)
 
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I took out my wispy tb with her spindly legs cubbing last week, she was very very well behaved. I booted her up as i always do, even when we are in the school doing flat work.
I noticed that no-one else had boots on though??? we where the only ones??
 
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