Thinking towards the future - a new hunter

[Christmas Crumpet]

I have got the best, most super cool hunter at the moment who I adore and absolutely love hunting. The only problem… he is 20!! He is an ex eventer who has had quite a hard life but just loves his hunting. To be fair, he wouldn't have another job. He isn't quite sound and has had bit of medical intervention to keep him on the road. Some days he feels absolutely amazing - like yesterday. He was brilliant and jumped his little socks off but the conditions were perfect for him. Pretty much ideal going in the vale - not too soft, not too hard and not too many hills. He isn't brilliant when its too hard which limits our Saturday trips at the moment out as we hunt on flinty ground on Saturdays and it hasn't rained for weeks. He hunts in a snaffle which is such a treat for me because I normally have stupidly strong horses to hunt. He is brilliant with hounds and other horses, doesn't kick or buck. He does rear at times but he is so safe, it isn't an issue. He is my ideal hunter who I absolutely trust 100% which has made me so happy.

However, he isn't going to do another season and this makes me very sad. I have such lovely days on him then feel tearful when I get home because I know this partnership won't go on beyond March. It is hard enough to keep him on the road at the moment and I have had to completely change the way I exercise so he gets enough exercise to keep him fit enough without doing too much. I.e. Very little roadwork, tons of time off after each day and def. no hunting three days a fortnight!! I work full time and have a baby and live in one of the wettest areas in our county. I have to load him up and ride him in the dark to go cantering. Not ideal but we manage!!

How on earth do I find his replacement? Its only since having him that I have realised how much more I enjoy hunting when I know I am on a horse that I love riding something that will jump everything I ask of him and I trust and love. I haven't had one of these kinds of horses for a long time. I know I need another one like him because I've had enough bad horses that have really dented my confidence. Especially ones that buck.
I don't have a massive budget which isn't going to help find my dream horse!! Where do I begin to look? I just get the feeling that the horse I am looking for probably won't be advertised or if it is, I will dismiss it for some random reason.

I know I'm just feeling sad because I had such a wonderful day on him yesterday but all I want is a 10 year old clone of him. So probably entirely pointless post but I feel a bit better having written it down!!!

 

[AmyMay]

Where do I begin to look?

Within your local hunt?

 

[Stormy123456]

Where are you? Which hunt do you hunt with?

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I live/hunt in Dorset.

 

[tootsietoo]

My answer to the same dilemma was a 6 year old ex flat race horse. No doubt everyone in the field thinks I'm completely mad and, yes, he did hit the top of a rail hard a few weeks ago and tip me off, but generally he is doing brilliantly and I really like him. And he was free, so at least I've only wasted time, not money if he isn't right. I've had the sensible seen-it-all hunter, and paid the price for him, and I didn't like him at all. So I understand what you are saying. So hard to tell if you will get on with them on only one or two tries. I guess you need to know what you like in a horse, and then search for that.

 

[spacefaer]

And I showed you your perfect horse several years ago now. ... and you dismissed her for being too quiet! She is as hard as nails, hunts all weather, , all goings,....... I only mention her to emphasise how hard it is to find the perfect hunter. .... it's such a personal thing

I've got one atm which has been tried by a huntsman and by a field master - he hasn't put a foot wrong for either of them, but I shan't take it personally if neither buy him as it's down to the feel that the horse gives you and a mutual desire to hunt in the same way, spending many hours together


Bit like finding the right man lol!

 

[Goldenstar]

You can't find another ,
You will never match that friendship .
But you will make another different friendship.
Tell everyone you know you are looking and see who finds you .
Perhaps another ex eventer or a ex national hunt horse .
Have an open mind be kind to your next one the next horse after the special one often seems hard to love .
Your post made me tearful it bought back sad and happy memories of a special horse.

 

[chesnutty]

This is one of the saddest, but nicest posts I've seen in a long time!

Nothing helpful to add, but good luck in your search and I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[Bernster]

Bit like finding the right man lol!

Haha I liked this bit ^^

Def like dating, need the right chemistry so you might have to try a few before you find the right one. If I was looking for an out and out hunter, I'd want to get one through personal recomm or word of mouth from the hunt, and take it out hunting on a trial if allowed. I got a few recomms for dealers on my earlier post in here about where people got their hunters from. Reckon HHO is also a pretty good spot to do a bit of searching and sounds like you know SF already

In terms of replacing a special horse, I don't have as much experience but I can def see the sense in accepting that you won't be the same, maybe it's best not to expect or search for that (particularly not one that looks the same) but instead list your must haves, nice to haves and go from there, and keep your eye out for ones you like the look of as you're hurtling along in the field. My friend got a couple of offers for her boy whilst she was out!

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Totally like finding the right man Spacefaer!! And yes you are right Flossie was ideal but I couldn't see it that day.

Basically if any of you know of or hear of any nice safe and sensible ladies hunters for a small jockey (size doesn't bother me but I don't want another really strong one!!) which don't cost the earth - doesn't matter if they are a bit older, TB types absolutely fine etc etc then let me know!! xx

 

[AmyMay]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...wilmslow/super-hunter-all-rounder-411463.html

 

[JenHunt]

oh my word... this sounds so familiar it's had me in tears!!

I'm in almost the same position. Ron is 20 in the new year, and the only thing he truly loves is jumping hedges out hunting. He's wonderful, and he's a total joy to hunt. He is sound, and I'll keep him going for as long as he is, but I'm aware his age, his 'common' way of going (he stamps about!) and the fact he's probably got 16 years hunting under his belt already are going to catch up with him sooner or later....

I'm going to go down the route of looking at 3 or 4yo's from ID stock as that's the type I like, and see what turns up.

I'll never in a million years be able to replace him, i know that, but I'll find another who will (hopefully) be just as wonderful.

Ask around your local hunt(s), speak to people... I was once told, and never found otherwise, that the horse of your dreams will be on your doorstep!

 

[Girlracer]

What a lovely thread. I've never been a hardcore, twice a week hunter (mostly due to lack of transport so only doing hackable meets) but having hunted a few horses over the years I can truely say I've never enjoyed it more than on my current horse. He is an ex flat horse, he is snaffle mouthed, and an absolute pleasure stands like a rock doesn't kick, isn't strong. Has the odd 'moment' but nothing of note really.

I think it would be hard to find another I enjoy as much as him, particularly as 4th gear is really quite epic on him when the field gets going! Thankfully he is still only eight so I hope not to be in your position but I really empathise. If I hear of anything I will keep you in mind.