To hunt/cub or not to?

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appaloosacaz

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I think I already know what the majority of people are going to say already....

But basically I have never been hunting before, and I have a horse which I completely lose control of when I've been galloping with other horses... he's not very confident with his jumping etc.... but apparently he has done 2 seasons hunting in Ireland as a 5yo..... judging on his confidence jumping show jumps normally, and the amount of effort I've taken to actually get him jumping them nice and confident... I'm not convinced he ever has.... We also have major issues with xc (he's not very confident, goes very fast, knocks my confidence, either gallops over jumps and flings himself at them, or does dirty stops, due to the pace he's at.... etc) I'm also rather small on him, this is also an issue, as he's very strong xc.

Now I really want to take him out hunting in the hope, firstly that he'll get his confidence him jumping in general, secondly so I can get his xc on the move....

I know this sounds silly but is there such thing as other people taking your horse hunting for you?? I don't think he'll be as silly as what I've heard from people already hunting's horses.

.... I do realise what sort of responses some people are going to give to this post :P....
 
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I think you would be better getting a professional to hunt him a few times first tbh.

If he is naughty then you know not to try, and if he is good then you will have confidence in him.

I totally agree with thinking that taking him hunting will help his xcountry, but this only applies if he is gaining confidence from his rider.

You may well have been ok if you had got him out cubbing at the beginning of the season, but now that hunting is in full swing, it is not really the time to test the water iykwim.
 
I think you need to think about what do you think your horse will gain from going hunting - if you do not have control in group situations they ino it would be darn right dangerous to take horse hunting yourself. Yes it is possible to get someone experienced to take your horse out but what would YOU gain from that. If I was you I would get a bloody good instructor and take some private lessons and look at hiring out local xc course for schooling sessions - keep the jumps as small as needed to get his confidence up - best of luck:)
 
You need to find out who the secretary of your local hunt is and see if they know anyone who offers this service - we have a lad who p2p's and you can 'hire' him to take out a youngster/green horse.

Hunting can provide a very good education for young horses - whether you agree with hunting or not. It helps young horses learn manners, find a 5th leg and gets them used to being in a group of other horses.

However I also have to echo what LJR has said - hunting is in full swing now and you would be better waiting until autumn hunting next season, which would give a quieter introduction.

Good luck and hope you get something worked out.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice!

showpony said:
I think you need to think about what do you think your horse will gain from going hunting - if you do not have control in group situations they ino it would be darn right dangerous to take horse hunting yourself. Yes it is possible to get someone experienced to take your horse out but what would YOU gain from that. If I was you I would get a bloody good instructor and take some private lessons and look at hiring out local xc course for schooling sessions - keep the jumps as small as needed to get his confidence up - best of luck:)
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ShowPony, I appreciate entirely what you've said, and I agree, I would not gain a lot from it indeed, but I had the view that if someone else expirenced and knows the ins and outs of what to do, what not to do, hopefully my horse can gain experiences with someone else to get his confidence up in general, and then we could work on it together? The only thing with private lessons and hiring out a xc course, is the cost it would cost to do that a number of times, I'd have to do that, with transport, trainer, and hire of a course, and there isn't really a conveniently places xc course, but I will be doing that in Spring anyway :)
 
Maybe you could go on a hireling so you know what to expect, and get someone to ride your horse, a sort of swap to gain safe experience for both of you. I have never been either but that's probably what I would try and do!
 
appaloosacaz said:
The only thing with private lessons and hiring out a xc course, is the cost it would cost to do that a number of times, I'd have to do that, with transport, trainer, and hire of a course, and there isn't really a conveniently places xc course, but I will be doing that in Spring anyway :)
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Surely by the time you've transported your horse to the hunt, paid his cap and paid the pro too you'll be looking at similar costs if not more expensive. For me I'd be looking at addressing the galloping in company issue before using hunting to improve his XC. Trust me, overtaking the field master at flat gallop does not make you a popular member of the field!!
 
Trust me, overtaking the field master at flat gallop does not make you a popular member of the field!!
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That happened to me once, on a 14.2 15 year old cob :o

Thankfully the Master was very nice about it, I was only 13 at the time and he understood :D
 
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