To hunt or not to hunt

[Pipkin]

I`m debating whether or not to start hunting next season.
I`ve never been bfore and I`m not one for competing...I want to do soemthing a bit more exciting though and also give Ayla confidence and also give her a bit more excitement.
She`s a PBA and I know all types of horses hunt but do you think she is suitable? She`s got a lot of stamina and can cover a lot of ground, she has been ridden out in large groups and is very responsive, the only thing is she isnt very confident jumping, sometimes she jumps logs out hacking sometimes she refuses point blank, as will obviously be in a group do you think following the other horses will make her more confident about jumping (am not talking 4 foot hedges I havent got the balls for them)
Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Fiagai]

Ayla - go for it! You wont know until you have tried...All types of horses go out hunting. I would suggest a newcomers day for your first outing or failing that a good hunt nanny .

With regard to your horse jumping you are right that there will be plenty of opportunities for him to follow on and take a lead from other horses. Check with the hunt that there are work arounds for the bigger jumps though - it will make the day more enjoyable. Hunting can work wonders on horses that may lack confidence.

 

[naza]

I had a pony i bought to bring on and he wasnt very confident jumping so i took him dragging, the first couple of times he went i remember off fell off a bit, but in the end it did improve his jumping a lot i think so another who says go for it!

 

[Rosie Round The Hills]

Oh yes, go for it. I've just finished my last day of the season (booo!), having started as a complete hunting virgin on a similarly virginal horse. My mare was quite green, and not overly confident over jumps, or out and about. Now she's just fabulous. She'll take me anywhere and I trust her completely.

I wouldn't swap anything for the great day I've just had - I'm so glad I did it.

 

[Pipkin]

sounds interesting, summer will be spent getting the girls hunting fit then.....
any tips?

 

[naza]

RE fittening work, lots of hill work and long canters!
and enjoy getting them fit, i always love going for the long rides trying to get them fit!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

To get hunters fit you need to walk, walk and more walk.

 

[Pipkin]

To get hunters fit you need to walk, walk and more walk.

ahhh we`re great at that we do long hacks on a weekend which consist of about 4 hours of walking both sat and sunday with a nice canter across the beach and a few hills included!!

 

[VoR]

Lots of different sizes, shapes and breeding of horses in the hunting field so no problem there.
As for the jumping, getting a good lead can help, but if you and or your horse are still not comfortable ask around as there are hunts that jump very little and some not at all, but definately get out there!
You might like to start with Autumn hunting as this will help you get an idea of how the horse will go and is usually less 'frenetic' in pace, giving you both time to acclimitise.

 

[Pipkin]

Lots of different sizes, shapes and breeding of horses in the hunting field so no problem there.
As for the jumping, getting a good lead can help, but if you and or your horse are still not comfortable ask around as there are hunts that jump very little and some not at all, but definately get out there!
You might like to start with Autumn hunting as this will help you get an idea of how the horse will go and is usually less 'frenetic' in pace, giving you both time to acclimitise.

Thanks...There are loads of hunt around my way so will do some research on them... My mare is strange, she`ll happily jump some logs, then wont think about others yet she`ll jump a fallen tree with branches and leaves which was at least 3 foot from a trot

 

[Leggymare]

This is somthing that i have always wanted to do, unfortunately after loosing my lad i didn't get the chance but i would say GO FOR IT!! if you do your homwork now and find a suitable hunt where they will look after you (a good hunt always looks out for each other) you will have the best time ever! enjoy getting your girls fit!! Enjoy it!