Training a young horse to go hunting?

[kippen64]

Am in Australia. Hoping to buy myself a horse later this year and going hunting next year if my horse is mature enough. My preferred breed is Thoroughbred. Before going out on our first day of hunting, what are the best ways of preparing a young horse for hunting? I know how to get him fit, but are there any schooling tips I should use please?

So to all the people who will miss hunting when the season ends, I can sympathise. Have never been, keenly want to and with no chance of doing it until 2013 or 2014.

 

[gunnergundog]

Go on, educate me....how is hunting run in Australia and what do you hunt?

I can only advise you as to what I would do with a young horse for hunting in the UK, so suggest you talk also to some locals!

Over here, I would ensure that the horse was basically schooled enough to be under control and reasonably balanced; I would ensure that he is happy in company.....do sponsored rides/hacks at all paces in groups and include small jumps and ditches if possible.

I would have taken the youngster XC schooling and made sure that he was OK on the road with traffic.

I would have let him see some life by taking him to a couple of small shows and then I would select an early days autumn hunting/cubbing for him and try to find a friend with a seasoned hunter to accompany us so that I could 'buddy him up'.

I would not stay out long the first time; probably try to go several times for a short period in quick succession, but you have to play it by ear depending on the horse in question.

And no matter what anyone thinks/says I always have a neckstrap on a baby out hunting!

HTH

 

[kippen64]

Go on, educate me....how is hunting run in Australia and what do you hunt?

I can only advise you as to what I would do with a young horse for hunting in the UK, so suggest you talk also to some locals!

Over here, I would ensure that the horse was basically schooled enough to be under control and reasonably balanced; I would ensure that he is happy in company.....do sponsored rides/hacks at all paces in groups and include small jumps and ditches if possible.

I would have taken the youngster XC schooling and made sure that he was OK on the road with traffic.

I would have let him see some life by taking him to a couple of small shows and then I would select an early days autumn hunting/cubbing for him and try to find a friend with a seasoned hunter to accompany us so that I could 'buddy him up'.

I would not stay out long the first time; probably try to go several times for a short period in quick succession, but you have to play it by ear depending on the horse in question.

And no matter what anyone thinks/says I always have a neckstrap on a baby out hunting!

HTH

Thank you for this reply. I think that your advice is excellent and will use it. My local hunt is a drag hunt and they jump over hunt panels in the fences that are 60-90cm tall. No ditches, hedges etc.

http://www.melbournehunt.org.au/

 

[Daddy_Long_Legs]

It says they are old english but they are not really old english hounds!!!

 

[bunnereeny]

If you've never been hunting i'd try and go on an experienced horse prior to taking a novice out.

 

[kippen64]

If you've never been hunting i'd try and go on an experienced horse prior to taking a novice out.

Sadly this is not an option . But will make sure that I have done a fair amount of cross country fences and hacking before our first trip.

 

[misskerry]

Hi
I am from Ireland and I have spent a season hunting in Australia... I hunted with a live hunt club but i think the drag hunt would be the same. We used to hunt over hunt panels like you said and they were not very high.
If you were using a young horse who never hunted before i would try and get them used to company and being around alot of horses just so they dont get to worried about them..
They must be able to jump the hunt panels as they dont move if the horses hits it so practise jumping over something similer if you can..
When you do finaly go out hunting i would stay to the back of the hunt field if you can and bring a friend with you. The reson i would stay at the back is that there isnt to many horses back there to upset your horse And the friend might help relax you and your horse.
I enjoyed hunting over there nice clean jumps no big scary double dikes like there is here.. And lovely long gallops on nice ground in really nice crountry side.. would lovely to go back for just one hunt.. I hope you get out soon and when you do enjoy it

 

[kippen64]

Hi
I am from Ireland and I have spent a season hunting in Australia... I hunted with a live hunt club but i think the drag hunt would be the same. We used to hunt over hunt panels like you said and they were not very high.
If you were using a young horse who never hunted before i would try and get them used to company and being around alot of horses just so they dont get to worried about them..
They must be able to jump the hunt panels as they dont move if the horses hits it so practise jumping over something similer if you can..
When you do finaly go out hunting i would stay to the back of the hunt field if you can and bring a friend with you. The reson i would stay at the back is that there isnt to many horses back there to upset your horse And the friend might help relax you and your horse.
I enjoyed hunting over there nice clean jumps no big scary double dikes like there is here.. And lovely long gallops on nice ground in really nice crountry side.. would lovely to go back for just one hunt.. I hope you get out soon and when you do enjoy it

Thank you for this. Am starting to think that I'll get a slightly older horse. One that perhaps has been to Pony Club. A big Thoroughbred 7-10 years old. Have been watching hunting videos on Youtube and strongly envy you for the scary double dikes. The mud in some of the videos is a bit intimidating though. Much more so than the fences.