what to do with an excited youngster??

[blc111]

Hi all!!
I need some advice as to what to do now??!!
I have recently been taking my 5 year old out hunting. She behaved impeccably the first time out and we both really enjoyed it.
However her second and third time have been terrible, she gets herself really wound up and excited and won’t behave at all. She will not stand still, pawing the ground and jumping in the air, we can not even stand with the group at the start of the meet in case she injures one of the foot followers by pushing them over with her bargy behaviour. She has also started to rear when ever we have to wait around and I have come off twice. She has never reared at home and she is well behaved when I hack out in company without the hounds etc. we have done sponsored rides with no trouble at all.
When we get home from the meets she spends about an hour pacing around her paddock and will not settle, it seems that the sound of the horn and the hounds really wind her up.
I have not been hunting now for about a month as I am scared as to how she will behave - I do not want her or myself to get injured.
I would greatly appreciate any advice as to what I should do now?
Thanks a lot everyone.

 

[junglediva]

it could be down to what your feeding her! dont give her any food thats fast energy releasing. also practise with friends in big groups about 7-8 of u could practise trotting up the road and stopping (not in the middle of the road obviously lol) if she wont stand still walk her away from them then walk her back stand her still again. keep doing it untill she realises that there not going anywhere. be quick to praise her when she does stand because if your to slow ul be praising her for no reason, also dont praise her to early because theres no point praising her when she is getting ready to move or is still moving.
also, i know its hard but try to keep calm when she does it and when she is standing still, talk to her camly. also if ur thinking of taking her out again this season, you could try taking her for a little hack before taking her to the hunt just to jog of some morning energy and so u can get the feel of her! if u dont want to ride ride her for the next hunt u could ask somebody experienced (im not saying ur not experienced but somebody who wont be nervous around her) who might be willing to take her.

good luck with her!

 

[blc111]

Thanks for replying, i will try that excercise with my friends and hopefully try to get her to be more patient.

Wish i knew someone who would take her hunting a couple of times for me but everyone wants to go on their own horses.

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

 

[SpruceRI]

Mine was like this when she was young, although she did the rearing and spinning and running backwards right from the off.

She never reared at any other time other than hunting!

I have to admit, that I went out about 6 times in the first year and then gave up for a year / 18 months as I thought we were going to injure someone.

When we went back to it I made sure that we never got stuck in the middle of the pack where we'd have to stand still.

So, we'd go off to one side or stay at the back and just walk round and round and up and down until the pack started moving off again.

All the time we kept moving she was fine.

She grew out of it in the end. She's 15yrs old now. Stands still (albeit shaking!) and no rearing - lovely!!

p.s where are you based as I know someone down this way who'd hunt her for you?

 

[alexrecord87]

I am having similar problems at the moment with my 5 year old!! We've been out 5 times, after the first 2 it totally put me off!! I came off twice and he was going crazy! But I tried again and gradually hes getting alot better, so I'd just advise you to keep trying but try and keep out of the middle of groups! Good luck!!

 

[Clodagh]

If you can take her out all day every time the hunt go out, she will be tired and decide its not so much fun. My mare spent the first season on her hind legs, it was very boring, but is OK now, some seem to take longer to learn than others. After 4 times you should see an improvement.

 

[JenHunt]

rather than trying to STOP her doing something... give her something else to do....
walk her around in a circle, take her away from the meet a hundred yards and walk back again... eventually she'll settle.

IME they get worse the 2nd and 3rd times then start to get better, especially if you can give her a longish steady day.

they soon learn that hunting is fun and it takes them a while to learn that fun doesn't have to mean stupid!! just keep trying to be positive with her - ask her to do Something not Nothing.

as someone else suggested take a look at what she's getting fed - reduce the amount of starch and sugar and increase the fibre and oil she's getting. Make sure she gets electrolytes when she gets home and let her have as much water as she needs.

don't give up! if you need more help then just ask us on here!

 

[blc111]

Thanks guys
You all have really great advice, I feel better knowing that others have experienced something similar and worked through it, maybe my mare can have a future on the hunting field - i have been totally bitten by the bug and would be very disappointed if i couldnt go again, its such great fun.

Re the feeding, as she is a good doer, she is already on a high fibre, low sugar diet so im not sure if her behaviour is to do with that but worth bearing in mind for the future.

Thanks again for all the help, i will check my meet card to see if there are any suitable hunts over the xmas hols and give it ago again

 

[KatB]

Mines the same and has never grown out of it!!! Though saying that he hasnt been out that many times... but on and off for 3 seasons. However, walking round, and generally keep half his concentration on me does help....

 

[Wimbles]

Been really interested in this post and the responses as it sounds very much like my big lad. He's the dogs doohdahs when we'removing and will have a go at jumping whatever I ask, he's just a bit of a nob when we stand still. He enjoys leaping and going backwards. Like you I'd love someone to hunt him for me a few times that knows more about hunting

 

[irish_hunter]

persevere! my youngster was awful to begin with, had me off first time out etc..but had to stick with it and got her out as much as i could; i'd take her out the way and keep her moving, not letting her get in the middle of any commotion, just letting her see everything but not actualy getting involved. also, can you find someone on a great schoolmaster to stick with? a sensible little horse usualy has a great calming influence on them, & is someone to run to if she panics, or someone to crash into if you lack brakes! also the more you get her out, you can find out if she is best up the front, or staying quiet behind. perhaps just take her to the meets, and come back again a few times so she does not relate the horn & hounds etc to then just bombing off for a good gallop. good luck!