Would you hunt this horse?

[Taffster]

My horse is a 6yr old absolute superstar and nothing has fazed him upto press! He does showing dressage and workers classes regularly hacks out and is bombproof, i have been to the boxing day meet before and see it is very busy. The local hunt is Aberford where there must be in excess of 150/200 horses and probably 70+ driving carts. This to me sounds very exciting and all the horses appear to disappear up the road in canter sideways i'm sure they are not all nutcases. Would this environment prove to be too much of a tester and would you risk it if he was yours?

 

[caramac1988]

go for it youll be fine you will both have great fun im missing the boxing day hunt this year due to my horses not being fit enough

 

[yeeharider]

it will go either of 2 ways really good or terribe took 6 months to settle my mare back down hunting blew her head just realised you are local if you are close to aberford whatever you choose have fun

 

[Taffster]

I wouldnt be riding i'm too much of a scardy cat! I am just an unpaid groom, and pay an absolute fortune for the pleasure!
Saying that i do get masses of pleasure in watching him succeed, i bought him as a 3 year old and would like to think i have nurtered him into a truly lovely boy!

 

[Taffster]

Yeah quite local keep my babies in Rothwell

 

[LizzieJ]

I would think you'd be fine but Boxing Day isn't the best day to find out. Could you not go out on another day for the first time?

 

[Taffster]

I was thinking that myself, i really wouldnt want to risk blowing his mind! Its just cubbing has finished around our way and meets are weekdays hecnce it would mean myself and rider taking days off work! Unless anyone else knows of any local quieter hunts on a weekend?

 

[HelenBritton]

If he's a show horse then I would be a little worried that he could pick up scars and lumps and bumps that could place him down the line in the showring. These shouldn't matter too much in a WH class but as we all know, the judge will often put the unblemished horse above the true worker. Depends on what level you show him at, if it's just local shows then I wouldn't worry too much but if your after county level wins then those unblemished legs are probably important.

Also, Boxing Day is often the day when all the wannabe hunters go out and often they have no control over their horses what so ever. I would think that this is not the best way to introduce a horse to the hunting field. Much better to go midweek when the seasoned horses are out (bolters don't usually become seasoned hunters, it's deemed bad manners to overtake the Master!)
The choice is yours!!!

 

[yeeharider]

would be better to go midweek if you can as they tend to be quieter speak to the hunt sec they usually know where the quiet days are

 

[lhotse]

Maybe you should read this
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3794577/an/0/page/0/gonew/1#UNREAD

 

[Taffster]

Maybe you should read this
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3794577/an/0/page/0/gonew/1#UNREAD

Thanks for that, sounds like it is one to miss! Will probably try and get him out in new year to a mid week hunt as advised.
Thanks everyone for your comments

 

[Kenzo]

If you introducing a horse to hunting then I personally would take them to a quieter meets to begin with, its all very exciting and believe you me a quiet sane horse can easily turn into your worst nightmare when there fresh on the field along with a lot of other highly strung excited horses and ponies charging about.

I think its important to introduce hunting the right way to young horses, quiet meets, cubbing etc...do some sponsored rides and build it up that way for your own safety, your horses and other people around you.

Woud you take a young horse to a big county show for his first ever outing and expect to gallop him around safely and in full control?

Now add possible bad ground conditions, deep wet fields, natural jumps, lanes, ditches, abrupt stops, waiting about and having to have well mannered horse when going through gateways etc and a 100 other horses plus some carriages...see what I mean?

If you have a very good unspoilt youngster, keep it that way, do things a step at a time rather than going for it just because its the 'big boxing day meet' etc, Aberford meet does get very busy and once your on board and off with the field, you need to pretty much stick it out until you can bid good night, that's if you get chance to lol!

But...like others have said, there is only one way to find out if you really dont want to miss out.

 

[seche]

I hunt my NZ TB polo bred pony. (pictured in sig!) In probably some of the wettest country out there. I look after him and he LOVES it!!

 

[Taffster]

We took taf to his first show this year, the White Rose Show at temple newsam he then did Yorkshire a couple of months later, however in teh showring it is better if he is on his toes (just for the breed) I wouldnt expect the same for riding horse/hack however i didnt doubt him for a minute in that environment hunting however made me think and i have decided he will not be going out this christmas but hopefully there will be something later in january!
If anyone knows of anything let me know please

 

[Iago]

NO
we only hunt thw wolf and rabbit not the horse
you have much to learn in england my friends! we are hunting bears for sure but they seem to have all gone and no-one knows why

 

[Jamesleaj]

Hiya,
A 6 yr old with a bit done with an equally steady rider should be alright .It won't be a showring atmosphere though,he will
ENJOY THE COMPANY .Buckle up and enjoy the spin.But you will have to spend time settling him down afterwards.They are normally very ongoing as a result.