Advice on introducing an OTTB to hunting

[Duckz]

Good morning! A local hunt is offering an Intro to Foxhunting clinic this weekend. It looks like they’re breaking it up into a first field (jumping), second field (trot and canter), and hill topper group (walking). I understand they’ll bring the hounds out.

I’ve signed up my 6 year old OTTB. Now what?? :lol: Any advice from folks who have introduced an OTTB to hunting? He is fairly sensible, all things considered. He can get “internal” with his energy if he gets overly nervous and starts thinking up and down instead of forward. He’s much improved after many, many outings this summer (trail rides, shows, xc schools, etc), but this will be a new can of worms for him. I’m thinking a standing martingale would be wise, and since it’s casual I’ll boot him up and maybe wear my xc vest.

I’ve heard the argument for taking a new horse in the slowest field the first couple times so they think hunting = calm. Then again, there are horses that do better if they can keep moving, so maybe second field would be wiser?

I would greatly appreciate advice from folks who have introduced a young horse to hunting! Thank you.

[Belmont]

How is he in groups? Even a walking group could make a horse nervous that is hunting for the first time.

Do you know the country well? If your horse decides to be up and down, are you comfortable taking him out of the group and walking by yourself on the outskirts of the group.

I’ve started many horses in the hunt field for RRH. We are a little different, so I was able to take young horses on hound walks and walks to the kennel. That helped them get used to the hounds. Have your young horse stand a little farther from the kennel or trailer when they are releasing the hounds. The outpouring of hounds from the small space often overwhelms the young horses and first timers.

Warn people you are on a young or new to hunting horse! Do this out of courtesy and respect for others, but also because someone may have a steady eddy you can attach to. It might be good if you start in the back or on the sides of the group and work yourself in.

Try the slow group first. There will probably be a point during the hunt that you can change to the other group at a check. I would leave the boots at home. Most horses tear them off while hunting or get stuff inside of them. The vest is always a good idea, even on steady eddy’s. I wouldn’t go out your first time in the snaffle. I was always taught to go with more bit than less when trying hunting the first time.

The steadiest of horse can be a horrible field horse, but they can make great whip mounts. It depends on his brain. I would just take things slowly. It could take a few hunts before he completely settles.

[Duckz]

Thank you for the input Belmont! Good point about the boots. I didn’t think about when the hounds are released! I will get there with enough time to scout around and make sure I’m not in the middle of things when that happens.

My friend will be riding my older steady eddie with hunting experience, so the ottb will have a familiar horse to hang out with. I’m hoping this helps. He’s been out on trail rides in groups of 4-5 horses, and I’ve had him in group lessons and the warm up ring at horse shows. I’ll be sure to warn people that he’s green. It helps that the clinic is specifically for horses and riders new to hunting.

I’ve never had him in anything but a snaffle. Since he has more of a tendency to bounce instead of bolt I’m worried something too strong will just increase the amount of energy going up! I wonder if a jointed pelham would work?

If this clinic goes well I’ll look into cubbing. If it’s a complete disaster… well… maybe we’ll wait a year and try again

[jawa]

If he has never met the end of a standing martingale, it may be a disaster. A running will provide some correction and containment, but I find horses don’t feel as reactive about them.

If you have never ridden him in anything but a snaffle, I’d be hesitant to ride in something stronger unless you have the chance ride him in it previously.

I would consider spurs, but again only if he’s been educated to them. They can help you move his haunches over and create forward rather than up.

The clinics I have attended did a great job of having plenty of old pro horses and riders in attendance to babysit/nanny the newbies. It’s great that you have a familiar horse to help settle your green bean. Is that horse’s rider new to hunting?

I would call or email the group putting on the clinic to see if they allow changing flights.

Good Luck

[Bigblackdraft]

[QUOTE=Duckz;7756235]
Good morning! A local hunt is offering an Intro to Foxhunting clinic this weekend. It looks like they’re breaking it up into a first field (jumping), second field (trot and canter), and hill topper group (walking). I understand they’ll bring the hounds out.

I’ve signed up my 6 year old OTTB. Now what?? :lol: Any advice from folks who have introduced an OTTB to hunting? He is fairly sensible, all things considered. He can get “internal” with his energy if he gets overly nervous and starts thinking up and down instead of forward. He’s much improved after many, many outings this summer (trail rides, shows, xc schools, etc), but this will be a new can of worms for him. I’m thinking a standing martingale would be wise, and since it’s casual I’ll boot him up and maybe wear my xc vest.

I’ve heard the argument for taking a new horse in the slowest field the first couple times so they think hunting = calm. Then again, there are horses that do better if they can keep moving, so maybe second field would be wiser?

I would greatly appreciate advice from folks who have introduced a young horse to hunting! Thank you.[/QUOTE]

Put a breastplate with a yoke on him, keep a finger in it, and if you find yourself or him getting flighty, give it a few steady pulls, and try and ride on a looser rein.

I would not add a standing martingale unless you have tried it on him previously. It is not a good idea to introduce a lot of new tack at the same time you are trying for him to have a good experience for his first time out. If you have only ridden in a snaffle, then use the snaffle.

Stay in the walking only group for this first time. Walking is forward enough without adding more speed in company.

If he has never seen a pack of hounds before, be prepared for his reaction. He may spook, or bolt or may just be curious, or he may bolt. If possible, make sure he is facing towards them, and next to his calm buddy when they release the hounds, as the sounds and sight of 20 couple can be unnerving for horses, at least at first.

Good luck, and may you have a very uneventful ride.

[Duckz]

[QUOTE=Bigblackdraft;7756549]
Good luck, and may you have a very uneventful ride.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, it’s something to strive for!

He’s familiar with the standing martingale. It’s not an every day piece of equipment, but he’s definitely met the end of it a few times. I’ll loosen it another notch for this weekend so he doesn’t feel too confined. He has not yet been introduced to the running martingale. Sounds like my best bet is to stick with the snaffle this time.

jawa, my friend is new to hunting, but she’s quite familiar with the horse and he’ll be wearing his big ol’ hunting pelham. OTTB is not educated on spurs yet. I make it a habit to ride him in a neck strap. I like the idea of a breastplate… it’s much classier than my repurposed stirrup leather

As far as the hounds…noted! He had one bad canine experience when I first took him off the track, one came at us in full guard dog attack mode. Since then I get a little nervous about dogs approaching us, but he doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge. I’m hoping this clinic is more like wading in shallow water than jumping in the deep end. I will email the organizer and ask about switching groups.

Thanks everyone!

[Kodiak]

In a lot of OTTBs, it’s the back end that’s dangerous in these situations, even if he doesn’t normally kick. Be sure you create situations where another horse doesn’t run up from behind (overtaking quickly) and, if your horse does lift a leg (even without connecting) you will be expected to discipline him for it quickly and sharply.

Even more importantly, if hounds are abound, is to keep his nose tipped toward them so you can draw his attention to the “doggies” (my horses are trained to understand ‘doggy’). Hopefully they’ll be kept well away from the horses during this ride, but hounds who are separated from the group will frequently return by the shortest route–even if under/through a mob of horses. Kicking, even at or near, a hound is even worse than kicking a horse or rider, so help him not be startled into reacting.

Mine appreciate a lot of shoulder rubs and reassurance, guidance in the form of praise for every little thing done right and a “Noooo” for the missteps. It’s a lot to take in, but most OTTBs figure out the new rules of the game fairly quickly and really enjoy themselves. And, I agree that unless your horse is better-behaved going faster or is getting too cocky in the slow group, it’s better to keep things slower and lower-key for a while. “Whoohoo! Running!” tends to drown out a lot of the other things you’re trying to show them.

[Kodiak]

And, I’ll add, it’s not necessarily a good thing that the clinic is a group of horses with no hunt experience. Frequently, someone will come who shouldn’t, and their antics make it harder for everyone else to have a positive experience.

It’s fantastic that you have a buddy, and it’ll be less stress for your new guy if you try to have a little 2-horse group in an air bubble until he starts to relax (30 seconds to several outings, depending on the horse). Green and red ribbons in his tail will help keep the more-aware riders from crowding. Then you just have to avoid the ‘other’ riders…

[Hinderella]

I’ve attended the Intro clinic with my local hunt three times, once as an auditor and then with my pony the last two years. I found that the staff did a great job of pacing the clinic to the level of the participants, that they had enough members mounted and moving amongst the participants to provide experienced mounts to calm new horses and they brought a smaller than usual group of hounds for the introduction. Only once did I see a participant retire her horse from the clinic early, and she wasn’t really having a bad experience but could see that the activity just wasn’t right for her horse.
I can’t offer any specific advice except to arrive early enough to let your horse see the activity, wear your vest, and speak with the organizers about the possibility of going in early if you find it necessary.
Have fun!

[kt-rose]

Earplugs are your friends !!

[Duckz]

I’m really bummed, but I decided to stay home after seeing rain in the forecast for this morning :no: I’ll try to get him out cubbing instead.

(I know real foxhunters don’t mind a little rain, but if there’s one thing my ottb hates, it’s rain :rolleyes:)

[Bigblackdraft]

That’s unfortunate as those introductory days are the best for new horses. Remember, when you are out cubbing, you are hunting. You may not have the luxury of a slow and easy introduction to the excitement of chasing the fox. If the hounds hit, you must be able to keep up and hopefully not impact the day for others around you if your horse turns out to be unsuitable in the hunt field. Hopefully you have a mentor who will help you, and please place a green ribbon in your horse’s tail, and stay in the back-- you will have more room to maneuver if something should go amiss.

Best of luck.