Yes I know that sounds a bit silly. But I’m curious - what kind of condition should a horse who is simply hilltopping be in? (We’re talking New England terrain, small hunts.) Horse in question is an event mare with a small tendon injury who was cleared a month ago for jumping, hacking out, etc. after three months of arena-only rehab work, which had eventually been built up to 50 minutes of walking, 20 minutes of trot, 15 minutes of canter. Which, honestly, is a TON of work but the mare has never in her life felt so good, so I guess it worked! Backed off the work a month ago, now spending tons of time now hacking out on the grass and hills, doing little bits of trot when the footing is good, but have only been out there about an hour at a time right now. Was really really hoping to hunt this mare at some point in her life - thinking with an old tendon injury that taking her first field will never again be an option, which is a shame because she’d be completely amazing at it, but maybe next year we could try going second field. Vet said she will absolutely event again, without a doubt.
Right now, I was hoping that I might be able to cap in a few times around here this fall and just hilltop, but I obviously want to be careful about it (and clearly we’re not going if there’s ever any doubts in my mind about it). What kinds of conditioning work might you do for a horse who is just hilltopping? Like I said, the mare is really arena fit right now and sound as a dollar (knock on wood!) but offroading has only just been introduced over the past month - I do ride her out on the hills before and after regular rides, and hack her out on light days, so she rides out on hills and grass at a walk for about 40-60 minutes 5 or 6 days a week already. Definitely not about to put her limbs in harm’s way, so I want to be extra careful about this if I do decide to do it. (I really hope we can!!)
Be sure she is sound and ready to trot and canter both up and down hills. Our Hill topping group is never just a walk trot group…I have witnessed newbies go into shock at the things they and their horses are expected to do in the third field. One of my hunt horses was off for over a year recovering from a contused and bowed tendon and now hunts full throttle with no problem, but we did give her a long slow recovery. Good luck to you.
If you are worried about her with questionable footing, I would wait until she is completely sound.
You should do some of your work with other horses also, just to make sure she won’t wig out in a group.
To get my own horse fit for hunting I start with trot sets (beginning at about 2 minute intervals, working up to 10) on very varied terrain. Not just hills, but also areas that are rocky and a bit trappy. I want him to learn to watch where he puts his feet without my having to hold him together.
I do canter sets but mostly for me! I need to be strong enough to stay in a good half seat and be able to stay on even if a hound jumps out of the bushes. We have a huge field that has a decent hill up and an easier way down. I start with one trip around and then work up to six.
Thanks! She is completely sound - better than she’s ever felt, has been sound since June - but I’d like to keep it that way 
And again, it’s in the arena, although we trotted a bit in the field yesterday and she felt awesome. We’ll see.
just my 2 sense…
I think you need to be able to cross country ride out in groups for at least 90 mins plus at varying speeds, terrains, footings. Riding in the arena does not prepare a horse for hilltopping very much. If you’re nursing her along and worrying about footing; then maybe you aren’t ready. There is no “simply hilltopping” IMHO; you gotta be ready freddy for the whole enchilada!!! :winkgrin: Minus the jumping I mean. Hunting is harder and more intense than eventing. It’s eventing X 10 !!:yes:
what wateryglen said…
even hilltopping, the uneven terrain vs arena is no comparison. she may get sore from the uneven ground because there is rarely a perfectly arena flat surface to step on. Go outside…trot, canter, gallop. do some walk and trot on pavement (helps build tendons), trot a gravel road, do a creek crossing , soft ground…find as much varied footing as you can prior to hunting and let your horse do it’s job. If your horse has no problem…then you can go out and ENJOY the hilltopping and not be fretting the entire time your riding how your horse is going to be ok.
I suspect that you might be hill-topping with Tanheath. Our hunt can be quite slow and relaxed, but there will be some fast trotting (my TB often wants to canter to keep up) on rough ground. The footing will not be even and groomed as it would be at an event. I would be wary of bringing a horse out who is recovering from a tendon injury, much as I would love to have you join us.
Waaahh, I want to hilltop! My girl is getting conditioned just this way.
Maybe then you’ll just have to wait to see my patuckus next year then
Well…uhhh…
Quite frankly…we’d prefer you wear your pants…we in the Snobbington Hunt only show our patuckas’s AFTER hunting…not during…just thought you’d wanna know!! :yes:
