I have an OTTB that I would like to fox hunt on and wondered if there are trainers out there dedicated to training a horse for the fox hunt field and for safety on the trail. I am in FLA but willing to consider all areas. Any leads? Thanks.
If Va isn’t too far look up Hunters Rest and send her a PM. Be prepared for possible sticker shock.
[QUOTE=gumtree;8957050]
If Va isn’t too far look up Hunters Rest and send her a PM. Be prepared for possible sticker shock.[/QUOTE]
Indeed!
There is only so much training you can do before you just have to go and do it (go on a hunt) - the basics need to be there, W/T/C quietly in a group, on the trail, and obedience while standing still (as there are lots of halts out on the field!), and opening/closing gates (not mandatory, but certainly helpful!)… obviously, they need to be okay with dogs running around - if your horse hates dogs or kicks them he will not be an appropriate hunt horse… as far as jumping… depends on what you want to do, hilltop? first flight? all things you can do at home without spending big $$… but eventually you will have to just go out and cap with a hunt… A good “precursor” is to partake in as many hunter paces as you can - then you can get a feel for whether or not your horse is the type that can handle the atmosphere that is the hunt… Part of it is exposure; can you stop your horse after a gallop, is he too riled up to stand still? does he worry about other horses in his space? can you pass other horses on the trail, or have them pass you, without your horse losing it? How about pulling him away from the main ‘herd’, does he get upset and jig and want to bolt?
There really isn’t any substitute for going out and hunting, I don’t think - even hunter paces have a different atmosphere. Be prepared for your horse to surprise you - he might need an adjustment period and don’t despair if your first hunt does not go perfectly – it can take them a season to really get the hang of it and get comfortable… and then sometimes by the second season you have a completely different horse!
Talk about sticker shock: many years ago when I was in Aiken I was offered a nice but very green clyde/TB to ride. He was VERY green, as in less than 20 rides on him… Owner asked me to put mileage on him while I was horseless - I thought it was great: they paid for all XC schoolings, they paid to trailer me places for hunter paces, they covered all expenses and I got to work with a nice horse and keep my riding going while I saved up to bring my boy down from MA… Well, I got him going good enough for us to do BN if we wanted to and they invited me to go with them on a hunt with the Aiken Hounds… They paid all capping fees and I took him out several times… I loved it!
He was a good boy but spicy and he was huge so I think they thought he was a little scary at the beginning… Our first hunt was okay minus a few bobbles where he went straight up when the hounds came thundering around the bend :eek:
After a few caps he was good and solid, but he was by no means quiet! The thing about him was that he was honest as the day was long and had no quit in him…
Well, one day they informed me they’d be selling him, but I understood the “Gravy Train” would finally come to an end someday… They sold him for $25,000 to a lovely couple in VA :eek: That’s the most expensive horse I ever ‘made’… as an eventer, I think they would have been lucky to get $5k for him!
Look for someone in a nearby hunt who has a professional groom, and see if they (the groom) want to ride your horse for you. It won’t be cheap, but you should get a realistic idea of whether your horse is suitable.
Beowulf gave you a very good synopsis of what needs to happen.
You can also call the hunts near you to see if the have an pro members who help start horses in the hunt field. I considered doing that for my OTTB. I’d already taken him on hunter paces and trail rides but I wasn’t sure how he’d be out hunting. I know several in my area who do it all the time with green horses.
It usually takes about six hunts before you know how a horse is going to be in the hunt field. The first hunt the horse is generally in shock :D. After they start to understand the program, some horses get quite excited over the prospect of hunting. I’ve seen a few that never really settled and don’t look fun to ride but most figure it out. I’ve started three in the hunt field and they all turned out to be nice first flight horses.
My TB actually did fine. I rode him behind a horse that he was stabled with and that made him a lot more comfortable. I also stopped at the first check and went home because he’d been so good.
My draft x mare on the other hand, was a witch. She reared at the first cast and then bucked like a banshee. Then she alternated between bucking, squealing and slamming on the brakes. Luckily, each hunt she got better and now she’s an excellent hunter.
My friend used Paul Ebersole in Bluemont, VA to start her horse. He did a terrific job with the horse and with her. He and his assistant trainer took the horse hunting several times to teach the horse. His assistant took my friend shopping to the local consignment shop, as she was unsure about what attire was appropriate for her and for the horse. Then, Paul and his assistant took my friend hunting, and watched out for her. Now, she is having so much fun hunting her well behaved horse.
I second contacting local hunts to get the names of pros that take horses hunting.
If you are unsure of contact information, you can look it up on the MFHA’s website.
Or you could tell the group your local hunts and we might be able to give you a contact.
[QUOTE=Yabadaba;8956306]
I have an OTTB that I would like to fox hunt on and wondered if there are trainers out there dedicated to training a horse for the fox hunt field and for safety on the trail. I am in FLA but willing to consider all areas. Any leads? Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Where in FL are you? East or West coast?
Hello, I was Fieldmaster for Misty Morning Hounds for 15 years. You can contact me privately and I’ll give you the name & number of someone I would recommend.
Sorry for the late reply…I’m new to this and just realized I had received replies! I am southwest Fl but willing to travel within the state so any recommendations are welcome. Thanks!
Thank you, and sorry for the late reply. I am a newcomer to the forums and didn’t realize I had messages. I am familiar with a couple of hunts in my state and didn’t realize there were “pros.” Great information, thank you!
Thank you so much, love the story. I have heard fox hunters can command a solid price! You must have done a good job…want to ride another? ??
Thank you so much, love the story. I have heard fox hunters can command a solid price! You must have done a good job…want to ride another? ???
Thank you, will do.
Thank you, great info. Hearing from experienced riders is very helpful. What a great community and resource this is!
Sounds like a fabulous service…I will check him out. I’m pretty sure I can’t afford it but it’s always worth investigating. Thank you.
Thank you for the referral…and the heads up about sticker shock.
OP- what is your experience or level of riding outside of an arena? What have you been doing/what kind of riding with your OTTB? How old is your horse?
Depending on those answers there are things you can do to introduce your horse to the requirements of fox hunting before shipping him out or bringing someone in. Like going on trail rides with small groups of riders- 4 or 5- and practicing trotting/cantering in a group. Have 2 riders peel away then hook back up with the group. Have your horse and a buddy stand and wait while the other horses ride out of sight then return back to you. Work on “reverse field” and so on.
At my hunt we would encourage you to ride in our Hilltopper Group until such time that you and horse are comfortable and safe enough to go with one of the faster groups. It might be for 6 hunts, it might be for a year and you might decide to never leave the hilltopper group. Depending on whom is riding at any given hunt, our hilltopper field may go slow or we might be right on First Fields rump, only falling back when they go at a mad gallop on a run and then we will catch up with them down the road.
Never discount putting a stronger bit in your horse’s mouth for the first hunts because you can always select a lighter bit once you feel things are going well with your horse.
Some advice that saved my frustrated hide one season was to cease giving my mare morning grain rations on hunt days. She had become difficult and a wise friend who rides a Currier and Ives looking TB on the buckle shared that if she grained her horse on hunt mornings he would be out of control. He eats his morning rations in the trailer after the hunt on the way home. I followed her advice and my mare came back around to be nice. The timing of her grain & the energy of hunt = too.much.spunk.
Good luck and have fun!
