I was just curious how QHs do in the field… How common are they?
i hunted in VA with a shire mare so I’m pretty much going 180 degrees from that lol
They do just fine. I hunted one from age 6 to 26 after a successful western pleasure career. I also had a couple ‘anyone can hunt him and I can whip off him’ fellows. And a mare who started hunting at age 26 to pack my 4 year old son around. Of the horses I have owned that hunted, dating back to 1971, five quarter horses, one tb.
IMHO = outstanding! Especially the foundation stock builds w/the larger feet. They are smart and have a great sense of self preservation. They’ll take care of themselves AND you! Catty & handy which is wonderful in trappy country. Gotta get them fit for the running part which is the Tb’s forte of course. I’m a believer in having the right horse for that hunts territory and pace. And which field you’ll be riding in. I’d prefer one with some good wither to keep the saddle in the right place too. Head carriage may make them easier to ride one way or the other ie: too low and I fall off with quick movements!! :winkgrin: And you gotta learn to stay with them jumping as they are quick.
I’d vote any qh will be fine for second fields and with most firsts. Some hunts you 'd do better with a tb MAYBE.
My compromise was draft/qh crosses! Love 'em! But an appendix is popular round these parts.
And I found the western training terrific for hunting prep. And the trail sense/mileage is ideal.
My paint took to it right away! Normally I have a problem with her being too slow and on the forehand, but put her in the hunt field and she rides like a “normal” horse.
I would say not very common, but how they do depends on the individual horse! A QH can do great as a hunter provided they are trained to jump (the ones I’ve been to had ~3ft solid jumps, mostly coops) and have suitable conditioning for the hills and long canters; the even temperament most QH have is an asset. I didn’t go regularly but took my QH (former western ranch horse) a few times and had a great time.
Mine have had no trouble staying out all day whether in Virginia or with Red Rock in Nevada for example, where a tb really is ideal, 25 to 35 mile days not uncommon. The one I hunted for 20 years beat winners over timber in 4 mile pair races. No, he couldn’t hope to outrun them, but he also didn’t have to slow down to weave through the woods or negotiate hills and jumped out of stride at any speed.
I also think QH’s can do well with many hunts. They can be very handy in heavily wooded areas. They can take the commotion and energy a little easier than some ottb’s (imo). I have enjoyed hunting quarter horses and many people at our hunt also enjoy riding a qh.
Decades ago in the East and SE, the horses I hunted were OTTBs we were retraining for hunters and jumpers and the rare small horse we were trying as suitable for a junior.
Many horses then were TBs and less numbers their crosses.
Later in the West, when we were racing and retraining those after their race career for ranch horses, we had a standing order with a fellow in the East for any of our race horses that would be suitable as a hunting horse.
Plenty of those were quarter horses.
Every one we called him about he accepted and was happy with.
Every so often we would get a call from someone that bought one of those horses asking if we had more like him.
Remember, many quarter horses have plenty of TB in them.
It would make sense that some of those would be good at what TBs are good.
I hunted my QH pony mare with Loudoun, LH West & middleburg and she was first flight…with a huge red ribbon 
rateable with a 5th leg when needed. Quiet at checks, loved to jump though we evented and showed regularly.
Ill hunt any breed as long as they are sane and acting the fool.
I hunt my 21 appendix QH in Texas and he’s marvelous! Super smart and sure footed plus he deals well with all mishaps that come our way. As mentioned by previous posters, it depends on where you are hunting, but my grandson of Doc Bar is perfect for where I hunt. There are a few other QHs in our hunt field, but we do have a wide array of breeds present!
Much the same as any other horse, given appropriate training.
[QUOTE=La Chasse;7652198]
Ill hunt any breed as long as they are sane and acting the fool.[/QUOTE]
Are you sure ?
[QUOTE=Equibrit;7652481]
Much the same as any other horse, given appropriate raining.[/QUOTE]
Are YOU sure?
[QUOTE=Equibrit;7652484]
Are you sure ?[/QUOTE]
Left out the word NOT…as in NOT acting the fool 
Thx!
Out here in Oklahoma some of the best hunt horses are ex/current-ranch horses. Even the first timers are pretty darn good!! After chasing ill tempered cattle…following a pack of hounds is a piece of cake. They are athletic and sane or haven’t survived ranch work. I love my TB’s, but QH’s are my suggestion for prospects most people can deal with.
One thing I love about hunting a stock horse is their work ethic. Once they catch on to hunting they are all business and pay more attention than I do.
True, makes it very enjoyable. One horse knew the sound of hounds rioting and would take me to the offenders, ears pinned, so I could rate them, no steering on my part, he just knew what needed doing.
Once they catch on to hunting they are all business and pay more attention than I do
That is when I really enjoy hunting: the thread between fox, hound and horse. It is such an awesome feeling
They rock! I agree w/ Wateryglen that certain breeds may do better in certain terrain, but in Virginia, a QH is a perfect fit. Love them!
I would say it depends on their conditioning, the horse and the territory.
I have one who is full QH and very typical- big shoulder, not very long legs and he can keep up with the best of them going second field and for a little while first flight if he is in really good shape. But, he is quite possibly the laziest horse I have ever encountered, but loves loves hunting and is a dream to hunt, he is such a good boy.
My other horse is a half and half Appendix and he has ZERO problem keeping up with first flight out for hours on end twice a week. He has an amazing brain, but does like to test me and can act more like a TB when he gets excited- however, his sense of self preservation is unlike what I have seen in most horses, he is very catty and agile, an awesome jumper, he knows hound work and the horn, and he can go all day stamina wise (and he is easy to get in shape). That being said, most people are incredibly surprised to learn that he is not full TB- he looks like an old type TB with lots of bone.
I am typically a TB person and I have an OTTB who is a work in progress. He is a typical riled up TB at home, but out hunting, he is an absolute dream.
Point being- it all depends on the horse! But I do enjoy having the QH brain out hunting, it is very valuable!
