How do quarter horses do in the hunt field? Crossovers from western other dicipline

[2foals]

[QUOTE=xeroxchick;7655059]
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.[/QUOTE]

Last year I started to get back into hunting after a long hiatus and for my partner I took my husband’s QH mare. She caught on pretty quick and was a willing, low drama, surefooted hunt mount. I only hunted her second flight, but she had no problem keeping up and staying out all day. And like xeroxchick notes, she seemed to understand the proceedings and would listen for the hounds. My son hunted a small QH alongside me a few times, also no drama, surefooted and kind. That pair made for quite a few very fun days in the hunt field.

[La_Gringa]

I really am liking the QH mind. I have owed TB’s and WB’s and Drafts for the past 30 years, and now have my first QH. She is the kindest smartest horse I have ever known. I know she will not physically hunt because she’s got arthritic knees. but when I am back in VA I am really thinking of getting one that can do the hunting. They are a lot less drama… and seem to just understand a lot more stuff instinctively… especially ones with a bit of cow in them. I am thinking a QH or appendix may be what I am going to do…

The nice thing with them too … even the stout ones are a heck of a lot easier to mount than a 17 hand giant WB. With my mare a little rock or stump anywhere would be all I would need. My last WB I needed at least a 3 step mounting block! Reaching gates on a QH or ducking under trees is a lot more doable too!

[MontanaDun]

My sister took my big (17h) QH out second flight when her horse was injured. He did great! Easily kept up with the field and was very level-headed about the whole thing.

[Foxglove]

My foundation QH is tops on the hunt flied. He’s the go-to horse for any problem such as holding the whips horses or leading them in, picking up a fallen rider and riding double, riding beside a new horse to keep him calm, and more than once, giving EVERYONE (including MFH and FM) leads over fences, down hills, or through thick covert. He’s great! Truly a hunt horse. No problems keeping up, ever, and best of all he stands still (and goes to sleep) at every check. He knows how to rate his energy use.
Foxglove

[La_Gringa]

Foxglove that’s what I love about mine… she will do that too. Love them… I’m a convert… and plan to ride western and English… back in VA and hunt on them!!

Your QH sounds great. I bet he is cowy .have you ever tried him near cattle?

[wateryglen]

Another thought…I’ve always wondered about whether WHERE in the US you get your qh and whether there are differences. I see; here in the east; too many of the short, stocky, heavy bodied qh with small legs and teeny feet. I prefer the better built foundation stock types that are proportioned better with bigger feet. I’d rather one from out west I’d bet. Maybe a ranch horse from Montana or something!!

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=wateryglen;7717707]
Another thought…I’ve always wondered about whether WHERE in the US you get your qh and whether there are differences. I see; here in the east; too many of the short, stocky, heavy bodied qh with small legs and teeny feet. I prefer the better built foundation stock types that are proportioned better with bigger feet. I’d rather one from out west I’d bet. Maybe a ranch horse from Montana or something!![/QUOTE]

It really just depends on the individual, and what sort of program they came out of, more than location. Mine came out of Missouri.

This is my guy: https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/1773_10152410206300215_668475863_n.jpg

He’s clearly a QH, no one is going to mistake him for anything else (although I actually do get a baroque breed here and there now that he’s all grey!), but he’s got solid legs and appropriately sized feet. He’s been barefoot and never taken a lame step in the 11 years I’ve owned him. He’s a solid 15.2.

He was a stud for six years and came out of a ranch program. Despite being an English horse with me, he can still go out and work a cow like nobody’s business. He IS Impressive-bred (the “god father” of all those stereotypical beef cattle halter horses) but he was bred to be a working horse that had to hold up.

I’ve hunter-paced with him, did the 4H stuff, hunter shows, eventing, 1st level dressage, fooled around with cow stuff in an english saddle, did some competitive trail, and even took a spin on the polo field a time or two. He’s the epitome of the “all around QH.”

I wouldn’t hesitate to get another. As he started to age I got a TB mare to be his up-and-coming replacement…although I love her, I do find myself occasionally regretting the decision slightly as she steps on my foot spooking at the hose that’s been there for three weeks… :lol:

[Foxglove]

Never had a chance to try him with cows. When he’s not hunting, he’s doing reining. We don’t use the hunt tack except for hunting. I do think it’s his favorite activity, based on his ears (always rocked forward on the hunt field, but sort of half up at any reining venue). He’s from a ranch in ND. Goes unshod all the time, and is one easy keeping horse. He’s smart and fun to work with. When I had trouble with my knees (since fixed) and could no longer mount easily, I taught him to kneel. He’ll do it, but only if I have a peppermint to bribe him. No candy, no kneel. He’s sixteen now, been hunting for 14 years. I hope he’ll last another 10 so we can quit together. If not, then I’ll be back in ND looking for his younger brother. =Foxglove

[Beverley]

The quarter horse I hunted for 20 years, whenever we jumped into a field full of cattle, would pause as if to ask well, should we go do something with those cattle? (Much less so if hounds were running, however). And he did come in handy when gentle herding of cattle was needed out hunting. But he’d had a bit of roping training before I bought him at 3 for western pleasure, so that was more his ‘question’ rather than cutting.

[La_Gringa]

That’s awesome. My mare came from Texas and is foundation bred all around Doc Bar, Poco Tivio, Doc OLena, Cutter Bill… VERY cowy.

Her feet are a little bit on the small side but she is well built stout…just has a lot of miles on her as a penner… so her knees are starting to bug her.

I want another one with her great attitude. She is not at all marish… and will do whatever you ask her… all the time No attitude ever.

Love my cow horse…now I just need a cowhorse/hunt horse combo for the best of both!!