how to get a green horse ready for their first hunt

[nlk]

I have a 6yr old TB cross show hunter. I would love to try to do a hunt at least once to see if I like it (we have several hunts in our area who allow guest (I guess that’s what you would call it???) Either way I was wondering what you all do with a young horse new to hunting and the rider for that matter, to get them prepared for their first hunt.

I think they have “practice” type rides in the off season for those who want to break in a new horse but other then that… any advice would be great!

Oh and as far as my riding I have 17 yrs int the saddle, and do hunters, jumpers and lower dressage.

Thanks!

Sorry if there is a similar thread already up

[Jleegriffith]

NLK- this may or may not be helpful but this season is my first season of hunting. I have always wanted to hunt but never had a horse that would even remotely behave itself in the hunt field as I tend to ride hotter horses that in no way shape or form go behind another horse despite lots of prep on the trails at home.

I admit I was really nervous about hunting mainly because I did not know anything about it and all my horses were tb’s under the age of 7 that had never hunted either. I consider myself an experienced rider especially with green horses and the horses I considered hunting had mileage out eventing and trail riding so I was confident they would not embarass me to badly. All the horses I planned on hunting were great in group trail rides and I also did a few hunter paces just as additional prep.

I went along with my friend as a guest the first few times as her hunt club is a local pack that is very small with only one flight (say around 6 horses max each time I went). This was a great way to let the horses hear/see the hounds and for me to ask a few questions and try to understand what I should be doing. I took one horse twice and the other one out once. In the meantime I joined our closest recognized hunt and went to one of the meetings just to introduce myself. If you aren’t sure if you will like it it would be best to cap. I assumed I would like it since I finally had horses that would hunt sanely so I could enjoy myself.

I only knew one person but did my best to introduce myself and tell them I was new and willing to learn. I made sure to dress as close to the standards as possible with my show clothes and my tack was plain and saddle pad fitted. Otherwise, I just showed up and hoped for the best.

I think my first time hunting with Wicomico there might have only been one field that day but I just asked where I should ride and rode in the back as I was planning only jumping if the horse was doing well. It went pretty well so now I typically ride in first flight but on the less fit horses I might ride in second flight. Generally, the members are very willing to give advice or tips if you ask nicely. I always do my best to ride as I would others to ride which to me means stay off the heels of horse in front, try not to pass unless horse in front is dropping back in an open space and if my horse is having a moment move to the back as to not disturb others. I believe senior members should have priority in front of field but not sure but I try to let them go ahead of me. I have yet to really figure that one out and keep forgetting to ask.

When all else fails just ask someone and they are happy to help. I have had the most fun ever. I really love eventing but there is something about watching the hounds work and spending the afternoon on a good horse who takes care of you across all the terrain that brings a feeling of exhilaration like no other. I have now hunted three horse…not really by choice but if one is out for whatever reason I am determined I will hunt so I just hunt another one of mine. I have three that I thought “would” hunt and so far they have all been amazing.

Good luck and report back if you do go. I have found myself taking of Wed. from work so I can hunt. It’s addicting!

[Elsinore13]

NLK:
You’re a bit late in the season to jump into hunting with a green horse.Even though your horse might be fit, it may not be “hunting fit” to handle a good 45 minute run.

The best time to introduce a horse to hunting would be toward August when many hunts allow members to ride when going during the houndwalking or cubbing season. It is always prudent to stay with the hilltoppers (no/low jumping field) your first time out. This way you can see if your horse can handle itself in a large group, not kick at hounds,etc. There is no shame in going in early if it just seems a little too much at the moment. Always best to end on a good note.

Definately pick up the Chronicle’s publication “Riding to the hounds in North America” it covers a lot of rules that still apply.The hunt secretary will also be able to help you and will refer you to other members you can connect with when you go out.

If you haven’t jumped cross country, it might be good to contact the hunt secretary and ask if there is a professional that can offer some lessons before you go out. Jumping XC is definately a lot different than in a ring, in hunting you’re not afforded the luxury of 8 strides before the jump. In a lot of cases, it’s grab the yoke (or old stirrup strap) kick and trust your horse will figure the distance.

Definately try to have a “wing man” with you when you go out. Many members will be more than happy to help you out. Oh and don’t be surprised if your horse becomes a completely different horse out there.:eek: It’s not uncommon to move to a stronger bit just for hunting.

Good luck and definately write back with an update of your first time out!! Oh yes, it is addicting! You’ll know you’re addicted when you start referring to the Horse Country catalog as your “porn”!

[nlk]

Thank you both for your advice!

I do realize that it’s late in the season, and as I am six months pregnant that’s not much of a problem:winkgrin:

Elsinore13-The closest hunt (30-45min away) Has several different options for the off season that sound really helpful and much like what you mentioned. The have a members there who will go out and hack across the fields actually owned by the hunt and help you and your horse get use to the narrow paths and jumps. They also allow you to come in and ride with the hounds which they work down the roads during the summer months to keep them fit.

So it sounds like other then having your horse fit at home and taking him there to see how he does there’s not much else to do at home! I will be hacking across the fields at the farm he’s boarded at they have over 90 acres that are fields and trials I’m so excited! That should help with his over all fitness for the ring and also our attempt to hunt!

Thanks again I’ll let you know how it goes this summer!

[Foxtrot_s]

I’m in the same boat as you ('cept I’m not pregnant). I am planning to take my 5 yo to the hound exercises which is much lower key, and slower, than hunting. It will show me how she can handle the hounds, horses, sounds, etc. And I can quit if I have to without getting in too deep, too far afield, or too much money. I was hoping my daughter (younger and fitter than me) would break the ice for me, but she’s gone overseas, so it is up to me, I guess.

[Nlevie]

As others have said, the ideal time is in the summer or fall before formal hunt season begins, so you can get out with others on trail rides or hound exercises, then cubbing.
But right now, the only people still hunting are the ones who are very serious and have fit horses (or at least they should be ?) I think my advice for a 1st timer would be to see if someone has an experienced, quiet horse you could “rent” so that you could experience hunting without worrying about your horse. Otherwise, there are should be someone who would be willing to help you out by riding with you and explaining everything as the day goes on. Unfortunately, not everyone is good at that, but hopefully you will get good advice about who could best help you.

It is very difficult to duplicate the experience of hunting at home ? So sometimes you just have to go for it and try it. . . But for sure have someone to “babysit” you who is willing to also go in early if need be - remember this is about making it a good experience for your horse. Try to end on a good note and have a quiet walk in.

Definitely let us know how it goes ~

[bigbaytb]

[QUOTE=Nlevie;3791494]

It is very difficult to duplicate the experience of hunting at home ? So sometimes you just have to go for it and try it. . . But for sure have someone to “babysit” you who is willing to also go in early if need be - remember this is about making it a good experience for your horse. Try to end on a good note and have a quiet walk in.

Definitely let us know how it goes ~[/QUOTE]

Some people try to duplicat a hunt at home. Impossible, but there are a couple things you can try out before going to a hunt. we did this at my barn for a couple friends just to see how their horses handled things before they went on a summer hunt or cubbing. we just got a group of riders together. disciplins didn’t matter. and went out in the fields. we did have one “hound” (horse friendly dog that would run around the horses) and a "field master who could crack a whip and who lead the way. it was like a big game of simon says, but we took it at a quick hunt pace. this gave the riders a chance to see if their horses would freak if galloping/ stopping, getting too close to another horse, kicketc. that’s about as close as you can emulate a hunt at home.

[Elghund2]

If you have some dogs that can go trail riding with you that certainly helps. We have a foxhound who was a washout. When we trail ride, she wanders around the woods. When she comes back it is always at full bore. The first couple of times she passed my 5yr old, he about jumped out of his skin.

No he doesn’t even look at her. For that matter he doesn’t pay attention to the hounds either. I know he doesn’t connect what he is doing with what they are doing.

[Jleegriffith]

I went to a paper chase with the main horse I hunt and figured if he could handle that paper chase he could handle hunting! There were 200 pairs of riders and they were all standing on top of a big hill. I remember him coming off the trailer and his eyes were popping out of his head. Once I was on him he was perfectly fine but my mom’s horse who is normally dead quiet was freaked out. We passed people and were passed by others. Lots of groups going at different speeds over all sorts of terrain so a good opportunity to see how the think under pressure.

[Beverley]

Being able to handle large groups of horses going in all directions is good. But for a very few, it’s the hunting sounds, particularly the horn, that can put them on edge.

Actually, late in the season isn’t necessarily a bad time to start (though not 6 months pregnant:)). Many people quit at Xmas or don’t restart after a long bad weather spell, so it’s possible to find a meet where numbers will be small. The key there of course is to ensure that there’s a hilltoppers group for starters, and that the Master knows you are hilltopping on an inexperienced horse. They won’t generally mind if you have the basic riding skills necessary to cope with life’s little suprises.

When you start getting out there, remember that about the 3rd or 4th hunt may be the acid test for some. That’s when they know exactly where they are going and what they are going to be doing. For most, it’s an ‘oh boy lemme at the trailer’ kind of thing. But I had one poor fellow that came OFF the trailer in a lather upon arrival at the meet. That was a sign. Hunting was not his thing.

[Outfxed]

As Beverley stated, even if they are prepared slowly, they don’t always make the cut. I have a 6 yr. old WB/TB cross that I took out to all the hunt trail rides this past summer in groups up to 70 horses. He handled being anywhere in the group easily and at all gaits. Progressed to cubbing in the hilltopper group and he was a star. Made it all the way to opening meet…he got fitter…the hunting got faster with more going on…His brain turned to mush. No more hunting…:no:

[twofatponies]

I’ve hilltopped twice, so perhaps my experiences would be useful. The things I had done before that gave me some confidence were:

• good long distance hacking (5-10 miles every day), and two hunter paces, so I was sure my horse would not be too tired or foot sore, and that I would not be too tired (I don’t jump, so this was all walk-trot-canter work) to keep up.
  -our farm has lots of dogs, both resident and visiting, and my horse has never paid them any attention or reacted when they run under her feet or down the barn aisle, which they love to do when chasing the barn cat.
  -I did a good bit of hacking in various company - both familiar and strange horses, and knew how my mare reacted to that.

Some of the unexpected things I found the two times I went out:

-there was a lot more stop-and-go than I thought, and my mare was somewhat fretful with the standing around, wanting to keep moving because of the general excited energy we all had.
-it was much more organized than I expected, at least in hilltoppers - each of us had a position and stayed there, and also our group as a whole was sometimes directed to go here or there by the Masters to help encourage the coyote to head in a particular direction. In the movies it always looks like a wild stampede, you know?
-there were several times when we were standing around and first flight or the hunt staff came back through the area we were in, and my mare wanted to go with them, and was difficult to steer off the trail quickly to let them by because she was not listening well. I learned to plan ahead a little, and always stop so I was already well clear of the path and wouldn’t have to move her at the last minute.
-I also used the other hilltoppers to my advantage, at times when we were going slowly or stopped and a faster group went by on one side, I would position myself on the far side of the group, so they served as a “buffer” to my horse, and she wouldn’t be as excited by the faster horses.

We had a great time both times, and I was always partnered with someone by the hunt secretary, and that person was always very helpful, gave me lots of tips and advice, and explained what was going on, when to be quiet, where to ride in the group, etc. The above details are just small things I thought might help in terms of being prepared.