Let's talk about what we look for in a hunt horse.

[Winding_Down]

There is huge variability in the type of horse people want. Good, experienced riders go from preferring ponies to fleet little thoroughbreds to big draft horses. One veteran told me recently that he likes to hunt old horses.

So it is not about skill necessarily. People just seem to have their preference and they stick with it. Many say they will ONLY hunt a tb; others say they will never.

I have hunted every sort, including ponies, draft crosses, thoroughbreds, and I think that I just like a fast and obedient horse that is a super jumper, regardless of type. That being said, I prefer to hunt big horses, as in 16.2 or taller, for some odd reason. Odd because I have often swayed toward horses under 16.2 in eventing.

I may be about to buy a hunt horse (jumping in with both feet here) and he is 17 hds and a lighter draft x. I just felt secure and comfortable on this lad. I plan to hunt him next Saturday with ODH, provided we don’t get rained out.

[jawa]

1. A horse that has been in work–So you know they will be more likely to hold up to the job.

2. A GREAT BRAIN–Hunting is exciting, with tricky footing and unrelated distances to jumps.

3. Has a 5th leg–See above about tricky footing.

4. If you are going to go first flight, a safe jump–Many of the objects are solid obstacles, you need to clear them.

5. A sense of self preservation–I guess this goes back to a great brain, but I don’t want to hunt a nutjob.

[Huntin_Pony]

Good lists ladies. Seems to me that the relative weight of some factors depends on the country you will most often hunt. For instance, a big galloping horse would be more desirable in open country while a handy, quick horse would be more desirable in trappy terrain. Obviously you need “enough” of each attribute to get the job done.

One more factor I prefer is a horse that loves hunting as much as I do!

[Willesdon]

Good manners and a sense of self-preservation. Fortunately, some horses have them built in.

[Winding_Down]

So does a horse that breaks his standing martingale attachment, and then flips his ear into his rider’s mouth qualify???

Oh how I am enjoying the antics of my new-to-hunting Irish Goober!

:: spitting out ear hairs in Virginia ::

[ISR]

We have a lady in our hunt who rides elephants. She and her elephants are always superbly turned out, they are well mannered, and a newborn baby could ride them, she leads the 10th field.

I would rather be trampled by a herd of pachyderm that ride one of her beasts. So for me, an athletic animal of sport horse type (some TB blood) with the previous attributes mentioned of a good brain is vastly important. My biggest fears are having to go in early because my horse is A) tired or B) throws a shoe. For this reason I hunt a sporty WB mare who can out run the TBs and hunts happily barefoot.

While i’m discussing African animals, I also wouldn’t ride giraffes. 17 hands is simply too tall for most of our territory conditions with low hanging branches, trees, and narrow passages in the woods. It’s also a long way down should you part ways with said giraffe.

[CarrieK]

But they’re impeccably turned-out

[Kodiak]

This last outing, I hunted a horse a hand taller than my normal mounts. In the first 30 seconds, I beaned myself with a tree branch that I normally ride right under. <sigh> The jumps looked a LOT smaller, though, so there’s that.

[wateryglen]

We in the Snobbington Hunt only have 6 fields tho’ we do have a slow group that includes elephants, musk oxen and buffalo’s. Quite frankly, that’s where the cool kids hunt and THEY have the best cookies!! :winkgrin: I’m thinking it’s time for the Snobbington Hunt to surface again!! Weeeeeeee!!

[Belmont]

I like a good brain, big heart, and brave horse. I don’t care about blood vs. no blood because I have hunted both.

I had a hunt master once who only bought little bay TB mares.

[crosscreeksh]

[QUOTE=jawa;7751168]

1. A horse that has been in work–So you know they will be more likely to hold up to the job.

2. A GREAT BRAIN–Hunting is exciting, with tricky footing and unrelated distances to jumps.

3. Has a 5th leg–See above about tricky footing.

4. If you are going to go first flight, a safe jump–Many of the objects are solid obstacles, you need to clear them.

5. A sense of self preservation–I guess this goes back to a great brain, but I don’t want to hunt a nutjob.[/QUOTE]

THIS…All the way. If a horse wants to take care of himself and you keep him between your legs…you’ll all be good!!!

[SLW]

I want Street Smart brains, mountain goat agility and the comfort of a Mercedes…and I don’t even jump big stuff anymore.

[Foxtrot_s]

You have to make the horse you want. One that works for you, one that slips along without fighting you, that will settle at checks, learn the terrain and learn to slow down approaching plough, that will jump anything, anywhere, handle the horses that ride up his/her tail, ignore a stray hound popping out of the brush, and so on. Impeccable manners at all times and not so tall that if you do fall off you can get on without a mounting block, and one that will not panic if such incident leaves him behind the main field. Hopefully, someone would stay with you.

[Huntin_Pony]

WD:

“One veteran told me recently that he likes to hunt old horses.”

There’s something to be said for longevity.

Reminds me of the well-known saying, “There are old pilots and bold pilots but there are no old, bold pilots!”

[Ponyclubrocks]

[QUOTE=jawa;7751168]

1. A horse that has been in work–So you know they will be more likely to hold up to the job.

2. A GREAT BRAIN–Hunting is exciting, with tricky footing and unrelated distances to jumps.

3. Has a 5th leg–See above about tricky footing.

4. If you are going to go first flight, a safe jump–Many of the objects are solid obstacles, you need to clear them.

5. A sense of self preservation–I guess this goes back to a great brain, but I don’t want to hunt a nutjob.[/QUOTE]

This my list too, word for word. Oh and edited to add I prefer; black/brown/chestnut. 5 Am bathes in freezing cold to clean up a grey that turned green over night? Not doing it!

[Hinderella]

Brave. With Brains. And Brakes. And to continue the alliteration, some shade of Brown

[wateryglen]

I want one that doesn’t spook at silver serving trays at opening meets!! Foxhunters gotta eat/drink ya know!!
:lol:

[Huntin_Pony]

GOOD POINT and - to build on that theme,

Horse should approach and receive or return flasks smoothly and stand perfectly while rider takes a swig and/or replaces the top!

[jawa]

Wateryglen and Huntin’ Pony,

That’s part of the “Great brain”!! No alcohol abuse allowed!!

That’s why they invented a side pass right?!!

[SidesaddleRider]

[QUOTE=jawa;7751168]

1. A horse that has been in work–So you know they will be more likely to hold up to the job.

2. A GREAT BRAIN–Hunting is exciting, with tricky footing and unrelated distances to jumps.

3. Has a 5th leg–See above about tricky footing.

4. If you are going to go first flight, a safe jump–Many of the objects are solid obstacles, you need to clear them.

5. A sense of self preservation–I guess this goes back to a great brain, but I don’t want to hunt a nutjob.[/QUOTE]

I agree with what jawa said.

I also look for conformationally correct, 16.1-17.1 hh (although I have hunted/owned plenty of 15.2-16 hh horses, I just have really long legs so I don’t intentionally search out shorter horses), good bone but not heavy, GOOD FEET not prone to pulling shoes, a good amount of blood to keep up, excellent brakes, BRAVERY (they need to be able to lead, even if they spend their time mostly in the field), and I prefer a flat jump so that I can hopefully hunt them aside.

Finally, silly, but I want them to be pretty much any color other than chestnut. Again, I have owned many, I just don’t really prefer the color!