New season, new horses, how is it going??

[SLW]

My new to me (July '10) mare just finished her 7th hunt today and she is a rock star! I took things extremely slow with her during hound exercises and at the beginning of cubbing season. With each exposure I could see her mind put check marks by things that are routine when hunting and around hounds. She is a smart cookie.

Today, while it wasn’t perfect for scenting it was perfect for fast riding and ride we did over lush pastures, rolling hills and through the woods. She stands statue still at checks, trots on the buckle and lopes along with no desire to take the bit and pass the field. :winkgrin:

So, anyone else bringing out a horse new to hunting this year with results to share? There is a 14 year old girl out there having a miserable teenagehood time because I have her perfect horse but I think middle aged Mom’s deserve nice horses too.

[strawberry_roan]

That is so funny because I am enjoying my daughter’s horse this season since mine is on injured reserve! She has let me know repeatedly that it is her horse but while she is in school I take her little gem out and have been having one hell of a good time! Daughter can have her on weekends but during the week–her horse is mine!!!

[JSwan]

Taking the new guy out Tuesday. Can’t wait.

[Heliodoro]

My horse and I are both new to hunting this year and we’re loving it! Had a great hunt yesterday with GVH, beautiful weather and we were 1st flight to boot (sponsor’s horse pretty much HAS to be up front!). My horse is coming along about chilling out during make ways, but I keep an “escape route” handy. He definately saved my bacon this week and last week.

Last week, we had a minor disagreement about traveling over some logs/branches: I would’ve preferred him to walk and pick through, he decided to jump to whole lot (~5’ wide)! I ended up launched in front of the saddle with one stirrup, had he decided to put his head down I would have been off, but he didn’t and I scooted back in the tack no problemo! Yesterday the footing was deep in some spots, we were cantering along, hit some deep mud and slowed him down while my momentum carried me onto his heck, again he trooped it out and we continued on! I think he’s a keeper! He also had to lead a balky horse through a watery ditch and did great!

[SLW]

Hee, hee Strawberry Roan, I was snagging my daughters horse off and on last year, so I could rest my mare, so I know the drill your doing!!

JSwan- good luck!! Be sure and share how it goes!

Heliodoro- welcome aboard the fox hunting express! It is the only thing that gets me through the winter. Sounds like all in all your horses is a trooper. For me it is a mental hurdle to get a horse through it’s first 6 hunts because at that point you know what sort of horse you have- they’ve figured out the game. I had no idea that yesterday was the 7th hunt for my mare so I was stoked when I realized that was behind us!!

[Benson]

My new guy Hunted a few times last season, then promptly tore his check ligament. So far this season he’s been doing very well. He raced for 10 years, so accustomed to riding in company and is not bothered by hounds at all. We’re a small farm pack (large crowd today with 7 in the field:)), so get to mingle with the hounds all day long. He takes everything in stride and gets nice compliments on his ability to hang out at checks, then pick it right back up again when the hounds strike.

Today the wind was whipping and one of the horses was particularly spunky, so the OTTB’s in the pack were jockeying for position and getting their race on a bit. Not a particularly good day for scenting, but had a few good runs. He’s definitely a keeper:)

[Bogie]

This is my horse’s second Fall season and he’s doing great. I have been taking it easy with him, starting him hilltopping, moving him up to pick and choose jumpers and now he’s hunting first flight and jumping like a star. It did take him awhile to figure out how to gallop AND jump in a crowd but now he’s so focused on the fences that he gets mad if i go around any.

It’s been really fun to see him learn about hunting. At the beginning he wouldn’t stand still for a second. Now, he’s calm as can be before the hunt and at the checks but as soon as the hounds are cast he’s off! He’s really learned to conserve his energy.

I love the way he watches the hounds. He’s very tuned in to what they are doing. Secretly, he wants to be a staff horse.

Today was the first day I took him to one of our hunts with big open fields and lots of galloping (where many people get into trouble). Until now I wasn’t sure he could hold it together but we worked all summer on rating his gallop and he was perfect. I was so proud of him!

[TimelyImpulse]

I have an OTTB I got last year as a 3 yo. We did the hunt trail rides with Rappahannock, the Casanova Foxhunting Clinic, a clinic with Paul Striberrry, and went cubbing 3rd field with ODH. (Yay Hunter’s Rest, fearless leader!).

We’re going out 2nd field on Weds, and will see how it goes, but so far, he’s just a joy to ride. He’s not perfect, as he will let out a bit of his baby play at the very beginning of a ride/hunt, but he settles down fast. He’ll go back, front or middle, and has learned to watch the horse in front of him-- he’ll apply his own brakes and keep a proper distance.

He’s a bit taller than I wanted, and still growing, but will stand for me to get on from the ground if necessary. Looped reins for the most part, doesn’t bolt off, has no problem with horses coming up behind or going off from him, hunts in a simple snaffle.

The only negative about him is he required a semi custom saddle, so $$$, but hey, not bad for a $1K investment in an off the track pony!

[whicker]

Timely Impulse has a Star!

Timely Impulse is being modest. Her horse did exremely well! I was behind her on Ruby, the Dressage Goddess, most of the ODH coth hunt. Timely Impulse was able to do gates and handle the knee deep river fording with style. Her horse kept his cool when a gate swung shut on him when he was half way through. Most importantly, to Ruby, he was gallant in shielding her from advances of un-introduced properly horses. Quite Chivalrious!

[Painted_Wings]

My old horse is still recovering from a torn distal ligament

So I’ve got a four year old and a five year old to hunt this year.

The five year old hunted a few times last year and I’ve taken her out twice in first field this year (once leading the field) and she’s been great other than a few moments of over excitement. She’s been jumping all the coops great without a stop.

The four year old has been out once. She was pretty good too but needs more hound exposure. We also had a little rodeo when she was bothered by high weeds/nettles in a field. As soon as she got out of the weeds she was good as gold again. That was a weekday hunt though so she’s gonna need more time before a weekend hunt. I took her out the next week with some of my beagles to give her more hound work and she was pretty good. A couple more times of that and she will be good.

I’ve also got a 6 yr old that I’ve pretty much given up on for going in the field. She’s just too hot. She’s very brave and fun to ride though so I might use her for a whip horse if needed. She’s great alone, just not good in a group of running horses.

My 15 yr old gelding is finally back to light work. It’s been since the end of January. I took him to the WEG to outride and he was fabulous. We had to bring the horse ambulance in and keep the crowds away when the Italian team horse went down after Lincoln’s cabin. We are taking it slow on his recovery and I doubt that I will hunt him this season. I surely do miss him though for hunting. He’s a fabulous ride.

[system]

love to hunt

hi,
love to hunt horses???
Job Interview

[pleasantmeadowfarm]

You know you have a diamond in the rough… and a fab saddle to boot!

[QUOTE=TimelyImpulse;5165006]
I have an OTTB I got last year as a 3 yo. We did the hunt trail rides with Rappahannock, the Casanova Foxhunting Clinic, a clinic with Paul Striberrry, and went cubbing 3rd field with ODH. (Yay Hunter’s Rest, fearless leader!).

We’re going out 2nd field on Weds, and will see how it goes, but so far, he’s just a joy to ride. He’s not perfect, as he will let out a bit of his baby play at the very beginning of a ride/hunt, but he settles down fast. He’ll go back, front or middle, and has learned to watch the horse in front of him-- he’ll apply his own brakes and keep a proper distance.

He’s a bit taller than I wanted, and still growing, but will stand for me to get on from the ground if necessary. Looped reins for the most part, doesn’t bolt off, has no problem with horses coming up behind or going off from him, hunts in a simple snaffle.

The only negative about him is he required a semi custom saddle, so $$$, but hey, not bad for a $1K investment in an off the track pony![/QUOTE]

It was great watching you out with ODH, and I just couldn’t belive HOW good your 4 year old did out in the field! KEEPER! You’re a lucky lady

[pleasantmeadowfarm]

Talk about modest…

Hey Whicker - toot your own horn you oh too modest Hunting Princess! After spending the entire summer primarily prepping one of your gorgeous girls to hunt for the first time in years, you end up bringing out the OTHER absolutely stunning lady!

A++ to you and Ruby, for making it look easy! I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure. So, how is Ms. Wren coming along. Are you still hitting the pavement regularly.

I want to be pampered like your ponies… can I move in to your barn PUUULLEEEEASE?

By the way, my darned computer crashed will I was editing the video from my helmet cam. Really bummed that I can’t recover the footage. I was fortunate enough to save a few still pictues that I saved while I was editting.

Will post soon.

[pleasantmeadowfarm]

Two new ponies - both kickin’ butt!

I’m so fortunate to now have my own little string of Hunt ponies. Yup, I’m spoiled to have three fabulous mounts. I don’t feel too bad about it though, as I’m more than happy to share.

Both mounts, despite only having been out a half dozen times each (not including daily Roading in the summer) have been borrowed by fellow boarders, rented out (once so far - Alex you ruled on my Pink Pony), been whipped off of, borrowed by the weekend kennel staff, and will probably be stolen by the Huntsman at some point! I’m so proud of them both.

Of course, my dressage mare from last year, is also now as steady and perfect as I could have ever hoped… It took her (or perhaps me) quite a bit longer to assimilate to the new lifestyle :eek:

As I stated earlier in my post… I’m HAPPEEEE to share. Come on up to NJ! I can’t wait to go out in COSTUME for our Halloween Hunt. It should be quite a hoot!

Ahhh, Hunter’s Rest - I just received a couple of photos of you on my newest Hunt pony… Yup, the Pink Pony lived in a field with PB and X for a spell.

[JSwan]

@TimelyImpulse;5165006

I have an OTTB I got last year as a 3 yo. We did the hunt trail rides with Rappahannock, the Casanova Foxhunting Clinic, a clinic with Paul Striberrry, and went cubbing 3rd field with ODH. (Yay Hunter’s Rest, fearless leader!).

That horse is a diamond in the rough. And he’s getting shiny mighty fast. I love that horse.

Took the new guy out today and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I’m sitting here in front of the computer grinning like an idiot.

Hope all of you have big grins on your faces too.

[Hinderella]

Timely Impulse: You are indeed too modest, your horse was terrific out there, especially with that scary narrow gate!

Whicker: You too should pat yourself on the back more (hard to do now, I know) for gettting Ruby the dressage goddess out there into the commotion of the hunt. When she put her head down to graze at the check, it was clear that she’d decided this hunting stuff could be fund after all.

PMF: I am very jealous of your hunting horse “string”. I’ve been digging myself out of holes at work, but perhaps later in the season I can make it to NJ and meet your horses.

JSwan: So glad the new guy did well for you, I’m sure that a hunting smile can last all week, or at least to the next hunt.

I really HAVE TO buy myself a trailer. I want to get my sturdy pony ready to hunt, but to do that I need to get her out of the big circle and onto the trails. Tanheath Hunt is nearby, and I just got their November fixture card, but I have to get myself a trailer (and learn how to drive it) so I can get out there!

[whicker]

Big Daddy still the man?

Hey, JSwan,
Is the new guy’s name still “Big Daddy”? Can’t wait to see him in action. I’m soo happy that you have found a steed who does it well.

[SLW]

@JSwan;5166747

Took the new guy out today and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I’m sitting here in front of the computer grinning like an idiot.

Hope all of you have big grins on your faces too.

Excellent JSwan.

[JSwan]

@whicker;5167149

Hey, JSwan,
Is the new guy’s name still “Big Daddy”?

That’s the “barn name” my niece came up with. I do wonder what goes through that kid’s mind sometimes. I respectfully declined to name the poor thing after Burl Ives in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Hinderella - hope you get out to hunt with that club real soon. If not… Hunter’s Rest gets a group together to go hunting in Aiken. hint hint.

[Hinderella]

Yes, I haven’t foregotten about Aiken…just catching up at the office and trying to see if I can make it work. If not, I’m going to try a return trip to Hunter’s rest in the spring, even if I miss the end of hunt season & just get to do some hacking.
If Big Daddy doesn’t work, I"m sure that the WWE has lots of good “big” names to choose from