Hi! I’m interested in doing my first hunter pace this year with my barn, but I have never done anything like it before. I’ve ridden trail rides in rough terrain w/ a friend but that’s about it.
What can I do in the ring (schooling) to prep/train for it? I know it’s supposed to be low key, but I don’t want to go in without practice.
I don’t think there’s much you can do, other than make sure your horse is reasonably fit and has good manners and the right tack/ bit so that you can control it in a group in the open.
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The one thing I can think of, but which is difficult in a ring, is to practice having teams pass you / or passing other teams. Sometimes horses get very worried about being left behind. Other than that, it’s really just a timed trail ride with a preset course.
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Agreed. One of the dangerous parts is having strange horses potentially in your personal space and/or running up on you. That’s hard to practice outside of trail riding in public areas or in a crowded warm up ring.
Another is (if you jump) doing so with lots of distractions, including getting left behind by other horses.
In a ring, work on your dressage basics so your horse is listening and responsive. That’ll make the ride safer and more enjoyable.
I wouldn’t bother. Hunter paces are what you make them. Do what you and horsey are comfortable with, If he does more …you win. It’s a trail ride with other horses around you and some jumps that you don’t HAVE to take. Turn off the compete switch and learn to have fun messing about on a horse, out in the country.
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If it’s a Halloween hunter pace (all ours were) you might want to get him used to seeing riders and horses in costumes. One of mine was freaked out by these.
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The biggest things I’ve seen with newer horses is being uncomfortable with horses galloping nearby is different directions and being passed by horses coming up from behind and not wanting to cross water or mud The hunter pace courses tend to be windy, so you will most likely see other horses through the woods.
You can go any speed you want, so just listen to your horse and have fun with it. Most horses love them. Be sure to not wear any leg protection that holds water since you will almost certainly be crossing water.
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You can watch a variety of hunter paces on YouTube to get some idea of what you and your horse can expect. Great helmet-cam videos.
Since you’re doing it with your barn, maybe you can all do some prep work together.
(Since OP hasn’t been back here in 4 days I’m picturing her and her horse out on course even as I type this.)
