I have heard this term used around here a few times, and I’m not sure what it means.
On the buckle.
Any one else have terms they don’t quite get? Feel free to hijack to get an answer:D
Thanx guys
LBR
I don’t hunt, but ride hunters. My understanding is that “On the buckle” means that you can literally drop the reins (buckle lies on the neck) and your horse just keeps cruising along in nice comfortable “autopilot” mode. I often hack my gelding out on the buckle at the beginning and end of lesson as it relaxes him. Relaxes me too! But, I’m no expert in terminology…
Thanx GCF!
I do that with my mare when trail riding, on the way out only, otherwise she’d be home in a FLASH! 
LBR
Yep, you got it. Riding with a loose rein, holding onto “the buckle” of your reins only.
Indicates a relaxed, quiet demeanor (a wonderful quality in a hunt horse, or any horse for that matter).
Yeah, very few horses hunt on the buckle. When most people say it they are exaggerating. I have one but he’s 28 yrs old unfortunately. A naturally lazy QH. Could hunt all day and not have to pick up the reins.
I’ve hunted a lot of different horses and that’s the only one I can think of that could actually hunt “on the buckle”
that is so interesting!
I’ve always heard “on the buckle” meaning a totally lax rein while still feeling the horse is in control.
My trail horses will w, t, c, out and home, on the buckle and will transition downward on seat aides alone, as do my dressage horses. For me. Not sure if they’ll do that for anyone else yet.
However, having ridden only fresh OTTB’s while hunting, I never got any of them to that point before selling them off as show hunters. I never had the happy experience of hunting “on the buckle”. Congrats to you who have!
I really miss field hunting. There is nothing like that here in the far west.
Hahaha, my horse Hunts on the buckle…
After 3 hrs of Hunting and headed AWAY from the trailers:)
Prior to that, we need some gear and a serious half halt.
A field hunter who hunts “on the buckle” is worth a lot of money. :lol:
I have a baker’s dozen hunters that go on the buckle. More or less. It doesn’t have to be literal - not literally at the end of your reins, but just … soft. Quiet. Easy. That is what I mean in the hunt field by on the buckle. I mean it more literally at home, where I ride them all, literally, on the end of the reins.
Yes a horse that hunts like this is worth a lot of $jingle. This is why my horses are … priceless. : o )
