What you look for in a hunter + horse critique

[Sacred_Petra]

I recently bought a new horse with the intent of him being my stock horse, but now that I’ve got him with all the western riders, they’re all telling me he looks like a hunt horse. I had never seen him under saddle until yesterday, and it got me thinking, what do you look for in a hunter? I don’t necessarily mean a good show hunter, but one that will be able to get the average person around a hunt field.

Here he is. He doesn’t have spectacular conformation, so he’ll never be a really good hunter (and honestly, neither will I), but I’m wondering if I should start puting some english miles on him and look for a laid-back hunt in the area. I’ve always wanted to go hunting (even though I’m kind of a chicken). and if he can handle it, adding something else to his resume is good for him.

[SLW]

At my age (turning 50 in November) in this order I want:

1. Excellent brains- handles the changes in the hunt field. Goes alone or in groups. Loads. Stands tied. Clips.
2. Soundness- horse stays sound even with it’s conformation flaws.
3. Comfortable to ride- my back is good so I can still handle a bad trot or canter
4. Size- I want smaller, no more than 15.2 tall
5. Color, gender and breed are last though I always look at mares over geldings first.

Several of our hunt members have picked up former ranch horse to turn into hunting horses. They are doing terrific in their career switch.

[Elghund2]

I agree with SLW on 1-3. On 4, I like mine a little bigger 16 min. The size is just I psychological thing and I’ll admit to that. I like geldings. I’m not the right rider for a mare.

When I went looking for a new horse last year, I thought I was going to end up with a 7/8 or 3/4 TB but instead have OTTB. He has a great mind, learns quickly and seems to have good durability.

The athletic ability needed in the hunt field varies from hunt to hunt but I would dare say if the horse can handle 3’ 3" then it can handle 99% of the hunt field jumps. There are a couple of jumps bigger than that and the rest are hyperbole. The one thing I will add on athletic ability is the horses handiness. Handiness is a great thing to have.

[starkissed]

Pretty much any horse can hunt if they have GOOD HEAD! That’s formost, and from the picture- he looks like he might be a quieter type- maybe a high head carriage.

I think when your friend mentioned field hunter, she was thinking a quiet stocky type horse that isn’t really fancy for showing. And foxhunters don’t have to be fancy.
When I want in a hunter is:

1. quiet- doesnt get frazzled or pull
2. good jumper & in good form
3. 16h± but I’m tall
4. I like them to look more like show horses- pretty/good movers.- not heavy and luggy

[xeroxchick]

Ranch bred horses can be really great field hunters since they have a work ethic and are used to staying calm around cattle and watching/thinking about the cattle. They tend to stay calm and handy in rough terrain. Not much of a transition to hound work. I just would make sure that he is comfortable to ride for long periods of time in an English saddle. We have a ranch gelding we sent to VA to sell and he has been a star so far.

[Equine_Senior]

Looks are probably the LAST thing in a good hunt horse. The one you have may be fantastic, give him a try. You will get lots of really good advice on this board

[Sacred_Petra]

I think I am going to try him at hunting. I’m hoping he’ll be more comfortable in an english saddle. He’s got such a long stride that it makes sitting the trot for long period of time tiring. I’m very curious to see what he jumps like. I know he used to jump the 4ft fence out of his pasture, but he’s never jumped with a rider before. I guess now I’ve just got to find a place where I can try jumping him. I’m glad to hear I may finally have a horse I can try hunting on!