I think many hit the nail on the head about the time to “make” them, the type of riders/non riders in most cases who want them. It takes a good 2yrs I think to make a nice made hunt horse, but most we bring along are sold as started ones way before that bc by the time we get, start and bring along a hunt horse for 2 yrs in the field ( starting out with a nice crossbred that is athletic enough, sound and well put together with a good mind ) it starts around 10-15k minimum since they don’t start really hunting in any flight till at least fall of 4yr old year, then ad on 2 yrs of training, hunting, shoeing ect and people want to generally pay a very max of 35k ( but that one has to be ready to step in the hunter ring too ;)). So it isn’t profitable to bring them along all the way to “made” then sell them. We sell most of ours once they have either done 5-6 hunts as “started hunting” or for other people so maybe a season or so. I know EVERYONE is shopping since we are selling fast but I think for most people it makes the most sense to find ones that have been out a bit and take them out to see if everything seems to be there. I think I get a pretty good idea after 5-6 hunts if a horse is going to " make it " or sell as something else. It’s not the 90s when they sold for 35k having gone out once but I think 15-20k for a nice one showing all the “right” stuff is pretty normal.
But we will find you what you are looking for Winding Down 
talk to you tomorrow
^^^ 
We have one that hasn’t been “out” yet but hopefully in then near future. Tango has demonstrated all of the attributes we like to see in a potential fox hunter. He was third in his first and only show at Fair Hill in August. He seems to have that “Hunter” thing going for him. Very congenial and a very cool all around horse. This is the link to our FB page with a video of him.
https://www.facebook.com/GumTreeStablesLLC
[QUOTE=Belmont;7798452]
It depends where you are! Lynn Lloyd at Red Rock Hounds always had a bunch at least hunted a season through seasoned.[/QUOTE]
You beat me to it.
My TBx originally came through Lynn/Red Rock.
Couple of thoughts to share. I have made a fair number of hunt horses in my time, mostly quiet TBs off the track that I sold as “started” horses with 10-12 hunts under their belts. I breed Cleveland Bay sporthorses and have in the last year started to make some purebred Clevelands for the hunt field. These are in many ways the “original” foxhunters, ideally suited for the job, but they also carry the cachet of “rare” and are difficult to find, and if they are well-started, will carry a substantial price tag.
Most people looking will not ride a TB. Doesn’t matter how quiet - they simply won’t do it. Sure thing if they come forward telling you “No TBs” then it will be a TB that will fit their bill. Sometimes you can change their minds, other times not.
I think most people don’t realize that the lack of the raw material (draft crosses from PMU or other auction sources) that used to populate the market is gone. The price of the OTTBs in general is going up as all of the publicity works to raise their value in the public eye. Therefore, anyone who wants to put the time and training in on top of all of this - especially if they are looking at “purpose-bred” young foxhunters from a breeder, has to charge a lot more for their finished product. Having said that, even for clients who are willing to pay - there are not a lot of made horses to choose from out there. If you are not willing to pay, you’d better be willing to look at nontraditional crosses or travel a little bit. I know of several people willing to pay at least $20,000 who are not finding nice saints to pack them around the hunt field - even in some cases only the second field!
Fewer people are capable of making hunt horses. Most riders are not learning the skills needed to bring these horses along. And it’s not like you can work 5 a day in the process. One hunt = one horse.
I have developed a network of professionals that I know I can send clients to when I do not have what they need. They will also come to me and know they will get the straight story. Most of these people know their clients’ riding ability, can sit on the horse or watch their client on the horse, hunt it once and have a pretty good idea of how it will work out. I would say it is often the do-it-yourself crowd that is most likely to get into trouble and maybe get hurt when they don’t appreciate all that goes into the equation and think they can save some money.
As many have pointed out, you get $$$$$ invested in the truck and trailer, but don’t want to spend anything on a horse? Or my perennial favorite, the folks that show up to try a horse with the $3500 saddle and the $2000 budget for the horse…
[QUOTE=beanie&boomer;7818426]
Couple of thoughts to share. I have made a fair number of hunt horses in my time, mostly quiet TBs off the track that I sold as “started” horses with 10-12 hunts under their belts. I breed Cleveland Bay sporthorses and have in the last year started to make some purebred Clevelands for the hunt field. These are in many ways the “original” foxhunters, ideally suited for the job, but they also carry the cachet of “rare” and are difficult to find, and if they are well-started, will carry a substantial price tag.
Most people looking will not ride a TB. Doesn’t matter how quiet - they simply won’t do it. Sure thing if they come forward telling you “No TBs” then it will be a TB that will fit their bill. Sometimes you can change their minds, other times not.
I think most people don’t realize that the lack of the raw material (draft crosses from PMU or other auction sources) that used to populate the market is gone. The price of the OTTBs in general is going up as all of the publicity works to raise their value in the public eye. Therefore, anyone who wants to put the time and training in on top of all of this - especially if they are looking at “purpose-bred” young foxhunters from a breeder, has to charge a lot more for their finished product. Having said that, even for clients who are willing to pay - there are not a lot of made horses to choose from out there. If you are not willing to pay, you’d better be willing to look at nontraditional crosses or travel a little bit. I know of several people willing to pay at least $20,000 who are not finding nice saints to pack them around the hunt field - even in some cases only the second field!
Fewer people are capable of making hunt horses. Most riders are not learning the skills needed to bring these horses along. And it’s not like you can work 5 a day in the process. One hunt = one horse.
I have developed a network of professionals that I know I can send clients to when I do not have what they need. They will also come to me and know they will get the straight story. Most of these people know their clients’ riding ability, can sit on the horse or watch their client on the horse, hunt it once and have a pretty good idea of how it will work out. I would say it is often the do-it-yourself crowd that is most likely to get into trouble and maybe get hurt when they don’t appreciate all that goes into the equation and think they can save some money.
As many have pointed out, you get $$$$$ invested in the truck and trailer, but don’t want to spend anything on a horse? Or my perennial favorite, the folks that show up to try a horse with the $3500 saddle and the $2000 budget for the horse…[/QUOTE]
Great post!
Still chuckling over you last sentence. So true. In in our neck of the woods breed is not that important. TBs seen to be the preferred, endurance and the athletic jump that is needed.
My mother loved Cleveland Bays and from what she told me they were the “go to” horse for many things especially the hunt field. I had been planning on getting one to surprise her. Unfortunately I didn’t get around to in time before we lost her. Still planning on getting one after getting the numbers down on the farm.
I have a fantastic hunt mare; just 6 but hunted for two years all fields, I can pony beginners off her in the back or keep up to the hounds, jumps anything (we don’t have 4’ coops mind you) and has NO issues. She stands for hours then goes hard when the hounds hit on something. She is ideal ladies size at 15.3 and solid (1/4 percheron breeding) and pretty mare with some chrome on black. My problem? I can’t justify keeping two horses and I’d really like to focus on my young warmblood. I had a part boarder on the hunt mare that helped with riding and $$ but now looks like I’ll loose the part boarder soon. I don’t want to sell since I love her and love hunting her, but I also don’t want to get myself in over my head trying to keep both horses. If I knew I could sell for good money it would be so much easier but I’m in Ontario and people around her seriously think they can get a proven hunt horse, quiet and safe but game for a good run for $3500. Seriously?! What are people thinking?! They tell me they are looking and baulk when I tell them to expect to pay $7500-12k then they go buy something thats never hunted, and go figure, its too much, hurts them, or comes out with its eyes so droopy its a wonder it made if off the trailer. I get so many compliments on my mare all the time, people saying how great she is, yet no in my area will pay real money for a real good horse. So frustrating. Makes me not even want to list her for sale since I know it will be constant low-ball offers.
I think the perception of what a made hunt horse is changing in some areas, but not in others.
Real progress has been made some places, with people understanding that it takes a couple of years to produce a made field hunter, and that that experience will cost $$$$. 15 - 20K is a reasonable price for a horse that is well started and fairly hunted.
Howèver, that’s some areas, not all. I remember being told I couldn’t possibly sell a smaller (15.3) field hunter for more than 5K some years ago.
Corky, it sounds like you live in on of those areas. I hope you don’t have to sell your lovely mare, but if you do, might be worth it to send her to a better hunt country and get what she’s truly worth.
[QUOTE=gumtree;7799340]
We have one that hasn’t been “out” yet but hopefully in then near future. Tango has demonstrated all of the attributes we like to see in a potential fox hunter. He was third in his first and only show at Fair Hill in August. He seems to have that “Hunter” thing going for him. Very congenial and a very cool all around horse. This is the link to our FB page with a video of him.
https://www.facebook.com/GumTreeStablesLLC[/QUOTE]
Lovely horse!
mcGurk you might be right. I just got notice that my part boarder is pulling out. Ugh to sell or not to sell…
I sell a few choice prospects every year frequently to the same small circle or Fox Hunters. Those horses invariable end up never coming back,up,for sale and went out and did the job straight out of the box. Don t be so afraid of a “Prospect” if you know the source. The good ones almost always take right to the job and relish it!!
I recommend prospects for those who are strong riders and are willing to put time and effort into making a hunt horse and for those who are able to risk the horse not working out as a hunt horse. There is no way of really knowing that a horse will be suitable until they are actually hunted. I have known more than a fair share of horses that seemed quiet and sensible and just perfect as prospects and then they just came unglued when hunted. I think this is one reason why many insist that a horse has been out at least a few times and insist on actually hunting the horse before purchasing. Wise move, imo.
Many do not have the capability or want to take the time to make their own horse. It takes two years, at a minimum, to establish all the basics on a hunt horse and many want or need a horse that will go out and do the job right away. This is no different from those who go out and buy horses that are experienced competing in their respective discipline.
I think if you are looking at TBs, there is a lot more unpredictability as to whether or not they will work out. If I needed a horse that would definitely hunt, I wouldn’t buy a TB prospect, though many of them end up as fantastic foxhunters there are some that just mentally can’t take it or take a lot more time/effort than I want to deal with.
If a buyer is open to a draft cross, say a 1/4-1/2 draft, then I agree with judybigredpony and think a carefully selected prospect makes a lot of sense as an option. A 1/4-1/2 draft horse with a nice temperament should be pretty easy to bring along and should have a VERY high likelihood of being great in the hunt field, assuming it isn’t too heavy to keep up.
I respectfully, but wholly, disagree with the ^^ assertion that ‘Tb’s are more unpredictable.’
On the contrary, they are so carefully bred (for sport - what is racing besides a sport?!) that they are wayyyy more likely to make into The Best Ever field hunter.
Obviously you’d want to select the ‘right sort’ (usually bigger, sometimes slower - though not always, from a solid stable that gives their horses the correct start and GIVES THEM TIME when needed - to mature, to recover, to ‘think’ about whatever lessons, etc.)
It is only when a thoroughbred horse (or any horse) is mis-managed that you end up with head issues.
I’d say 9 of my best 10 field hunters were (are) thoroughbreds.
Sorry to chime in late, but have you joined Foxhunters on Facebook? There’s always ads for made hunt horses; “prospects” are not allowed to be posted. The prices range from $3500 and up. Been some nice horses on there lately.
Sometimes one or two will show up in the classifieds of The Horse of the Delaware Valley.
Right now there is a gelding listed in Bedford, VA, and a gelding out in western PA, near Pittsburgh.
They’re out there but like most good horses you just have to find them via word of mouth…
I’m also trying to find a draft cross prospect. Not having much luck although my budget is tiny which makes it tough,too.
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;7856249]
I respectfully, but wholly, disagree with the ^^ assertion that ‘Tb’s are more unpredictable.’
On the contrary, they are so carefully bred (for sport - what is racing besides a sport?!) that they are wayyyy more likely to make into The Best Ever field hunter.
Obviously you’d want to select the ‘right sort’ (usually bigger, sometimes slower - though not always, from a solid stable that gives their horses the correct start and GIVES THEM TIME when needed - to mature, to recover, to ‘think’ about whatever lessons, etc.)
It is only when a thoroughbred horse (or any horse) is mis-managed that you end up with head issues.
I’d say 9 of my best 10 field hunters were (are) thoroughbreds.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you. I’ve been around a few draft crosses. Wow did those horses have hidden spooks! Nothing like trudging along, push, push, pushing for every step and them BAM a leaf flutters and the horse finally shows a spark.
[QUOTE=Doctracy;7925079]
I’m also trying to find a draft cross prospect. Not having much luck although my budget is tiny which makes it tough,too.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, the good ones can be pricey. My Clyde-TB was the most expensive horse that I’ve ever bought. She was my 25th anniversary present from my husband and I got her because she is so sane and level headed, but also athletic enough to jump and keep up.
I’ve been hunting my OTTB for about 5-6 years now. He’s an awesome horse to hunt but now that he knows the drill, he’s very, very keen. Will stand on a loose rein at the check and doze, but when he sees the hounds are about to be cast, he is on his toes and ready to go.
I decided that as I approach my mid 50s, I was probably not willing to start another horse in the hunt field and when my DH offered to buy me the mare (I’d had her for about 6 months to start hunting), I jumped on it.
