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T O P I C R E V I E W
Liz100
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 4:37:30 PM I know some of you on here hunt on your Arabs. I've never hunted and no idea what to expect, but I have been asked to go on a childrens and optional jumping day with bloodhounds. I'm undecided - I would like to at some point, but this invitation has been a bit sudden! Apart from the obvious worrying how Raf will behave I'm also worried about how he'll cope if the ground is very deep and sticky. Will his little fine legs be strong enough?
And it won't spoil him for our NCR/pleasure rides will it? He's good now when there are other horses ahead or passing us and doesn't insist on joining them, but if we go hunting and he learns to gallop in a group will he expect to do that on our rides?
Asked my riding instructor's advice this morning and she laughed her head off! She said you can never tell what a horse will be like until you try it, but as for whether she thought my horse would be sensible, she said she thought I'd have a lot of fun! However she did think it was worth a try, even if I only go to the meet or only do one line before coming home.
Ooooeerr, don't know what to do ...
7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Liz100
Posted - 10 Feb 2013 : 7:52:41 PM Thanks for all the replies. I think there are more 'Yays' than 'Nays' lol. Pop, I have thought about going on OH's horse, who's allegedly been hunting before he came to us, but of course we don't know what he was like and tbh I don't really like riding him, he's too big and his saddle is uncomfortable (to me, OH likes it). I think I'd actually feel safer on my own little horse.
Still terribly undecided. The friend who's invited me is quite a nervous rider - I'm not sure what's got into her! You've definitely talked me into going, but whether I go to this meet or wait for the autumn hound exercises I'm not sure.
KittyB
Posted - 10 Feb 2013 : 5:56:31 PM I took my 5 year old out with the hunt on two pre-season rides last August/September. First time in a big group (40+ riders) and he was an absolute star. I put a green ribbon in his tail and at first we kept to the rear of the ride, but it wasn't long before his (and my) confidence grew and we were up near the front. There was no silliness or racing and we did things I wouldn't normally do - even just on a ride and not a proper hunt - but as Rosie says, once the adrenaline kicks in it's great. We had loads of compliments and people saying how nice it was to see an Arab. I am fully intending to take him out again this year, and hopefully with the hounds. I'd definitely go for it. You could always come away if you found it too much.
Pop
Posted - 10 Feb 2013 : 07:47:17 AM Could you go for the first time on an experienced horse, so you get to see what happens and then decide if you should go again with your own horse. Maybe if you ask around there could be people bring on a new hunter and would welcome someone riding one of their experienced hunters to nanny their inexperienced horse. Then you can see what happens before deciding.
ETA: You would be surprised how much hanging around there is, which can be more of a problem than the fast parts of the ride. And you would also be surprised how many people look out for the 'newbie', they know what's going on and you will often see a complete stranger come along and 'ride' for the safety of another they see struggling.
adja
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 9:08:59 PM Hi Liz
I'd recommend you find a 'safe' experienced companion to stay with you and pop a green ribbon on your horse's tail just so people will give you extra room and some patience.
As an introduction to hunting the childrens day will be a nightmare :0( IMHO as I was a child once and found it a free for all and chaotic to say the least - like st trinians meets thelwell on a day trip.
If I were you I'd see if you could go 'autumn hunting' or one of the early season pleasure rides with the bloodhounds at the start of their season where they are getting into the swing of things - it will give your horse the opportunity to see hounds and get used to the atmosphere in a safer environment that a child's meet
Hope that helps - my mum regularly hunted her anglos and they got really excited about the whole thing and love hunting and it is essential to protect legs given the jumping thing - knee boots and leg boots to be on the safe side. I hunted on Exmoor once and that was good because there's no jumping.
Enjoy & find a friend with a seasoned hunter to buddy you on the day and have lots of fun.
rosie
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 6:59:20 PM Go for it!!!! You will have a ball.
Me and Chelle hunt on 2 of our Arabs. Its not for the nervous or faint-hearted tho'.
Just go with the flow of it. I find I do things that I wouldn't normally do but once the adrenaline kicks in, you'll be fine
We often set off, saying that we'll just stay for an hour or so and end up stopping about 4/5 hours!
Callisto
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 5:41:11 PM We hunted our arabs every season when i was a teenager, and have draghunted arabs much more recently. Unless be has some sort of problem with his legs or catches himself he will be fine bare legged, Harley our purebred has hunted and done endurance and doesn't confuse one with the other - adores hunting. Make sure you have good brakes and enjoy. A children's meet will not be as full on as a normal one and you will have choices as to whether to jump or not.
SuziQ
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 4:58:37 PM I think it really depends on how you think your horse will cope.. I took Perdy drag hunting as they ran one through the MOD land I was on at the time....what a mistake!! It totally blew her mind, she was always a bit strong but I had nothing, after making the decision we would be safer if I was involved in the route planning I was able to check and steer but she was a total nutter and obsessed with passing the horse in front.. the whips were very impressed with my fairy horse I was not! (it did also take ages to calm her down cantering in company and she always preferred being in front! Hindsights a wonderful thing but she did always get excited at speed, I should have known but the whole yard was going and I rose to the fairy horse jibes!)
(it did also take ages to calm her down cantering in company and she always preferred being in front! Hindsights a wonderful thing but she did always get excited at speed, I should have known but the whole yard was going and I rose to the fairy horse jibes!)