What makes a hunter horse

A variety of books have also been written on the subject. Common Problems. Jumping Clinic with Beezie Madden. Hoof Care. Rider Health. Senior Horse Care. Schedule Of Events. Travel Sweeps. Colleges And Careers With Horses.

Mongol Derby. Practical Horseman Extra. Basic Training with David O'Connor. Hunter rounds should appear smooth and effortless to the spectator with the horse and rider working together to make the course flow from one jump to the next. Hunter courses typically consist of eight to 10 jumps that are more organic in form and generally lower in height than fences used in jumper classes.

A horse incurs faults for each mistake made: four faults for each rail knocked down, four faults for every refusal, and 1 fault for every second over the maximum time allowed to negotiate the course. Show hunters should possess qualities that are recognised in the hunting field. These include good manners, ground-covering movement and, if competing in working hunter classes, a bold jumping style. The gallop is a true test of a good hunter being able to cover the ground, but must not take too strong a hold when asked to come back to hand.

Afterwards the horse must walk quietly back into line. A horse being too fat is another error Simon notes. This shows that you trust your horse and makes the judge want to root for him throughout the rest of the course. If you start more tentatively, waiting to find your distance before picking up the pace, you miss your chance to make a great first impression.

Remember: The first jump counts just as much as the last. Relax your rein contact in front of the fences to show the judge how much you trust your horse. The jump is his job, not yours. There is nothing you can do at this point to make it better.

And overriding— holding the reins or kicking and spurring— will make your horse quick in the air and distract him from his job. As he takes off, let him absorb into your position and follow his neck with your arms. Stay closed in your hips and as quiet in your upper body as possible, giving him time to complete the jump, land fluidly and continue on to the next fence.

If any adjustments need to be made on course—a little rebalancing between your leg and hand, steadying the rhythm or giving a quick kick to get his motor going— try to make them in the most discreet way possible, where the judge is least likely to notice. The best place is in a far corner going away from the judge.

I love to see a horse sail smoothly out of every turn in a continuous, forward stride, without the rider holding him back, waiting to see the distance. For example, if your horse starts to swap leads in front of his fences, you may need to exaggerate your aids to hold the lead in the approach and then ride a little to the outside for a few strides afterward to make him wait for your cue to change. Try to finish the course with the same positive, confident attitude that you started with, showing the judge that, no matter what has happened in the interim, you still trust your horse to gallop down to the last fence and make a beautiful jump without any visible help from you.

If you finish with a sense of exhilaration and satisfaction that he gave you his best, most athletic performance in a way that felt effortless to both of you—and if the smile on your face is reflected in a happy expression on his face, most likely the judge will have enjoyed the performance just as much as you.

Danny and his partner, Ron Danta , also run a nationally recognized pet-rescue organization. Working with their local humane society and animal shelters in Camden, South Carolina, and Wellington, Florida, they have helped to raise money to house sick and injured animals.

They have also placed more than 5, animals in new homes. This article originally appeared in the July issue of Practical Horseman. Common Problems. Jumping Clinic with Beezie Madden.

Hoof Care. Rider Health. Senior Horse Care. Schedule Of Events.