Need a bit of advice!!

[Rosie]

Hi every one, happy new yr! Ive just discovered this web site and im really pleased about it. Ive always wanted to go team chasing but ive got no idea where to start. Ive competed in most eq activities including PC treams and BE Pre-novice. I have also hunted for most of my life and love the thrill of the chase. Ived owned a 6yr old TB for 18months and hes has been a total pain in the bum! Hes very talented but can have some super TB moments when out eventing and tends to turn his self inside out on a regular basis. All that aside he is super across country and never puts a foot wrong once hes on the job. I think he would be great as a team chase horse as he will go first or last, he justs hates having to contain his energy when it comes to dressage! Im in the middlands (staffs) but at uni in Cardiff. Does any one have any advice on how to get started and/or how to contain silly ex-racer moments!?! thanks all Rosie and "Stick" the TB x

[Emma 1]

Hunt, hunt and hunt some more. Got my tb at 4, used to do a very impressive gymnastic display at that age, yours is still a baby so get him out in the field. He'll do enough moves to win Come Dancing the first few times then hopefully start to pick up the thread and learn to conserve his energy - well, it'll either work for him or it won't :P

Racehorses (jumpers) settle more at xc because of how they think (i'm no expert, this is just my own opinion)

Grass = running/jumping = "Hey, I know this job. Whayhey!"

Eventing dressage is wierd because of:

Grass - "What d'you mean stick to a trot - i've got to get over that white board, pronto. Aren't we meant to be going as fast as possible?"

Conclusion - school horse on large grass field with white boards.

OK, Woodwards, it took me a while to work that one out and yes, my stressage scores could have still won a darts match last season, but i'm getting there!

Re teamchasing, start with the novice class, if you end up leading the field and finnish half an hour ahead of the rest of the team, move up a level. If you move up a level and still go clear half an hour ahead of the team please get in touch with me. We may need you.

:D

[Liz]

Hi Rosie

The advice about hunting is spot on.

Re: the teamchasing, a minor note of caution and the others may well disagree. I have found with a couple of horses that since chasing (and drag hunting) they have blown their brains and can be sweet in every way apart from when you get on grass with a number of other horses and jumps - if I try to hold them to the canter pace, or wait my turn for a jump out hunting I end up doing lipizzaner leaps! :o

Some horses seem to manage the excitement better than others. You'll have to decide if you think he's got the right attitude.

If you do decide you want to give it a try and you can't find anyone closer, give me a shout - we're based in Wiltshire and tend to run either Novice or intermediate teams

[Lucy]

i team chased and hunted my horse last year beacuse he was being really naughty and always napping. it did him so much good. lots of people have said how much better behaved he is this year :P i think that this is due to team chasing and hunting beacuse we tried everything else and they were the only things that worked. my horse is now the prefect hunter!!!!! :D

[Rosie]

Hi thanks to everyone for all your super advice! I have been shocked that i have recived replies so quickly.

I have hunted "Stick" a few times and to be fair to him he was not the worse youngester that i have hunted by a long shot. He doesnt pull and is easy to hold behind other horses, he is just able to turn himself inside out for no reason. It can be a little scary for the spectators but never really bothers me....... well except for the embaressment factor!!

I was hoping to do more this season but I had to have my shoulder reconstructed in september as I had a really unlucky fall which left me with a disslocated shoulder and collar bone. It is the only time he has ever got me off but that the luck of horses for you!!

He really is a gem in every other way and hes not managed to put me off yet.... must be mad really lol. I do think team chasing will be his calling so im going to concentrate on getting us both fit and see if i can find a novice team for us to join for the end of this season or the start of next.
Anyone would like another mad member please do let me know!!

[Minxy]

I'd love to offer advise as I too once had a 6yo TB, but most of the time he had his eyes shut he was that laid back... and still is! Out hunting, he is fine until I pull him out from behind a big hairy arsed hunter to see a fence, then he'd be off!!! Persevere, he sounds great.
x

[Rosie]

wish mine was thats laid back!! hes is fast asleep most of the time but when he has his moments they can be a bit hair raising!! :blink: