In spite of myself.
I didn't feel like going hunting today but I knew that Jazz would enjoy it so we went. I'm so glad I did because we had a great time. We jumped some pretty big stuff today, including a sizable hedge which I was already in the air over when the chairman shouted "ditch!" - and there was indeed a ditch on the landing which Jazz dropped a hind foot into, but no problem. We forded a river about five times, twice going along it for 40-50 metres before we could get up the far bank. And I mean a river, not a stream. We also jumped a wall of at least 3 ft off a narrow road (ie two strides and go) and some decent timber fences of full height. He stopped at about three jumps today, but went the second time. The vast majority he took first time. So he is improving every time he goes out.
I am beginning to really trust him, he certainly seems to have five legs. We went over some pretty severe terrain today, incredibly steep slopes covered with mud that had me clinging onto the breastplate to stay with him. He sometimes hits things he jumps, too, but he always finds another leg from somewhere to land on. So I'm very pleased with him today.
The only problem that we have now is that hunting revs him up so much that I have to cross tie him in the lorry to stop him weaving all the way home, and that just makes him paw and stamp. He would rear and box the windows but we always travel him tied down for safety. I was shooting him with the water pistol to stop him and he wasn't amused, but at least it stopped him going into that "drugged" trance that rewards them for the weaving. Last time, he scraped a big patch off his face on the window frame, so I have to stop him doing it!
I shall ride Zippy tomorrow for the first time in a few days. I can't find anything to go and see to buy. There are tons of horses up to 16.1 at prices that reflect the economic situation. For some reason, the ones over that height belong to people with their heads in the sand!
C
posted by cptrayes @ 7:38 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Sounds like an exciting day out hunting. How many miles do you cover on each hunt?
I watched our local Bloodhound pack once and thought it was the most frightening thing I had ever seen! HUGE hedges and they went flat out and I realised why the secretary had told me not to bring out my 4 year old! I wasn't going to take a horse anyway, I was interested to see what they did.
It was all rather civilized, as at the breaks the grooms walked the horses round while the riders got off and had a drink, and then they got back on and disappeared into the distance again, at great speed.
Five legs... love it. That was they way I would describe Russell R. over fences. Somehow he'd always figure it out. A good sense of self-preservation in a field hunter is a joy to behold. I am so happy Jazz is proving to have a good one.
So glad you sorted the shipping issues with him so long ago. Make it easier to deal with him now when he is so excited. The water pistol is brilliant.
Maybe the horses only look 17h because they are measuring them from that hole in the sand their heads have been in???????? *G*
Whoa, those bloodhound meets sound hairy! No pun intended :-) Did you know that it used to be impossible to get insurance to drag hunt, they were so dangerous? We are much more sedate. We are out for around 3 hours but time-wise most of that is stood at checks. Today we covered about 20 miles, I guess, because when we are moving we are usually moving at a jolly good clip!
Yes he was very good today Jean. Stuff like realising that he has to go right through a gateway before he turns to follow the field, so he doesn't kneecap me on the post. He really does feel like he pulls another leg out that he was keeping spare!
I'm so glad I went.
C
cheered you up no end ....
and this is great, probably so true LOL...
"Maybe the horses only look 17h because they are measuring them from that hole in the sand their heads have been in???????? *G*"
maybe they think increased height means increased value?
And that's the big mistake the guy is making, because every inch over 16.3 reduces a horses value because people don't want horses that big - so a 17.2 is a really difficult sell, and he is daft if he thinks he can get over £3000 for it.
C
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