Horses for hunting

I rode horses for over 25 years and worked professionally riding and breaking young horses. I rode as an exercise rider at woodbine and was used to riding basically anything and making it go better than their owners and pretty much anyone else. I can tell you it is not an easy thing to teach your horse to be comfortable to shoot from their backs.... I tried using an air rifle a few times and only one horse was "fine" with shooting from the saddle (and that was with a .223) the others where "terrified" and would do a quick deek that were you not sharp would see you on the ground fast. The one horse that you could shoot from was a retired polo pony that I was prepping for a older senior to use as a trail riding horse, part of the deal was teaching it to be comfortable with a .223 which is difficult enough to aim when standing still, I never did attempt shooting on the move but i'd imagine it to be more challenging than running on foot. The old man the horse was for liked to carry a rifle for coyote's. I'd say horseback would be a fine means of travel to a nice hunting destination but for the most part i'd leave the horses back at camp and hunt on foot. Unless you are very experienced or you are riding a bomb-proof horse that has been trained for it, i'd suggest you practise riding a lot more before attempting something that could get you pretty hurt on a lark.

Best broke old trail horses for the weekend warrior are older polo ponies. They are used to yahoo's riding them, there generally pretty docile and don't generally react to people and horses bumping all around them. Also they are a bit smaller so will be easier to get on and off of out on the trails. Many of them are trained like old school cavalry and are used to one handed riding as your other hand is occupied swinging a giant mallot. I am out of the same now unfortunately or i'd take it as a challenge to break a horse to the SKS by the end of the week.


Also for the record guns are a much cheaper hobby that horses, just a lot less women in tight pants and tall boots.
 
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philhut said:
I rode horses for over 25 years and worked professionally riding and breaking young horses. I rode as an exercise rider at woodbine and was used to riding basically anything and making it go better than their owners and pretty much anyone else. I can tell you it is not an easy thing to teach your horse to be comfortable to shoot from their backs.... I tried using an air rifle a few times and only one horse was "fine" with shooting from the saddle (and that was with a .223) the others where "terrified" and would do a quick deek that were you not sharp would see you on the ground fast. The one horse that you could shoot from was a retired polo pony that I was prepping for a older senior to use as a trail riding horse, part of the deal was teaching it to be comfortable with a .223 which is difficult enough to aim when standing still, I never did attempt shooting on the move but i'd imagine it to be more challenging than running on foot. The old man the horse was for liked to carry a rifle for coyote's. I'd say horseback would be a fine means of travel to a nice hunting destination but for the most part i'd leave the horses back at camp and hunt on foot. Unless you are very experienced or you are riding a bomb-proof horse that has been trained for it, i'd suggest you practise riding a lot more before attempting something that could get you pretty hurt on a lark.

Best broke old trail horses for the weekend warrior are older polo ponies. They are used to yahoo's riding them, there generally pretty docile and don't generally react to people and horses bumping all around them. Also they are a bit smaller so will be easier to get on and off of out on the trails. Many of them are trained like old school cavalry and are used to one handed riding as your other hand is occupied swinging a giant mallot. I am out of the same now unfortunately or i'd take it as a challenge to break a horse to the SKS by the end of the week.


Also for the record guns are a much cheaper hobby that horses, just a lot less women in tight pants and tall boots.
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Like my atv….. I would use the horse to access an area and hunt on foot. I don't think I'd be john wayne enough to shoot from the saddle LOL
 
If you’re serious, look at a draft cross. More bone, better feet and best of all better disposition. Well broke mules would last the rest of your life but are a completely different beast. I heard at a sale for mountain type horses in Alberta that are broke to ride/drive/pack were selling for 10 to 20 grand. Horses eat money and poop work:) so unless you’re committed I would look at renting. Use to own over 100 so trust me , not blowing smoke up your a$$ here.
 
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Please avoid those two breeds! The Canadian would be perfect but are a rare breed, very low numbers and almost non existent in the west. Gypsy’s are also not common, too much hair on their legs which will be associated with all kinds of skin issues. Horses need to live in at least pairs, one horse will not thrive alone. Two horses even if used as pack animals led into the wilderness could haul a lot of gear without burdening yourself which would increase your travel speed and comfort levels.
 
Worked and managed a rental stables in QC in the early 70's. Up to forty head during summer and pare down for the winter as trade was pretty much non-existent. Trained a lot of young horses, some pretty good stories to tell. The horses were a lot easier to deal with than the people. :)

Question: due to major cost factor we never shoed our stock. We bought most of our stuff at St Hyacynthe (spelling?) at auction by the pound so we got pretty good at guessing weight. First move was to pull the shoes when we got them home. There was a non-stop (horses inside in stalls) hoof trimming programme, where we just did a couple everyday, part of chores. We stayed away from gravel etc and stuck to grassy areas for the rides. These horses worked hard during the summer, especially on weekends. So here's the question: Would it be wise to run the horses rough shod as a matter of course for ACP's application or would you be totally wrong headed trying this? BTW where ACP lives is very pretty horse country and access to the Chilcotin is very easy.
 
yes, if I had a horse right now, I could ride to vast amounts of crown land from my yard, no trailer required
Unfortunately my place is only 1 acre so not keeping horses here obviously.
That said, we were going to sell this place and buy an acreage suitable for small scale hobby farm to raise our own lambs and pigs, just enough for keeping the freezer stocked.
A couple horses would fit in to that plan as well.
not rushing into this, it will be a year or more before this decision is made and we have to find the property we want still too.
I am going to get ahold of some local horse people and see about refreshing my riding abilities and perhaps volunteer around the stables to familiarize myself with horse care again.
 
Good call :) an acreage will require feed, a horse eats 4% of its body weight per day. Do the math and be informed before you take the leap. It may sound like I’m trying to discourage you, I’m not just want you to be informed. I love horses but there are far too many pasture ornaments that become a financial burden.
 
pete dobinson said:
A Quarter horse is a stable breed, I would look for one that's "Bombproof". What ever you do, do not get a barrel racer, they are usually too hot. Something else to consider, you can also lease a horse, then if it doesn't work out you could return it.
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Good riding horse or pack Knows no breeding. A little age is a plus if it goes with training. None of that new age, bridle less or treeless saddle crap either. :)

Grizz
 
If you're not into the lifestyle already, maybe going with a packer would be better choice if it just for hunting. By the second or third trip out over a couple of years you will have a good feel for it and likely be $$dollars in the pockets ahead of owning for the same period

The Canadian horse sounds good and is near perfect size but not any better than a cayouse or a Norwegian Fjord 'Go Team Fjord'
 
There are lots of practical reasons for not owning horses, but some of my best hunting experiences have been on horseback hunts. It’s kind of hard to put “practical” up against that.

Having proper facilities and maybe some local girls that want to take your horses for weekly rides would be great. Without facilities and your own hay, it’s very tough and expensive. Price of hay is insane these days.
 
Hunting on horseback puts you above the buckbrush, etc, spotting is great and game is seldom spooked. For those who haven't hunted our mountain game animals, the drill is to use those four big strong legs to get you to the mountain and then 'way up there where the sheep and caribou roam, then to pack your game back down. The shot would almost never be attempted from horseback. This isn't the movies, mountain hunting requires a solid base to shoot from at frequently longish ranges, not from a moving bundle of nerves.
 
My friend that wants me to get a horse , lives 10 minutes away or less and has the full appropriate facilities to keep and maintain 6 horses. Right now they just have 3 mini ponies that his wife has raised since they were foals. They are old now, I'd guess 20+. If I got a horse next week, which I'm just using as an example, the horse would live there until I bought a bigger property.
I am exposed to 'horse' people, but mostly just families with kids who have horses as pets and for occasional riding and towing carts in the town's parades.
My friend is also a long time hunter and approaching 50 , I just hit 50 …… we both realize the hunting seasons are finite and there is still LOTS we haven't done but have talked about for years.
I think I could really get into having a horse as a companion. I am self employed and work from my shop at home so having time to spend with animals and go riding a couple or more times a week in this beautiful country won't be a chore at all ;)
I'm also thinking of all the lakes and prospecting spots I can get into all around here within a 1/2 day ride or less so it's not all about hunting season.

this all stems from me wanting to get into flying recreationally with one of those ultralightish planes on floats or skis for getting into the lakes around here, flying out of horse lake.
My wife..... and my buddy thought I was nuts and the wife threw some expletives in for good measure LOL So he suggested horses might be a safer alternative

and here we are :)
 
Peecos said:
The Canadian would be perfect but are a rare breed, very low numbers and almost non existent in the west.
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All the so-called "wild horses" in the Chilcotin contain large amount of Canada Horse in their breeding. This has been confirmed through DNA testing. These feral horses do make great mountain horses if caught young and trained. The Chilcotin herds also have a large amount of swamp fever - Equine Infectious Anemia - running through them. Anyone looking at one should insist on a Coggins test before they are moved off their home rang
 
There's a shortage of good hay right now (at least in mb, and pretty sure it's across most of the prairies) so feet might be pricier than expected.
You already know that they won't be cheap, but they have more personality than any ATV out there.
I don't know about your dog situation, but growing up with Welsh ponies we had a few that tried their darndest to kill any dog that went into the pasture that they didn't like. So if you have a cute little dog be careful how you introduce your horse to it or you might have one very stomped on pup.

Another point to ponder is how close are you to a college or university? Knew of a guy close to Olds Ab who had a sizeable herd of ponies and no shortage of pretty coeds to help look after his herd. Dunno if they were looking for horse husbandry experience or were just looking to be around horses or what the reason was. It might be a way to offset costs by part boarding to a person who wants or needs to be around horses but doesn't want, or can't afford to own one on their own.
I know my niece is part boarding a horse for the exclusive right to "exercise " it once or twice a week. Kinda like part ownership of a dog where you get to take it for a walk, pick up its poo, but don't get to listen to it bark at intruders in the night.
Thoughts to ponder
 
Lionel said:
There's a shortage of good hay right now (at least in mb, and pretty sure it's across most of the prairies) so feet might be pricier than expected.
You already know that they won't be cheap, but they have more personality than any ATV out there.
I don't know about your dog situation, but growing up with Welsh ponies we had a few that tried their darndest to kill any dog that went into the pasture that they didn't like. So if you have a cute little dog be careful how you introduce your horse to it or you might have one very stomped on pup.

Another point to ponder is how close are you to a college or university? Knew of a guy close to Olds Ab who had a sizeable herd of ponies and no shortage of pretty coeds to help look after his herd. Dunno if they were looking for horse husbandry experience or were just looking to be around horses or what the reason was. It might be a way to offset costs by part boarding to a person who wants or needs to be around horses but doesn't want, or can't afford to own one on their own.
I know my niece is part boarding a horse for the exclusive right to "exercise " it once or twice a week. Kinda like part ownership of a dog where you get to take it for a walk, pick up its poo, but don't get to listen to it bark at intruders in the night.
Thoughts to ponder
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Hay is expensive at the moment so you have a good point. BUT I caution people about part boarding a horse. Here in Ontario most of the pretty co-eds want to do dressage with the horse, a completely different discipline than a trail horse. Also parting boarding a horse means it will pick up all the bad habits of the rider. It is not as simple as one would think. My horse knows that I am the alpha, so he minds his p's and q's. If I had a part border then he/she could undo all the work that I have put into him. I have a friend that breeds prize winning munsterlanders and it is always funny when an owner comes back for training and says " wow he really listens to you!! How come he/she will not do that for me " Your horse will be the same way. If he/she can get away with something the part border may let it slide.. then on the trail you are in for a world of hurt..
 
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