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This issue will begin a three-part series on Hunters, Hacks, and Cobs, all type-bred horses with origins in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
A Hunter is a horse which is suitable for carrying a person to hounds and the breed or type of horse required will vary according to the type of country and the quarry hunted, as well as the needs and ability of the rider. However, a type of horse has emerged in some countries, notably Great Britain, Ireland and the United States, that may be considered the most suitable for hunting at its best. The English Hunter is a horse of good conformation, often with Thoroughbred blood in its veins, capable of carrying its rider over a variety of terrain, at various paces, and over any obstacles that may come its way. In the show ring, horses are judged according to the weight they are best suited to carry and much importance is placed on conformation (the better the conformation the more sound the horse is likely to remain throughout a season's hunting), manners and action. By riding the exhibits himself, the judge can assess their suitability for the job of following hounds. In some countries, the United States for instance, the horses are required to prove their jumping ability in the ring. One of the best types of Hunter produced is the Thoroughbred/Irish Draught cross. (Encyclopedia of the Horse 1983)
The Hunter is not a breed due to the lack of fixed common characteristics. Conformation and type varies according to the requirements of the country in which it is ridden. The Hunter originated in Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries. Modern examples of this warmblood are bred in controlled, temperate environments. Hunting from horseback is a tradition that dates back many centuries, and the primary quarry was usually a stag. Loosely defined, "a hunter is any horse (or pony) that will carry a rider safely and comfortably to hounds, and it is thus a type, and not a breed as such" (Complete Book of the Horse). Mention the term "hunter" to a citizen of Great Britain and they will expect to see an animal of 15.2 hands or more with good riding conformation and some quality. They would also expect a horse of jumping ability with sufficient bone and substance to withstand a rigorous day of hunting.
A Hunter is "a horse that is suited to carrying a rider behind foxhounds safely, sensibly and comfortably for a season's hunting" (Horse Facts).The modern Hunter should be courageous, with boldness to go across the countryside, and cleverness to avoid trouble. This horse should have a smooth, comfortable ride while following the hounds. A show hunter must have a harmonious, correct conformation, with good free paces and a "presence" in the show ring. Young Hunters are shown in hand (halter class) and may develop into excellent jumpers. With the growth of Show Jumping as a sport, the Jumper is now an important subdivision of the Hunter type.
Requirements for the working hunter vary according to the terrain that will be hunted over and the type of quarry that is to be hunted. Thoroughbreds and near-Thoroughbreds are suitable for grassy, fenced country, such as the English Midland Shires. Where there is plowed or tilled land, a shorter, tougher mount is suitable. Hilly country where the going is "deep and holding" requires a horse with good balance, surefootedness and stamina. A handy Cob type is suitable for rough terrain that requires climbing up steep hills and ability to cross numerous obstacles. Crosses of Thoroughbreds and light draft or native pony breeds are more suitable for Hilly and rough terrain. These mounts have a calm temperament, surefootedness, stamina and a good instinct for self-preservation.
As a result of the different hunt requirements, there are many subdivisions within the type, and there are many separate classes in the show ring. In Britain, show hunters are divided into classes according to weight. Small Hunters are those horses between 14.2 and 15.2 hands (58-62") high. A Light-weight hunter is one with the ability to carry up to 13 stones, or about 175 lb / 82 kg. A Middle-weight Hunter has the ability to carry up to 14 stones, which is equivalent to 175-195 lb / 82-92 kg. Heavyweight Hunters are capable of carrying over 14 stones, or 196 lb / 92 kg. The Ladies' Hunter class is for hunters which are suitable and have the responsive skill to carry a lady in sidesaddle. In British show classes, each of these divisions is required to perform on the flat and is judged on their ability to display free, straight, correct paces, especially while galloping. The judges will look for a horse with good manners, equable temperament, correct and harmonious conformation with sufficient bone. The horse will also be ridden by the judge, so it must also give a good, comfortable ride and response in a mannerly way for the judge. American hunters are also divided into classes by experience of the horse.
Working classes for hunters in the US and Britain, as well as other countries worldwide, require that the horse also jump. Style of jumping is very important in American working classes, where a constant rhythm is essential between fences. American divisions are sometimes determined by the weight-carrying capacity of the horse. Experience and previous success of hunters may also determine requirements for a division. A Green Hunter is in its first or second year of showing while a Working Hunter is regularly hunted to hounds. A Heavyweight Hunter is a horse capable of carrying 200 lb (91 kg) or more.
In Europe, hounds usually meet at 11 a.m., with horses possibly setting off earlier. The day ends in the failing light at about 3:30-4:30 p.m., and by then, the horses will have been working constantly for some four or five hours, much of the time being spent galloping and jumping. Additionally, since hunting is a winter sport, the ground may be wet and heavy and thus add to the exertion. A horse that can cope with these exacting conditions has to be strong, both physically and constitutionally; have stamina and reasonable speed; be a bold and capable jumper; be inherently sound; and possess a suitable temperament.
The hunter may be any color, and it stands between 14.2 and 17.2 hands (58-70" or 147-178 cm) high. Features should include intelligence, stamina, jumping ability, good temperament, good manners, a robust constitution, conformation and soundness. A quality of "handiness" is also a good feature. This is the horse's ability to avoid trouble, or get out of trouble, when travelling cross country. The hunter has legs which are built for speed and a compact body with well-sprung ribs and sufficient depth in the girth. Quality is evident in the heads of the best hunters, which display an honest, workmanlike outlook. A good hunter must be sound, well-proportioned, and have all the conformational attributes of a good riding horse. It should have a broad, deep chest that is not too wide. The shoulders should be strong and sloping with defined withers. These qualities are a must for galloping and jumping ability. Tendons in the strong forearms should be clean and hard. Quarters should be well muscled with broad loins. The back should be of a medium length without too much width. Big second thighs are essential in the hind legs. Cannon bones must be aligned with the horse's big and unblemished hocks.
Because hunting has centuries-old history there, the best hunters are bred in Britain and Ireland. Irish Draught often plays a role in the production of both Irish and English hunters. Good pony blood or Cleveland Bay crosses may also be found in these warmbloods. And other draft blood may be used. The Hunter was most influenced by the Thoroughbred, which provided speed, courage, and athletic ability. The Irish Draught supplied bone, substance, and a sensible outlook. And for those horses influenced by Cleveland Bay blood, they inherited good bone, size, and jumping abilities.
The Hunter's Improvement and National Light Horse Breeding Society (the HIS) appreciates that the enormous stud fees commanded by Thoroughbred studs connected with the racing industry are beyond the means of the average hunter breeder. The HIS therefore introduced a system of stallion premiums by which, the services of Thoroughbred stallions, are made available to members' mares at reasonable cost. These stallions carefully selected for conformation, action and suitability for producing quality horses of size and substance. This scheme has had great success due to the fact that many progeny of Premium stallions have won top honors not only in hunter show classes but also every kind of equestrian sport. Well-known horses include HRH Princess Anne's Goodwill, Anneli Drummond-Hay's Merely-a-Monarch, and Diana Mason's Special Edition are all by Premium stallions.
While many horses are bred specifically for the purpose of hunting and top-class competition, a great many more riding horses can be classified as being hunter-type, but with no special breeding. These are often very versatile, and participate in a variety of events as well as hunting. Many hunter-type horses are owned by Riding Club members which require necessary bone and substance to participate in cross-country events, hunter trials and show jumping. These club horses also compete in gymkhana-type classes and long-distance rides. Their mounts having enough stamina to complete a long-distance course.
Equestrian sports go from strength to strength, and are increasingly popular with both riders and spectators. One of the oldest surviving horseback sports is hunting. In the beginning, the stag was the main quarry, but now, in English-speaking countries, it is the fox. In both the USA and Australia, hunting is based on the British model. (Horse Facts)
The late R.S. Summerhayes described the ideal hunter in the following terms:
He must, of course, be absolutely sound and stand on the best of his legs; his body must be generous and sufficiently ample to allow heart, lungs and so on to perform their duties under conditions of great exertion, and further, he should give his rider as long a rein a possible. His head must be of the right size and his neck obviously of the correct length to assist with the many acts of balancing which he must perform during a hunt. Almost of more importance, it is possible, the high-class hunter must be courageous and bold, tireless and, as it is said, always be able to find "an extra leg" if in trouble. He must not chance his fences, but must stand back and boldly attack each one as he meets it; such being the ideal horse to hunt is the Thoroughbred, or as near as may be to one that is Thoroughbred?
"Go anywhere in England where there are natural, wholesome, contented and really nice English people; and what do you always find? That the stables are the real center of the household." G.B. Shaw
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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