“Condition is seldom bought. It has to be made.”

Darley Matheson, 1921

IN an era where equine training increasingly relies on high-tech tools like heart-rate monitors and treadmills, the hunting field arguably remains one of the most effective, traditional forms of cross-training for horses. Whether seasoned horse or peppy pony, galloping across varied terrain, negotiating natural obstacles and enduring long, rhythmical work delivers physical and mental conditioning in ways arena schooling just cannot match.

It also delivers the same challenges.

Hunting is a practical foundation for young show jumpers and eventers, as well as seasoned hunt horses.

The hunt field adds an inherent toughness and level of experience, which can stand them for the rest of their lives. The challenges of hunting demand optimum well-being addressed through correct feeding, attention to muscle health, and appropriate preparation of fitness levels.

Fitness really is at the heart of a hunt horse’s ability to perform and recover. Conditioning can and should involve months of measured work at all paces and across varied surfaces.

Many demands

If you’re unsure, there are many instructors out there, both in-person and online, who can guide you to an appropriate programme to help your horse prepare for the hunting season and finish the season in equal or finer form than when beginning it. True fitness is about progressive fitness.

There are many demands on the musculoskeletal system of the horse while out hunting, mainly due to the uncertain nature of the adverse terrain they cross, including hard tarmac and soft, deep mud. Work at pace on hard tarmac puts pressure on the lower limbs, which travels up the leg into the supporting muscles, acting as shock absorbers.

Because of this sort of pressure, hunters often have varying levels of tension in the shoulder and chest.

Make good weather choices.

As we all know, muddy conditions take a toll on any horse and, for the hunter, in particular, deep mud can cause the hindquarter muscles to strain or tear the muscle fibres and it can put real pressure on tendons and ligaments - become weather aware and ride accordingly. There is no glory in a ruptured tendon.

In terms of nutrition, in general, slow-release energy is key - typically achieved with quality forage, small amounts of hard feed, and oil.

Testing forage is advisable (with the Irish Equine Centre for example) as this can highlight nutritional needs; a tailored balancer supplement and electrolytes can help hunters in heavy work stay in top form too.

Most of the major feed companies have nutritionists willing to advise you on the best regime for feeding your hunter - make use of them.

Warm-up and cool-down are essential for the hunt horse, just as they are for any other equine discipline.

Correct warm-up and cool-down will prepare the muscles for the strenuous task ahead and return all the levels within normal range, lessening the risk of muscles becoming damaged during the hunt or stiff afterwards.

A tough field can ask a lot of our mighty hunters; the demands on these horses and ponies are all the same as they fly across the landscape, traversing ditches and conquering fences.

These are our valued athletic partners in sport, so give them all the support you can to help them face the many challenges this season.