WITH both horses and hounds preparing to get back to the hunting field in the coming months, it is a good time to look at your hunter’s diet in detail and make any necessary changes at this time before your horse progresses into harder work.

We know the hunting field is a nursery for many horses and ponies who will progress to other equestrian sports but the typical hunter is often a traditionally Irish-bred horse, strong-limbed and sure-footed, chosen for its soundness, agility and ridability. These heavier types of horses can require plenty of slow steady work to rebuild their fitness after a summer break at grass.