Buying a horse
Advice from the Horse Deals team
SHOW HUNTER AND working hunter classes are very popular, with a range of classes to choose from in most show schedules. However, if you want a new show hunter, be prepared to spend time looking and keep your fingers crossed – these horses are in demand. If you’re on a limited budget, it’s still possible to find a champion in the making, or try buying a youngster and show him in-hand before introducing him to a ridden career.
Hunter categories
Hunters fall into four categories: weight classes; ladies’ hunters; small hunters and working hunters. The best known are the weight classes: lightweight, middle weight and heavyweight, which are listed according to the maximum weight the horse should be able to carry. Here are the weights a hunter should be able to carry: Lightweight hunter Up to 12st 7lbs Middleweight Between 12st 7lbs and 14 stone Heavyweight Over 14 stone
What to look for
Hunters, as with all show horses, must be true to type. When looking at conformation, be careful about the quality of a hunter’s limbs. His forelegs should have short cannon bones and enough slope to the pasterns to absorb his movement, without the risk of his fetlock coming too close to the ground when he gallops. If competing in workers, don’t panic about blemishes as judges can’t penalise you in the ring for this. Although, they won’t tolerate those which are related to poor conformation, such as curbs. Feet are as important as limbs and you don’t want to see soup plates, or feet that look as if they belong to a pony on the limbs of a horse. He must also have a well-set head and neck, a good length of rein and sufficient slope to his shoulder.
“Be prepared to spend time looking – these horses are in demand”
Amateur dreams
If you’re aiming to find a horse to compete on the county circuit and dream of qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show and Royal International Horse Show, you’ll find that competition is probably even tougher than in most other categories. You’ll ride in the ring with some of the best-known professionals, but look on it as an opportunity.