Farm(s) that sell horses specficially for foxhunting?

[FoxhuntCNY]

I wondered if anyone knew of farms that had a good reputation for selling quality hunt horses? Preferably not very large or drafty horses.

Currently hunting a mare I brought a long from a baby. Have mostly whipped-in on her but have started visiting other hunts and riding first flight with her. She's absolutely perfect for me, but it would be nice to have another in case she needs a rest.

[Ponyclubrocks]

Since you brought your current horse along yourself you are obviously a capable rider and trainer. In my experience if a horse is advertised as a foxhunter the price is automatically inflated. Since you are skilled , I would look for a good sane and sound prospect and bring it along yourself. Would save you significant $$$$. JMO

[Painted Wings]

I think that Hunters Rest that is on here sells foxhunters. Also Rosie and Grosvenor Merle-Smith make foxhunters for sale.

[Ravencrest_Camp]

It all depends on where you are located and or how far you are willing to travel.

You could always make a buying trip to Ontario. ;)
Take advantage of the automatic discount due to the exchange rate. :yes:

[Bravestrom]

Actually there is not much of a discount at the moment because of the exchange rates and the dollars being close.

Anyway, I sent you a pm

[SteeleRdr]

Also, where are you located?

I know several people you can contact, but most will be in the MD/VA area.

It's quite a niche market, but if you are looking for something alreayd hunting, in the area I live in, you will most likely pay a good bit of money for something that is already a foxhunter.

I suggest what others have said, why not buy something and bring it along. The farm I ride for, we usually have a bunch of foxhunters for sale, but right now, we've dwindled down a lot because we've got too much stock that is young (and can't afford to lose the ones we have hunting!).

[Ravencrest_Camp]

Actually there is not much of a discount at the moment because of the exchange rates and the dollars being close.

Anyway, I sent you a pm

That may have been true a few months ago, but today's rate according to the Bank of Canada website is 1.1952.

This means that a $10,000 Cdn horse would cost $8,366.80 USD. Not a bad discount. Not a bad savings. :yes:

[Ray]

If Massachusetts is not too far, PM me, I know of several prospects from a very reputable farm

[Bellfleur]

I know a few people in Northern VA. PM me if you are in my area.

[horsetales]

Depnding what you consider large or drafty - Irish draught and Irish sport horses often make great foxhunters. Most of the Irish sires of my stock hunt/hunted and one of my 08 foals is by a stallion leading a hunt in MD. You can look at the Irish Draught society for breeders in your area or at the sales page for older horses
http://www.irishdraught.com/

[FoxhuntCNY]

I am thinking more along the lines of farms that have foxhunter breeding programs - where the horses have been bred to foxhunt, parents have foxhunted, etc.

I heard of someone whose family bred Thoroughbreds for foxhunting (never raced). I figured they already put in the time and research, that would be a good place to start, would have a lot of references since their horses would always be out in the field.

Those were my thoughts - anyone know of any programs like that?

Thank you for all the pm's and input. I wouldn't mind bringing one along myself, I am currently in the process of bringing two others along starting next year (so much work!!! :) but I also wanted to have fun in the meantime without pushing the younger ones too hard, I take it really slow. I don't typically buy made horses for a lot of reasons, so it's very nervewracking for me.

[Painted Wings]

I'm riding two 3rd generation foxhunters in my string and one second generation. Have another 3rd generation to start next year and a second generation staff horse to start he year after. All of mine are paints with Tb mixed in. Most are 1/2 Tb. I PM'd you about one of them.

Generally Tbs are so cheap off the track it doesn't pay to breed for a specialty such as foxhunting. Many foxhunters want draft crosses so that is usually what is bred. Unfortunately full Tbs are not that popular right now for either eventing or foxhunting.

This farm breeds Tbs for Eventing but I know that they also come from hunting lines.

http://www.dodonfarm.com/

[Waterwitch]

Might want to take a look at horsetales' weanlings if you are willing to look at something young - two very nice boys.

The RID stallion Huntingfield Proud Tim (owned by the folks that bred Dandelion Diamond Rebel that horsetales mentioned) comes from 3 generations of hunting Irish stallions, though he himself does not hunt. His owners (http://www.dandelionfarm.com) have several 2 and 3 year old geldings for sale by him but I don't think they've updated their website in a long time.

Tim is the sire of the first foal out of my mare Holly (I didn't breed the foal but I bred the mare and bought her back again just recently). "Hollymead Huntsman" is a yearling this year, and was sold as a weanling to a gal who hunts with the Potomac to be her "rest of her life" hunt horse.

I will be hunting Holly this year (she rides and drives but doesn't hunt - yet!) once she gets back in shape and am currently hunting two of her half siblings out of the same dam (or will be, the gelding goes out for the first time tomorrow). Another ride and drive sibling of these three is expecting a foal next year (http://www.hollymeadfarm.com). I don't have anything for sale (I'm keeping next year's foal) but wanted to add to what horsetales said about the strong hunting tradition in Irish breeding.

[ragannarnia]

We have a few you may want to look at www.narniafarm.net. Thanks!

[Ashby]

Idle Hour in St. Michaels, Pennsylvania. They breed Cleveland Bays and Cleveland Sporthorses (partbred TB/Clevie crosses). All the sale horses are fairly and regularly hunted, and all the horses who are bred have been hunted. These animals seem to be born broke, and are taken cross-country early on. Absolutely wonderful horses, with the bottom of a TB, good size, and fine minds. I love them. PM me for contact information or you can google them.

[gabriellemg]

Many farms especially on the East Coast that breeds and sells Cleveland Bay and Cleveland Bay Sport horses should have horses ready or about ready for the hunt field.

I have CB purebreds in Texas, and the three of four (one is too young) I have hunted are excellent fox hunters. The 1/2 breds are faster, and the purebreds seem more sensible.

GMG
Texas USA

[florida foxhunter]

I know of two in the Tallahassee , FL area............if it's not too far for you, PM me.

[Carol Ames]

how far are you wiling to travel? what kind of hunt, fast// slow/ social would you be hunting with?finally, of course; what price range :winkgrin:, size:yes:?

[Carol Ames]

Thr se many CBsx 1/2& 3/4 breds in the southeast:yes:

[Carol Ames]

personally, having worked at two foxhunting farms in :yes:Middleburg, I would look at the CB or draft xs;hard to beat those black:yes: hooves! My farrier:lol: agreed!

[Carol Ames]

There are farms breeding ;)as well as importing :cool: Irish drafts in Virginia!


come:lol: on down!

[Carol Ames]

I do know of a farm whose 3yo CBxs hunt fairly, often with children, 13 year olds:yes: old; They have wonderful brains together with their bodies, and would be my choice for a foxhunter:yes:1

[florida foxhunter]

I have hunted for 25 years and currently serve as a fieldmaster. I also breed quality horses.
In addition, I know two other breeders in my area who breed and make ONLY foxhunters....
If you're looking in the Southeast......check my website below, or contact me..

Patti Brantley

[FoxhuntCNY]

Thank you for all the input, am now looking into the CB crosses. I love the TBs except for the feet. Dealing with that right now with one of mine. For a really good deal I would travel wherever but chances are I'll stick on the east coast. My goal is to finally buy a horse from a farm that has worked hard to produce and bring along sport horses that are built (mind, body) to hunt. Thanks everyone for their suggestions for farms.

In a dream world, if I could find a horse that was as sane, sound, surefooted, intelligent and well mannered as my current mare but braver and with a little more scope (over 3'6, 3'9 hunt/hunter pace fences) I'd be looking in the $15000 and below price range. My current mare gets over the fences but I think we've hit her limit. I don't need a made horse (Even if I had all the money in the world, I've picked all of mine up for 0 - $1,200 so it's hard to imagine paying $30 - $50,000!!!). I just need to have some confidence that it is sane, sound, will hold up to what I want to do - won't struggle to get over hunt/hunter pace fences.

As far as fast vs slow. I guess as long as I could always keep up with the hounds that is fast and handy enough for me. Definitely need endurance to go all day and do steep hills. 16.2 and smaller. I had a draft cross and that really didn't work for me. Great mind, brave, just not handy enough. Would do great in the field but was no good for whipping in.

thanks for all your help!