Thread: Hunting on Horseback

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Using horses to access hunting areas is brutal on firearms when a rider takes a fall, todays rifles at a metre-and-a-half long snag every overhanging branch one comes across. When asked by people using my horses "Can one shoot from the saddle" I reply "Yes" (one must be careful when asking questions)...."and don't put bullet holes in their ears".

I am a dedicated horse man always have been but they are not for green horns - they add another level to a hunting trip provided you like horses because things can go very wrong - I have seen my share of bent scopes and in one incident a stock snapped in half - experience with horses is a must for at least some in the party - you may need to shoe one on the trip or remove a shoe that has come loose - picking the right horse is a must not so critical with a saddle horse but definitely with pack horses - the gear required is not cheap either - having seen horses throw hissy fits they are not to be underestimated - I have seen a horse throw a total berky being shod and smashed the farriers ute door in - a bucking session with a pack horse is quite a sight but the damaged gear after woods is not - but with good horses -good gear they add another dimension to a hunting trip - be carefull where you take them though they are hard on tracks - not to much on bulldozed tracks of course - but narrow steep wet tracks they can do some damage -