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Hunters and Jumpers: What Are We Talking About?By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 1, 2010
The terms "hunter" and "jumper" refer to types, rather than specific breeds, of horses. Although both groups routinely jump over obstacles, the most obvious difference is in the way the horses move and the work they are asked to perform.
In basic terms, the hunter is a horse that is suitable for foxhunting. His long strides, conservative jumping style, and cooperative attitude make him a pleasure to ride across country behind the hounds. This horse's work might involve carrying a rider over miles of rolling terrain and calmly jumping various fences, logs, ditches, gates, creeks, and stone walls of various heights up to four feet.
A jumper's world provides quite a contrast. Typically this horse performs only in an arena. His job is to negotiate a course of brightly colored obstacles of imposing height and width. These jumps, usually arranged in a course with tight turns and irregular spacing, must be cleared in the fastest possible time. Any jumping style is allowed, but the horse must jump cleanly without knocking down any part of the obstacle.
Filling in the Blanks
While they may be of any breed, field hunters (horses that are actually ridden to hounds) are often Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred crosses. Horses with this breeding usually have the size, speed, and stamina for a full day of hunting. However, while a number of hunt clubs in the United States are quite active, the roster is shorter every year, partially because of the encroachment of subdivisions on rural land. Increasingly, a person who speaks of owning and riding a hunter is much more likely to have a show hunter than a field hunter. Like the jumper, this horse often performs in an indoor or outdoor show ring rather than in open country, but there are still strong contrasts between the disciplines.
The show hunter retains the field hunter's ground-covering gaits, responsiveness to the rider, and smooth jumping style, but because he performs in an arena with even footing, less emphasis is placed on his strength, stamina, and ability to jump from rough ground.
Where the field hunter is kept in athletic condition, maybe even a little lean, the show hunter is allowed to carry just enough extra weight to give a pleasing appearance. Hunter shows feature courses of jumps that generally resemble those found in the hunting field. The horse faces simple arrangements of white or natural wood poles, gates, and simulated brick or stone walls. The winner of each class will have jumped a clear round at a steady pace, and will have displayed good manners. The horse that resists a rider's directions, refuses a jump, goes too slow or too fast, knocks down an obstacle, puts in extra strides between jumps, leaves the ground too close or too far from a jump, or canters on the wrong lead will probably not be in the ribbons. The ideal round is the result of training and cooperation, since the horse must respond to subtle cues from the rider as to pace, stride length, and placing at each fence. While any horse's performance can be enhanced by proper training, there is no question that the advantage goes to an animal whose conformation allows long, free strides. Flexibility and coordination are also important, as the horse must be able to take off smoothly, fold his front legs tightly over the jump, and extend them for a safe landing while his hind legs are still clearing the fence.
Because they are faced with another type of course, horses in a jumper competition carry their bodies in a different frame from the hunter's long, extended profile. Jumping style and regularity of gait are not considered in this discipline. A jumper is competing against time, so he will be asked to move quickly, cut corners between fences, and possibly jump out of a very long or short stride to accommodate the uneven spacing between obstacles. He must remain unruffled by the noise of an enthusiastic crowd and the puzzling appearance of visually complex jump combinations decorated with vivid floral arrangements. He needs to produce powerful jumping efforts in quick succession, often turning sharply just before or after a jump, and will frequently be asked to collect or extend his frame. Although many classes have jumps that are no larger than those at hunter shows, competitions for experienced horses routinely feature some obstacles that are five feet high and six feet wide. In international Puissance events, which take their name from the French term for power or strength, the final competitors face the widest and highest jumper obstacles, and the world record high jump is just over eight feet.
Feed Management Challenges
A proper diet helps any horse perform to his full potential. In addition to the high-quality hay or pasture that is essential for all horses, hunters and jumpers are likely to need concentrates to meet the demands of light to moderate training and competition. A fat-supplemented feed might be a good choice for a thin horse or an animal that simply cannot eat enough grain to maintain adequate weight. Tying-up, ulcers, vitamin deficiencies, and respiratory problems may plague horses that spend most of their time in the stall. Various products are available to relieve symptoms and help these horses achieve and maintain successful show careers.
While young or low-level horses may be given a break in the winter, many hunters and jumpers from northern states move south to Florida, California, and other winter show circuit locations to continue an active show schedule during the colder months. The ready availability of high-quality branded feeds in all parts of the country ensures that a horse can travel from one region to another without having to adjust to a new ration at each stop.
