The Australian Hunter Horse Association recognises the contribution made by David as an instigator for the introduction of show hunter classes in Australia and for his pioneering commitment to the breeding, producing, exhibiting and judging of hunter hacks, hunter galloways, hunter ponies and working hunters during much of his lifetime. AHHA is privileged to have many of Davids' written notes and educational resources which will be added to this page progressively. 

The following is the first of his published commentaries:

The Hunter Horse – Commentary provided by Mr. David Ross

General Character

A hunter horse is characterised by its intended purposes and use which should include inherent traits of endurance and ability to jump. That of a miniature middle to heavy weight hunter not necessarily a horse with show horse character. It should be powerfully built, combining quality with substance and properly proportioned in body and limb. One should be able to look at the animal and asses it in terms of its intended work use or purpose. So, first and foremost, by definition “A hunter horse must be capable of taking a rider hunting”. This militates against any weakness in conformation which would prevent this – and he must do it comfortably and safely for his rider.

Head

A hunter horses head need not be as refined as the Show Horse, but this does not preclude ‘quality’ nor imply a common head. There is a tendency to look business like rather than pretty, but the head must be in proportion to the animal's bone, body and feet.

Eye

A hunter horse must have a kind, bold eye. It should possess large nostrils and have a good width of jawbones for easy breathing.

Neck

Adequate length of neck yet in proportion to head size allows the hunter horse to maintain its balance. If the neck is too short, there is likely to be a kink in the windpipe, which limits the hunter horses’ air intake, thus his performance for his intended function. For this reason, we like to see a small radius rather than a sharp angle underneath where the neck joins the head and this implies a certain length of neck.

Shoulder

This should be considered in relation to the length of neck and head as all these points of conformation are related. The ideal angle of shoulder blade for a hunter horse should not be upright as of that of a show horse. Shoulder should slope back to well defined withers. The shoulders should be strong without exhibiting traces of heaviness or coarseness and the chest should be neither too narrow nor too wide.

Feet

Must be the right size and in proportion to the rest of the animal. Small feet are too dainty in a hunter horse. Small feet go with small joints and anyway are more likely to sink into soft going. If they are too large, they appear common and clumsy and frequently with common legs. Feet should neither be too flat, flared out nor too upright (boxy). Hooves hard and dense are not too likely to break away so easily.

Pasterns

Extremes are to be avoided. Short pasterns tend to be upright with a consequent loss of springiness causing concussion and this gives a jerkier ride. On the other hand, the pasterns should not be too long and sloping. Though this type of limb gives a more comfortable ride and the animal is more susceptible to breaking down with tendon strain and complaints such as ‘sesamoiditis’.

Fetlocks

Like the feet, they should be in proportion to the remainder of the animal. Undersized fetlocks will be unable to withstand the pressures on the bearing surfaces of these joints and are therefore to be avoided in hunter horses.

Cannon bones

Usually preferred short. This is to do with action and strength.

Knees

Like fetlocks, they contain bearing surfaces and therefore must be up to size. Hunter horses must have equality in knees, which are flat across the front and look angular in outline when viewed from the front. A hunter horses’ knees should never be round in shape.

Hocks

The ‘os calcis’ at the point of the hock must be amply proportioned to transmit the burden of the powerful muscles above to and convert to a propelling force. The whole hock must be large enough in proportion to the remainder of the show hunter for reasons on minimising the joint load and the forces of the tendons. A hunter horse should have clean, strong and powerful hocks.

Upper leg

Apart from perhaps good hindquarters and bone, the greatest difference between a show horse and a hunter horse is in the conformation of the upper leg, ie the forearm and second thigh or gaskin. We must look for a strong natural development of muscle in a hunter horse, which is essential to enable him to lift his feet up in rough country and heavy going, and this should be the case in both fore and hind legs.

The set of the hind leg

The point of the hock should be on a line drawn down from the back of the quarters. The overall view from the ear in a hunter horse should be one of great muscle development. The horse should not be ‘split’ high up between the legs. The joints should be placed one above the next in the same vertical plane so that the wear is even.

Forelegs

When viewed from the front of the forelegs should not be too close together at the front (coming out of one hole). The knees should be the same distance apart as the fetlocks and feet so that the weight is carried symmetrically on the joints. The toes should point straight in front and look a perfect pair. Viewed from the side of the knee joint should be straight – not over or back. The hunter horse must exhibit quality hard, flat bone – substance without coarseness, quality without fineness. It should have ample bone measurement below the knee.

Back

A hunter horse must have a strong well-muscle back, which is of sufficient length to carry a saddle without it sitting on the loins. It is easy to wrongly think that a hunter’s back is too long because his legs are short, when compared to a show horse with a lot of daylight whose back is short. This is merely an optical illusion.

Hindquarters

A hunter horses' hindquarters should be lengthy, strong, powerful and well-rounded showing good proportionate length of croup. Tail well set and carried straight.

Girth and middle piece

Deep, ample heart room and well ribbed up.

Movement

Free, straight true and forcible. The movement should neither be too high or too low. A hunter horse with daisy cutting action is the wrong type and should not win hunter horse classes. We are not recommending high knee action. Moderation is called for. As the going for a hunter horse, will not always be smooth, they must pick their feet up rather more and some knee action is necessary.

One should look for a good athletic stride with the emphasis on power rather than elegance, so that the hunter horse moves from A to B in the most economical and sound way. A hunter horse must show great acceleration in the gallop but a politeness to come back to hand when requested. The hunter horse must enjoy his work and go forward with enthusiasm as if out hunting. He must cover ground in all paces with a well-balanced gallop moving from the shoulder, with the hind legs well under. A correct four beat walk is the perfect example is a highly desirable characteristic of a true hunter horse.

Presentation

Simple, plain and workmanlike. Hunter horses and their riders mark the ancestry and style of hunting by wearing only the simplest leather work and rural dress. Coloured browbands and fancy hair ribbons should not be worn.

General

A hunter horse is the final stage in a horses training and education. Hunter horses jump with style and braveness in this category. Once again wear and tear and blemishes should not detract animals in this category.

This writing remains the property of the Estate of the Late David Zouch Ross and his beneficiaries and should not be re-published without prior consent be obtained.