Anyone have horses they use for upland? Is it just for fancy field trialers? Been thinking about getting a horse and to have it for upland hunting. Seems like it would be a lot easier than walking around. Best breed seems to be a Tennessee walker. I dont FT but think it would be nice to hunt by horse back but I have never owned a horse before.

Horses are a bigger money pit than bird dogs. Buy a Mule that eats gasoline.

Yes, it comes with a lot of challenges. Too many to list now but an example is what are you going to do with your horse when your dog goes on to point? I have hunted chuckers, sage grouse, sharp tailed grouse and California quail from horseback.

I hunt off horseback 90% of the time. I enjoy it.

Most quail leases in Texas do not allow you to bring horses onto lease. Especially if the horse is coming and going on the lease. They don't want to introduce diseases to cattle.
You may be able to get a horse on some leases if you board the horse on the lease.

If you are not a horse person who rides for other purposes, this is a bad idea. Just my .02 cents. Horses have very high maintenance costs and require consistent riding to stay trained and in shape.

X5

Get a steel horse. aka a mule

It’s also a long way to the ground from the back of a horse.

It'd take a special horse to do that. I only had one that would fit that bill in all my years riding and training dogs. All horses have a hole in them somewhere (bad trait or habit). The horse would formost have to be gun broke and have a heck of a ground tie. ( Stay put when you dismount until you come back) Dogs running around them and thru their legs. The one horse I had would spook at certain things. You could ride him thru it but as these guys say a gasoline or diesel powered horse is so much better.

Get a good riding mule and you’ll never look back.

Yep. How I grew up bird hunting. Will go a lot of places you can’t take a buggy. Does not leave ruts. Visibility is better. Just like a good dog it takes a lot of training and maintenance and you will have some washouts. If you know what you are doing and have the land and time it can be enjoyable.
If it has tires or tits it’s gonna give you trouble in time.

You dont want ------------- a swimming pool, motorcycle, horse.

haha

And only when you are using it!

Unless you have a physical disability why not walk. Road hunting isnt hunting with a UTV IMO. If your not already a horse lover i agree its alot to take on

I've done it in great cover and behind fine bird dogs, loved it, would do it all the time except for this. Trailer, tow vehicle, board, feed, maintenance. Hell I bought and sold a nice one I never rode, Plus you really need two.