Folks,
The papers are signed and approved, the house is on the market and i should be emmigrated to Canada by mid next year. I'm an active hunter and plan to purchase a property that has some land on which i can keep and stable a couple of horses for hunting.
My riding experience is limited to general riding for pleasure in the UK and would welcome advice:

Horse types suitable for hunting in rugged terrains.
Costs
Recommendations for equipment suitable for a beginner (saddle etc).

Anything else you'd like to add.

Thanks - Marc

A steward at a YC here was an X Navy Seal. What a character he was! He rode for big game here with a raincoat on and his rifle hidden under it.

He said he could ride up close to a deer like that.

Thats the full extent of my horse lore today.

As to property location is everything. Don't buy something without seeing it and experiancing it. Sure enough someone will sell you a lot downwind of a paper mill or something otherwise.

Marc, whereabouts in Canada are you planning to emigrate to?

Fischer,
West side ... i've been informed that the weather is better on that side..possibly British Columbia, Alberta, etc....which leads me to another question.....generally, where is best for fishing and hunting??? I need a state with a reasonable population as i'm a teacher & lecturer.
Marc

You will find that there are 3 or 4 big game animals in the eastern provinces and 11-14 big game animals in BC, the Yukon, and Alberta. I guess it depends on what kind of scenerey you want. Mountains or not?

Missouri Foxtrotters are great mountain hunting horses, good sized, easy temperment, and sure footed. That and they are gaited and easy to ride all day.

Horses that are ideal for working stock are not the best for hunting. The opposite is also true. Arabs are the devil for both.

Marc

My recommendation about a horse is don't. You will only ride about 4 months but you will need to feed and care for them all 12.

If you are only wanting horses to hunt with I agree with Mickey DON'T. However if you like horses and want them as another hobby GO FOR IT.

In the United States a good horse is going to cost $1500 and up to as much as you want to pay.

As for equipment check out Colorado Saddlery, Outfitters Supply and Capriola's. The cost will be more with these places but the quality is top notch. I would recommend a western saddle for in the mountains and for hunting. Again with all horse related stuff expect to pay for what you get ie: low quality=low price. However you don't have to spend an absolute fortune to get a decent outfit. I would guess with new equipment (don't forget to look for used) a total oufit for one horse will cost between $1000 and $2000. This would be an upper middle setup.

Check out this web sight if you are into horses Eclectic Horseman