additional riding necessary?

[WilfredLeblanc]

Increasingly, I find myself more interested in hunting than anything else, but wonder how much riding apart from hunting itself I’d need to do to keep hunting within the calculated-risk (vice recklessness) range of riding safety. I anticipate going out three or four times a year with Red Rock Hounds out in Nevada, and using a livery horse on those occasions. Do I need to keep up my half lease and lweekly essons program to be ready for that, or could I afford to scale back?

Another way of putting the question: Is there a point at which your riding skills are more or less permanently dialed in to your reflexes, etc., kind of like riding a bike, and easy enough to dust off from time to time, or do you just go completely to pot if you’re not doing it all the time?

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to hunting. I like the disciplines that make up eventing, which my barn revolves around, but it’s not much of a venue for companionship with other men who enjoy riding. The money I’d spend on events, if I were to keep going in this direction, would probably go pretty far with Red Rock. It seems like even being a permanent hilltopper or second-field rider would be a step in the right direction for someone in my particular situation.

Thanks for any feedback you all can offer.

[JSwan]

You need to keep taking lessons.

Foxhunting is much more dangerous than riding xc at a horse trial. You must be in good physical condition to be able to stay in the saddle for several hours and not pound on the horses back, lean on his mouth, or become so fatigued that a minor turn, stumble, or other mishap causes you, or your horse, to fall. And a fall out hunting can be pretty darn bad. And help is VERY far away.

Your physical condition and fitness will benefit the horse as well - as having to deal with an unbalanced or tired rider over uneven terrain is horribly unfair and dangerous to him and his soundness…even his life.

Your riding skills also play into your own safety, as well as the safety and welfare of the horse you’re riding. Being able to sit quietly, having the strength and fitness to balance, give aids, half halt, come to a halt from a gallop - all those things are affected -for good or ill - by your skills.

So I’d say to continue with your lessons, and work up to a level of fitness and skill that you can safely attempt hunting with minimal risk to your safety. If you’re only going to cap a few times a year, then it’s even more important to keep up with lessons and a half or full lease so that you’re ready to go out when you are able.

As the season progresses, they’ll stay out longer and longer and go faster, as everyone, including quarry, is more fit. So greater stamina, ability and fitness will be required as the season goes on - which puts you at even greater a disadvantage if you cap and are not fit and ready.

Not trying to be a downer - trying to help.

Also - you seem to desire male companionship and friendship - which you may not find by capping with a hunt. First, you have no opportunity because you’re not around enough to get to know people, and second, most hunts have a tremendous number of female riders - just like all other horse sports. (I don’t know the makeup of that particular hunt)

But if you want a sport that has a lot of males and is fun - you might try polo. Don’t know if you have any polo barns out there.

Hope that helps.

[Beverley]

Well, for me, yes, it’s like riding a bicycle in terms of riding reflexes and etc- but I’ve been at it for 50 years. However, I’ve seen a 40ish man who had never ridden in his life take up riding and be out hunting first field within a couple of months- he was just a natural (I’ve also known folks who have been hunting for a long time and you take one look and ask yourself, how is it they haven’t killed themselves yet:cool:).

Riding skills aside, there is a high level of fitness required. A day with the Red Rock will test your mettle, you are prudent to start with the hilltoppers.

Once back east, I had to help get a horse back to a meet (missing a really, really good run) because his unfit rider just couldn’t go any more- got jumped off twice for no other reason than fatigue- the horse was an excellent hunter and excellent packer, really all he needed to do was sit there, but he was just physically out of gas.

[WilfredLeblanc]

[QUOTE=JSwan;4114698]
Not trying to be a downer - trying to help.

Also - you seem to desire male companionship and friendship - which you may not find by capping with a hunt. First, you have no opportunity because you’re not around enough to get to know people, and second, most hunts have a tremendous number of female riders - just like all other horse sports. (I don’t know the makeup of that particular hunt)

But if you want a sport that has a lot of males and is fun - you might try polo. Don’t know if you have any polo barns out there.

Hope that helps.[/QUOTE]

You’re not being a downer at all–I appreciate your wisdom (you’ll be glad to know that when I finally sunk money into tall boots, they were plain black:)).

There’s no polo scene to speak of in the Monterey Bay area, and keeping a whole string of ponies (don’t you need at least four?) would be out of my price range anyway.

I’m not interested in Western riding, either, alas.

As for male companionship, I should probably rephrase and say “adult” companionship. My barn is very kid and teen dominated, and I am literally the only male riding there. Moreover, I don’t know of any barn around here where that isn’t the case. Perhaps it’s the same everywhere in the U.S. For the last two years, I never paid any attention to that, but lately, for some reason, it’s started to wear on me.

[Bogie]

Fitness – both horse and rider – is an important part of hunting. So, I think it’s a good idea to keep up your half lease a the very least. Depending on your riding experience, it’s also a good idea to take lessons as it’s important to know how to rate your horse, how to keep it balanced over a variety of terrain, and how to control it in a large group of riders ;). I’ve seen folks out hunting who have trouble with some of the above.

I ride 4-5 times per week year round and even I get tired after spending so much time in a two-point or half seat. I often take a nap the afternoon after I hunt!

I think it’s a great way to meet other adult riders – after all, there’s always the tea after the hunt for socializing.

[WilfredLeblanc]

[QUOTE=Beverley;4114726]
. . . I’ve seen a 40ish man who had never ridden in his life take up riding and be out hunting first field within a couple of months- he was just a natural (I’ve also known folks who have been hunting for a long time and you take one look and ask yourself, how is it they haven’t killed themselves yet:cool:).

Riding skills aside, there is a high level of fitness required. A day with the Red Rock will test your mettle, you are prudent to start with the hilltoppers.[/QUOTE]

I imagine I won’t be given any choice other than to stay with the hilltoppers the first time out, but I believe Lynn Lloyd (who sounds like a really incredible lady) simply said–in an email–“The nice thing about hunting is that you can take it as hard or as easy as you want to.” I’d be okay with a glorified trail ride to begin with.

Anyway, supposing I need to keep up with something like the routine I’m in now, what would be most constructive–ratio of flatwork to jumping, etc.? Should I just keep doing exactly what I’m doing–hacking a couple of time a week and having one jumping lesson a week? Anything more structured? Go XC schooling when the opportunity comes up? I don’t know how much jumping they do at Red Rock, but there’s bound to be at least some.

[WilfredLeblanc]

[QUOTE=Bogie;4114792]
. . . it’s important to know how to . . . how to control it in a large group of riders ;).[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, this is something I have no way to practice with any regularity, unless you count being in an arena with 10 mounted children going every which way–which makes the livery option at Red Rock a real draw. I’m sure Lynn Lloyd has got her horses schooled well.

As for fitness, is it possible to make an analogy to stuff one does in the gym, like the stairmaster or the elliptical machine?

[JSwan]

@Beverley;4114726

(I’ve also known folks who have been hunting for a long time and you take one look and ask yourself, how is it they haven’t killed themselves yet:cool:).

Hey - don’t talk about me like that!:lol::lol:

Wilfred - if I had to ride with teenagers and kids I’d scream. Now I understand that comment and yeah - hunting would be terrific for you.

There are polo barns here where you can take lessons, they have teams, games, etc. Too bad they don’t have that near you. Looks like a lot of fun.

For fitness…I’d say you want good cardiovascular fitness. Aerobic exercise will be of enormous benefit, and tone/strength can be gained by Pilates or Yoga. How you do it is up to you and your schedule. Swimming is good, running/jogging, treadmill, elliptical - whatever you like. But you should be able to exercise for an hour and not be exhausted. (and check with your doctor to make sure you’re health is good)

For riding - there is no exercise I know of that replicates riding. Those skills can only be learned and honed in the saddle. So do your best to keep your half lease - and maybe cut back your lessons to one or two a month - whatever you can afford but just keep plugging away.

Learning to ride in groups… that’s a tough one. I don’t know if Red Rock has organized trail rides during the summer, or if there are any judged pleasure rides you could go on with the horse you lease. Maybe Beverley or someone in your area can give you some ideas.

I hope you can get out with Red Rock - if you do I’d love a full report. I’ve always wanted to hunt with them but it’s unlikely I’ll ever get out there. Good luck!!

[WilfredLeblanc]

[QUOTE=JSwan;4114897]

Wilfred - if I had to ride with teenagers and kids I’d scream. Now I understand that comment and yeah - hunting would be terrific for you.[/QUOTE]

I think you read me. Like I say, when I was starting out, I was just so thrilled to be learning that I took the brats with a grain of salt, but lately I just want a big, Monty-Python-esque, animated elephant’s foot to fall out of the sky and flatten them whenever they make a sound (or park their mounts in the middle of my path). Not a charitable attitude, I realize, but there it is. Perhaps if I wasn’t a teacher by day, my threshhold would be higher.

For fitness… you should be able to exercise for an hour and not be exhausted. (and check with your doctor to make sure you’re health is good)

Well, hell, that I can manage.

. . . do your best to keep your half lease - and maybe cut back your lessons to one or two a month - whatever you can afford but just keep plugging away.

Thanks. That’s specific and about what I had in mind–or maybe something like two lessons a week on a schooling horse and ditch the hacking around, because there’s not much space for hacking anyway. My trainer does an ingenious job of using every inch–neat simulated XC course built around the dressage ring–but the barn is a pretty small piece of real estate. No access to trails.

I hope you can get out with Red Rock - if you do I’d love a full report. I’ve always wanted to hunt with them but it’s unlikely I’ll ever get out there. Good luck!!

Oh, I’m sure I’ll want to report. I have no doubt it will be right up my alley.

[cavaliermax]

GO FOR IT!

About three and a half years ago, I posed a similar question on this board. I received lots of advice, most of it discouraging. Fortunately for me, I ignored most of the advice and I now own a suitable horse and a trailer (who needs retirement anyway?) I just finished my second season of hunting this past March.

I realize that I’m very lucky in the area of a suitable mount. My horse came to me after he proved to be too strong for my daughter in the hunter ring. He doesn’t like being in the ring, he wants to be first flight and, as long as I don’t get in his way, he’ll keep me right behind the field master.

One does need to keep fit - probably a good thing regardless. It helps to get off your butt and out running (or whatever) if you set a goal. For example, I’ve set a goal of being able to hilltop when I turn 80. This happens to be the same day that I can start smoking cigarettes again. I’m going to have to wait to light up until the hunt breakfast as smoking in the field is (and should be) strictly prohibited.

The folks in my hunt, both male and female, are the warmest and most caring group I’ve ever associated with. We have many off season actviites, including trail rides, paces, Fourth of July parades and socials. These folks are, naturally, the only ones that understand the obsession and this is very comforting.

The last time anyone suggested polo to me was when I tried to join the Riding Club at the University many years ago. Those two guardians of purity directed me to the right table - the Polo Club. I joined and enjoyed the nice people, good horses and great keg parties! Unfortunately, unless you are in your first year of a specific set of universities or resident in some particular areas of the county, polo is probably not an option.

Finally, it helps to read about hunting. There are several excellent books out there, though they can be difficult to find. I’d suggest On Hunting by Roger Scrunton. See page 113, about mid page.

Good hunting!

[armandh]

oh the pain

getting legged up at the start of roading [oh the tired me]
am I getting to old for this I wonder with each morning after.

but for the young …yes it is a matter of conditioning.
mid winter is no time to start.

[Good_Old_Sledge]

Your half-lease is probably a good idea. Whether on the flat, cross country or bumper-ponies with the kids, you simply need time in the saddle. As you will be huntng a horse you’ve never met, you will need confidence in yourself and the sort of balance and ease-of-going that allows you to sit back, keep out of the horse’s way and see how best to influence him.
It might not be a bad idea to go to a low-level event or two in the off season, though. This will accustom you to adapting to unfamiliar terrain, get you in the habit of packing and of tacking up at your trailer. It will also give you the opportunity to ride with full kit so the first time you have to deal with a stock isn’t your first time to hounds.

[Beverley]

@WilfredLeblanc;4114796

I imagine I won’t be given any choice other than to stay with the hilltoppers the first time out, but I believe Lynn Lloyd (who sounds like a really incredible lady) simply said–in an email–“The nice thing about hunting is that you can take it as hard or as easy as you want to.” I’d be okay with a glorified trail ride to begin with.

Anyway, supposing I need to keep up with something like the routine I’m in now, what would be most constructive–ratio of flatwork to jumping, etc.? Should I just keep doing exactly what I’m doing–hacking a couple of time a week and having one jumping lesson a week? Anything more structured? Go XC schooling when the opportunity comes up? I don’t know how much jumping they do at Red Rock, but there’s bound to be at least some.

Well, actually, Lynn rarely appoints field masters, but if you pm me I can give you the names of veteran hilltoppers to follow. Never mind the jumps, the area around her kennels is paneled but most if not all other places, no, and where there are jumps you can always go around/find a gate. What you need, seriously, is lots of hill work- going up a 1000 foot narrow spine of a ridge is a fairly frequent occurrence in Red Rock’s country, not for the acrophobic. So two things- find the steepest hills you can, and go up, and down, a lot, as fast as you dare. Other thing is, in an arena, when you can trot and canter in two point, out of saddle altogether, without a break, for 20 to 30 minutes, you are getting there. On trails, likewise- move at speed for as long as you can stand it- that is the best way to get fit for 5 or 6 hours of hunting.

[rivenoak]

@Beverley;4116445

Well, actually, Lynn rarely appoints field masters, but if you pm me I can give you the names of veteran hilltoppers to follow. Never mind the jumps, the area around her kennels is paneled but most if not all other places, no, and where there are jumps you can always go around/find a gate. What you need, seriously, is lots of hill work- going up a 1000 foot narrow spine of a ridge is a fairly frequent occurrence in Red Rock’s country, not for the acrophobic. So two things- find the steepest hills you can, and go up, and down, a lot, as fast as you dare. Other thing is, in an arena, when you can trot and canter in two point, out of saddle altogether, without a break, for 20 to 30 minutes, you are getting there. On trails, likewise- move at speed for as long as you can stand it- that is the best way to get fit for 5 or 6 hours of hunting.

That’s the truth: it’s every wo/man for her/himself, generally.

My legs were burning just starting out from the trailers on the 1st day at our joint meet this year. And, I’d been hunting 2.5 hrs at a time for a few months beforehand.

I had serious leg cramps by the end & my group got thrown out early on.

If you cannot keep up, you may quickly turn it into a solo trailride. Which isn’t all bad, but keep it in mind.

Ah, yes, the Lynn Lloyd Line: straight up the mountain. :lol:

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

[QUOTE=rivenoak;4117003]
If you cannot keep up, you may quickly turn it into a solo trailride. Which isn’t all bad, but keep it in mind.[/QUOTE]

Regarding the whole solo trail ride experience, I have some recommendations:

1. Get yourself a GPS.

2. Set a waypoint at the trailers.

3. Make sure that you understand how to use the feature that points you in the direction of a set waypoint. In particular, make sure that you are heading for the correct waypoint. Not, for example, one 120 miles to the south.

Don’t ask me how I know this.

[WilfredLeblanc]

Hey, there, Rivenoak!

I definitely can’t stay in two point for 20-30 minutes without resting. Better increase the incline on the elliptical machine.

The GPS sounds like a good idea. Field master or no, is there any kind of buddy system in place, or is it indeed every person for himself?

Hills are something I don’t have much experience with, and I’m not sure what to do about that. I may just have to be a slowpoke at first.

[rivenoak]

Hi! Glad to see you’re still at it!

Yes, up the elliptical. I’m not kidding. The woman sets a fast pace.

There isn’t an official buddy system, but you can probably arrange to pal up with someone. It’s a really nice set of folks who hunt at Red Rock.

When we do a joint meet, usually the PVB people will clump up together in a few groups. Safety in numbers and all that.

[JSwan]

[QUOTE=rivenoak;4117003]

Ah, yes, the Lynn Lloyd Line: straight up the mountain. :lol:[/QUOTE]

At the hound show I sat next to a woman who hunts with Red Rock - and she told me some great stories. I was enthralled.

Later she introduced me to Lynn Lloyd. Made my day. Well - now I really do need to get out there and hunt with y’all. Sounds like a blast

[rivenoak]

Most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Lynn’s got charisma like no one else I know, with people & animals. Everyone loves her.

Did you ask if she’d ever been to jail? :lol:

[JSwan]

[QUOTE=rivenoak;4121488]
Most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Lynn’s got charisma like no one else I know, with people & animals. Everyone loves her.

Did you ask if she’d ever been to jail? :lol:[/QUOTE]

No - but next time I will! Wish I’d met her earlier - I took an instant liking to her.