Can I be a weenie and hunt?

[luvmyottb]

Is it possible to learn how to fox hunt and not go fast? This may sound ridiculous, but I am in my mid 50’s and just don’t want to gallop all over the countryside, but would love the opportunity to hunt at a more leisurely pace. I have experienced hunter paces with my TB mare, but she was too excitable for me to enjoy the hunt experience.

Now I have a steady Eddie quarter horse who I believe has the temperament to try hunting. I have my own farm and really miss riding with other people and I believe I would really enjoy the camaraderie of the hunt. But my fear of racing through the woods is holding me back. Current horse needs to be trained to tread water (such a wimp) and needs some canter work. Think out of shape and unbalanced . I am thinking 3rd flight:lol: would be a good place for me.

Anyone ride with Mecklenburg Hounds? They would be closest to me, although still more than 1 hour away from my home. Thinking of checking it out, but afraid to take the plunge. Any thoughts?

[FitToBeTied]

Whether it is possible to hunt a more leisurely pace depends on the hunt but one basic rule of hunting is that it is up to the rider to do whatever it takes to keep up. Hunting is not meant to be a trail ride with dogs.

One of the worst experiences I ever had was having to go find people while the hounds were running! I was leading a second flight one time when the hounds hit and off we went. I never got going fast then a good canter due to the terrain. Suddenly someone behind me says “I think we lost the field.” I looked behind me and only saw four people out of 15. So I sent those four on down the trail to where they need to go and then headed back down the trail. It was a good quarter mile before I found one group. I asked what happened and they said one of the horses had started to act up. Then I asked where was everyone else? They shrugged their shoulders. So I told them to wait for me there and headed further down the trail where I found the rest about a half mile on. I ask what happened and they said they had gotten tired and were taking a break.

My head about exploded.

[Kodiak]

Your best bet is to contact your local hunts directly. A number of hunts offer a third field or hilltopper group that is quite sedate. They don’t try to keep up with the hounds. As the name implies, they look for good vantage points, instead.

I agree with FTBT in that you need to be very up-front with your expectations and make absolutely sure you are riding out with a group that will always be going the speed you wish. Not “well, 90% of the time we take it easy…” because you will be expected to step up when the other 10% happens.

I’m going to add: there are weenies and there are weenies. Can you get your horse off the side of the trail so someone can ride by, even if it means giving Dobbin a sharp smack on the butt for prompt motivation? You can generally be excused for not going fast. However, there are times you will need to get the hell out of the way so as not to interfere with the hunt. If you can and will do that, you should be able to find a place to hunt.

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=Kodiak;8429519]
Your best bet is to contact your local hunts directly. A number of hunts offer a third field or hilltopper group that is quite sedate. They don’t try to keep up with the hounds. As the name implies, they look for good vantage points, instead.

I agree with FTBT in that you need to be very up-front with your expectations and make absolutely sure you are riding out with a group that will always be going the speed you wish. Not “well, 90% of the time we take it easy…” because you will be expected to step up when the other 10% happens.[/QUOTE]

Not all hunts? I guess I didn’t realize 3rd field wasn’t offered everywhere.

[FitToBeTied]

Third flight is not offered everywhere, for sure. I think if you want to hunt you should be able to gallop.

[HorsesinHaiti]

[QUOTE=Kodiak;8429519]
Your best bet is to contact your local hunts directly. A number of hunts offer a third field or hilltopper group that is quite sedate. They don’t try to keep up with the hounds. As the name implies, they look for good vantage points, instead.

I agree with FTBT in that you need to be very up-front with your expectations and make absolutely sure you are riding out with a group that will always be going the speed you wish. Not “well, 90% of the time we take it easy…” because you will be expected to step up when the other 10% happens.

I’m going to add: there are weenies and there are weenies. Can you get your horse off the side of the trail so someone can ride by, even if it means giving Dobbin a sharp smack on the butt for prompt motivation? You can generally be excused for not going fast. However, there are times you will need to get the hell out of the way so as not to interfere with the hunt. If you can and will do that, you should be able to find a place to hunt.[/QUOTE]

Good advice. I just went out hilltopping in VA this weekend, and our most excellent field master was certainly able to keep us in touch without resorting to a full gallop.

Default response: call the hunt secretary, explain your interest and what you and your horse have done, and ask if there would be an opportunity for you to test the waters. Some hunts have summer training rides, members who also have horses like yours needing testing, low speed puppy and hound works - the secretary will know, or know who does know.

[luvmyottb]

Thanks for your responses. I do believe it will be in my best interests to contact the hunt directly and find out if they do indeed have a 2nd or 3rd group. I just have a vision in my head of a hunt blasting through the fields full throttle the whole time. For me, that would be somewhat stressful. Trotting and cantering is not a problem.

I would like to test the waters with this horse to see how he reacts riding in a group. He’s fine on the trail with another horse and my dogs running through the woods. Of course 2 dogs is different than a pack!

Horse needs to be in better shape also which we give me some time over the winter to get him fitter.

Horses in Haiti-Was this your first hunt?

[HorsesinHaiti]

luvmyottb, yep! My very first!

[cheval_convert]

Hunters Rest specializes in taking newbies out. She took this 50 something weenie out and I had a great time. (I am now looking for a truck and trailer so I can try hunting on my own horse.)

[HorsesinHaiti]

[QUOTE=cheval convert;8432407]
Hunters Rest specializes in taking newbies out. She took this 50 something weenie out and I had a great time. (I am now looking for a truck and trailer so I can try hunting on my own horse.)[/QUOTE]

Yep, Hunter’s Rest is who I just went out with!