First time hunting?

[Eventer08]

I’m sure this thread has been done before, so I appologize… But I searched and didn’t quite find the answers I needed, so now I’m at the mercy of you very experienced, knowledgeable hunt people to send some wisdom my way!

My riding friend and I would really like to go foxhunting at least once… What an experience to be missing out on! We are both eventing riders, so are comfortable riding cross country. We have showing and eventing experience, but have never hunted… Where do we start? I know this isn’t the best time of year to get started, but still–any encouraging wisdom?

Where would we learn the basics? What wisdom would you share for a greenie to this sport? Any and all help is appreciated! Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[Jaegermonster]

go to the MFHA website and find a hunt in your area and contact their hunt secretary about coming out.
The MFHA website will have lots of information about proper attire, “rules” etc, but sometimes most hunts have their own more specific rules or expected attire so be sure to inquire if that particular hunt has any information they want to send you or a website you can look at.

The most important caveat is make sure your horse doesn’t kick or threaten a hound or other horses. Hounds always have the right of way, make sure to turn your horse’s butt away from the hound and let it pass. Also watch out for staff, esp whips, because if they need to get through they need to do it now and fast. Again, get off the trail and turn your horse’s butt away from them so they don’t get kicked. Yes I know of course YOUR horse doesn’t kick. BS. All horses kick, esp when they are excited and doing something they have never done before. Turn your horses butt away from the trail, staff, hounds.

If you are a newbie and genuinely interested, and listen to what the more experienced folks tell you and show a genuine desire to learn the sport, foxhunters are a very forgiving and helpful group.

[CharliesMom]

clinic

This is my second year hunting (I know, still pretty new). However, I highly recommend taking a hunting clinic. A lot of clubs offer them. I recently took one from Aidan O’Connell and learned a lot about how to be safe on the hunt field. I have also read about clubs who offer clinics to teach people the etiquette of hunting and give newbies a chance to do hound exercises to learn the basics. See if there is a clinic in your area.

[Foxtrot_s]

Aiden was just up here in BC this weekend and everybody had a wonderful, funny, time.
Planning for a repeat visit.

[ab06]

Welcome! Definitely go to the MFHA website and contact a local hunt, as suggested above. The very best advice I can give you is to rent a made hunter your first time out. You can ask the hunt secretary for people to call. I did this; I was soooo nervous about following all of the rules (don’t pass the fieldmaster, keep quiet, etc), that having a horse who knew his job was a godsend and made the experience amazing.

Once I had some experience under my belt, I took my own bombproof horse out. You can probably search my name for my posts asking for help We’re on year 2 and he looooooves him some hunting. He is dead quiet cross country and in the ring, just lovely, but until you’ve ridden your horse in a pack of 50 galloping horses, you have noooo idea how he will react. I love him, but he’s a handful and a half out hunting and would have made for a hellish first experience. I’ve also seen a few guests’ own horses fall on slick roads because they didn’t know that borium is needed for our hunt - all things to consider

Anyway, that’s my best advice - borrow a horse. You’re going to love it!

[awm]

first time hunting

Where are you located, E08?

We have been going out here in western New York, we’re trying to get to 100 meets—
we made it to 95 yesterday!
Check out the pix at geneseevalleyhunt.org, go to photos, then Bill Gamble’s page, the
latest are under the late season column.
There aren’t too many in the field now & we hunt behind the Huntsman! It’s a great
opportunity to see the Hounds working, the folks riding now range from the die-hard
runners & jumpers to the gate finders! They will happily answer questions & make sure
you’re OK! You can take my Irish Draught mare out, if you’d like an experienced horse
to enjoy.
Hound-jogging starts in June here, for about a month, that’s a good way to bring your horse out to see hounds
& ride in groups, we usually keep to our dirt roads & there is no hunting----Hounds are
being roaded to get them fit, teach first year entries the ropes, & remind the experienced
hounds that there is some discipline in the Pack! Everyone is welcome to come try
the experience with no fees, members bring out young horses, it’s very casual & relaxed.
We go out at 6am, to beat the heat & bugs, & we’re done by 7-7:30!
A Hunting Clinic is priceless, also, Aidan O’Connell comes here 3 times a year to hunt & clinic!
He does a Coops Clinic that takes you out in the country to practice over all sorts of
obstacles, and does give you so much confidence that you’re ready to take him up on
his offers to go hunt in Ireland with him!
Foxtrot, what Hunt is in British Columbia? Are you still hunting? It’s the best when you can
keep hunting with Aidan’s voice ringing in your ears, we call “Remember Aidan” when
coming to something he’s worked us over!
There’s Video on the thread started by Tallboots, it’s a few pages in & the title escapes
me now, but it’s from Glimmerglass & is a Hunt in Ireland where they bank lots of their
jumps, the jumping forms on lots of the riders show the value in not getting forward on
your jumps! The iffy jumps show the riders that get ahead & how much it interferes
with the horse. Some of those horses are saints! It’s also a very fun thread that gives
a great intro into the true minds of Foxhunters!
Hope you pursue your dream, & do it many times!

[Beverley]

Dang, if I weren’t committed to helping at the Sundance Film Festival I’d come rent that Irish Draught from you and help you try to make it to 100. Provided the rental fee includes the tiara for my bowler.

[Hotspur]

Added Bonus

Everter08,

Good on ya for wanting to get started Hunting! The advice offered in the previous posts is spot on. Going the first couple of times in the care of a made field hunter is the best idea, and starting your guy by taking him out roading hounds is very sensible.

Your event horse is very likely to find that he just loves hunting, most of them do! There is an added bonus to giving your horse experience in hunting. He should show improvement as an eventer!

My guy and I event a little in the summer, and he is more sure and safe to take cross country, very capable of taking care of himself in a tight spot, after a couple of years in the hunt field. He is also much more calm in the dreaded warm up areas at events, all good stuff!

So, go have fun and keep us posted.

Hotspur
Metamora Hunt

[awm]

100 Hunts!

Beverly, when is the Festival over?

Give a call, we’ll hunt 'til the weather forces a close. We’ve been known to wait for
thaws!

No renting allowed, I love to share, just getting lots of visitors (who turn into friends!)
is payment enough! I think you know a couple people here already!

[Beverley]

AWM, festival runs to Jan 25, and my prior post is mostly wishful thinking as other than Sundance, the day job that pays for the hunting will be seriously in the way. I do hope to hunt in Nevada over President’s day weekend. But I really should hunt in NY one day soon, as in, while I can still climb aboard a horse!

However, trip east for Maryland Hunt Cup is planned, haven’t been since 1995 and it’s a special occasion for some special friends so should be fun.

[awm]

western NY hunting

Beverley, we start cubhunting first week in July! 4 mornings a week, formal season is
Sept. & Oct. then back to informal as far as we can go----surely you can make another
trip back sometime this next season! I can’t promise the Irish mare, as she is due to foal
early July, we’ll get her out in the field by Oct. tho!
But we have more horses to borrow, there is one iffy rental stable, but it’s better to get
a borrowed horse!
We go to the MHC every year, we could have a meet & greet!

Eventer08, where are you located? Maybe we could meet you, also?!

[Beverley]

Hmmm. New York in August. A bit of cubhunting, then schlepp to Saratoga for some racing…Must ponder.

[awm]

Aug. in NY

I think you better book your flights!
Saratoga is 4hrs. away----fly into Rochester, rent a car, spend a week or two!
You can stay with me!
In the meantime, we can join up at the Maryland Hunt Cup, anyone else thinking
about going?

E08, where did you go!!!

[Little_Valkyrie]

Or you could come hunt with Old Chatham which is only 45 minutes from Saratoga! Plus, in August the polo season is in full swing- you can have quite the horsey packed day; hunt in the am, track in the afternoon and polo in the evening. Come around any time, we are a fun bunch of hunters!

[Beverley]

AWM- hah. I live in the west. 4 hours is NOTHING. I haul 8 one way to hunt! This could be a plan…

[3mares]

I am hoping to attend some meets next year too - went on a few hunts in NJ 20 years ago and have been wanting to go again ever since.

AWM - I am near Ithaca and Genessee is one of the hunts I have thought about - I hear your territory is challenging! : )

I would love to touch base with you at some point!

Maria

[awm]

Fighting over Beverley!!!

Looks like you can find plenty to do in NY!
Sounds like Old Chatham is the place to visit!

3mares- my email is annmorss@msn.com
It would be great to have you come up!
I guess our country has its areas, as all do! The horses take it all in stride!

I feel we’ve de-railed the topic, but what happened to Eventer08!!!

[Little_Valkyrie]

Old Chatham is always the place to be

[Beverley]

@Little Valkyrie;3802585

Old Chatham is always the place to be

Ah, well, looks like I can do two hunts in one vacation and do Saratoga! In August even, no footwarmers needed! I do know one of the former OCH Masters who could vouch for me…

AWM, could you have been in a group of GVH-ers I met at, ooh, maybe MD Hunt Cup, maybe Casanova, certainly 20 or more years ago? Maybe there was a Mike in the group too…

With apologies to the OP for the major hijack.

[awm]

Past meetings?

Beverley, We certainly could have met at any time at a Spring Race!
We’ve been going to the MHC every year since the late 70’s, there have been various
horses from here brought down to race at lots of the Pt. to Pts. & even some sanctioned
meets. The only Mike that’s coming immediately to mind is a lady! I think she went to the
MHC a few times----
My travelling companions would be Gail Mc, who raced horses many years as an owner/trainer, Martha W. owner/trainer/rider, Marion A/K/T, (who you might have met at
Lynn’s bicenteniel meet) & there would have been many extras in the parties depending
on the year!
I think you know a couple ladies here–Dee F. & Catherine B?
They know you from some dog groups!
This thread is officially hijacked!