Fox Hunting, how to get started? Where to get info?

[RoyalRain42]

So I started to stalk this section of the forum, and watched some videos. I now have one of the deepest desires to try and go on a fox hunt some time next year! (If I can find any in the area that is…)

But, I feel like I don’t know enough quite yet, or can’t really find the resources to find out more. So I came here!

I have started to take English lessons, as a long time western trail, mounted game hunting, and mounted archery. So I am now starting to figure out where I want to go, direction wise.

So I am curious about the following things when it comes to Fox Hunting.

What is considered normal for tack? I currently have a wintec 2000 ap, but it is black. Are their things not allowed tack wise? Or required tack?

How does it work with green horses? What kind of experience is best for the horse to have prior? Do green horses get placed in a different place? Horse I want to use has been used extensively for back country hunting. Crosses anything unfazed by any obstical. Has been used to hounds from having been on cougar hunts.

How do I go about finding hunt clubs I guess? Or people who Hunt? My location is central montana, and I am curious how I would go about finding anyone else that hunts?

Please also, if there is an online recourse that you have a link to that can answer most of this please post!

Thank you!

[VelvetsAB]

See this sticky: http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?196533-Hunting-FAQs-copy-link-add-useful-info-here!

I found my local hunt, and went out on foot several times, before I ever went mounted. It gave me time to learn a few things, and be in the presence of various people who I could ask all of my questions too.

[whichchick]

Near as I can tell, the webstie for finding a hunt is here: http://www.mfha.com/

I’m not guaranteeing it lists all hunts, but it’s a good place to start looking. They have a hunt listed (Big Sky Hounds) near the intersection of I-90 and 297, kind of close to Three Forks, if that helps you put it on a map. Big Sky has a facebook, a blog, and a recently-updated webpage, seems like a pretty enthusiastic group from a brief eyeballing on my part.

Book/pamphlet that are frequently suggested as resources for what to wear and how to behave:

Riding to Hounds in America: An Introduction for Foxhunters by Wadsworth (pamphlet)
Foxhunting in North America (blah blah) by Alexander Mackay-Smith (book)

(This will vary extensively by hunt, how formal they are, and the area/weather they hunt in. I’d expect proper cold weather gear to be important in Montana… so contact a hunt secretary and get information from them about what to wear.)

Good luck!

[Willesdon]

Go on a fox hunting vacation and learn while having tremendous fun on horses who know the job and with people who will be endlessly helpful e.g. http://huntersrest.net/

Then, once you are completely addicted, you can start to sort out hunt, horse, tack etc with confidence.

[KDD]

I am new to hunting, too. Although they are silly and humorous, YouTube videos posted by “The Anonymous Fox Hunter” are chock full of valuable, practical etiquette tips for the hunt field. Is your green horse hot/excitable? I rent a very mellow cold-blood for hunting and even she can be a jiggy handful for the first half hour…something about the crisp morning air, all the hounds, all the other horses, and nervous people just amps her up. Avoid taking a known kicker…you may be riding in close quarters. If you and/or the horse is green, just ride to the back of the field. Most tack I’ve seen is brown and simple, and whether old or new it is super-clean. You can always call a local hunt and ask them specific questions…some hunts are laid-back and others go the extra mile to uphold traditions.

[Belmont]

So I started to stalk this section of the forum, and watched some videos. I now have one of the deepest desires to try and go on a fox hunt some time next year! (If I can find any in the area that is…)

But, I feel like I don’t know enough quite yet, or can’t really find the resources to find out more. So I came here!

I have started to take English lessons, as a long time western trail, mounted game hunting, and mounted archery. So I am now starting to figure out where I want to go, direction wise.

So I am curious about the following things when it comes to Fox Hunting.

What is considered normal for tack? I currently have a wintec 2000 ap, but it is black. Are their things not allowed tack wise? Or required tack?

How does it work with green horses? What kind of experience is best for the horse to have prior? Do green horses get placed in a different place? Horse I want to use has been used extensively for back country hunting. Crosses anything unfazed by any obstical. Has been used to hounds from having been on cougar hunts.

How do I go about finding hunt clubs I guess? Or people who Hunt? My location is central montana, and I am curious how I would go about finding anyone else that hunts?

Please also, if there is an online recourse that you have a link to that can answer most of this please post!

Tack - Generally, I wouldn’t worry about tack until you are ready to go horseback. Every hunt is different when it comes to how closely they follow tack and clothing tradition. You are in Montana, the hunt I know of in Montana is very casual with a tiny bit of traditional mixed in. An AP saddle would be fine. If you really get into hunting and want to move into first flight and a jumping field, I would recommend later looking into a CC. Don’t go buy a bunch of tack you THINK you need for a sport you might not actually enjoy doing. Any required tack/not allowed tack would be in the specific hunts rule book.

Horses - If you mean green horses in general, they are best started in the hill topper field. If you mean an experienced but green to hunting horse, I would suggest maybe starting hill topper or second field. As you would be a green to hunting rider, second field would likely be the place to start. Remember, the fields can be like a faster paced, congested trail ride. Even the most solid citizen can get a little claustrophobic or annoyed that Sally Jo keeps letting her horse run into Solid Citizens butt.

Finding A Hunt - Someone linked the MFHA website earlier. That is a great place to start. I happen to know the Mantel’s and have hunted with Big Sky before. They are a hunt located in MT (and the only recognized hunt… I think?). They have a yearly joint meet with Red Rock Hounds, which is a blast. Renee and Kail are a blast as well. They are the best kind of hunt, with gorgeous, open country and a laid-back, cowboy-ish attitude. They are the welcoming kind that make people fall in love with hunting. They also have really solid, awesome ranch horses that you can lease to hunt with.

http://www.montanahorses.com/Fox_Hunting.php

[fallingwithstyle]

Though less common than brown, black saddles are fine! Breastplates are great–especially where it’s hilly.

I have found quite a few hunts have seasoned hunt horses available to lease–this would give you a great opportunity to get a feel for (aka addicted to) hunting without worrying about your mount.

For a green horse and rider, I think walk-outs are great because it gives both horse and rider an opportunity to get accustomed to riding with hounds in a less stressful environment (though keep in mind there isn’t port at hound exercises unlike during the formal season ;)). It sounds like your pony has a good brain for it. Typically hunts will continue to do hound exercises after hunting has begun.

Finally, if you have Facebook, find Foxhunters on Facebook–it’s a great resource and I’m sure you could easily find members of the group who hunt in Montana who can put you in touch with whoever you need to contact to start hunting. Good luck and keep us posted!

[cloudyandcallie]

Go to the “horse country” tack shop website and look at their clothing and tack. They will help you choose your appointments so you won’t look different from the regular fox hunters.

Don’t show up in a new saddle. Buy a used one.

[Callista17]

So…today I was actually talking to some people about this.
I have A LOT of research, even need to decide if I’m truly interested.

However…I was speaking with…many “older” people today. Not trying to offend anyone, but they are 40s-late 60s I’d say? I have ridden hunters, 3’3", and believe I am decent rider…I’ve ridden many green beans…but…these people were saying jumps are typically 2’6"-3’, but sometimes they get to 4’. I have to admit, at a younger age, a rather “ok” rider…it sounds intimidating. They told me one ride was 13 miles!!! I mean, can a 30 year old do this? Lol It just sounds like I’d be worried/back of pack for abilities. Is it as hard as this normally? Lol

[cloudyandcallie]

Exactly why I never took Cloudy, even when he was young and I was not so old, on a hunt. In college, we rode to hounds in VA. On horses belonging to the barn that contracted with our college.
I had horses when I was younger that were conditioned to be ridden for 10 or 12 miles a day after school, but I never hunted them. By the time I hit college, they were too old to hunt. Since then, my horses have been ring horses for hunter/jumper. They would need the horse ambulance if they had to do a hunt.

Hunt horses are in great condition. There are some hunts around here that have 3 ft and less jumps. But the distance would not work for my horses. Cloudy can still jump a 4 ft fence or hot wire, but distance wise, he’d only be good for about 1/2 a mile.:lol:

[Guilherme]

Just how you do this will vary a bit by where you are.

Our local hunt is rather informal by some standards and cuts some slack to newcomers. They know that this is a rather pricy discipline to get involved in and try to “ease the blow” for beginners. I understand that not all hunts are like that.

I’d start by using the resources provided and find out what hunts are in your area.

Then I’d ask around at local venues like tack shops, feed stores, etc. to try and find a member or two to approach and tell them about your interest. If that fails then go to their website and call one of the Masters and talk to them. If you get “good vibrations” then attend a hunt as a spectator. Watch what goes on before, during, and after. Then decide if you want to go further.

Most hunts have one or more members who are “new member resources.” They will talk to you about what is expected of you (skill level, mount, tack, dress, etc.) and help you get ready either for a later season hunt this year or cubbing season next year.

Many hunts also have off-season events like trail rides, hunter paces, and parties. It’s not at all unusual to your local hunt will “party hearty” from time to time. Many even have a dedicated “Mud Ball.” That’s usually a good one!!!

Do some checking around. Some folks really like it, others don’t. No shame either way.

Good luck in your search.

G.

[jawa]

I would say that for hunts that of for longer than 2 hours (4-8 miles), you won’t have very many going in early, but for hunts that stay out for 3-6 hours (10-20 miles), you will have lots of different groups calling it a day at different points.

In my hunt, it is usually a 3-4+ hour hunting day traveling 12-16 miles with a pace of around a 12-13 minute mile (sometimes WAY SLOWER 18 min/mile, and sometimes faster 10 min/mile).

If I plan on hunting he same horse more than once during the week, I can’t stay out for a long/fast day, so I will pick a point to head in. Always letting the FM know and being sure to head in a way that won’t disturb the hunt ( even if it takes longer because you go along roads, not trails).

If the weather (or life) has kept me from hunting and riding for several weeks, I won’t stay out for a whole day.

You would be surprised how easily you can cover territory just walking and trotting. Most horses will walk 4-5 mph and a trot is 10-12mph, throw in a canter/hand gallop and you are closer to 20mph.

I would contact the hunt and see if they have a “nanny” program, or have someone you could go in early with should you need to.

Also realize you could go out with a hilltopping group/3rd flight. Those usually cater to the slowest in the group. If you have younguns’ on a lead line, they might not get out of a trot. If it’s just newbies, they might canter, if everybody is up to it.

Jump size is all over the place dependent on hunt and fixture. Most of our coops are around 3’. We were on a run and came upon a coop that was a bit taller AND had 2 riders (boards that are added to the top to keep livestock from jumping the coop) nailed above it. It was only slightly shorter than jumping the 4 board fence. Sent my heart over first and kicked on! Very proud moment for sure.

[xeroxchick]

Are you saying that you think 30 is old? To ride 13 miles? Would it reassure you to know us old women riders regularly hunt for 16, 18 miles and that a long hunt might cover 25?

[QUOTE=Callista17;8882210]
So…today I was actually talking to some people about this.
I have A LOT of research, even need to decide if I’m truly interested.

However…I was speaking with…many “older” people today. Not trying to offend anyone, but they are 40s-late 60s I’d say? I have ridden hunters, 3’3", and believe I am decent rider…I’ve ridden many green beans…but…these people were saying jumps are typically 2’6"-3’, but sometimes they get to 4’. I have to admit, at a younger age, a rather “ok” rider…it sounds intimidating. They told me one ride was 13 miles!!! I mean, can a 30 year old do this? Lol It just sounds like I’d be worried/back of pack for abilities. Is it as hard as this normally? Lol[/QUOTE]

[SouthernYankee]

[QUOTE=Callista17;8882210]
So…today I was actually talking to some people about this.
I have A LOT of research, even need to decide if I’m truly interested.

However…I was speaking with…many “older” people today. Not trying to offend anyone, but they are 40s-late 60s I’d say? I have ridden hunters, 3’3", and believe I am decent rider…I’ve ridden many green beans…but…these people were saying jumps are typically 2’6"-3’, but sometimes they get to 4’. I have to admit, at a younger age, a rather “ok” rider…it sounds intimidating. They told me one ride was 13 miles!!! I mean, can a 30 year old do this? Lol It just sounds like I’d be worried/back of pack for abilities. Is it as hard as this normally? Lol[/QUOTE]

We will normally cover 10-20 miles in a hunt. One of our masters is in her 70s and still whips in… It’s very doable but we have to really focus on fitness in the off season. I wouldn’t pull my cow pony out of the pasture and expect him to hunt.

OP Your horse should be fine if he was used for cougar hunting with hounds in the back country.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=Callista17;8882210]
So…today I was actually talking to some people about this.
I have A LOT of research, even need to decide if I’m truly interested.

However…I was speaking with…many “older” people today. Not trying to offend anyone, but they are 40s-late 60s I’d say? I have ridden hunters, 3’3", and believe I am decent rider…I’ve ridden many green beans…but…these people were saying jumps are typically 2’6"-3’, but sometimes they get to 4’. I have to admit, at a younger age, a rather “ok” rider…it sounds intimidating. They told me one ride was 13 miles!!! I mean, can a 30 year old do this? Lol It just sounds like I’d be worried/back of pack for abilities. Is it as hard as this normally? Lol[/QUOTE]

It depends on the hunt. Like others have said, on longer days there are many people turning in early. We might start the day with 70 and end with 12. You should be comfortable over 3’6" but often the field will split over a 4’ jump and there aren’t many of those even at the hardiest hunts.

Some hunts don’t have anything over 3’ and don’t start with more than 25 people. It all depends.

Yes, 12+ miles is normal.

[Callista17]

No, I am saying bluntly 26 miles and 4’ jumps seems difficult for any “typical rider”, no matter their age.

I was just surprised that this is what “hunting” entails, I suppose.

[Willesdon]

No, I am saying bluntly 26 miles and 4’ jumps seems difficult for any “typical rider”, no matter their age.

But time goes really quickly, the distance flies past without you thinking and if everyone else is jumping then 4’ sort of shrinks. Usually, it is only the next day - or even worse, the one after that - when you need two hands to cross your legs when sitting in a chair that you appreciate the work you did.

[Callista17]

Haha ok thanks Willesdon. I guess I just expected it was a fast trail ride, maybe 2’, 2’6" fences…lol

[ladymcts]

It helps to have a local group where you know someone in the group already. The one around here will not post their information publicly, relying on an internal network of communications by phone, email, etc, but no open website or page where I could look up tehir schedule or find out what’s going on. That may be just this group, but that’s how they operate.

So I was invited to one event so far which was really fun. It was a day in which outsiders were welcome to join, and not quite as formal. I was still expected to dress nice, but having tan pants and wearing a regular winter jacket was OK (because it was January and rained all day).

Then because of my horse’s green-ness and lack of knowledge, I did what’s called “hilltopping,” where I was with a very small group of 3-4 riders who walked only. We watched and listened for the activities in the distance, but did not get above a walk. We jumped over a few little ditches but only as the riders in the group were willing to do. I was nervous about skill, one rider was nervous about horse injury (not wanting to stress her horse’s recovering from an iinjury), and one was a rider who had been there done that, no longer having the desire to race around at breakneck speeds and jumping obstacles. I think there was a 4th but can’t remember who.

We had a great time, and I’d look forward to doing days like that again, but I know I don’t have the heart or desire for the crazier stuff the real foxhunters do. Honestly I would also love it if they dispensed with the whole pretense of going after animals. Just have one bold rider leading the group through a wacky challenging course, and be done with it. Why bother with torturing little critters in this day and age?

[GrayMare]

[QUOTE=Callista17;8890356]
No, I am saying bluntly 26 miles and 4’ jumps seems difficult for any “typical rider”, no matter their age.

I was just surprised that this is what “hunting” entails, I suppose.[/QUOTE]

So, yes, you might sometimes cover 25 miles. But not every day, most days cover less ground. I think about 12-15 is more normal. Some days you stand around a lot at checks. Remember, during hound walking and cubbing season, you cover a lot less ground generally and come in much earlier. Horses are actually well designed for covering large distances at varying speeds over natural terrain. And, there’s always the option of going in early. If your hunt is big enough, there usually is someone heading in early for whatever reason, a lost shoe or simply also ready to head in.

You’ve touched on something interesting re: jump height. I have a very good sense of actual jump height, and often I will notice that sometimes people inadvertently add a few inches to jumps in the hunt field. Coops sometimes “look” larger than what they are if you judge them by the “height” of the front panel. But the front panel is ramped, so if you look at the height where it meets the fence you will see that what looks like 3’ or more is actually a bit less. (Now, that having been said, when you are out hunting you also might jump 9 coops that are 2’9"ish and then run into a jump that actually IS enormous.)

Now, (my background is h/j) I have noticed that the natural fences encountered in the hunt field might look scarier to riders used to jumping in a ring, but actually tend to be very easy for horses to “read” and jump. Also, the horses almost always have the benefit of seeing another horse jump the jump ahead of them. Mentally, time in the hunt field tends to bring out a horse’s bold and confident side.

Interestingly, while there certainly are some foxhunters that also compete at high levels in eventing or the jumpers, but there also are plenty of horse/rider combinations that jump marvelously in the hunt field but compete at the 2’6" level or so when in the show ring. There also are horses/riders who show or school much higher jumps at home, but hunt in a non-jumping field.

If you are interested in hunting, I would advise you to not be intimidated. It’s neither harder nor easier than other disciplines, just different. It’s also tremendous fun!