I did some in Michigan. I haven’t had the time or funds for the last 10-12 years.
The terrain is much more unpredictable in fox hunting so more soft tissue injuries could be possible. My group road ran once and while I followed and kept up, I won’t road run again. It’s too hard on their legs. While I rode first field last year, I think we may try second field this year as we have had a busy eventing season and I don’t want a hard fox hunting season to follow. Last March, however, we were in awesome shape from the winter!
For me it’s less of fear of injury and more money that is the issue. Plus the weather can be unpredictable and I don’t like to take the trailer out if it’s remotely icy. And of course it is nice to pull shoes and give the horses a bit of a break. But someday when I’m rich (hah!) I would love to hunt more.
I love to fox hunt my event horse, but I do some careful planning and consideration.
First, it is important to know the footing and general track of each fixture. Don’t go on the ones that are too rocky, too wet, with poorly built jumps (that fall apart if a horse hits it).
Next your horse needs to be a sound type. Even the best fixtures will trot pavement for a bit or have some areas of soggy footing.
It really helps if you can get your horse out early in the season, cubbing at least. This way you slowly build up fitness, not just physically, but also in tuning the eye-hoof coordination on uneven terrain. The ground covered foxhunting is much more unpredictable than what you see on a cross country course, esp in a group. If you wait too long I think you risk overdoing it. The field goes longer and faster as the season goes on. (Seems to be that way anyway.)
The only issue with getting them out early though, is finding the free weekend without burning them out.
When I have done this my horse was in great physical shape. I think the early work on pavement helps to make their legs strong. Trotting the trails in a group keeps him quick on his toes. As a youngster he became very brave to ditches and water.
So I hunted my immature just turned 5 yesterday, 2nd flight (there were 3 flights) with Old Dominion Hounds. I cannot say enough good things about our morning. The territory was superb (I really don’t want to run my guy over a bunch of rocks, which are plentiful in these parts), the runs were just right (not too long, not too short), we had a fox that took us in a big loop, people were beyond friendly and welcoming, and I got to catch up with a bunch of people I’ve not seen over the past few years during a lovely breakfast. It was great to catch up with the master (I first hunted with his later-to-be wife about 50 years ago!), fellow eventers, and lots of people from my local community. I could not say enough good things about how much fun I had.
Lumi was awesome. He was inquisitive but calm about the hounds, and was totally willing to gallop forward and then stand quietly at the checks. I was impressed with how many of the horses were polite and well-behaved which made for a very nice day over all.
Liked this enough to say that I am going out again as soon as I can. I’ve got events the next two weekends and I am supposed to xc school on Monday. But I may play hookie at the xc schooling and hunt instead.
I’ve always said that I will fox hunt again when I am too old to event. I will amend that to say that I am foxhunting now because I feel too old to event at the upper levels. Bingo!
I hunted my retired event horse. I think that he preferred it to eventing. Sadly, his ouchy feet are keeping him out of the hunt field now. I found that I could Hilltop him or first flight on a live hunt. I am afraid that he would have been a bit too out of control first flight on a drag hunt.
[QUOTE=Highflyer;7729887]
For me it’s less of fear of injury and more money that is the issue. Plus the weather can be unpredictable and I don’t like to take the trailer out if it’s remotely icy. And of course it is nice to pull shoes and give the horses a bit of a break. But someday when I’m rich (hah!) I would love to hunt more.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I hear ya! Our hunt just went up to $2200. I think how many dressage and jumping lessons that would buy!
We don’t live near hunts any longer, but Mr. PF hunted all his event horses. He used to say that hunting was great for event horses, but eventing was terrible for hunt horses. Our rule evolved over time that once they went prelim, they stopped hunting, fear of injury primarily, but several of them made the decision for us–once they’d had a taste of galloping XC at a few events, the whole standing/checking/reversing/turn waiting thing was no longer of any interest to them.
Of course my dear departed Sam had apparently been such an unholy terror in the hunt field, with a top chase jockey/trainer in the irons no less, that for years I’d bump in to people who upon remembering him would back slowly away, similar to you’d do upon encountering a bear on your path.
Actual quote from said jockey: “I’ve never been so scared.” Lol!
I’ve never been interested in hunting, I don’t love company while riding–if I’m going to get dressed up and go drinking I’d much prefer a nice warm bar.
I would love to get involved in hunting, and maybe take my girl hilltoppers / 2nd flight someday. BUT I’d want to go with someone on an experienced hunt horse first, so I can worry about ME and make sure I follow the rules. 
I know it would be great for her fitness (and mine!?) and probably loads of fun. There are a couple ladies that hunt that board where my girl is now, but they’re generally morning riders and I ride in the evenings. 
Select the hunt carefully. Some are very relaxed, short affairs with lots of resting, gossiping and passing the flask, others are damn near a 4 hour steeplechase. Also, time of year changes the type of hunting. Early fall is slower and shorter, from November on expect to be out longer and ride harder.
I do both! The foxhunters go to events, the eventers head to the hunts! Also is a great sales point for a lot of the horses I get in for consignment… they can do a bit of everything… or at least have the exposure. I was too much of a nervous wreck to hunt the upper-level horses… worried about bad footing, etc… and the club I go out with is known for its big fences and going pretty hard. This year has already helped one of my training level horses, who I consider a “brave chicken”. Now he thinks cross-country is easy!
Also… One of my client’s “career” foxhunter is taking a stab at eventing… and loving it! He is a big guy (TBxClyde), but has really come into his own with the dressage and show jumping… recently finishing on his score of 24.5 at Waredaca (and won his novice event at Olney)!
I mean come on… any discipline that allows you to get out of the sandbox must be a great thing!
