help with fox hunting 101 questions

[horsegirltv]

weather permitting i’ll be getting to go on my very first fox hunt this tuesday and i’m both nervous and excited. we’re planning to shoot “fox hunting 101” episode and i was hoping you all might help with some VERY basic questions. i was thinking along the lines of what a beginner might need to know as the idea for this episode is to give those looking for an avenue of riding the basics on fox hunting in hopes to peak their interest in the sport. something like…

“what are the basic rules for members of the field.”

“what are the jobs of the Master of the Hunt, the Huntsmen and Whipper-ins?”

“what is the number #1 thing NOT to do as a part of the field.”

i need to keep it down to 3-4 questions but you’re input is very welcome as i’d really like this to be a great episode!

i hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far and thanks in advance for the ideas.

[lesson_junkie]

Fox Hunting 101

Keep in mind what you’re there to do-watch the hounds hunt for fox. It’s all about the hounds. Arrive at least 30 mintes before the hounds are to be cast off. Speak to the master, and find to secretary and pay your cap. As the hounds move off from the meet, find a place in the field and try to stay there. Now sit back, watch, listen and have fun. Stay quiet-chatting interferes with others’ ability to hear the hounds and huntsman. Use common sense during the day-saftey comes first. While protocol may vary some from hunt to hunt, the number one faux pas is for a horse to kick or step on a hound. Remember, it’s all about the hounds. I’ll end now-you know there are books written in discussion of these questions, I’m sorry to be so brief. Have a blast. I know it’s the most fun you will ever have in the saddle, and you will meet some of the best people in the world. Good Luck!!

[SLW]

[QUOTE=horsegirltv;3012918]

“what are the basic rules for members of the field.”

“what are the jobs of the Master of the Hunt, the Huntsmen and Whipper-ins?”

“what is the number #1 thing NOT to do as a part of the field.”

i need to keep it down to 3-4 questions but you’re input is very welcome as i’d really like this to be a great episode!

i hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far and thanks in advance for the ideas. :)[/QUOTE]

First, have fun on Tuesday and share your hunt report here when it’s over!

I think most of here offer Wadsworth “Riding to the Hounds in America” as the primer for foxhunting. There not any #1 thing to NOT do as part of the field, it’s like being pregnant, theres a lot going on and many systems are working all at once. LJ has it correct- it is all about hounds and you would willingly ride your horse over the edge of a tall cliff than have it trample a hound. That being said excessive talking in the field will bring unwanted attention to you, ditto passing the Field Master on your horse. Guest will ride in the rear of the field unless invited to ride elsewhere.

We’ve been chatting about degrees of correct turnout within the various hunts. No matter what level of correct turnout your hunt prefers it should be spotless clean on hunting day, ditto your horse.

With my hunt the umbrella that covers every hunt is “be safe”. That means stay a horse’s length behind the horse in front of you, keep known kickers away from other horses and put that red ribbon in the tail. Someone always waits with the person who dismounted to close a gate. Be aware of where the hounds & staff are and turn your horse’s rear end away from them when they pass. Green horses and riders will buddy up w/ a more experienced person on hunts. The nature of the activity means accidents will happen so safety plays a leading role in prevention.

The most sore spot on your body next Tuesday afternoon will be your face. You will be grinning from ear to ear once the hounds are cast and until the Huntsmans calls them in for the day.

[Granada]

I have only been on five hunts total as a guest of my mom, but from a newcomers perspective these are the things that seemed most important to me:

Originally Posted by horsegirltv

“what are the basic rules for members of the field.”
-If you are new, stay to the back of the field. Have or make a buddy or two that will keep an eye on you, stay at the back with you, and wisper instructions.
-PAY ATENTION to YOUR field Master and the huntsmen and hounds if you can see them.
-Stay quiet, don’t talk unless necessary (asking questions is a good reason to talk), never talk while your field master is giving instructions (pay attention to the instructions!).
-If the hounds are doubling back (term?) and are coming towards you, get off the trail and FACE your horse towards them (again, never risk getting in the way of the huntsmen and the hounds, give them a clear path, even if it means backing into the bushes, DO NOT risk your horse kicking a hound or another horse passing by.
-Stay a horse length away from other horses, you should at least be able to see the horse’s hocks through your horse’s ears. pay attention when a rider is slowing in front of you, they will raise their hand, this way you don’t run up on another horse.
-If you see a hound, DON’T talk to it. If you are worried it has strayed, tell a more senior member who will tell your field master.
-ALWAYS thank your field master, Master of Hunt, and MFH after the hunt!
-Be Safe. If I am getting tired, I find it helpful to bridge my reins and put my feet more ‘home’ in the stirrups and ride in a defensive chair seat, still careful not to hit my horse in the mouth. If I don’t think about this, I tend to get in a more unsafe forward position.
-HAVE FUN b/c IMO it is about the ‘funnest’ thing you can do on horses!

“what are the jobs of the Master of the Hunt, the Huntsmen and Whipper-ins?”
-I’m still not clear on this part. Whips control the hounds I think, keep them together when necessary. The Master of hunt leads the hunt and makes big decisions and the huntsmen are his/her helpers? I’ll keep reading this post to find out

“what is the number #1 thing NOT to do as a part of the field.”
-NOT Paying attention! It is a hunt, keep all senses ‘ON’. This is for safety, and also, the more you listen, see, and generally notice, the more you learn about the hunt, the hounds, and how it all works. (can’t stress this enough PAY ATTENTION!)
Also, a #2
-DO NOT let your hose kick. And do not ride up on another horse. Keep them in a position where if they do, they will not hurt anyone or anything. If they happen to kick (not sure if you are riding an experienced hunt horse or not) discipline them.

I think you have great 101 questions. Please everyone correct anything I have said that is wrong. I just thought it would be helpful from another beginner’s perspective, since these are the basic basics that I have been taught.

ALWAYS thank your field master, Master of Hunt, and MFH after the hunt! Have fun!

[SidesaddleRider]

What about:

What is the order of people in the field?

So that you could discuss those with colors on their collars/scarlet coats (depending on what hunt you’re going out with), what it means to have earned them, etc.

Have fun!

[horsegirltv]

thanks sidesaddle rider (and everyone else). what i was actually looking for was sample questions.

i already have and enjoy “riding to hounds in america” as suggested. it’s great.

your answers are GREAT and super helpful but i was just looking for suggested basic and short QUESTIONS i might ask and not the answers to the samples i posed.

thanks regardless and i’ll be sure to post after tuesdays experience! fingers crossed for weather permitting.

[system]

I was wondering If Hunts had two different turnout depending on how formal or informal the hunt is?
How much does it cost for a new person to hunting expect to pay to get started?
Those are two questions I would love to know.

[linquest]

Horsegirl- I enjoyed the previous episodes of your show. Are you going to be riding with Old Dominion on Tuesday?

[SLW]

[QUOTE=jumpinggirl83;3013632]
I was wondering If Hunts had two different turnout depending on how formal or informal the hunt is?
How much does it cost for a new person to hunting expect to pay to get started?
Those are two questions I would love to know.[/QUOTE]

My hunt uses formal turnout weekdays & weekends once regular hunting season begins in October. A girlfriend’s hunt in Virginia allows cubbing clothes on weekdays, formal on weekends. That is the same turnout for another hunt out here.

Capping fees vary. During formal seaons one hunt out here has a $20 capping fee & another hunt is $35- the fee is the same for weekdays and weekends and neither hunt charges during cubbing season. That same girlfriend’s hunt in Virginia has a capping fee of $50 for cubbing and $100 for weekend formal season. The weekday capping fee during formal season is a little less.

Anyway, membership fees will often vary based on age- junior riders, young adults and regular adults.

Hope you can find a hunt to join and enjoy!

[Delphia]

Basic Rules

:)You can’t go wrong with
Doug Morris’ Foxhunting in Ol’ Virginny

http://foxhunting.freeservers.com/PgsMain/commandments.html

[horsegirltv]

this one is GREAT and i hadn’t thought of it! What is the order of people in the field? THANKS!!!

these are awesome too! I was wondering If Hunts had two different turnout depending on how formal or informal the hunt is? How much does it cost for a new person to hunting expect to pay to get started?

linquest, i am hopefully going out with ODH on tuesday and very excited/nervous!

thanks so much for the additional questions and the original answers too!!!

[Painted_Wings]

I really like the attire Matrix on the same website:

http://foxhunting.freeservers.com/PgsMain/attire.html

Scroll to the bottom.

Must have been created by an Engineer.

[horsegirltv]

WOW! that IS great. i think i’ll print that whole thing and bring it with me tomorrow! thanks for pointing it out. i wasn’t sure on the whole spur thing either!

[Granada]

Along with the expenses aspect of getting into hunting. What about: How to be involved with foxhunting on your own horse?

ie: roading, race meets, hunting clinics, cubbing

They are usually cheap, fun experience, esp for event horses

I can’t seem to word the question very well, but that was something I always wondered from an outsiders perspective. Also, the Santa Fe Hunt brought some of their hounds to my pony club for a demo, which was my first introduction and was how my mom got involved with the hunt : )

[MapleMeadows]

How about questions dealing with the hounds?
Beginners must wonder about them to… after all it is a canine sport.

ex)
Where are the hounds kenneled and who cares for them?
How many hounds are needed for a hunt? Or why do they have so many out at one time?
How are the hounds counted?
How might I train my horse to have manners around the hounds in the field?
How and by whom are the hounds controlled in the field?
Is it proper to speak to a hound while in the hunt field?

Horse girl hope you have a great day with the hunt tomorrow!
I still get goose bumps when I recall my first hunt… it was a perfect day and has led the way to so many perfect days.

[horsegirltv]

thanks maplemeadows! awesome questions. i’m last minute adding them right now and we’ll see how the interview goes. thanks again!

[SLW]

Well, did you get to foxhunt today??? Was our collective tutorial of any help?? Any surprises???

Tell, tell!!!

[linquest]

Yes, horsegirl, do tell! I’m supposed to hunt with ODH for my first formal meet next week, so I’d love to hear all about your first outing

[horsegirltv]

it was FABULOUS!!! it was windy so i understand not the best conditions for finding the scent or for not getting wind burn but regardless it was GREAT to be outdoors with wonderfully kind horse people across the stellar Virginia countryside. it was a small field and we saw the fox about 30-45 minutes in. he ran right towards us hilltoppers, paused about 100 yards from us and turned left. it was amazing to listen to the hounds “talk” and then to watch them find and follow the scent!

i was fortunate enough to be mounted on this sweethearted 16.3 hand thoroughbred. he had the most enjoyable gates and was a complete gentleman. we even jumped a little log and a deep ditch at one point. all-in-all one of the best days i’ve had on horseback ever!

i can’t wait to go again!