Hunting in Eastern PA

[takethestage]

I’m here from the Eventing forum… I’ve never hunted but I am positively dying to try it (I just finished a wonderful novel on foxhunting and I’m now obsessed!). The manager of my barn used to hunt, but other than that, I don’t know anyone and I have no idea where to start. I’d like to cap a time or two to see how I like it, but I’m not familiar with any hunts in my area, the Lehigh Valley area of PA.

Also, the manager who, from what I’ve heard only had experience as a hilltopper, once told me she thought my horse is too dangerous for hunting (this is a VERY biased opinion from a dressage rider who isn’t a fan of “crazy” eventing :rolleyes: ). My horse is by no means dangerous, but he is forward thanks to the galloping work. From what I’ve gathered, that’s not a bad thing for hunting. He has NEVER done anything silly when I’ve had him out on hunter paces or XC runs.

Insight? Thanks!!

[Susan_P]

I understand it can be very chaotic with the hounds and a million horses (slight exaggeration :eek:) Those that hunt love it! I’m is south east PA in south east Chester County and there are a few hunts around here but we may be 2 hours from you. The closest one I know of may be Radnor but I suppose they are closed except for the club members. Pretty pricey and exclusive club too. If you found a member you might be invited to ride as a guest, I guess. http://www.britannia.com/foxes/foxhunt.html Here’s something you might like to read, very cool.

Here’s a list of hunts, maybe it will help. http://www.agricultureb2b.com/biz/e/Equine/Associations/Sports/Foxhunting/USA/

[Reds-n-Greys]

Here’s a link to the MFH Association listing member hunts in PA.

http://www.mfha.com/memb.htm

Pickering is a little further north than Radnor.

Kimberton http://www.kimbertonhunt.org/index.html is a private pack, but from their website, they do accept people wishing to cap with them, and may be a littel more relaxed than Radnor and Pickering. The Dunns are extremely nice people.

If you can, I would go out during the week to start rather than a weekend. The fields are usually smaller. Also, if you have never been to a hunt, it’s worth planning on taking a Saturday and following by car. It is an artform in itself. The car followers often see more than the field does, and the really good ones know the foxes and which way they are going to run.

[takethestage]

Thanks for the info! I emailed the Kimberton Hunt, so hopefully I’ll be able to go out this season.

A few questions: Can you jump the first time out? I wouldn’t want to stick with the hilltoppers and not be able to jump anything, since I already know my horse is capable of cross-country jumping, but I wouldn’t want to be left behind in first field (if you’re even allowed up there your first time).
Also, is the pickiness about tack and attire conformed to each individual hunt? I usually ride in a figure-8 noseband with an elevator, but my horse could go in a regular noseband, provided I use the elevator. I don’t want to COMPLETELY look like a newbie!

[redcashlin]

How far are you from Ringoes, NJ? We at Amwell Valley Hounds have many PA riders and you would be very welcomed to come and cap with us.

[takethestage]

[QUOTE=redcashlin;3692426]
How far are you from Ringoes, NJ? We at Amwell Valley Hounds have many PA riders and you would be very welcomed to come and cap with us.[/QUOTE]

Thank you, I will be hunting with you on the 21st. How particular is your hunt about attire and tack, at least when it comes to capping? For the most part I’m equipped, but, for instance, I only have a black dressage coat, not a hunt coat; would that be sufficient? Also, I generally ride cross country in a monoflap jumping saddle; would this be inappropriate? I have a hunter/eq saddle that I know would be fine, but I’m more comfortable in my monoflap, especially for cross country. :yes:
I’ll be capping with one of my trainers, who has ridden with the hunt previously, and she is insisting I need textbook-perfect turnout – I’d like another opinion from someone who knows the hunt! I don’t want to look glaringly new but I do want to feel comfortable, particularly since it’s my first time going out. Thanks!

[bigbaytb]

takethestage,

I’m an eventer and now i hunt too. first of all…HAVE FUN…how I started…well, i just went balls out and jumped and loved it… the biggest difference you will feel is that it goes alot faster than a cross country course…you don’t walk it before hand…you learn to go with it and mostly learn not to try to dominate your horse every step…not to try to keep him in a certain frame…etc. just gallop and jump and watch whats going on ahead of you, keep some space between you and the horse ahead of you…just don’t pass the feild master (major no no). if your horse is a kicker, red ribbon in the tail.

i hunt in my monoflap becuase i’m very comfortable in it and it fits my horse perfectly, so no sore backs. i event in a fig 8 and snaffle and running martingale, but I hunt in an combination bit (basically an elevator that has another part that puts pressure on the nose if he ignorse the bit)…i would go with a stronger bit (or keep your elevator) so you can ride on a light rein and just need the bit if you need to get his attention (slow down, hard stop, etc). you don’t want to spend the hunt trying to finesse your horse to a whoa, that gets boring and you will get tired quickly. I wore my black dressage coat until i purchased a heavier hunting coat. you don’t have to have the canary vest since you are a guest, but if you can borrow it, that would be great. stock tie and pin or a collared shirt… also, wear a belt too. (in case a rein breaks, you use your belt) and a black helmet.

if you are nervous, hill top the first run and then move up to the back of the jumpers after the first check. i only ride hill topping with my young horse, but my eventer is right there in the jumping field as happy as a clam in mud!! our hunt has an open invitation to the local event club. we’ve had a few take up the invite (there are eventers that are members of the hunt too) and came out and had a fabulous time and no problems. to them, the pace was quick and lots more twists and turns than on a xc course, but the fences were low and easy.

I started hunting last year with my eventer. i now know my horse loves it and i think we have become the better eventers because of it. we are much more cohesive and he actually listens to me more, has become more sure footed and my jumping has improved too…balance and stamina have both improved!!

so don’t worry, go out and have fun!!

[takethestage]

[QUOTE=bigbaytb;3703012]
i think we have become the better eventers because of it. we are much more cohesive and he actually listens to me more, has become more sure footed and my jumping has improved too…balance and stamina have both improved!![/QUOTE]

This is part of the reason why I’m so interested in hunting, because my boy and I are still figuring out how to trust each other cross country. I’m glad to hear I was thinking along the right lines! I’m very excited to try it out; I just KNOW I’ll become an addict! :lol: Thanks for reassuring that I don’t need to look 100% fieldhunter my first few times out. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be unreasonably strict for cappers, but I wanted to find out from the people who actually know. :yes:

[Bogie]

@takethestage;3682406

A few questions: Can you jump the first time out? I wouldn’t want to stick with the hilltoppers and not be able to jump anything, since I already know my horse is capable of cross-country jumping, but I wouldn’t want to be left behind in first field (if you’re even allowed up there your first time).

Since you’ve never hunted and are unsure as to how your horse will respond to the excitement of hunting, I strongly recommend hilltopping the first time. It won’t be fun for you or anyone else in the hunt if you have trouble with your horse. Introducing your horse to hunting in a methodical way will help make it a good experience for him. There’s quite a bit of difference between eventing (where you are jumping a course on your own) and hunting (when you are in a group of galloping excited horses).

There’s a lot more to hunting than just jumping cross country – you need to learn the protocols and make sure your horse is listening to you and behaving. Watching the hounds work is a pleasure and often you get a better view as a hilltopper.

If your first hunt goes well, then you can speak to the masters about moving up to the first field. Remember to stay close to your host and enjoy! You will undoubtedly become addicted so there is plenty of time to jump.

FYI, I started my TB hunting this season and decided to hilltop him only until the whole hunting experience becomes routine. I’ve been told that it’s not until four or five hunts that you know how your horse is going to settle in.

[Hotspur]

Makes him better

Go for it, and have fun while you’re at it! I started hunting 4 years ago on my event horse. It does take them a few hunts to understand what’s going on. For the first couple of hunts, my guy just thought it was a big horse party and was a little impatient with me that I wouldn’t let him find his way to the front of the field!

I suggest that it’s better to give your wonderful horse a gentle introduction to hunting (galloping in traffic, the hounds, the additional pace, and all of the sights) than to feed it all to him in the first hour of your first hunt. Your partnership will continue to grow if you set him up for sucess along the way.

Hotspur
Metamora Hunt

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Another eventer who has hunted (but not an expert for sure!)…you’ll have fun but I too strongly recommend you stick to hilltopping the first time. You can still jump while hilltopping, but it will give you a chance to sort out how things work and will not blow your horse’s brain.

Most people I know start out young horses hound exercising or cubbing before hunting…but it is too late in the year for that for you. Some horses take to it very well…others find it a bit too exciting. It is always interesting to see how they handle it…my HOT TB mare, is the quietest one I have to hunt. She could careless if someone runs up behind her or gallops like a fiend past her. Wish I had time to hunt now (since I do seem to have a mare that would do it well) but work get’s in the way!

Just remember, the focus of hunting is NOT riding…it is the hounds. The horses and riding are merely a way to follow the hounds. Don’t forget that. To be honest…while I love running and jumping, I prefer to hilltop than hunt in first flight. You see far more…and for me, I feel like I have a bit more control as to what footing I put my horse in and what routes I take…true foxhunters are def. crazier than eventers!

[redcashlin]

Glad to hear you would like to come out. Please call me first or have the trainer do so, I am the secretary and that is generally how you get permission to come. We can go over any questions and information you will need for that particular day. You do not have to be perfectly turned out but we appreciate the effort to do so. We understand everyone does not have all the correct attire/equipment at first. What you are comfortable and safe with should come first and don’t worry too much about the appropriateness. Too many people don’t even bother trying to hunt because of that apprehension. If it is plain and functional it should do. A black jacket and stock tie, light colored breeches, black boots and safety helmut for you. Bit up your horse a little, show up clean and prompt and you’ll be fine. Staying back in the field or hilltopping is polite and gives you and your horse a chance to absorb it all and see how it goes. Horses are usually a bit surprised by it all at first but are generally fascinated as you will be. I am betting you’ ll love it!

[takethestage]

Thank you for the info - I believe you have already spoken with my trainer, Monika. I’m looking forward to seeing you on the 21st!

[Triplicate]

To avoid embarressing moments - buy a book about foxhunting and study it well.
Call the club before you go so you know the capping fee.
Make sure you have your capping fee in the exact amount in a small envelope to give to the hunt secretary, with a short note enclosed thanking them for allowing you to hunt this first time.
Find the secretary as soon as you get to the meet - nothing makes them madder than having to scout out the cappers.

[2869]

Redcashlin: You have a pm

[system]

Brass air fittings

Now that is a lot of brass air fittings http://www.liangdianup.com/subpages/airfitting_1.htm there is just about every type
of air fitting that you could want. Wholesale prices too. I guess these could be used as small water pipe fitting also. I
used some of the parts to make my babington wvo burner.