Hunting in the Spring???? In New England???

[joharavhf]

I’m hoping to get my young horse out foxhunting this year. I was hoping to go in the Spring as I’ve heard it’s less formal. And then possibly do some “real” hunts in the Fall.

I’m in New Hampshire and would consider Mass hunts Of course, I’ll have to cap in. The horse is a coming 7 year old Welsh Cob I’ve been aiming to event this year. We did a foxhunting clinic last year and had a BLAST…and he’s great with dogs running up on him (at the beach). And he’s heard hounds before as a lady I know is the MFHs for a local hunt that does not go out in the Spring!

[Little_Valkyrie]

I’m in Upstate, NY and we start roading in May and hunting in August. The cubbing in August is very informal, just polo shirts and tan breeches. Then in September we move on to ratcatcher attire, then October through December is formal season. We have an unfortunately short season, but that’s what Mother Nature dictates. I would imagine that Mass. hunts have much the same schedule- but I would contact the hunt secretary to be certain, and you might be able to come help walk out hounds or trail clear to meet some of the members (I know after the ice storm, we are begging for volunteers to help trail clear). Good luck!

[LookinSouth]

I believe Norfolk hunts in the Spring. They are located in MA, south of Boston so might be a hike from NH.

As far as I know attire is ratcatcher so it is more informal like cubbing. I am hoping to get out and try drag hunting this spring by capping with Norfolk a few times.
http://www.norfolkhunt.com/

[Bogie]

Old North Bridge Hounds hunts in the Spring and some of the territories are up near the NH boarder (several in Pepperell, Groton, usually one in Hollis).

I started my TB hunting with them in the Fall and found that hilltopping him was just about the right speed as an intro.

We’re a friendly group, too :D. And the teas are normally very tasty.

[joharavhf]

Thanks guys! Bogie, I did the Intro to Foxhunting clinic with Old North Bridge in November. At that point I had just gotten the pony and he wasn’t fit enough to hunt! I checked their website but it hadn’t been updated to reflect any Spring happenings. Of course, it freaking SNOWED and it is FREEZING today…so why I was thinking of Spring is beyond me. It’s also beyond me why I thought a full body clip was in order yesterday for my pony Poor guy. Not only does he look ridiculous, but he was cold this AM since I wasn’t expecting it to dip so low temp wise lastnight!

[Bogie]

I haven’t received the Spring fixture card yet, so it’s just not available yet. Usually we start at the end of April.

Many horses aren’t that fit at the beginning of the season and the first few hunts are usually paced accordingly.

[MapleMeadows]

Green Mt Hounds in Vermont has a spring season. Our first meet will be 5/28. We also have two intro to foxhunting clinics scheduled for August just prior to our cubbing season and children’s hunt. Check our website for updates of our 2009 fixture. www.greenmountainhounds.com

[linquest]

Norfolk does hunt in the Spring, usually starting late April/early May and only for about a month or so.

Spring “roading” at Myopia starts April 25th, and they don’t charge a capping fee at this time. Their schedule will be posted here. Capping info.

[linquest]

Just got the email that Norfolk’s first spring meet will be April 22nd.

ONBH website says: “The spring hunting season begins in mid-April and and ends on Memorial Day.”

See you in the Spring

[grabmaneandgo]

Myopia Spring Roading starts April 25th. www.myopiahunt.com

[LookinSouth]

@grabmaneandgo;3951423

Myopia Spring Roading starts April 25th. www.myopiahunt.com

is the roading strictly at the walk and limited to only “roads”? Stupid novice question but I’ve never been roading so I don’t know…

I DO know that Myopia also has ladies hunt trail rides all summer long which we do intend on hauling up for once or twice this summer. If anyone has been I would love to hear more details.

[grabmaneandgo]

Roading is less intense than Cubbing or Formal Season, and there’s no line (Myopia is a drag hunt). There are opportunities for cantering and galloping where the footing is safe. A lot of the territory follows well-defined routes/hunt trails. In the Spring, we typically follow those trails which are the driest and that sometimes includes roads. Outings last about an hour, versus Formal Season which can go 3-4 hours.

In the Summer, there is Hound Exercise, which is a great way to introduce green horses or riders to the hunt experience. The hot weather and low profile makes it great for newbies. There’s a fun loop we do in the Summer that gets folks out there and lets those who want to practice jumping among hounds and commotion get the job done safely. Attire is informal.

The Ladies’ rides are sponsored by the Hunt Club Stable and go out Fridays at 10:00 am-ish. Those are geared toward horses and riders who aren’t used to riding out in groups, or who want an introduction to the hunt atmosphere and trails. If you want to join that group, just call the Stables 978-468-2553 and ask the SM what the protocol is these days. I think they’ll let you truck right up to the barn, but I’m not sure. If you have your own horse there is no fee, but if you want to use one of their packers, it’s somewhere around 75 a pop. Nice group of people, too!

[LookinSouth]

@grabmaneandgo;3951783

Roading is less intense than Cubbing or Formal Season, and there’s no line (Myopia is a drag hunt). There are opportunities for cantering and galloping where the footing is safe. A lot of the territory follows well-defined routes/hunt trails. In the Spring, we typically follow those trails which are the driest and that sometimes includes roads. Outings last about an hour, versus Formal Season which can go 3-4 hours.

In the Summer, there is Hound Exercise, which is a great way to introduce green horses or riders to the hunt experience. The hot weather and low profile makes it great for newbies. There’s a fun loop we do in the Summer that gets folks out there and lets those who want to practice jumping among hounds and commotion get the job done safely. Attire is informal.

!

wow, thanks for the information! very helpful! I am glad I asked about the ladies rides. It sounds like it might be geared to more of a slower pace than we would like. The roading and summer hound exercise sound exactly what we are looking for. Myopia is a haul for us (2 hours) so we wouldn’t be able to go on a regular basis but I think we will try to attend at least a few times this summer. Myself and my hunting friend like to get as much experience as we can as we are still new to hunting. thanks again.