after my recent roading experience i keep thinking about the possibility of joining the fox hunt. besides the membership fee (not sure what the proper name for that is) and assuming one has a a horse and appropriate tack, what other necessary purchases would be required to get started and which ones could be postponed until later?
With many hunts you’ve got to be ‘invited’ to join – though this is rarely a problem if you’ve roaded a bit, done some hunt trail rides and whatnot and proven a capable person on a reasonable horse.
With a horse-trailer-truck-show clothes that will certainly do for now-etc. there reallly are not any other expenses unique to hunting. Well, a hunting license, but that’s like $10 bucks.
Subscription fees is all there will be.
Your hunting license and clothing is the only other necessary purchase – you can hunt ratcatcher (show apparel) throughout the fall up until formal season, after which you will need a black coat - either cloth or wool (Melton). You will also need full boots (zippered or not) and a canary waistcoat.
You can find all three at resale at some of the tack stores, online, or can borrow from friends. You can also get your hunting license on-line, too.
I purchased my boots new at a discount, my Melton new on sale, my “new” ratcatchers (three) used (one is a brand new Haythrop that I found at the thrift store for $10 :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: that fit me like it was tailored on me!!) , and sewed my own canary waistcoat. 
well what about that show clothes?
b/c some of hte prices i’ve seen make my head spin 
[QUOTE=marta;4268230]
b/c some of hte prices i’ve seen make my head spin ;)[/QUOTE]
You must have been looking at the Horse Country catalog! Yes - she has gorgeous things.
I hunt on a very tight budget.
All of this stuff - all the attire, tack and appointments can be purchased used/secondhand. If you joined FOL I bet they’d help you find all sorts of bargains.
Don’t worry about appointments - there is plenty of time to get all the geegaws.
Check with the secretary to find out what is appropriate for cubbing and formal season. Your show attire may be just fine for cubbing. (I assume you do something like h/j?)
But really and truly - you can hunt on a shoestring budget and still be perfectly turned out.
No matter what - purchase your hunting license even if you’re just going to cap a few times.
I’ve been hunting on a budget since 1971. Right down to $700 horses as field hunters. Boots? Still using a pair of black dress boots purchased off the shelf, mid-80s. When they finally die, I recently came into possession of some even older (but still in great shape) black dress boots, 2 pair w/ wooden trees- I think I’m set for life. Plus, a ‘new’ pair of brown field boots (made in 1971) which can replace the circa 1920 brown field boots that really are about to die- I wore them weekend before last and the inside leather is going fast.
As has been noted, clothing can be had second hand. As an example- my red coat, which is rarely used these days for occasional guest whipping-in, I bought used in 1985 from the MFH that had had it custom made in Ireland in 1952. It’s got years of use left in it. Only reason I’m not wearing my black melton purchased late 70s is that, ahem, it shrank in the closet, and I am still harboring hope of successful combat against middle age spread.
I can tell you, because I know from first hand experience, that it is possible to be welcome anywhere even with inexpensive kit and horses. What counts is manners, being on time, being neat and tidy, having fun, and thanking master and staff unfailingly at the end of the day.
As for dues- many hunts have varying scales from full membership to social and lots of options in between, like one-day-a-week membership.
you guys give me hope
What are you referring to when you say a hunting license? Like a regular hunting license hunters purchase from the state or something else entirely?
And JSwan we competed in distance riding until last year so no, I don’t have much in terms of show clothes in my closet but I can probably locate enough things with friends or on consignment to hold me over for a little while.
Yes, a real hunting license. I think in your state you can purchase one on-line.
Foxhunters are usually exempt from the hunter safety education course requirement since we do not use weapons. But double check.
That’s the spirit - just borrow or finagle until you get all sorted out. There is plenty of time to drink the kool-aid. 
oh goodie
I already have a hunting license and I completed a hunter’s ed course as well so that can be crossed off the list.
Are there any rules re color of breeches? During roading everyone seemed to be wearing some shade of beige.
Oh good. One less thing.
Ratcatcher for cubbing is generally tan/khaki britches, brown field boots, a hacking jacket and a colored stock tie - no white. Black hunt cap style helmet. Tan or crochet backed gloves. Think fall colors.
The horse - plain bridle, plain english jumping saddle, plain/white contoured pad.
Check with the secretary - that is the custom.
Just out of curiosity, what do subscription fees run? I’d love to hunt some day when I have a little more time and a lot more money- I was just wondering how much more money I’d need
ok one more question, perhaps silly sounding
i don’t clip my horse’s feathers or muzzle. she also has a long mane that i partially braided for roading (left her forelock unbraided, too).
i noticed that the little handout we got from the hunt (reprinted, not something this hunt produced) says the horse should be neatly clipped. how much of an issue is that? i don’t mind braiding but i will not clip the muzzle or the feathers.
Subscription fees run from several hundred dollars to several thousand. Its like anything in the hunt world, it varies from hunt to hunt. Your first season, you might want to cap for a few hunts.
Subscription for some hunts has landowners’ rates, long-time subscribers’ rates, juniors’ rates, outlanders’ rates – all vary, but, just as a comparison, my hunt here in Virginia ranges from about $1500 a season for landowners (with 25+ acres in the hunt territory) to $3000 for a non landowner.
I don’t clip muzzles but certainly pull manes and trim feathers. Unless it is a breed thing, you’ll come across as a shaggy sort if you don’t attempt to fit in. And even though the days are mostly gone where people look down their noses as those who don’t attempt to fit in, people still do. They may not whisper about it, scandalized, but be assured that they notice.
When at a hunt-to-remain-nameless’s hunt week last year, believe me, the Virginia crowd (there were many, from various hunts) stood out as properly turned out, mounted, attired and polished. No matter many of us were on freebie horses in hand-me-down togs, everyone still looked great. Some of the, uh, other hunts (to remain nameless) stood out as, well, alternatively dressed. Flowing manes, on horses and people, flyaway fetlocks, colored square pads, brushing boots - in neon colors – all around (looked like quarter horse congress, no offense intended), etc. Again, mattered nothing, repeat NOTHING, to the ability/skill of horse or rider but it is notable.
Try your best to fit in, but understand that the most important parts of the equation are you and your manners, and your horse and your horse’s manners. The rest is icing.
Just correcting that ratcatcher should really be a BROWN hunt cap/helmet, to match the brown field boots. Black hunt caps should be worn with black boots. (although yes, I realize many just use the same black helmet all the time)
Rust britches are also 100% correct for cubbing, and look great with brown field boots and a light colored/tweed jacket.
Agreed - it’s just hard to find brown boots and caps and this lady is on a tight budget. Rust britches are fabulous but if she’s on a budget, the tan/khaki would be ok for cubbing and the formal season.
Just trying to figure out ways she can stretch that foxhunting dollar.
I’d hate to think folks believe they have to spend thousands of dollars just to try out the sport.
I am a schoolteacher, so yes, very possible! In fact, IMH experience, it is a lot cheaper than showing, and you get more hours in the saddle for your dollar (plus a nice lunch after). Your gear is the same year after year and actually used gear has a little more cachet since it looks experienced. The first hunt I joined let us pay quarterly, which helped a lot. I have had to learn to manage how often I hunt in order to preserve my horse; since I work I can’t seem to keep more than one fit for myself.
Just an aside, when I joined Midland it was 50$ a year - “and that’s all the damn say so” we got according to Hardaway!
This will be my twentieth year.
Oh, and I echo Hunter’s Rest - be very neat and polite. (do something with that mane and clip your horse if you hunt much - for the horse)
One hunt I know has numerous people who ride up and ask in a pointed tone “who are YOU?” Please*, people, just introduce yourself and you will get someone’s name in a less offensive way and not scare the newbies!
For sure.
OP, if you are able to make a trip to the Middleburg Tack Exchange (VA) or the Hunt Closet at Beresford Gallery (PA), which are both consignment shops, you would be able to find pretty much everything you need for hunting at reasonable prices. Also eBay and FOL can help you out.
thanks again for all the info.
i guess we’ll see how it goes.
there are some lines i’m not willing to cross just be able to fox hunt so perhaps the sport is not for us afterall.
but for now we’re just having fun meeting the folks and learning about the sport.
Lots of people don’t clip muzzles and eyelashes. Most do, but some dont.
But as far as feathers, once your horse comes in once or twice with them full of stickers, brambles and thistles you may rethink that.
but yes you can definitely hunt on a budget. I’m a police officer and I have managed to do it for the last 11 years. I don’t shop at Horse Country, that’s for sure, but if you look and shop carefully you can get what you need at decent prices. You don’t have to buy it all at once, get the basics to start and then get the rest a little at a time.
