I’ve never done ANYTHING with fox hunting, but am intruged (spelling??) I’m riding a horse who would enjoy it and may be ballsy enough to try it. Not sure about me though! lol The barn I ride at is located in PA, but it only 10 minutes away from Fairhill MD. What would be close to us? What are entry fees like? When is the fox hunting ‘season’? What skills do we (both horse and I) need? What equipment do we need? I still have everything from my eventing streak. I’ve evented up to novice level, but definately won’t say I’m the bravest thing around! 
What do you DO while fox hunting? You don’t kill the foxes anymore do you? How much galloping is there? How fit do I have to have my horse? How do I keel myself from being trampled/hospitalized? LOL Any help would be appriciated! I’m sure I have more questions, but I’ll stop now.
I had a lot of these questions last season, and though I am a newbie, I will take a stab at the answers for you! (Anyone of my ‘elders’ please feel free to correct me! I just want to try!)
[QUOTE=CraZyhorseGrl;2441990]
I’ve never done ANYTHING with fox hunting, but am intruged (spelling??) I’m riding a horse who would enjoy it and may be ballsy enough to try it. Not sure about me though! lol The barn I ride at is located in PA, but it only 10 minutes away from Fairhill MD. What would be close to us? What are entry fees like? A “capping fee” is like a guest fee, if you are not a member, and probably ranges from $40-$75 dollars, and you are normally allowed x number of “guest passes” per season. Member fees will vary, I believe “my” (use that term loosely since i just started 
) is $1000 i think.When is the fox hunting ‘season’? I believe the actual season is October through April. Then there is something called cubbing season from August til the start of the season, i think… What skills do we (both horse and I) need? Horse needs to know how to STAND quietly at checks, when the whole field stops so the staff can work the hounds. Kickers needs to be clearly marked and be courteous of your fellow riders and keep them aware. Be comfortable trotting ALOT, and cantering/galloping in open field WITH other horses in close proximity. Be attentive to your field masters, they will give you verbal or visual signals as to what is required, for your safely and for the staff to best be able to work the hounds.What equipment do we need? Typical jump tack is acceptable, brown is the correct color. Their are flat bridles that i noticed most hunters use, but i dont think its required. No loud colors or anything like that. Black show coat will normally suffice to start with, but the purchase of a melton or black hunt coat at some point is good 
(You feel proud to wear one! I got to use someone elses and it just felt ‘right.’) Tan breeches and brown or tan/yellow colored gloves, tall black boots (dress field boots i think are ‘correct’), and a helmet (black velvet is traditional again i believe). A crop is a good thing to carry. A black belt, a white ratcatcher and a stock tie and pin will be more than appropriate to start. If you can borrow a canary vest, that would be great. Check with whatever hunt you are a guest of as to what is required for a guest to wear. Some are very formal, others can be a little more relaxed.(There are all kinds of neat styles of stuff you can get if you get into it though)I still have everything from my eventing streak. I’ve evented up to novice level, but definately won’t say I’m the bravest thing around! What do you DO while fox hunting? The staff will be in charge of the hounds, they work the hounds to best produce a fox from its cover and give the 1st and second field a chance to see the hounds and fox at work. 1st field follows behind staff and hounds (these are experienced and confident riders who jump what they have to). The 1st field has its own field master that is in charge of keeping the field out of the way of the hounds, and from not crossing over the trail. They may not always stay near the hounds, they may follow a different route in order to give the field the best view point. 2nd field is after 1st, they are comprised of beginners and or greener horses, people who dont want to go at such a fast pace, or dont want to have to jump everything in order to get to where they need to go. They generally keep a good pace still, but not quite as demanding as first field. This field also has its own field master, who again is in charge of leading the field, keeping OFF the trail, and out of the way of staff and dangers. You don’t kill the foxes anymore do you? Not sure about this question for each individual hunt. I think the point now is to not hunt with the intent of a kill. The purpose is for the sport of the game, to work the hounds, to enjoy the countryside and comeradery, and at the end of the day, to have a fox still to hunt another day. What i was told is that the foxes that are normally caught are the ones that are sick, elderly or just plain stupid, and for the most part, the fox is more than capable of keeping a distance. How much galloping is there? Depends on which field, and each individual hunt and what pace they like to keep, or if there are special needs in the field possibly. Galloping only happened for me when the hounds had caught a trail and were moving, or we needed to catch up…there was a LOT of trotting though, holy christ a lot of trotting! How fit do I have to have my horse? You should both be decently fit, but there are opportunites to turn back and go back to the trailers. Other people will go in throughout the day, and even if you are alone, the field master can direct you on how to get back to the meet safely, at the correct time. How do I keel myself from being trampled/hospitalized? Be safe… be mindful of your fellow riders and what they are doing, and what your field master says and does. Do not go ahead of the field master. Dont be afraid to speak up when appropriate with questions or concerns. LOL Any help would be appriciated! I’m sure I have more questions, but I’ll stop now. :)[/QUOTE]
I had a lot of these questions last season, and though I am a newbie, I will take a stab at the answers for you! (Anyone of my ‘elders’ please feel free to correct me! I just want to try!)
Is everyone actually doing work on a friday? LOL come on I can’t be the only slacker sitting at work??
Ouch! LOL $1000 is a bit steep… I’ll probably be a guest until I win the lotto. Thanks for all the info. What exactly is cubbing???
I just asked this same question yesterday! I was informed (you can look on the “whats appropriate for a gift” thread) that cubbing is where the younger hounds get their practice at foxhunting, and normally it involves the fox “cubs” from earlier that spring. So i guess everyone kind of gets warm-up practice for the season to come. I think the attire requirements are either different or just more relaxed, not sure though.
It really is a blast, and great for your riding! I said the same thing you said, that it was expensive, but after the first month at $75 a pop… i had put a $300 dent in the member fee (they allow us to use our capping fees against the member fee if we join i think) …so if i was going to continue at that rate, I would spend the $1000 easily by the end of the season. I was using a borrowed mount, and in school, and working, and riding other horses, and just wasnt sure if i would have the time, so i capped for the season. Once i am done with school though i am all in!
awww… the babies don’t get killed to they? This sounds fun, I think I want to try it out
[QUOTE=CraZyhorseGrl;2442219]
awww… the babies don’t get killed to they? This sounds fun, I think I want to try it out :)[/QUOTE]
LOL :lol:
That was exactly WHY i asked! Apparently by the time cubbing season comes, they ‘cubs’ are pretty much adults, or at least on their own by then, and are pretty quick to learn the game.
There is this book or ‘manual’ if you will called foxhunting in america or riding to hounds in america or something like that, essentially i think it was like the first foxhunting bible 
Anywho, the guy who wrote it, who is an authority on hunting said that he had encountered several instances where the foxes would follow a bunch of dear as they ran, thus mixing the scent trail, and then make a shart 90 degree turn and go elsewhere to sit on a fencepost or whatever and watch as the hounds continued on chasing the scent of the deer. Apparently the term “smart as a fox” didnt come around for nothing!
I felt that i would really be out of place my first time, being only 21 and NEVER having done this before, but the people were very warm and friendly and more than willing to share experiences and knowledge. I couldnt believe when one of the field masters told me that most of the staff and lots of riders knew most of the 30+ hounds by name and sight! And they all look the same from a distance to most, by the end of the season i knew 2-3 of them!:lol: One because it had a ear half bitten off, and the other two because they had very particular characteristics of getting seperated frequently!
[QUOTE=pvcjumper;2442255]
I felt that I would really be out of place my first time, being only 21 and NEVER having done this before, but the people were very warm and friendly and more than willing to share experiences and knowledge. [/QUOTE]
That’s great to hear! I don’t fit in well with snooty people! LOL I’ll have to get that book, I have a few B&N gift cards that are burning a hole in my pocket.
You are near me any any chance are you? I may need a mentor. If you are in the area, you may know a poster here by the name of “Sue P” I’ve been riding her Nakota, Leo. Just so you know that I’m not some crazy on the internet!
I’m not sure how far away I am from you:confused: I am a hop skip and a jump away from both DC and Maryland. (with 5-10 minutes of each).
I know the hunt i rode with is ALWAYS very accepting of guests, and though it may be a slight trailer trip for you, you are always more than welcome to come. I was uncomfortable inviting people last year because i wasnt a member but have been assured that its okay to direct people to the right ‘authorities’ to get the go ahead for guests coming. The hunt meets in Middleburg, VA.
“Snooty” is not something you should worry about. As long as you dont look UP your nose at the world, then the world wont (or SHOULDNT) look down its nose at you I definitely do not come from any kind of money at all and thought I might very much be out of my realm, but not at all. You will run across snooty in all walks of life, so just be sure to experience everything you come across with an open mind!
Aww… that’s sad, I’m up nead the DE, PA, MD border. That would be quiet a hike for us! 
oh, I suppose that would be quite the drive! If i had a horse to lend you i would!
hmmmm, well we can think on it. I am happy to share my limited knowledge, and I am sure that the people on this board who hunt will chime in when i inevitably give you a wrong answer along the way!
First question that came to my mind was, has the horse ever hunted? If not, how do you know it’d be a good horse to hunt? Follow up to that if the horse has never hunted…it’s not usually recommended that a rider that is timid and has never hunted go out on a horse of the similar persuation (never been hunting).
Try www.mfha.org and you will find some great information and also a list of recognized hunts organized by state so you can try to look and see what would be closest for you.
I don’t have time to answer all of your questions, but if I get a chance later, I will.
Oh yeah…depending on your hunt depends on the cost of dues and how old you are. Juniors, Young Adults, and students at many hunts get a discount. A young adult (22-ish to 30) in MD it ranges from $1000-$1500 for the bigger hunts.
^ she is a good resource too, and vastly more seasoned than I!
SteeleRdr: me likes “Half a Case” on your site!
The horse may have hunted previously (before his current owner bought him), but we’re not sure. He enjoys being out in the open, I was told he was hacked out constantly last year and he loved it. He’s also very level headed, so I wouldn’t think he would have a mental breakdown, but I do realize nothing in life is garenteed. He’s definately a thinker.
I’m brave over the flat, can gallop/canter/trot with the best of them! LOL I just haven’t jumped regularly in quiet a while, and would only be comfortable jumping 2’6" and under. Also not sure about jumping in a ‘group’ of horses. I’ve never done that before. I think we would have fun, but I do tend to be one of those paranoid saftey people who want to know EXACTLY what I’m getting into before I get myself into trouble. I need a begginner Hunt I guess. Thanks for the site! I’ll definately be checking that out!
Thats what second field is for! You dont have to jump
past threads on this subject will supply more than you want to know
the only down side to most trainers & BO, unless they hunt, they see only the decreased revenue from your switch or partial switch. hunting is mostly OJT and most hunters are out hunting, resting up from the hunting or getting ready for hunting. a lesson program is often forgotten until the season [mid sept/ mid march] comes to an end. re cost it is much cheaper than showing. but unless your barn is in to hunting you will need your own trailer and truck.
few fox or coyote are killed, a first and only for me was dec 13 1999. we would rather have the sport next week as well.
I went first flight on my and my horse’s first hunt but I had been riding him for a few years over the novice and easier intermediate jumps here.
http://www.qpee.org/docs/home.html
this is generally not recommended. some fixtures are easier than others. start out as recommended by a hunt member. horses quickly become aware of where the game is going and the best are soon on cruse control allowing you to watch the hounds work. they will likely pick up the horn and the hound music B4 you.
PVC- not to hijack the thread…but Half a Case aka Bud was sold, I just haven’t had time to update the site. He went to a VERY nice home where he will be the master’s horse (and occasionally whip in) at Waterloo Hunt in Michigan. He is a super star and I was very sad to see him go! He was my favorite in the barn and an extremely awesome jumper!
Just a reminder to the OP that horses that hack out alone or small groups don’t always make great hunt horses. Some “lose” their mind when they gallop in groups. I’m not trying to be pessimistic…just trying to warn you of the things that can happen. It’s best to go out our first time on a more seasoned horse…not only for safety, but just so you can get a feel for what hunting is about instead of having to worry about what your horse might do or what your horse IS doing (if something were to happen that is).
Good luck!
I’m another newbie to hunting. Last year I had a mid-life crisis: retired my dressage horse, picked up a race horse at Charles Town and took him to hunt camp five months later. What I strongly suggest is that you find out which hunts in your area are holding summer trail rides and join them. We have so many hunts here in Virginia that I could go out with a club nearly every weekend. Then find out if any clubs are holding a camp later in the summer and sign up.
You’re probably too far from Casanova’s camp but it’s the best one I know of. Casanova holds three trail rides over consecutive weekends, then if you successfully complete those, they give you a bunch of hand outs about hunting and invite you to walk out with the hounds. This is a wonderful introduction to the sights and sounds of hunting without all the etiquette pressure and at a much slower pace. Then if neither of you has disgraced yourselves you are invited to a complementary day of cubbing. There was an informal buddy arrangement and an experienced foxhunter sort of mentored each newbie.
By the time I had gone through all that, I had a pretty good idea if my horse and I were going to be able to handle foxhunting. I decided that we could and we hilltopped twice a week for the rest of the season. I understand that some clubs have various levels of hilltopping but we didn’t. The only difference between us and first flight was jumping. We went every bit as fast as first flight and sometimes faster because we had to go the long way around to catch up. One thing I will say is that this isn’t like trail riding or eventing, you will go over terrain that it probably has never in your wildest dreams occurred to you to go over. You won’t necessarily be on trails, you might be crashing through the underbrush. And you won’t get to pick your own pace, if the hounds are running, so will you.
As far as clothing and tack, as long as you are conservative I think most clubs cut newcomers some slack. Coming from the dressage arena, I knew my white breeches and gloves and the black and white padded dressage bridle would have raised too many eyebrows so I did buy some new stuff: a cross country saddle, a shaped saddle pad, beige breeches and a flat brown bridle and martingale. I had the black jacket, dress boots and stock tie, so those were good. If you have all the colorful stuff that many eventers are fond of, you should leave it at home. Think more like a conservative hunt seat rider. Since the white stock tie wasn’t appropriate for cubbing season, I wore a cotton button down shirt with a man’s tie. Here’s another good source of information: http://www.horsecountrylife.com/catalog/turnout.html
I had a total blast last year and as long as your horse can handle the excitement, you should too.
You really need to find someone to take you hunting on a made hunter.
Most of your questions will be answered in doing this.
You need to see if you actually like it.
I’ve seen a lot of folks sort of fall in love with the idea of hunting and then, after a year, stop. Not so romantic to be getting up at four in the morning every Saturday and riding in all sorts of weather. I love it and loved it from the get go, so this isn’t to discourage you at all, just do it! Don’t over-think it too much, just remember to keep quiet, watch and listen.
Can I repeat to keep quiet? The first few hundred times out some folks don’t notice that us old hunters are busy listening. If you are quiet and respectful we will love you and help you. If you jabber on and on and ride a scary horse we will avoid you like the plague - out of self preservation, not snobbyness!.
Are you near Radnor, PA? I am 16 and joined pony club…excited to dive right into the action, I signed up for foxhunting last fall! It was awesome!!! They have a course each fall, at the beginning of cubbing season called “foxhunting 101”. Basically, the hound master takes a group of kids and adults who have never hunted before and explains the rules, formalities, etc. I wish that I could remember his name, but alas. He was amazing. He introduced us to the hunt masters, so that if we had an issue during a future hunt, we would be able to properly adress them. He covered dress, etiquette, and we took alternate routes (the “3rd field”) so that it wouldn’t be too much exertion for our horses, some of whom were new to hunting. I’m sure there is a capping fee, but pony clubbers get to go for free, so I have no clue what it is.
After that ended, my horse got lame (Lymes) and I just never had the time with school and stuff to get her back into great shape until now, so only went on a few more hunts.
Oh, and for Radnor Hunt, the 101 is VERY slack about dress code. Basically, show up in any sort of show attire, clean horse. I went in my black show coat, white ratcatcher, hunter green square pad, khaki breeches, black field boots, gray GPA, black synthetic saddle, and a black/brown bridle with a gag/hackamore bit on it. LOL, there was a girl there in a hot pink coat (not the pinque that the males wear during the season, barbie hot pink). They said it was ok for her to wear, but you could see the disgust at the color…
ETA: I changed my helmet to a black velvet after the 101, but had to keep using the rest of the stuff for the other hunts i went on (except I added a white stock tie). They didn’t say anything, but I did buy a shaped fleece pad for thise year. I simply can’t afford to buy new brown, traditional tack, and they did not expect me to.
I actually had a nice conversation with the field master during the junior hunt about the bit that I was using, and why. She seemed impressed that I actually knew what each part of it did, and wasn’t just using it b/c my trainer told me to.
Basically, the best advice I can give you is to join one of these “intro to hunting” groups because going into the hunt unaware of protocal or experience is bad. Our teacher for 101 was very aware of what was going on with each of the riders/horses in the group, but the masters for the regular hunt are not. Their primary concern is the hounds, the riders are supposed to be able to fend for themselves (to an extent).
Also, OVERBIT your horse!!! You will need more brakes than you thought. and immediately. you don’t have 1/4 of a mile to slow down and stop sometimes. terrain changes, situation changes, a car comes down the road, and you need brakes NOW, not later.
