New to Fox Hunting; Guidance welcome

[baymare62]

Hello all,

I was an eventer for many years before going to college, at which point I put riding on the backburner for a few years. I’m looking to get involved with horses again and will be exercising a friend’s hunt horses over the summer, and likely fox hunting in the fall for the first time. I’m interested in learning everything I can, from field etiquette, and what kind of tack is correct, to how I should dress. I’m hoping a lot of my old gear and tack will work, but I’m willing to invest in new gear if necessary. Please give me any tips you wish you’d known when you started hunting, or any advice you think is critically important. Also, any book recommendations would be extremely helpful!

Thank you!

Edited to add: I rode at the Preliminary level for years. I’m located in Athens GA, and will likely be riding with Belle Meade Hunt or Shakerag.

[CindyCRNA]

I started eventing last year and my trainer suggested fox hunting for winter fitness. First thing I learned is no whooping and hollering in the hunt field! Although I have squealed! You can start in second field to observe (we started in first!) and work your way to first. I bought a heavy weight Melton coat as I didn’t have a black coat. If you have tan breeches, a stock tie and a fitted pad, you are set. My mare came out of hunt season in awesome shape. And I did too!

[whicker]

Welcome!

Welcome! We LOVE newbies and pass the Koolaid every chance we get!
Where are you located? Which hunt do you expect to be riding with? What level eventing did you do?
There are many threads and CotHers on this forum to answer your questions. Start by reading those, and you will have questions to ask us.
I’m one of the founders of the CotH newbie foxhunter’s weekend at Old Dominion Hounds, near Warrenton, Va. Hunter’s Rest has the B&B and hirelings so we tend to base there. Depending on where you are in the world, we most likely can introduce you to some CotHer to enrich your adventure in our world.

Many of us are/were eventers. Then we discovered that we could have 3-4 hours of cross-country fun in gorgeous country, watching the fox outwit the hounds. It usually is much cheaper than eventing, too. And you can do it 3 times a week or more if you have the horse. Since we have different “fields” you can take it easy in the Hilltoppers group while you and/or the horse learn the new game, add some galloping and choice of jumping in the second field, and eventually, after you learn the nuances and have permission on a super made hunt horse, go first field. Normally the first year is spent in the hilltoppers because there is so much to learn. The Masters of Foxhounds Association website has lots of information to help you. The classic, small, quick, study book is Riding to Hounds. Most of the tack stores in Hunt Country carry it. (I use Tri-county Feeds in Marshall, Va.) This is the go to formal bible, that is used whenever unsure about what to do. Hunt Clubs have a individual personalities, so always ask the questions you’ll learn from that small tome before going to a new one.

Mentors are critical to your survival, and will help you if you politely ask. Frequently, you have to be sponsored and your sponsor stays close to you as your buddy, to help keep you safe. This a dangerous, difficult adrenaline filled sport. Which should suit you to a T as a lover of cross-country, right? The hunt goes where ever the fox takes us. The trails aren’t marked, the terrain is natural, holes, rocks and obstacles aren’t marked. The jumps are set in fence lines and the water crossing are real streams, small rivers and occasionally, parts of lakes. Hunt horses LOVE it, and develop friends of their own that they trust. When we go to the hunt breakfast, they kibitz in the trailers. And…drum roll… There is only one set of tack to clean!

I’ll quietly mention here that I authored a book, Intermediate Riding Skills, a number of years ago, to encourage eventing and foxhunting. It is old enough that it is quite cheap on Amazon, since it is out of print. No I don’t get royalties, so I’m just keen on you joining us.

Please feel free to give me a p.m. This is fun!

[whicker]

Are you going to have FUN! Belle Mead Hunt is one of the best and most welcoming of all the U.S. hunts. We all want to make the pilgrimage to hunt with them. There are lots of stories and articles about them, all of which brim with enthusiasm.

Contact the Master, Epp Wilson, now. Then you will be part of the many activities that go on year round. They will be bringing their hounds to the major show, Virginia Foxhound Show, Memorial Day weekend. (You’ll find all the contact info on the Belle Meade website.)

Then, we want to hear from you all about your adventures with them, so we can cheer you on… (And you will likely hear from us when we come down to visit.:D)

[Martha_Drum]

Welcome! You will have a blast.

I think the most important piece of advice to give you is: Contact the hunt with which you plan to participate. Etiquette, attire, traditions, and so on vary from club to club. Also, if they know you anticipate coming in the fall, they can probably identify an experienced “hunt nanny” to ride near you in the field.

Have fun!