Newbie inquiry: How should one prepare for possible hunting?

[Hinderella]

I’m a late 40’s rider who’s dreamed for some time of hunting. I’m still a ways off from actually trying it, but I’m looking for some guidance on how I might prepare.
By way of background: I rode as a youngster, then took a long hiatus to grow up, work and pay bills, returning to riding in my 40s.

1. I had never jumped until three years ago, and even now I top out at 2 feet.

2. Upon my return, my first horse was a completely unsuitable hot-blooded Anglo Arab who did not jump. While she’s no longer with me (put her down at 26) I mention her because my frightening experiences with her in the field (broken arm, concussion, bolting bucking, you name it) have left me nervous and timid when riding in the open.

3. I now have a completely sane, safe, brave little pony, probably quarter horse, maybe some Morgan…an all purpose sturdy pony. I have jumped her once on an open/field course including very small jumps (2’ brush jumps, coops, up and down hill) and she never blinked.

4. I ride daily, weather permitting.

5. My pony had colic surgery last September, and while she’s recovered completely, her long layoff has us back in the starting blocks as far as jumping is concerned; we’re doing only small cross rails once or twice a week.

6 .Tanheath Hunt and Tyrone Farm, near me, offer an introduction to foxhunting clinic, as well as a clinic on riding in the open.

Enough background, now the questions:

1. Is it at all reasonable for a timid middle aged rider to consider hunting? Or does hunting require a certain level of confidence, and I should steer clear if I’m nervous? Please be honest!

2. Due to the pony’s recovery period, I don’t expect to be doing anything in terms of clinics until next year. In the meantime, what skills could I work on for myself, and what conditioning for my pony?

3. Can one remain a hilltopper forever? I love doing the little jumps I do now, but I know I’d be frightened by larger jumps, and I wouldn’t want to be an anchor on the ride for others.

Thanks for your time…I know it’s “off season” for hunting, so I’m hoping to find some of you who are filling the time on the board.

[pdq]

1. Is it at all reasonable for a timid middle aged rider to consider hunting? Or does hunting require a certain level of confidence, and I should steer clear if I’m nervous? Please be honest!

It does require a certain level of confidence, because the whole purpose of hunting is to watch the hounds work, but some hunts will have a 3rd Field (walk, trot) that are great confidence builders because they follow slowly.

2. Due to the pony’s recovery period, I don’t expect to be doing anything in terms of clinics until next year. In the meantime, what skills could I work on for myself, and what conditioning for my pony?

Learn how to ride in company, how to keep a correct distance between yourself and others, how to stand quietly, how to go from a quick trot to a halt to a “reverse field” back to a quick trot. Learn how to do a turn on the forehand so you can nimbly place your pony’s head facing a hound coming up behind you, even if you are in a tight group on a narrow trail.

Have your pony conditioned to the point of being able to continue going after 2 hours of walk/trot riding. Since he has colicked before, make sure his stomach is full of hay or wet hay cubes (NOT grain! - you want roughage) before you mount up. Encourage him to drop his head and graze while you are at the checks. Allow him to stop and drink as often as possible in streams and puddles if you can do so without holding up the people behind you. During cubbing keep him out only for an hour or so for the first few weeks. Take it slow with him until you’ve built him up both physically and metabolically.

3. Can one remain a hilltopper forever? I love doing the little jumps I do now, but I know I’d be frightened by larger jumps, and I wouldn’t want to be an anchor on the ride for others.

Yes, you can remain a hilltopper forever. Many people do for various reasons, and many will claim they get the better views. If you are helpful and courteous and alway willing to help with gates (closing them after the field has gone through) your Field Master will love you! Hilltopping means you don’t have to queue for the fences…you queue for the gates!

Go for it. Guaranteed you will have fun!

[TimelyImpulse]

Well, good for you! I’ll give you some feedback based on my experiences with being a newbie to hunting. This will be my 3rd season.

1. Being a timid middle aged rider myself, it is absolutely reasonable to consider (and try!) hunting. If you’re nervous and shaking and palpitating driving to the meet, and then throwing up from nerves behind the trailer, well, WELCOME!!! Seriously, I really thought all those other people had nerves of steel and balls of brass, but found out some, like me, fake it. I really, really, really do love hunting. However, being a middle aged mommy rider, I now have visions of wheelchairs and halo braces dancing through my head while driving to meets, but once up and mounted, well, hallelujah, it’s hunting time!!! Ok, the stirrup cup and flask does help, a little. I’m not a big drinker, but a shot of something (not injected, drank) calms my nerves.

2. Skills for you: two-point. Get OFF your horse’s back. Endurance for you is a big thing. I was riding 2 or 3 times a week, then went hunting. I was a hunchback with hamstrings I didn’t recognize for a week. TG for ibuprofen. Learn to dodge trees on horseback. Practice all gaits up and down hills. For pony: riding at all paces calmly in a group, in the front, middle or back. Standing. Stopping. Lots of water crossings, walking calmly through. NOT ever thinking of kicking a hound!

3. I plan on being a hilltopper for a long time! I’ve got a 4 yo that I’ll hilltop for at least the next 2 years. I’ve hunted 1st flight a few times, but the fixtures I rode were owned by steeplechase owners. Killed my desire to jump a bit, because I am a big giant freakin’ chicken when it comes to jumping! Brush and timber with broad spreads made me nearly pee my good saddle. Most hunts around here have a hilltop of second (or even third) flight. Not sure where you are, but ask and see what they do. Some will truly hilltop, w/t to vantage points, others are 2nd flight-- follow 1st as close as possible while going around jumps through gates. These are usually FAST, as to keep up, you need to haul ass to catch up. Not generally jumping, but you might jump logs in woods.

If there are hunt trail rides, go on them. You’ll get a good idea of the country, and the hunt members-- and you’ll get an idea of the breakfast they have after.

[xeroxchick]

Sorry - took me a minute, (just like it did in London as a teen), it’s “queue.” As in to form a line.
obnoxious, I know, but just. can’t. help. it.

[Bogie]

@Hinderella;5026493

1. Is it at all reasonable for a timid middle aged rider to consider hunting? Or does hunting require a certain level of confidence, and I should steer clear if I’m nervous? Please be honest!

Absolutely you can hunt. Look for a hunt that offers a third field (generally walk/trot). To prepare yourself you should do some conditioning work in two point and posting trot. Make sure you learn to trot down hills!

2. Due to the pony’s recovery period, I don’t expect to be doing anything in terms of clinics until next year. In the meantime, what skills could I work on for myself, and what conditioning for my pony?

Ride in groups, learn to handle different terrain, make sure your horse will tolerate dogs, people riding up on his tail, staying a respectful distance behind other horses.

3. Can one remain a hilltopper forever? I love doing the little jumps I do now, but I know I’d be frightened by larger jumps, and I wouldn’t want to be an anchor on the ride for others.

Of course! However you may find that as you hunt more you want to try to do more. If that’s the case, take a few lessons on xc jumping and learn how to jump in a group. Many hunts have a “pick and choose” part of the field so you don’t have to jump everything. Also try going on a few hunter paces to build your confidence.

Good luck!

[pleasantmeadowfarm]

I couldn’t have said it better!

It’s amazing how much confidence you’ll get being out with the field. It certainly sounds like you have a great mount for it, and riding as often as you do, hopefully the fitness level too. Hilltoppers RULE! As a mother of two, I understand what goes through your head as you contemplate. Give it a go - you’ll LOVE it!!!

[QUOTE=TimelyImpulse;5026599]
Well, good for you! I’ll give you some feedback based on my experiences with being a newbie to hunting. This will be my 3rd season.

1. Being a timid middle aged rider myself, it is absolutely reasonable to consider (and try!) hunting. If you’re nervous and shaking and palpitating driving to the meet, and then throwing up from nerves behind the trailer, well, WELCOME!!! Seriously, I really thought all those other people had nerves of steel and balls of brass, but found out some, like me, fake it. I really, really, really do love hunting. However, being a middle aged mommy rider, I now have visions of wheelchairs and halo braces dancing through my head while driving to meets, but once up and mounted, well, hallelujah, it’s hunting time!!! Ok, the stirrup cup and flask does help, a little. I’m not a big drinker, but a shot of something (not injected, drank) calms my nerves.

2. Skills for you: two-point. Get OFF your horse’s back. Endurance for you is a big thing. I was riding 2 or 3 times a week, then went hunting. I was a hunchback with hamstrings I didn’t recognize for a week. TG for ibuprofen. Learn to dodge trees on horseback. Practice all gaits up and down hills. For pony: riding at all paces calmly in a group, in the front, middle or back. Standing. Stopping. Lots of water crossings, walking calmly through. NOT ever thinking of kicking a hound!

3. I plan on being a hilltopper for a long time! I’ve got a 4 yo that I’ll hilltop for at least the next 2 years. I’ve hunted 1st flight a few times, but the fixtures I rode were owned by steeplechase owners. Killed my desire to jump a bit, because I am a big giant freakin’ chicken when it comes to jumping! Brush and timber with broad spreads made me nearly pee my good saddle. Most hunts around here have a hilltop of second (or even third) flight. Not sure where you are, but ask and see what they do. Some will truly hilltop, w/t to vantage points, others are 2nd flight-- follow 1st as close as possible while going around jumps through gates. These are usually FAST, as to keep up, you need to haul ass to catch up. Not generally jumping, but you might jump logs in woods.

If there are hunt trail rides, go on them. You’ll get a good idea of the country, and the hunt members-- and you’ll get an idea of the breakfast they have after. :D[/QUOTE]

[Equibrit]

It seems to be confidence building that you need to do. So - go and do lots of weird different stuff with your horse. Gymkhanas, hunter paces, cow herding, beach riding, barrel racing, and anything else you can find that is fun on a horse and stops you actually thinking about riding while you are doing it ! Forget how pretty it looks.
Your body will develop it’s own instinct for riding, without you constantly having to tell it what to do, then you will be able to enjoy the actual “hunting” without the constant worry of what MAY happen.

[jawa]

Just because you can’t follow the hunt mounted on your horse this season doesn’t mean that you can’t still learn through observation.

Ask if you can audit a foxhunting clinic. You can watch what they do and practice at your own pace through the year.

Go to the hunter paces and trail rides sponsored by local hunts. This gives you an idea of what the hunt country is like and you get to meet members.

Car following a hunt is a great idea as well. Call the secretary of the hunt, or Master, to find out if they would mind.

Join a trail riding group. Starting out with a group that mainly walks is fine, work on all the things you learned by auditing a clinic.

Some hunts have livery horses that are suited to beginners/timid riders. Lease one for a quiet hunt day (usually a week day hunt). Going out on a made horse the first few times will make your horses first experience a more pleasant one. If you are nervous and not sure of what’s going to happen, why should your horse be relaxed about it.

Bring your horse out to horsey venues and leave him in the trailer, lead him about, walk him around. If he seems quiet, Yeah!!! If not, do more of this until it doesn’t bother him any more.

If possible ride with a hound/dog or 2 or 3+. Get your horse used to the idea that they are not going to eat him. Then get your horse used to the idea that the hounds going into and out of the woods and running down the trail is ok and that he should always give the hound the “right of way”.

If it can be arranged take your horse to the kennel to get him used to the sound of a pack of hounds. They are LOUD when they speak and this can unsettle a green to hunting horse.

If you do these things now, you will be ready to give it a try next season.

Best of Luck!! Happy Hunting!! Once you try it you will be hooked.

[whicker]

Mentoring

You won’t have to learn to hunt all by yourself. Many hunts have introductions to hunting. I am coming back to hilltopping after 5 years off, due to severe injury. (Deer hit my horse while we were galloping. NOT hunting related)

I am calling the masters and asking members about how their hunt handles newbies. I will have a buddy assigned to me to ride with me, mentor and know the country. This person may change as I get to know others in the hunt and friendships develop. Since I am on a green to hunting horse, I want to be in the group of riders working with green horses. They tend to be pros and use to helping each other. They have a lot of knowledge, which they will use to help you, too.

Each hunt wants to encourage new possible suscribers, as the life of the hunt depends on adding new members. Masters are supportive and want you to call if you have questions. Your mentor will help you with all the “newbie” questions, like where to get the good hairnets that last more than one hunt and the joys of hiding helmet hair at the breakfast.

There are books on hunting as well. Foxhuntinglife.com is a great resource. Norm Fine enjoys answering questions in it.

I wrote a book, Intermediate Riding Skills, which has chapters on foxhunting. Although the book is out of print, Amazon still carries it. It is very inexpensive, too! I mentor too.

The hunt trail rides that I have been on this August have been at a walk. You would be able to handle one of these now. They give you a chance to see the country, meet people, and ask lots of questions. I explain when I ask to come that I am a newbie to the hunt, and they make it very easy to talk with members, especially at the breakfast afterwards. There are no hounds present, and the horse are in a non hunting “we are going for a boring trail ride” mood, so it is very low key. The trail rides are for starting everyone back slowly before cub-hunting starts.

Please p.m. me if you would like more encouragement!

Robin Hirst

[Hinderella]

Thank you SO MUCH for all the great replies…and for ignoring my inadvertent double posting of this topic.

All of your advice is great, and we’ll get to work on our “training” shortly.

While the pony and I have not been trail riding yet this year, we have ridden out on the trails in the past, and her manners have been very good. She will ride front, middle or end without protest. She’s a quick mover, so I’ll sometimes have to hold her back if she’s last in line.

Our trails take us out through planted fields, with “corn cannons” and really big farm equipment in the summer, and pheasant hunting in the fall, so she’s had some exposure to scary things.

We do need to work on standing still, as one would at a check point…once she gets moving, she hates to stand around. We’ll also have to brush up on that turn on the forehand, but she backs well.

She hasn’t been out with hounds, but she has lots of experience with dogs in general, and is well mannered with them, and not afraid.

She’s a really smart pony (mares usually are!) and she catches on to new things quickly.

I will use all of this great advice and try to build my confidence. I know in my heart that the only way to feel confident about doing something is to do it, despite your fears, until you realize you really can do it!

And I will contact Tryon farm to see if I can audit their fall workshops.

Thanks again for all the great advice, and perhaps you’ll see a middle aged redhead on her matching chestnut pony one of these days. It’s a dream I just can’t seem to shake, it almost feels like something I did in a previous life and I have to return to it

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I’ve no advice for you, just wanted to wish you well. And glom onto your thread because one day I want to be hunting, too.:yes:

You’re a bit ahead of me as neither I nor my western-trained QH are really jumping yet. We trot up to wee little things and hop over them and pretend we’re jumping:winkgrin: - but we know we’re not, really.:lol:

But we’re hitting the hunter paces this year, and any other organized group ride we can find. And as soon as I can get me a trailer, we’re going back to our trainer for more jumping lessons.

whicker - a deer hit your horse? I’m off to see if I can find a post by you on that - I’d love to hear the story, but I know the “deer-horse collision” subject has come up before and I don’t want to force you to repeat it. I’ll look for your book on Amazon as well - sounds like it could be useful.

Hinderella - whereabouts are you? Any chance Houdini and I will see you out at a hunter pace this year?

[Grasshopper]

I’m still a newbie also–hunted on a livery horse for a chunk of one season, then had a baby! and am just now getting mare and self back in shape. One hunt was enough to get me hooked, although as another poster commented, I was a cripple for a few days afterward, despite riding several days a week at that point. (I started mid-season, though. If you start with hunt trail rides, cubbing, etc. you shouldn’t have this problem…)

I will echo the above posters, but first a shout out to whicker–I used to check your book out of the public library when I was younger and loved it!

Anyway, yes, don’t be shy about asking for help and “how to”. Renting an experienced, safe hunt horse your first time(s) out is also a fantastic idea. The owner will generally be your “babysitter” and stay with you, and hunt members will probably know the horse and how it behaves, which can make interaction easier.

One note: no matter how quiet your horse normally is, never try to remount in the field without someone holding your horse. It seems obvious, but if you hop down to get a gate or help someone or whatever, that normally quiet horse will probably be itching to catch back up with everyone…ask me how I know this…

[whicker]

Intermediate Riding Skills

Grasshopper,

I am thrilled to know my book was helpful to you!!!

It literally was a labor of love. I wrote it in the year and some after having twin boys. I learned to ride from a book. I would sit on my pony and read Jane Dillion’s School for Young Riders , for directions. Think Thelwell’s cartoons and you have a good idea.

I didn’t have the opportunity to have formal lessons until I was in my early 20’s when I moved to Warrenton, Va. My vet introduced me to his wife, Judy Gilman, who was the D.C. of the Warrenton-Cassanova Pony Club. She mentored me through finding an appropriate horse, hunting, and beginning eventing. She encouraged me to find the right instructors for stage of my learning. I am deeply grateful to her.

Since I had the opportunity to grow into riding eventing at the international levels and learn from the team riders and Le Goff, I wanted to pass the knowledge on to help others. That I could encourage you, personally, makes me very happy!

I am considerably longer in the tooth now, with experience in coming back from injuries. If I can pass the joy on to you and still get out and ride myself to share it with you, I’m ecstatic!

[Bullet]

I think if you audit the clinic at Tyrone Farm put on by Tanheath Hunt, you will be reassured that you should give foxhunting a try, if not this year then definately next. The Hilltopping field at Tanheath Hunt is not just for beginners or green horses, it’s for those who wish to hunt at a slower pace. You can stay there forever if it suits you. Most of our jumps are in the 2’ to 2’6" range and all of them are optional. Your horse needs to behave well when riding in company and be fit enough to walk and trot for up to an hour and a half, with stops along the way as hounds check and work out a line.The pace is slower in September so your horse can become hunting fit along with the hounds. It is never too late t begin foxhunting.

[Hinderella]

This is all so exciting!! I can see that the hunt world is a wonderful and welcoming place to be!
When I got my first horse, EvilMare, I would ride out, alone and unafraid (idiotically smiling) for long trail rides, doing things like racing the canoes in the river as we rode along the banks. With EvilMare I did become adept at ducking branches and such, because I SWEAR she would look for low hanging limbs and aim for them. I hope to regain that confidence and the joy of riding out early in the morning.
I shall put all of your suggestions to work, and Whicker, I’ve already ordered a copy of your book to go along with my Pony Club “C” manual. However, I’m sure that will earn me a serious eye-roll from my instructor…no reflection on you, Whicker, but she always tells me that middle aged riders spend too much time reading, thinking, analyzing, and not enough time just DOING. When we’re jumping in a lesson, she often waits until I’m riding along near a “scary” jump, unsuspecting (I fall for it every time) and she’ll suddenly yell out…“Jump the pink coop, now!” It works, I don’t have time to worry…Now I just need to adopt that thinking on my own.

[whicker]

One of the advantages of hunting is that your horse can watch the other horses successfully do an obstacle, be it a stream crossing or a jump. Your horse will understand how to do it with more confidence, and you will know you have a lead.

[JSwan]

I can’t believe y’all didn’t tell her about flasks. For medicinal purposes only, of course. :winkgrin:

[TimelyImpulse]

[QUOTE=JSwan;5028232]
I can’t believe y’all didn’t tell her about flasks. For medicinal purposes only, of course. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

Ahem. I believe that was mentioned in my post, #3.

“Ok, the stirrup cup and flask does help, a little.”

I HAVE learned a little 'bout hunting.

[JSwan]

Missed it. Must have had too much of my own advice. 'urp. :lol:

[Ray]

[QUOTE=Hinderella;5026493]

1. Is it at all reasonable for a timid middle aged rider to consider hunting? Or does hunting require a certain level of confidence, and I should steer clear if I’m nervous? Please be honest!

2. Due to the pony’s recovery period, I don’t expect to be doing anything in terms of clinics until next year. In the meantime, what skills could I work on for myself, and what conditioning for my pony?[/QUOTE]

3. umm, that was me. totally, even the same age. hunting was really an great medium to work thru my nerves. and I was terrified. it also was a great way to build my relationship with my mare; now that I am more confident, viola, she is calmer too. Part of what may be making you nervous is not knowing what to expect, and picturing galloping over hill and dale. you wont be doing that at first! the hunts in your/our area are very welcoming of newbies, and will take care of you and keep you in hilltoppers or even a third field of walk/trot until you are itching to do more. The fall clinic will help, even auditing, as well as following by car/foot this fall and going on rides with hunt members when you are ready.

4. for you, get comfortable trotting and cantering down hill, I found this took getting used to. for your pony, she sounds awesome!! I bet she will LOVE hunting. you need to see how she is trotting and eventually cantering in a group, like at a hunter pace or a hunt ride. my mare is super mellow in a ring or on trails by herself, but in a group, OMG. Its taken some getting used to, and a big bit. Also, your mare needs to listen to you, say if you need to stop and let staff whiz by or she sees the first field gallop ahead.

GOOD LUCK!! hunting is a blast. please report back someday.