Secret hunting fantasy

[Lesson13]

Thank you to all who replied. I am overjoyed this might be a possibility. I plan to stick with the dressage instructor for a while and then look to change over after I’ve got cantering under my belt. She was kind enough to take me on as a complete newbie and I feel like we have a rapport. I might even keep my eventual horse at her barn so don’t want to burn any bridges. And as someone said having a decent foundation can’t hurt.

The Good news is I’ve already gotten the truck, half the clothes and 2 divorces (haha!). Thanks for the encouragement Wateryglen. I’ll be in touch eventually.

Meanwhile, I keep looking at the Irish Draught and Sport Horses on the internet…

[Simbalism]

I am going to realize my dream of hunting this season. I had always thought I would like to try it, just never had the horse that I thought would do it. My current Tb mare is
(I believe) going to allow me to try.Of course it took until I am 55 to get there. I have quite a few friends that have been hunting, and between them there are 3 different hunts I am going to cap with. The last few weeks, I have been accumulating my equipment( new helmet, white saddle pad, new white ratcatcher, new stock tie and pin, new black coat). The only thing left is boots. I am going on a shopping mission this coming weekend for those. I am definitely not a balls to the wall type rider, but have done tons of trail riding on moderate to difficult terrain and trust my horse alot. So, I’m giving it a whirl…Keep your dream, it will come true at some point.

[nightsong]

Just a reminder that the dressage lessons are really the way to go. Dressage is the foundation of riding. While ‘hunter’ or ‘hunt seat’ riding SOUNDS like fox hunting, it’s NOT. While it can teach you jumping, that’s something you won’t be ready for quite some time. Stick with dressage. All of the other suggestions (trail riding, etc.) are ALSO things you won’t be ready for for quite some time; not until you feel safe and secure on a horse.

[Lesson13]

Just an update. I cantered today for the first time (lesson 19 and yes I am counting every single one). I didn’t actually mean to canter. It was my first time on a mare. She was only 15.2H as opposed to the 17 H+ gelding schoolmasters. My legs were much freer because her barrel was much more slender. I managed to sweep her side inadvertently while trotting on a circle and off we went. Next week we will be concentrating on working the brakes. But I stayed on and was very happy to have cantered. Its like a little milestone on the way to my goal. A very tiny milestone very far off from the goal but still.

Also I managed to take 2 lessons this week for the first time and committed to the elliptical machine to help build up my stamina for all of this (still doing Pilates for my core).

Finally, I am growing addicted to perusing the internet for “made foxhunters” Next week I’m setting up direct deposit horse savings account. Is $20,000 a reasonable budget for a made Foxhunter for a 5’4" woman size 6-8ish? Based on how many horses are out there it seems like horse prices will keep coming down but it seems like prices for trained horses would still remain pretty high since its not like there’s an overabundance of them right?

Oh and I read every post on this board from start to finish. It just sounds like everyone is having so much fun. I’ve shown my dogs and don’t really have a yearning to show a horse but racing around the countryside while not actually racing sounds cool.

[skip916]

Go get the book “Never Outfoxed” by Ben Hardaway and read it cover to cover. It was my hunting bible when I first got interested in the sport and if you have that passion already- then go for it!!

[JSwan]

[QUOTE=Lesson13;4498533]
J I’ve shown my dogs and don’t really have a yearning to show a horse but racing around the countryside while not actually racing sounds cool.[/QUOTE]

Wow - it sounds like you’re really coming along! If you’d like to learn a little bit about hunting while you’re still learning how to ride - why not come out basseting?

It’s just like foxhunting - but no horses. There is a Master, huntsman, whippers-in, and the field. The hound and staff commands are the same - except the quarry is the eastern cottontail - not fox. We follow on foot - but you can get pretty close to the action and watch the hounds from a few feet away.

You’re in NoVA - it’s not that far for you to get out this way. You’ll meet some absolutely terrific people - some of whom also foxhunt. Others are dressage riders, trail riders - all sorts. Some don’t ride at all.

All you need is a good pair of walking shoes. That’s it.

I just came in from basseting and in two hours we had 5 runs on rabbit. 5! Rabbits everywhere! We had glorious weather and it was a lovely fixture - with the Blue Ridge in the background.

Then we had a tailgate and watched 2 chukkers of polo. (we hunted at a local farm that offers polo lessons and they were practicing)

Come on out! Get to know some local foxhunters and foothunters - see what it’s like out here.

I promise you’ll have a great time. Send me a PM and I’ll give you some contact info. You can hunt as my guest.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Ha! I’m on lesson 42 - I still count 'em myself.

Sounds like you’re doing very well. I used to show dogs too, and oddly, have had very little interest in showing horses as a result. I suppose we got that out of our systems in Jr. Handlers, eh?

Cantering by accident is, IMO, the best way to start. You don’t give yourself “first canter nerves” if you don’t know it’s coming.

If I lived closer, I would absolutely take JSwan up on her offer to go a’ basseting! In fact, I’m going to take her up on it anyway at some point.:yes:

[JSwan]

[QUOTE=pAin’t_Misbehavin’;4499718]

If I lived closer, I would absolutely take JSwan up on her offer to go a’ basseting! In fact, I’m going to take her up on it anyway at some point.:yes:[/QUOTE]

Here’s the deal. We hook you up with Hunter’s Rest - and we all go foxhunting.

That evening - we go to the Iron Bridge Wine Company and spend the evening drinking wine and eating stinky cheese. Hunter’s Rest can come too.

Then we’ll stagger home and collect eggs and do chores in the dark. Which house you end up at is immaterial as both are farms and have lots of chores - except HR’s is nicer. I have a broken kitchen appliance on the front porch. Tres chic. :lol:

Think you can take it? Foxhunting and foothunting in one weekend? Plus a night on the “town”?

Lesson13 can come too - we might as well get her indoctrinated at the same time we do you.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I love wine and stinky cheese!:yes: And I am already very experienced at doing farm chores in the dark. And I will bring Christmas lights to string on the broken appliance sitting on your front porch. Blinky ones.

But for this season, I better stick to bassetting. Hunter’s Rest’s horses will thank me for this.:yes:

Is there a foxhunting car follower who might like a companion? I would love to car follow.:yes:

[JSwan]

We’ll get you hooked up somehow. The car followers have all the fun - they get to point at us and laugh. I strongly suspect they have lots of wine and stinky cheese, too.

[QUOTE=pAin’t_Misbehavin’;4499829]

But for this season, I better stick to bassetting. Hunter’s Rest’s horses will thank me for this.:yes:

Is there a foxhunting car follower who might like a companion? I would love to car follow.:yes:[/QUOTE]

[iechris]

Pain’t let me know if you want to car follow down in Aiken and I’ll hook you up!

[armandh]

way too soon to wory about buying a horse

dear lesson 13

starter horses are quickly outgrown [skill wise]
and as a noob to the horse purchasing world

CAVEAT EMPTOR

you will need great advise plus time to see and test ride B4 buying. often there is no recourse to a bad purchasing decision.

for hunting it is soundness and the horse’s experience at your riding level above all else.

Do not rush this part.

ALWAYS get a vet check by your pick of vet, not one suggested by the seller.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Wow. I have two invitations to car follow! Thank you JSwan and iechris!

OP - I’m certainly in no position to give you advice, but instead of buying a hunter I plan to lease an experienced hunt horse for a fair few of my first hunts. I don’t ride often enough or well enough right now to keep a hunter in tune. And I don’t know enough about the sport yet to evaluate a hunt horse. Of course, that’s just me.

[Liver_Yang_Rising]

Don’t forget about taking the “alternative” route to fulfilling your dreams . . .and by that I mean PONIES!!!

I rode hunters (in the ring) as a kid. Always wanted to event or foxhunt, but at the age of 33 (with the time to get back into riding) I realized I was TERRIFIED to ride outside of a ring. And galloping . . . well . . never done it.

But I was smitten with learning to foxhunt.

So I borrowed a friend’s Halflinger pony. Mind you, I’m 5’10.

I felt SO much more in control on a pony! He helped me learn to navigate trails, and learn to hand-gallop. He was safe, and SMALL and I owe it all to him. I looked like a freak on his back, but he built up my confidence.

I’m now almost 40 and riding a 16’2 draft cross in the hunt field. Sometimes still scared out of my wits, but loving it!

(and just bought a 14’3 draft-cross pony for those days when I am feeling not-so-brave)

[wateryglen]

Me too!

:yes::yes:I am the queen of foxhunting car followers! I invite ANYONE to join me anytime with any of the local hunts. OR I can hook you up! Xrab & I do it together every year w/Old Dominion and I like to follow Warrenton too. And I’m an Ashland Bassets member and can get you out with a local beagle pack too. All yous gotta do is ask!

[Beverley]

@Liver Yang Rising;4501247

Don’t forget about taking the “alternative” route to fulfilling your dreams . . .and by that I mean PONIES!!!

(and just bought a 14’3 draft-cross pony for those days when I am feeling not-so-brave)

Ponies for hunting are ‘in.’ A friend about my age has a lovely welsh cob, and I’ve observed or heard of other long time hunters downsizing. My 14.2h qh mare will be introduced to hunting in 2010. And I’ll be happy to get the gates. My other horse is a bit over 16.1, a lovely lap dog of an appendix qh- but I do like seeing that stirrup closer to the ground, and I figure in 10 years it’s gonna look even better!