Show Ring Weenie wants to try *RIDING* to hounds!

[541hunter]

Hello Hunting Gurus! I’m a self-proclaimed weenie from Hunterland who’s been lurking on the Hunting forums here for a while. I’ve been tempted by the allure of galloping cross country following the hounds for ages (or more likely in my case, timidly loping along like a WP horse!), and I recently decided I’m ready to give it a shot. I’ve watched a thousand helmet cam videos, clicked through tons of photo galleries, and read as many hunt reports as I can get my hands on, and it’s time to stop daydreaming!

I sent an email to the nearest hunt to me (I’m in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, so the only one nearby is Woodbrook in Washington) to ask what they recommend for first steps toward giving hunting a shot.

I wanted to check with you all though – what do your communities do with nervous ammies who’ve spent most of their lives in an arena? I don’t have a suitable horse (I half lease a 2’6" packer, and lovely as he is, he is probably not the best option for a first field hunting experience even if the owner let me take him), and I don’t really have many contacts in that area who could help me find one to borrow. I don’t think this hunt has designated hirelings either. Do your hunts recommend interested newbies come watch a hunt? Participate in a few hunt events first? Is it common for members to have a spare horse or two that they lend out when a newbie comes knocking?

I asked these questions of Woodbrook too, but I’m feeling like maybe I came across as a total rube.

Edited to fix my embarrassing terminology mistakes

[Rt66Kix]

Good for you! Hunting is so wonderful for horse and human. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of good replies here, and here is mine. If you are on FB, find “Foxhunters on Facebook” and request to join it. There’s close to 4,800 members, and it’s a great source of information and fun.

Hope to see you there!

[Hinderella]

You’ve already taken the most important first step, which is contacting the hunt nearest you. Each hunt is different. Some hunts have many members, and may have a well established process for introducing guests to hunting. Smaller hunts may not be able to accommodate guests as well.
It would not be common for members to have spare horses, as a good hunt horse is a rare and special creature :)…like a unicorn…
If the hunt nearest you is not set up to help you try hunting, reach out further afield. I had my first hunting experiences with Hunter’s Rest in Virginia. If you’re able to make a field trip she has made hunt horses on her staff and is very experienced with beginners. If a trip east is not in the cards, check other west coast hunts. I believe that I’ve read the Red Rock has horses for hire and an introductory field, but you would need to confirm that with them.
I wish you the best, hunting is an amazing experience, like adding color to a black and white world.

[McGurk]

I would also like to tactfully say that if most or all of you previous experience is in the arena, going out hunting, even on a good beginner friendly hunt horse, is a BIG step. When the hunt returns your email, ask if they have some members who would like help legging horses up or exercising and that you would like to do in exchange for some experience riding out in company.

Before attempting even hilltopping, you should be comfortable riding and controlling your horse in a group at a w/t/c and gallop, maintaining a safe following distance at all gaits, have basic trail etiquette, be able to handle standard trail obstacles, etc. Once you’ve mastered that and learned a little bit about hounds and hunting is the time to think about borrowing a horse and going out.

Start with observing some hunt meets, car following, offering to walk out with hounds in the summer and helping a member leg up their horses. After getting some solid experience riding out in a group, try a few hunter paces or mock hunts.

Then hilltopping or going second flight on a borrowed horse is a much more reasonable goal.

[McGurk]

Added:

You’ll notice that there’s no mention of jumping in any of the foregoing. There’s a reason for that. All of the above should happen before you start working on jumping cross country, and long before you jump as part of hunting.

Get a book or two, or three and learn the lingo. (Wadsworth’s Riding to Hounds in America is sold right here, on the COTH site.) Note the title: It’s riding to hounds, not hunting to hounds, because the hounds are doing the hunting, not you. You’re riding to hounds, or following hounds. Or following the person in front of you, or the Master, as the case may be.

I wish you all the best in your adventures, it’s wonderful fun and an incredible sport.

[jawa]

McGurk and Hinderella have given you very good advice.

Car following can be a great idea to see how hunting works without you actually getting on a horse.

Becoming comfortable covering country at WTC and G alone and in groups will be a big step if its not something you have ever done.

Learning the lingo, etiquette, and how hunting works in your local area will be a big help in feeling comfortable when you actually get to get out there and hunt.

Walking out hounds, mounted hound exercise, and hunt sponsored trail rides and hunter paces are great ways to be involved and get to meet people in the hunt.

There are some members who need help keeping horses fit, so this could be an option, although if the hunt is not near you or there aren’t any members that live near you, it could be hard to get some experience that way.

Is there a trail riding group near you that you could become a part of? This could give you the outside of the ring experience and group experience locally.

In some areas there are private packs that are not recognized or registered with the MFHA that might be closer to you than Woodbrook. The MFH or secretary of Woodbrook might be aware of some or could put feelers out for you to get in touch with them to ask about hunting.

If you find yourself able to come to VA, you will be in hunting heaven.

Best of luck!

[541hunter]

Thank you for all the kind advice! It can be intimidating to seek out information on foxhunting – there are just so many new terms and practices to learn, so thank you all for being so accommodating. It’s good I asked, since I had a bit of a fantasy of just hopping on a horse and being ready for first flight! :lol: Of course, that’s kind of ridiculous – I wouldn’t expect a dressage rider to be able to get on a show hunter and step into the 3’ ring. I think Woodbrook has done some hunter paces recently, which some of my friends from the show world have done. I may see if I can get in on one of those to get me more comfortable outside the arena.

I have done some trail riding when I was in high school, though admittedly nothing like this – I worked at a guest ranch in Colorado when I was 18 as a trail guide, but I’m pretty sure riding to hounds (thank you to McGurk for that correction!) is a very different experience. I appreciate all the advice about getting started – it’s very helpful. I love riding show hunters, but it’s always fun to try something different! Hopefully I’ll hear back from Woodbrook soon and they can help advise me.

I’ve actually been trying to get a few of my barn members to consider a group vacation to Hunter’s Rest! We have some girls aiming for Maclay finals in a year or two and I think it’d be great fun to follow up with a nice breather in hunt country together. I’m not sure they’re quite convinced yet, but give it time!

[Hunter_s_Rest]

There’s 6 weeks left in the spring hunt season, and/or all of the area hunts host spring trail ride series – these are a gentle intro to riding across country in a group, and I’ll arrange kennel visits, helping with hounds, meeting/helping/working the huntsman (at several hunts) and will arrange going on mounted “hound exercise” (which is a glorified trail ride with dogs, but it feels like a preamble to hunting.
Do it to get prepped (psyched!) for hunting proper (hilltopping to begin with) starting in the fall!
Here’s the thing that appears to escape most riders - The Riding Arena was invented to practice skills and drills IN the arena to increase your balance and competence for riding OUT OF the arena.
Horse showing (note: it’s not called “Hunters” by accident!) was invented as a way to MEASURE your skills IN an arena as they translate for riding OUT OF an arena!!
If you can wrap your brain around that, you’ve won half the battle!!!

[wateryglen]

And be sure to research introduction to foxhunting on this forum as we’ve been asked this question many, many times and responded same. Lots of good info available to you. To me the best thing is to have a mentor to guide you. And it’s wonderful if you can ride a lot with them. Best wishes!

[Beverley]

I’ve hunted with the Woodbrook pack in Red Rock country, they are a very friendly bunch and you’ll have fun. Yes, go and car follow, hire a made hunter for your first outings, and see what activities they have over the summer, trail rides and such, that you might join also.

[Bigblackdraft]

You are very smart to research first, before attempting to go out. I know several people who came out for the first time, without asking enough questions or being physically fit enough to withstand the rigors of hunting, who were very lucky they didn’t get hurt by the end of the meet. It is not for the faint of heart, but I also know many foxhunters who are years, even decades older than I, who hunt like hell 3 days a week. Or at least they do when this blasted weather isn’t keeping them off their horses!

As noted above, try to get out hound walking, or any activity with the hunt. For your own fitness, practice your skills in the ring now. Two point position and trot, trot, trot and more trot will help you in your foray into hunting.

The advice here is very forthright, and most everyone wishes new people to the sport to have a successful, fun and safe first hunt, the better to create a foxhunting addiction that will last a lifetime.

[Bogie]

Definitely get some out of the ring time under your belt before you try hunting. One of the things that most surprises people who hunt with us for the first time is the speed at which we cover the varied terrain. Especially the down hill portions! Even with hilltopping (which is a good place to start) you need to feel comfortable at least trotting quickly down hills.

Hunter paces are a marvelous way to introduce yourself to hunting because you can control your pace. You will also get a sense of the pace that a hunt goes when you compare YOUR time to the ideal time.

It is a wonderful sport so I hope you are able to try it out.

[lesson_junkie]

Another thing you need to expect, chances are that your day won’t be exciting! If conditions don’t suit, or game simply isn’t to be found, you may do a lot of walk/trot/stand around, which is part of hunting as much as flying over the countryside. First and foremost, it’s all about the hounds.

Don’t be intimidated by the esoterica surrounding hunting. While it is part of what we love about our anachronistic sport, everybody has to start somewhere, and people will understand. Just be polite, keep safety first, use some common sense, and you will be fine. If you have a question, ask quietly.

Whether you like hunting or not, I guarantee you will meet some of the nicest, most fun people you will ever have the privilege of spending time with. Get on out there!

[Hinderella]

I concur that if you’ve done most of your riding in the ring you’ll want to spend some time out of there before hunting. Riding up and down hills and through or over obstacles is a different set of skills from those you use in your arena riding. And buttoning down those skills before you head out will allow you to enjoy your first experiences much more.

[gumtree]

IMO its’ not that big a deal. Sure the appearance of pomp and ceremony may be a bit intimidating but it’s generally more “bark than bite”. At least in my neck of the woods. And the Mid-Atlantic is pretty much were it all started in this country or rather brought over by my forefathers. I have a lot of “ring friends” and give them a lot of stick for being such wimps about getting out and about. One thing I have found over the years just about all horses will jump in a pack, with a lead, all the rider has to do is not get in their way. In other words, you don’t have to place the horse, count strides, etc. Just be the monkey along for the ride by and large.

I would like to think most hunts have experienced “mother hens” that enjoy looking after the timid and inexperienced. My wife was a “mother hen” field master and loved it most of the time. There are usually experienced members who enjoyed look after newbies. The hunt secretary and or Master should know who to hook you up with just ask.
Just hang out the back, get a feel for things, and do as they do in Rome and know your place. Never let them see you sweat. Enjoy! And know when to call it a day.

As other have said getting “out and about” in the wide open spaces is a good idea. For you and your horse.

One last thing, doing a lot of “research” may do more harm than good. Just go for it.

[Willesdon]

As Gumtree said, just give it a go. Don’t let yourself be put off by the dress code and strange language. Basically you are following a load of dogs chasing around the countryside and no one says you have to be up at the front to do that! Just remember that everyone else out hunting also started out as a beginner. Most hunting people love their sport and are really friendly and helpful. It is also cheaper than many other horse sports.

One helpful point that I think is missing from all the good advice offered so far: get yourself fit enough. Riding for several hours, at different paces across different terrain is very tiring. I personally find swimming helpful to build up my stamina at the start of the season. I also wear a body protector because it supports me when I am tired and keeps me warm.

[Kodiak]

Not having a horse of your own isn’t an entirely bad thing, as it’s much, much easier to hunt when either the horse or rider is experienced. Chances are, like most disciplines, there are experienced horses around in need of more exercise but the owners aren’t going to just hand the reins to a stranger. Networking can yield big dividends. And don’t overlook any professional trainers and riding instructors to are members of or affiliated with the hunt. They can help you transfer your skills out of the arena and usually have an inside track on potential mounts.

Most hunts also have plenty of work to do on the ground and too few hands to do it, so would be thrilled to see someone who is sincerely interested in learning about the sport and willing to get her hands dirty in the process. Hound exercise, car following, clearing trails, fixing jumps, putting on events like hunter pace… Lots of ways to get involved. Once people know your name and that you’re serious rather than just dabbling around wasting their time, a lot more doors open up.

[rebecca_yount]

It’s a good idea to go on some hunt trail rides and be experienced at riding out of the ring before going hunting. I had personally hunted once before in my life, with Howard County Iron Bridge in Maryland, prior to moving to Virginia in 2011. On my PSG dressage horse. He did great. I had trail ridden a lot before that, and grew up riding outside the ring.

In 2012/13 I trail rode my dressage mare a lot with a friend experienced in fox hunting, in places that were hunt territory, and this expanded my comfort zone. You have to be willing to just go where you have to go, because you can’t leave the field you are with, unless you get permission. You also have to keep up and can’t expect that anyone will necessarily help you–although all hunts I have ridden with did have individuals who were happy to help beginners.

The next year I asked to cap and was welcomed. I joined and had a great time. My mare has developed, with experience, into a really trustworthy hunt horse. We open and close gates for the field, go everywhere, stand quietly at checks, ignore hounds as appropriate, etc. But you still have to be brave and strong and so does your horse.

And YES do help the hunt during the summer with the work they have to do and volunteer to help with events, etc. Even if you are not a member.

[collegialequestrian]

I just came across a great Youtube series geared toward new foxhunters that may help as well!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeTcpRsQ-biZizevXE1oGtg

[Martha_Drum]

[QUOTE=collegialequestrian;8040070]
I just came across a great Youtube series geared toward new foxhunters that may help as well!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeTcpRsQ-biZizevXE1oGtg[/QUOTE]

…this series will provide a humorous counterpoint to your pre-hunt jitters! There are a number of videos, and her connected facebook page is “A Fox Hunter” #dontfreakout