I’m throwing a Pity Party, and you are invited!
In 2003 I attempted to go cubbing with a local hunt. Unfortunately I was given poor directions; wound up getting lost, and arrived 5 minutes after the hounds/hunt left. While I know the hunt does not wait for anyone, I was disappointed that the member who invited me didn’t call my cell or leave a note at the clubhouse for me. Oh, well.
Then I tried again that season, but with a different hunt. My OTQH, Tulsa, had a “crack cocaine moment” whenever he heard the horn. We made it for about 30 minutes, but when the airs above the ground moved into a different stratosphere, I asked to be excused. I gave up for a while.
In 2004 I was given a seasoned hunt horse for free, because he was dead lame. It took us three years, but Buddy has overcome ringbone, sidebone, navicular changes, and founder with rotation over 5 degrees. He’s now sound and I am riding him frequently. He’s also more balanced and moves better since he’s not in such pain. So I’m ready, right? Got the clothes figured out; got the horse; found a hunt that is a bit further but seems a better fit for me.
Find a girlfriend to carpool with me to the new hunt. Two weeks ago her horse was lame the day before the hunt, so she couldn’t go. I got up at 4:30 AM; drove 2 hours 15 minutes to the hunt; got down there and tacked up, and off we go. Buddy was so happy to be back out. He was an angel, and we rode for about 45 minutes. We started cantering and he began to cough heavily and frequently, scaring me to death. I pulled up just in time to see a rider get bucked off and stepped on. She asked to be excused, and I volunteered to go back in with her since Buddy was coughing so bad. Sigh. Waited at the trailers for over an hour; then had breakfast; got Buddy home; got him healthy and we’re good to go again.
My girlfriend and I left yesterday; drove 2.5 hours to get there. Put the horses up at the Master’s house; drive to motel to spend the night. Life is good; we are enjoying getting to know each other (we met on the Internet and have corresponded by email, IM chatting, phone and lunches). Get up this morning and go get the horses.
Her horse is dead lame. Again. Head bobbing at a walk. We put them in the trailer and drive to the clubhouse and unload to evaluate him. He’s still bad. She tells me to go on; I felt funny about leaving her; she walks her horse over to talk to the other members to explain why she’s not going, and the two horses FREAK out.
Her horse is pawing and pacing and circling and sweating. Buddy is pawing and dancing tied to the trailer, and they are both yelling their heads off. Sigh. I decide it’s in the best interest of both horses that I NOT go. I didn’t want my horse to be split in his mind between the hunt and Beau back at the trailer, and I also didn’t want her horse to be agitated and possibly hurting himself more, or colicking, by being alone for a few hours.
So we tied them to the trailer, gave them a haybag, and sat in cubbing attire in 90 degree weather. We could hear the hounds speak in the woods and fields behind us, and could tell what was going on by the horn. The horses knew, too.
After about 2 hours they came back. Put up the hounds and we all had a potluck lunch. Then we loaded both of them up and drove 2 hours to her house. I loaded Buddy in my trailer and drove 45 minutes home. Sigh.
Would you have gone with the hunt, or stayed with your friend? Would you just say, “been 4 times now and maybe you aren’t meant to hunt?” I’m so frustrated! Will I ever complete a hunt? Am I always a bridesmaid but never a bride?!?!?!?! :lol:
