Want to get in to foxhunting, but dont know where to start.

[SeaPony]

Help please! I would love to start fox hunting. I love the tradition of it and the thought of galloping on horseback over jumps and natural obstacles seems wonderfully exciting to me. I also own a couple of hound dogs and would just love to see fox hounds in action. (I would love to bring my dogs along, but I have a feeling that would be totally out of the question.) Hounds are the best dogs ever.

I dont know anyone around here that hunts. Im in Western Washington and can borrow a trailer to get just about anywhere within an hour or so. My mare is a competent jumper and has done some cross country but I don’t know what you look for in a hunting horse. What qualities are important?

Are there any good books to learn about foxhunting? I know there is a lot of terminology and etiquette. I dont want to offend anyone or seem too out of place.

I know nothing, so help me out and fill me in.

I did find a website for the Woodbrook hunt club. Is anyone a member there?

[HillnDale]

Well, this makes post #2 for me, and I’ve never been hunting either, but here’s what I know:

I’ve heard many good things about Woodbrook, and would encourage you to contact the hunt secretary. This is the closest (and only hunt) in my area, and she was very warm and welcoming when I spoke to her. Unfortunately, the weather has not been, and the season is fast coming to a close, but don’t let that discourage you. As you might notice on the other threads, there may be other activities to keep you busy till the hunts get going again, including walking the hounds, which it sounds like you might enjoy. Perhaps I’ll get up there myself, yet!

And, you’re right, your dogs (or hounds as the case may be) may not cap.

As for the horse; a handy jumper is desirable, as would be a horse who has ever been outside an arena and doesn’t mind a gigantic pack of excited hounds running around his legs. Generally, the horse needs not to distract from the hunt. Expect to hilltop your first time out, aka, riding at a slower pace at the back of the field, and with a group who isn’t jumping.

As for ettiquette and attire: read the “First Time Hunting was a Humiliating Experience” thread very carefully. Click on all links next to “my hunt requires us to wear…” and take note of the pictures. Contact the MFH at Woodbrook to check which of these items would be required for someone capping at that hunt. I believe the capping fee there is $150.

;)Happy hunting!

[Jaegermonster]

Ok that first time hunting was humiliating thread was started by a troll so don’t get too much information from there. However, it’s very entertaining and a good laugh if you are just looking for entertainment.

If you just search the hunting forum there are lots of good threads with a lot of great information about attire and so forth. Or you can just scroll through the pages of the hunting forum one day when you’re stuck inside, lots of good stuff.

www.mfha.org is a great resource and can help you find a hunt in your area.

Always check with the hunt secretary of the hunt that you wish to attend to see what their hunt prefers, each hunt has it’s own little idiosyncracies.

As far as your horse, you need a sound horse with a brain that is ok on the trails and in company and you should be able to wtc comfortably in open country. Not saying that you will have to, esp if you go in the hilltoppers but you need to be able to. You never know what might happen or how your horse will react his first few times out. Also you might want to step your bit up just a touch, sometimes they get a little stronger out hunting.

[SeaPony]

Thanks so much for all the info. I plan on researching so much before I go out. Definitely not until next season at the soonest! Are there any rides in the off season? I would love to get out with my mare and see how she handles the country, and get used to jumping a bit with her. I think she should handle it fine, but I would like to try if before hand if you know what I mean. No sense making a fool out of myself if she cant handle it.

[Jaegermonster]

most hunts do road hounds or do trail rides during the off season. You just need to ask with the particular hunt that you are interested in. For example, the hunt that I whip in to does not allow even the general membership, much less new people, at the mounted hound exercise in the summer. Whips only.

Our huntsman/jtMFH is very protective of the hounds and will not allow just anyone out mounted with them outside of a hunt. But we also walk them out on foot in the off season, and during the regular season, which is also a good way to learn about what is going on, and members/newbies are more than welcome to that.

Getting involved in the kennels is always a good way to make your huntsman/MFH happy

[CharliesMom]

Woodbrook Hunt member

oops, double posted

[CharliesMom]

comments from a Woodbrook Hunt member

[QUOTE=HillnDale;3799923]
I’ve heard many good things about Woodbrook, and would encourage you to contact the hunt secretary. This is the closest (and only hunt) in my area, and she was very warm and welcoming when I spoke to her. [/QUOTE]

Woodbrook Hunt is a very welcoming group. There is a place for members of all abilities and interests. Andrea Lorig is our secretary. She is a wonderful woman!

@HillnDale;3799923

Unfortunately, the weather has not been, and the season is fast coming to a close, but don’t let that discourage you.

We usually hunt until the first of second week in April. There is still time.

@HillnDale;3799923

As you might notice on the other threads, there may be other activities to keep you busy till the hunts get going again, including walking the hounds, which it sounds like you might enjoy.

We do exercise hounds, but not generally on foot. Contact the secretary or MFH to arrange this with your horse.

@HillnDale;3799923

Perhaps I’ll get up there myself, yet!

Please come!

@HillnDale;3799923

I believe the capping fee there is $150.

Capping fee is just $50

[TBPNW]

I went to Woodbrook’s opening hunt as a first timer. I don’t think I’m alone when I say I worked myself into a tizzy before going-secretary graciously fielded two or three different phone calls. Unfortunately I hyped it up so much it was a bit of a letdown, but at least I had nothing to worry over. The horses were fine, we were fine, clothing/tack was fine. If Charlies Mom is still reading, did opening meet apply to the two capping limit? Was that a lifetime limit? I enjoyed your hunter pace in the spring much more and plan on going again… Most fun I’ve had, thanks for hosting it, wish there were more of them in the area.

[CharliesMom]

[QUOTE=TBPNW;3812114]
If Charlies Mom is still reading, did opening meet apply to the two capping limit? Was that a lifetime limit? I enjoyed your hunter pace in the spring much more and plan on going again… Most fun I’ve had, thanks for hosting it, wish there were more of them in the area.[/QUOTE]
Not sure if opening hunt counted, as the capping fee was waived for those who entered the show and hunter pace the previous day. Best to contact Andrea Lorig, hunt secretary, to be sure. I believe that it is a per season limit. But, honestly, if you really enjoy hunting, two hunts per year just wont satisfy you and you will have to join!

Hope to see you out hunting and at the hunter pace in the Spring. This time my hope is to 1) stay on course the first time through and 2) not break anything. I broke two bones in my wrist last time, just as we were leaving the start, but got back on and finished most of the course. Still fun.

[HillnDale]

[QUOTE=CharliesMom;3810844]

Capping fee is just $50[/QUOTE]

I recently spoke to your MFH and learned that you hunt until late March or April, and was glad to hear it! I hope to be able to come up and meet some of you, whether mounted or otherwise in the near future.

Just kidding about the $150 thing, of course. This comes from the “Humiliating Experience” thread, which the OP may not want to read all of, but I did make reference to, because 1) it’s hilarious, 2) it has helped me to not stress out too much about what my first time out would be like, as it seems like there’s at least a cross section of fox hunters who are pretty hilarious and down to earth. I think stressing out about turn out and ettiquette beyond what is necessary is probably common with newcomers - at least that’s my impression from my “research”. Of course turn out and ettiquette are part of the fun, and part of keeping everyone safe - but that’s what they should be, and not a deterrent to someone new, still trying to get it together. JMHO.

[CharliesMom]

[QUOTE=HillnDale;3817632]
I think stressing out about turn out and ettiquette beyond what is necessary is probably common with newcomers - at least that’s my impression from my “research”. Of course turn out and ettiquette are part of the fun, and part of keeping everyone safe - but that’s what they should be, and not a deterrent to someone new, still trying to get it together.[/QUOTE]

Please Come!!! You will find us to be a wonderfully welcoming group. As far as dress goes, come in buff or tan breeches, boots, and a dark (preferably black) coat and you’ll be okay. Be sure you can control your mount and follow the directions of you fieldmaster and you’ll be okay!

[Ray]

To the OP: dont stress out about your attire, most hunts are extremely flexible with a first-timer, as long as you make an effort.

As for your horse, you can do some prep work with her. Go on a trail ride with a bunch of friends and see how she does if you gallop for a bit in the middle of the pack, slow down a bit, and allow someone to pass. Also, with everyone AT LEAST one horse length apart, practice as a group a “hold hard”, where everyone has to stop from a canter w/o any notice. If you can rate her, hold hard and she will tolerate the passing horse, thats bodes very well for foxhunting. Now, I hunted my horse for YEARS before we perfected any of those skills, :lol::lol::lol: But you need to know how she will react and what you need to work on. You might need more bit, you might need a lesson, your horse might need to be trained on. Dont be surprised if she finds the whole thing somewhat exciting; that is all part of the fun of it :D:D:D:D

And many hunts have a hilltoppers field where you wont be galloping (of course it varies from hunt to hunt) and where it is expected you will start on your first day.

[TBPNW]

You can’t believe how much I’m looking forward to the hunter pace! That was something I could do as much as possible. I did regret not doing the one before opening hunt but it was advertised as only a couple miles. As a curious first-timer at the hunt I took everything in, sitting on my horse as the huge crowd of horses gathered at the clubhouse. The inside of the clubhouse was as if I could just imagine it, beams, old pictures, fireplace. The tiny cup of port (or whatever the non-al option was) proved a great start, psychological or not. I had to laugh when someone dropped his stock tie on the ground and cursed it up. It was a relief that people were being people, not such a big deal. It even was a relief that it was much more diverse group than I expected. I don’t know if since it was opening day, maybe it wasn’t like a normal hunt. On the hunt I just did as I was told, but wasn’t too upset when other people didn’t exactly! It was almost completely single file riding which surprised me a little. We were so far back we didn’t see much action but did get a glimpse of hounds and staff. I loved hearing the hounds, it was musical, and seeing the bright coats blend into the autumn colors. There were countless stops and starts and I guess I just like being able to go my own pace. I was so careful about keeping space, especially since my giant horse was following a tiny pony that could have cleared her in one leap. I guess I could’ve asked to pass, but we were doing well where we were. A lot of the hunt I just remember as being trained on the sight of gray pony butt, but it was fun. Just not as fun as the hunter pace! I really hope it’s worth it to keep as a fundraiser.

[PennyChrome]

You can always do your first time with Woodbrook as a “Hilltopper” (You trot along slowly, following the hunt and watching from a distance, mostly kids here, but plenty of greenies) if you’re worried it will be too much. But~ you will probably be bored, wishing you were with the hunt!
As for Woodbrook, I think we are SO LUCKY to have them here in Washington! They’re great!

[twofatponies]

I’ve only gone twice, but found it was much more organized than I expected - I had visions from movies of everyone galloping hell-bent across the fields. Instead we were always in assigned groups, and where each group went was dictated by the masters, in order to help with the hunt - for example 2nd flight might be sent around to the back of a corn field to block the escape of the coyote in that direction. In the hilltoppers group I was assigned to a member to be my “buddy” and I either rode next to her or behind her at all times, following her instructions. Sometimes there was a lot of walking, sometimes a lot of standing quietly listening. Occasionally long fast canters and sudden halts, again to listen quietly. The standing still was the hardest thing for my mare, who is very impatient.

Practicing riding in groups where people pass and go in different directions is very useful!

Hunter paces are a fun related activity - you ride in a small group and set your own pace, but get used to varied terrain, jumping if you want to, and other teams passing you (or not!)

[jumpsnake]

Would anyone be willing to give the link to that thread? I did a search but found nothing. I too may get the chance to participate for the first time this season…

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

jumpsnake - this one? http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=184213&highlight=snobbington:lol:
Now you must tell me how you selected your username.

[Gestalt]

I would love to go someday. I live in NE Oregon and it would mean about a 5-6 hour haul one way. Still want to plan on it though!!!

http://woodbrookhuntclub.com/default.aspx

[jumpsnake]

Pain’t:
Thanks for the link. lol!

Re: my username: my dad always said you should have an email/ username that your friends can easily remember but your patients can’t figure out. (He was a psychiatrist.) I thought it was good advice for everyone-- so jump is for the horse side of me, and snake is for the, well, reptile side: I’m a curator at a reptile zoo.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=jumpsnake;4373061]

my dad always said you should have an email/ username that your friends can easily remember but your patients can’t figure out. (He was a psychiatrist.) I thought it was good advice for everyone-- so jump is for the horse side of me, and snake is for the, well, reptile side: I’m a curator at a reptile zoo.[/QUOTE]

Very wise advice from your dad.:yes: I’d hate for my clients to be able to track me down through the interwebz.

From your username, you could be my old RI. While out hacking, her response to a snake was to jump, even if it was into six lanes of traffic.:lol: :uhoh: But I see you meant something all together different. Which is good - I’m fond of [most of] my snake neighbors myself.:yes: