I was invited to try hunting with a local group, and really want to give it a go.
First question, what is basic presentation of horse and rider?
Second question, would you take a horse that has never hunted, whom is a mare, and not the best in groups…or try the first time on a borrowed but seasoned horse.
I would assume the riders would give the mare space, and that as long as no one ran up on her hind end she would be fine.
I am also sure this has been covered, feel free to link me past replies.
Borrowing a seasoned horse would be best but if you must take your mare be prepared to turn in early, braid a green ribbon into her tail and stay to the far back. Having a buddy on a steady eddie type to stick with you helps. Quick stops can mean a pile up… field reversals on a single track trail through the woods can blow a normally steady horse’s mind and the sound and sight of 30+ hounds coming past you, behind you or head on can lead to a melt down.
Talk to the hunt secretary or the person who invited you about attire. There are different rules everywhere but in general, a hunter show type turnout would be acceptable with a black or navy jacket for a formal day and a stock tie (easily borrowed).
There are a lot of details that go into “proper attire” but a first timer isn’t expected to have everything perfect.
Definitely borrow the seasoned horse if you have the option. You will have a much better first time out if you can focus on enjoying the day rather than your horse’s behavior. Seasoned hunt horses know and typically LOVE their job.
In terms of attire - think hunter show ring, but I think most hunts will appreciate an effort at being as neat and tidy as possible. I agree with the advice to contact the secretary or the person who invited you - they may even be able to help you borrow a stock tie or some other small article you may be missing.
Although I said it already, above all, be neat and tidy within your current riding apparel choices and means. And have fun 
Can’t advise you on attire - bit different down here in New Zealand.
Borrow a good horse. Introduce the mare slowly to the concept (group trail rides, riding with dogs etc).
Unfortunately you can’t rely on other riders to give you enough room for a variety of reasons: space can be tight (especially through gate ways), the field might halt very suddenly, you might have to all turn around and go the other way (so suddenly you’re in the middle of the action). And quite frankly, some people are just clueless.
I brought a young mare and started her hunting after spending the summer trail riding and competing. She kicked out once, at the closing hunt, when someone insisted on squeezing between her and the fence. She was wearing a red ribbon and I had carefully parked her out of the way - we were in the tail end of the field and everyone else was standing still. I gave her a sharp, hard reprimand and apologised. The woman was not happy - I finally pointed out that my mare was wearing a red ribbon, was at the back of the back of the field and that I had her standing away from the other horses.
Anyway, she did settle and become a good hunter, a friend owns her now.
Be cautious when borrowing a horse that it’s suited to your skills while in the hunt field. I don’t know anything about you as a rider, but some “seasoned” hunt horses are still a serious handful, especially while galloping in a herd at a fence. I’m comfortable on just about anything in an arena and I’ve been a catch rider for years, but I can think of a long list of hunt horses who I would not be comfortable hunting on. I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t consider borrowing a horse, but try to get a feel for how this horse behaves in the field before you’re stuck in an unsettling situation.
Lots of other great advice here! Be aware that (in myexperience), the hunts get longer and faster and generally more intense and exhausting as the season goes on! A late season hunt will be hard work for an unfit horse (and/or rider).
Take the seasoned horse.
That said, I leased a seasoned horse, he dumped me every.single.time. And i’m very glad that he did (as I was never seriously hurt), because it gave me the courage to take out my green mare who has come along nicely.
As for attire, white shirt, white stock tie (and pin), dark jacket, buff breeches, and black tall boots (for guests, these can be field boots if you do not have dress). Hair pulled up in a hair net, with a black helmet (preferably without the skunk stripe, though this is also forgiven for guests at most hunts).
Tack in good working order with a fitted white saddle pad. Flat hunt bridle is correct, though use whatever you are most comfortable with (and best not to switch to a bit you have never used before). A breastplate comes in mighty handy, and is also correct in the field.
There are many other appointments, and accessories to complete “the look” but this is all you really need to go out an enjoy yourself.
If you’re keep to start getting your mare out, I highly suggest the summer trail rides most hunts offer, along with spring hunter paces. Caution: The sport is addicting
Definitely borrow an experienced horse for your first time. You’ve identified some issues with your mare in ‘any’ group. Add to that the excitement of hounds, the hunting horn, and staff and different fields going in different directions, and your first timer’s ‘body language’, both oohing and aahing and a butterfly or two, and you ask yourself as owner of mare, do I really want to do her that disservice?
As for turnout and attire, you would do well to simply ask the secretary or MFH in advance- they will appreciate your thoughtfulness and desire to do the right thing. The only universal rule is that horse and rider and tack be ultra-clean and presentable, and that you have tack necessary to control the horse.
I know a number of hunts- including Arapahoe, which is known for its high standards of turnout- as well as hunts in Virginia, whose only requirement for first timers is that you have a suitable helmet, and suitable boots, meaning boots with heels, English, western, whatever. If you happen to have show hunter attire, that would be fine, I’m sure (but again, you get brownie points by asking the powers that be where you will be hunting).
The most important quality in a hunter is safety. The horse should go quietly in a group, stop without a fight, stand patiently at checks, wait its turn at jumps, and jump without refusals. It needs to be calm around new horses and especially calm with the dogs. If that isn’t your mare, a first experience would be more successful with a veteran. Maybe work with your mare out on treks with other horses, on cross country courses, gallop across big fields and ask for immediate responses, etc.
I’m not from America, but when not whipping-in and in pinks, as a female, during formals, I usually wear a black or navy coat with coloured collars while males wouldn’t wear coloured collars. People get in a tizzy over buttons here, but don’t worry about that. The only appropriate neckwear is a white or cream stock tie, tied properly and pinned with a gold pin. A full length, four fold stock is preferred. Breeches can be beige, buff or canary if female. White for very formal/pinks. The helmet should be velvet-style and brimmed - the usual. Boots should be black dress without tan tops for ladies. You’re supposed to wear garters with the boots too. I think people would faint if you wore field boots or straight coat skirts but I think America is more modern on things like that. Hair should be up in the helmet or if very long, braided and placed in the jacket. Flasks in a pocket or in a leather sandwich case secured along the back of the saddle. All members of the mounted field should carry a hunting whip, brown for regular riders.
For the horse, braiding is a must. We do formal English braids where the tail is braided into itself to form a very short polo-type tail; avoids brush and nettles and fun things like that. Bridle should be flat and brown leather without embellishment. Standing martingale and breastplate is usually quite useful. Never use a running martingale. Make sure you have excellent control over the horse so practice some quick stops with the bit of choice. Saddle is to be brown leather, regular English style. Only use a fitted white saddle pad.
Otherwise, go with what is standard with your Hunt and have fun!!!
[QUOTE=eidyn;7312259]
The most important quality in a hunter is safety. The horse should go quietly in a group, stop without a fight, stand patiently at checks, wait its turn at jumps, and jump without refusals. It needs to be calm around new horses and especially calm with the dogs. If that isn’t your mare, a first experience would be more successful with a veteran. Maybe work with your mare out on treks with other horses, on cross country courses, gallop across big fields and ask for immediate responses, etc.
I’m not from America, but when not whipping-in and in pinks, as a female, during formals, I usually wear a black or navy coat with coloured collars while males wouldn’t wear coloured collars. People get in a tizzy over buttons here, but don’t worry about that. The only appropriate neckwear is a white or cream stock tie, tied properly and pinned with a gold pin. A full length, four fold stock is preferred. Breeches can be beige, buff or canary if female. White for very formal/pinks. The helmet should be velvet-style and brimmed - the usual. Boots should be black dress without tan tops for ladies. You’re supposed to wear garters with the boots too. I think people would faint if you wore field boots or straight coat skirts but I think America is more modern on things like that. Hair should be up in the helmet or if very long, braided and placed in the jacket. Flasks in a pocket or in a leather sandwich case secured along the back of the saddle. All members of the mounted field should carry a hunting whip, brown for regular riders.
For the horse, braiding is a must. We do formal English braids where the tail is braided into itself to form a very short polo-type tail; avoids brush and nettles and fun things like that. Bridle should be flat and brown leather without embellishment. Standing martingale and breastplate is usually quite useful. Never use a running martingale. Make sure you have excellent control over the horse so practice some quick stops with the bit of choice. Saddle is to be brown leather, regular English style. Only use a fitted white saddle pad.
Otherwise, go with what is standard with your Hunt and have fun!!![/QUOTE]
I’ve worn field boots and nobody fainted 
I was told by the staff that it’s most important I’m safe and comfortable, and they gave me their blessing to wear my field boots. My dress boots are super stiff dressage boots that I would never be able to gallop any distance or jump comfortably in.
eidyn - where do you live and hunt? Your hunt must look amazing all turned out so beautifully.
Hunting in New Zealand seems so casual compared to the rest of the world :lol:
Field boots - check. Smart boots and chaps - check. Less than smart boots and chaps - there are a few in our hunt that could be upgraded.
Jackets - any kind appear to be fine (black for ladies and green for gentlemen at our hunt). Back protectors - fine if you want to wear one, under the jacket is better but a few wear them over the top. Hairnets - pretty optional.
All members to carry a hunt whip - nope. Martingales - both types, but running more often seen. Eidyn - can you clarify why standing is ok and running is not?
Saddles - anything goes, lots of black, a fair number of wintecs, a couple of the men hunt in polo saddles. Saddle pads - square pads down here, usually in hunt colours with big pockets for drinks, snacks, wire cutters, bailing twine, red insulation tape (for fixing stuff or putting on the tail of a horse that’s threatened to kick). Bridles - ditto.
Plaiting - not often seen.
We sound like such a scruffy bunch when listed like this but the field still looks lovely :D. Other hunts in NZ are more focused on attire. It’s all safe and practical and I just don’t really notice unless someone is really impeccably turned out or really scruffy. Guests are welcome in whatever safe and suitable attire they have.
My hunt is one of the oldest in Ireland so we’re rather heavy on tradition. About 10 years ago, many women were still riding side saddle. On the most formal of hunts, you can still see a few on side saddle. It’s
like living in Downton Abbey!
As for the martingales, it is my understanding that standing martingales are less restrictive when properly fitted and the horse doesn’t toss their head around like mad. Running martingales interfere with the mouth too much or rein aids so the horse, if being silly, is just fighting with themselves. Standing martingales actually stop the behaviour whilst runnings just change the way the pressure is exerted on their mouth from the bit. A standing martingale also indicates that your horse has a softer, more responsive mouth as you don’t get action on the bit, just the nose. Here, the vast majority of showing is hunter-proper where the perfect hunter is shown on the flat, a handy hunter style, and actually, you can compete at hunt trials. Style-wise, American hunter-jumper isn’t much appreciated. We breed for bigger, faster, energetic, but also brave, willing, calm, and perfectly responsive. A running subtly shows judges that you have less control.
Also, it’s my understanding that this is a particularly Irish/British thing. We just hating running martingales. They would be wrong here, but if your horse needs one then please be safe and use it!
[QUOTE=eidyn;7312259]
For the horse, braiding is a must.[/QUOTE]
Do you braid for every hunt of the season???
As a kid fox hunting in the south (via Pony Club) we braided on High Holy Days- Opening, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Closing. As a young adult in eastern Virginia the hunt I capped with the most braided for Opening and Closing. My current hunt only braids on Opening which is nice because it’s very close in Nov and Dec. I can’t imagine trying to braid in my unheated barn. Burrrr.
[QUOTE=SLW;7313074]
Do you braid for every hunt of the season???
Yes, I do. And the vast majority of others. You’ll see some people who don’t braid and they certainly aren’t kicked out or looked down upon. Some people are just starting, some people don’t like braiding, some people just didn’t have time that week. But it is very much a sign of respect to have your horse turned out perfectly - clipped, man3 and tail braids, glossy coat and hooves. The rider decked out too.
I am in Ireland, so it doesn’t get as cold as it might in certain parts of America. I don’t know Fahrenheit (!) but in Nov we can still be in the mid teens Celsius and we rarely go below 0. Rain is a whole other story!
[QUOTE=SLW;7313074]
Do you braid for every hunt of the season???[/QUOTE]
Yes, I do. And the vast majority of others. You’ll see some people who don’t braid and they certainly aren’t kicked out or looked down upon. Some people are just starting, some people don’t like braiding, some people just didn’t have time that week. But it is very much a sign of respect to have your horse turned out perfectly - clipped, mane and tail braids, glossy coat and hooves. The rider decked out too.
I am in Ireland, so it doesn’t get as cold as it might in certain parts of America. I don’t know Fahrenheit but in November we can still be in the mid teens Celsius and we rarely go below 0. Rain is a whole other story!
Cold weather aside, my horse would have no mane by the end of the season if I hunted weekly and braided every time 
She wasn’t blessed with good hair genes!
[QUOTE=melody1;7313166]
Cold weather aside, my horse would have no mane by the end of the season if I hunted weekly and braided every time She wasn’t blessed with good hair genes![/QUOTE]
Oh no haha! Poor darling. My horse prior to this spring was an Anglo-Arab who was heavy on the Arabian hair side. Think of those gorgeous wild pony-esque manes halfway down their legs. I wasn’t showing him in breed shows, he was wonderfully hunter in all other aspects of conformation, so the mane was pulled (took a couple people). Looked like he was in a state of constant teenage angst with a gigantic black mohawk sticking straight up as there was so much hair it wouldn’t lie flat. At 20, he was still going strong, still with that mohawk.
Mine is an Arab, but somehow missed out on all of that hair! She’s a dressage horse first, so she does have a pulled mane, but it’s all I can do to make the hair last through our show season.
[QUOTE=melody1;7313562]
Mine is an Arab, but somehow missed out on all of that hair! She’s a dressage horse first, so she does have a pulled mane, but it’s all I can do to make the hair last through our show season.[/QUOTE]
I know you said her mane is pulled, but can you do a running braid, in theory, at your dressage level, given her breed? I’ve seen many hair-challenged arabs with a running braid and it looked stellar because it lay right flat with the thin hair and your could really appreciate the plait.
[QUOTE=eidyn;7313130]
Yes, I do. And the vast majority of others. You’ll see some people who don’t braid and they certainly aren’t kicked out or looked down upon. Some people are just starting, some people don’t like braiding, some people just didn’t have time that week. But it is very much a sign of respect to have your horse turned out perfectly - clipped, mane and tail braids, glossy coat and hooves. The rider decked out too.
I am in Ireland, so it doesn’t get as cold as it might in certain parts of America. I don’t know Fahrenheit but in November we can still be in the mid teens Celsius and we rarely go below 0. Rain is a whole other story![/QUOTE]
That is so cool in it’s own way! Is that unique to Ireland or do the hunts in England follow the same protocol?
My hunting horse is a Connemara and she enough mane to be braided twice weekly for a full season and she still would not have a thin mane in the spring.
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