Do you have critter holes in the fields? How do you see them under the snow? How do you handle the frozen streams and ponds?
Bronze Star for Valor
Snow cover puts us all on high alert for the sometimes invisible suprises that may lurk below its beautiful smooth surface. When we hunt in snow we are all faithful about following our field master and never taking our own line.
Whenever possible our fields follow farm lanes or known trails through the woods. In any event, our Masters deserve Bronze Stars for Valor for being up front on runs in snow cover.
Staying clear of frozen ponds and icy spots is a matter of local knowledge, caution, and a heightened level of awareness. Here’s a quick story:
Last winter on a hunt with good footing under a light snow cover I was closely following one of our Masters. On a fast run following hounds through a woods on a twisting trail I was suprised to see The Boss cut a corner so short that he took a big swipe in the face from overhanging brush.
“Not me” I thought and leg yielded my saintly QH Riley into the middle of the trail as we approached the turn at a canter. At the apex of the turn Riley and I saw the 10 foot wide frozen puddle immediately in front of us at the same time. My brain instantly froze in “Ah Sh*t”!, but not his. He made a big twisting jump that crackled my spine in three places at the same time, but kept me firmly in the middle of his balance. Safely on the other side, I got a little blood back into my brain and patted his neck in thanks.
It is possible to hunt safely in winter conditions in the Great White North, but good leaders and a constant awareness of conditions are necessary. Not to mention a good horse.
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Stunning pictures! You all could make some into Christmas cards and sell them for a fund raising! I’d buy some!
We lived in Alaska for ten years-no foxhunting there as hunting with dogs is not allowed. 
I think the Alaska natives have about 33 terms for describing different types of snow and ice.
Gorgeous - question - who is that gorgeous big dark liver?
Lovely photos…thanks for sharing. I’ve always dreamed about foxhunting but don’t have the time/resources for it now.
I do enjoy Hunter Paces with our local hunt club though.
I really loved looking at those pics and I found myself really drawn to that gorgeous, big liver. Do you know which horse that is and the breeding? (looks like it may be a draft cross due to the huge barrel, but it has a really pretty head?)
It’s the one with the brunette female rider, and she has it in a pelham with light-colored snaffle rubber rein. The horse looks huge, dark liver with a big of flaxen in the tail. Would love to know the breeding or cross…just a lovely horse (my type!)
Beautiful pics in an idyllic setting. Thanks for making me a hunt wannabe! (Any stone-cold-plugs in the hunt field???)
Maggie is our Queen
To Fancy That: http://www.metamoraphoto.com/gallery/displayimage-126-6031.html#top_display_media
This beautiful mare is Maggie and she is the Queen of our Hunt. Maggie belongs to one of our Masters and his wife who is one of our Honorary Whips. Maggie had been at the head of our first field, or out for a long day of Whipping for many, many seasons. She is now enjoying a semi retirement that includes regular excercise and trail rides and a select number of hunts each season.
Maggie will occasionaly fill in if a whip horse is needed for just one day, but it is more likely that she will be asked to “supervise” a novice member of our hunt (including me) who’s regular mount needs some time off. Nothing that might happen during a day of sport escapes Maggie’s attention. She still has quite a motor, but will take good care of anyone who has the good sense to let her do what she knows is right. I am not sure of her breeding but it is safe to say that she is a warmblood.
Here is a photo of Maggie and me taken this October:http://www.metamoraphoto.com/gallery/displayimage-111-5323.html#top_display_media
The big chestnut mare a couple of horse behind us is another Queen of our Hunt. Her name is Mercedes and she is just that, luxury and comfort.
Wow, thanks for the pix, they are fantastic. If your photographer made a calendar out of his photos, I’d buy one. Your group is beautifully turned out, many lovely horses!
[QUOTE=Hotspur;5376302]
To Fancy That: http://www.metamoraphoto.com/gallery/displayimage-126-6031.html#top_display_media
This beautiful mare is Maggie and she is the Queen of our Hunt. Maggie belongs to one of our Masters and his wife who is one of our Honorary Whips. Maggie had been at the head of our first field, or out for a long day of Whipping for many, many seasons. She is now enjoying a semi retirement that includes regular excercise and trail rides and a select number of hunts each season.
Maggie will occasionaly fill in if a whip horse is needed for just one day, but it is more likely that she will be asked to “supervise” a novice member of our hunt (including me) who’s regular mount needs some time off. Nothing that might happen during a day of sport escapes Maggie’s attention. She still has quite a motor, but will take good care of anyone who has the good sense to let her do what she knows is right. I am not sure of her breeding but it is safe to say that she is a warmblood.
Here is a photo of Maggie and me taken this October:http://www.metamoraphoto.com/gallery/displayimage-111-5323.html#top_display_media
The big chestnut mare a couple of horse behind us is another Queen of our Hunt. Her name is Mercedes and she is just that, luxury and comfort.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info on Maggie. She just looks like a lovely horse! A warmblood huh? If so - my type! Tons of substance on that one.
You all look like you are having so much fun. Thanks for sharing.
I made a phone call to check on Maggie’s breeding. She is an Irish/TB Cross. We have a few of those in the Metamora Hunt including my wife’s horse Mojo. They all seem to be smart, sensible, athletic horses that take to fox hunting like a duck to water.
