Your experience when you were new to hunting...

[AmarachAcres]

So, I have a cute little mare. I want to do dressage and teach her to jump, but have no interest in show jumping.

I’ve always loved watching hunts but never had the gumption.

How high do you jump on average? Are their hunt groups that keep jumps low? Do you really kill animals or does it depend on the hunt? Are there ways to go around jumps until you are ready or is it a “don’t show up til you are brave enough.”

Do hunts allow people to practice on their (tracks?) paths??

I plan on googling how hunts work per say, but how did you guys feel when you first started? How did you GET started?

This may be something my daughter likes. She wants to jump for fun when she is older.

[gypsymare]

My responses in red…

So, I have a cute little mare. I want to do dressage and teach her to jump, but have no interest in show jumping.

I’ve always loved watching hunts but never had the gumption.
’
How high do you jump on average? 3’-3’6" Are their hunt groups that keep jumps low? Yes, I know of some that try to stay below 2’6" Do you really kill animals or does it depend on the hunt? I’ve been hunting for 5 years and have never seen a kill. It’s very rare. Are there ways to go around jumps until you are ready or is it a “don’t show up til you are brave enough.” Yes, there is a second flight or hilltoppers group that flats only.

Do hunts allow people to practice on their (tracks?) paths?? Depends on the hunt. It’s usually not allowed to ride on landowner property when the hunt is not in session but some clubs own property that members are allowed to enjoy.

I plan on googling how hunts work per say, but how did you guys feel when you first started? How did you GET started? I was invited to come roading on a borrowed horse by a friend I met through work. Roading is usually a straight forward tril ride of sorts to exercise hounds but they got on a scent trail and took off. It was such a blast! If you don’t know anyone who hunts near you call the hunt secretary and tell them you wish to start hunting and go from there.

This may be something my daughter likes. She wants to jump for fun when she is older. There are usually steeply discounted fees for juniors and most hunts are VERY welcoming of new members and especially juniors!

[littlebaypony]

Here in north Alabama there are 2 hunts. One has no jumps, very casual, small group that has had an awesome year with 8 coyote kills this year however, the riders are usually far enough behind to not see the kill. The other hunt has a very few, probably 2’6" jumps that can be gone around. They are more formal, have more riders and more hounds but have not had a good year for kills. Hunt season ended last week because the farmers are planting crops now and don’t need horses and truck whips on their fields. Both hunts welcome newcomers and kids.

[SouthernYankee]

[QUOTE=littlebaypony;7472611]
Here in north Alabama there are 2 hunts. One has no jumps, very casual, small group that has had an awesome year with 8 coyote kills this year however, the riders are usually far enough behind to not see the kill. The other hunt has a very few, probably 2’6" jumps that can be gone around. They are more formal, have more riders and more hounds but have not had a good year for kills. Hunt season ended last week because the farmers are planting crops now and don’t need horses and truck whips on their fields. Both hunts welcome newcomers and kids.[/QUOTE]

I went out with Full Cry a few times at the end of the season, and am hoping to join this fall. They have been great about teaching a newby the ropes, and all the members have been very welcoming.

I would recommend reading “Hunting to hounds in North America” by JG Whitworth? You can purchase it here on COTH.

Littlebaypony nice to meet a fellow north Alabama horse rider.

[AmarachAcres]

I like the idea of going after over populated Coyotes. I will do some more research around here. For us , it is at least a year off but I believe in learning about things as much as possible so it would give me something to look forward to trying.

Especially if they are so welcoming to beginners.

Do you often see anyone timid out there that blooms? I kind of believe in the eventually you just have to do it or the fear just sits there in your belly.

Like the first time I skydived!

[2ndyrgal]

[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7473257]
I like the idea of going after over populated Coyotes. I will do some more research around here. For us , it is at least a year off but I believe in learning about things as much as possible so it would give me something to look forward to trying.

Especially if they are so welcoming to beginners.

Do you often see anyone timid out there that blooms? I kind of believe in the eventually you just have to do it or the fear just sits there in your belly.

Like the first time I skydived![/QUOTE]

There are no parachutes in hunting

[Hinderella]

"How high do you jump on average? Are their hunt groups that keep jumps low? "
I don’t generally jump and I ride with the hilltoppers, so I can’t tell you how high the jumps are. I can say that each hunt’s territory is different.

“Do you really kill animals or does it depend on the hunt?”
I’ve been out with two hunts where the quarry is fox, and the object is simply to chase. To have an accounting (kill) is rare. In other territories where the quarry is coyote, the landowners may be looking to reduce the population, so a kill might happen.

“Are there ways to go around jumps until you are ready or is it a “don’t show up til you are brave enough.””
Again, each territory is different, but most have an opportunity to ride without jumping.

“Do hunts allow people to practice on their (tracks?) paths??”
The territories are mostly made up of privately owned land, riding on that land is always at the grace of the landowner.

“I plan on googling how hunts work per say, but how did you guys feel when you first started? How did you GET started?”

I got started in the fall of 2010 when I posted questions very much like yours after reading Pleasant Meadow Farm’s “dressage queen gone wild” thread. As a timid adult rider, I wasn’t sure that hunting could be for me, but I sure wanted to try. The wonderful people on this forum (PMF, Whicker, Hunters’ Rest, Wateryglen, JSwan, Jawa, Timely Impulse and others I can’t even count) came together and invited me out for a wonderful introduction to hunting on a made hunt horse at Hunters’ Rest. I can’t imagine a better way to find out about hunting than to ride out in classic Virgina hunt territory on a horse that knows his job behind a master who knows more about hunting than I have time left to learn, surrounded by friends who want to make sure that you will love hunting as much as they do.
It looks as though you’re in Washington state, where there is only one recognized hunt. Contact them and find out about visiting them. Get your copy of Hunting to hounds in America. Read other threads here by people who are new to hunting. Don’t be afraid to try. But be warned. There is no such thing as “liking” hunting. If you’re bitten by the bug, you will be obsessed and it will change your life

[Beverley]

You live in Washington state, so I assume you would want to go with Woodbrook Hunt, only pack in the state. Their web site is very helpful for background information- they are a drag pack and all jumps are optional. I’ve hunted with them several times down at Red Rock in Nevada (where they hunted live). They’re a very friendly and welcoming group and I would highly recommend that you get in touch with them now, and get involved in activities over the summer, even go out and car follow to have a look at a day of sport. Over the summer, the opportunity to trail ride with members is a good way to get your horse’s feet wet with the group, as it were. I also highly recommend that looking ahead, you see whether you might rent or borrow a seasoned horse for your first outing, or more outings if possible- that will give you an excellent idea of how ‘ready’ your horse might be, and/or what you need to work on with your horse.

[Kodiak]

[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7473257]
Do you often see anyone timid out there that blooms? I kind of believe in the eventually you just have to do it or the fear just sits there in your belly.[/QUOTE]

Yes. Repeatedly.

The key is getting out on the right horse and in the right situations to avoid overfacing yourself and losing confidence. Spring and summer is an excellent time to do a lot of riding outside in groups, including attending hound exercise. From there, cubbing season is a natural progression.

I’ll echo everyone else that you should contact your local hunt ASAP and go from there. If you have the time to volunteer (clearing trails, hunter paces, other off-season work), you’ll meet and develop a support network within the hunt that’ll help you get outfitted and out riding.

[AmarachAcres]

So last question… does horse height have a huge impact on doing these? My new girl is only 14.3. My gelding is 15.3/16 but he is 20 and I’d rather work on teaching my up and comer that can do this with me for awhile.

[Hinderella]

If you were hunting a territory with vast open spaces and long, long gallops, maybe, But otherwise no. Sound mind and sure footedness are far more important than height. My pony is just under 14.1. Makes it easier to get back on after handling gates (or the unplanned dismount )

[Beverley]

Horse height is whatever you like best. I have not yet hunted my 14h quarter horse mare, but I plan to. My gelding is 16h. I have hunted every size from under 15 hands to 18 hands over the last 40 years. Size doesn’t matter :).

I would also add, though, don’t rule out hunting your 20 year old. I had a mare that started hunting at age 26 and she absolutely had a blast, plus as ‘mature’ horses they have a been there, done that attitude about new sights and sounds, which has tremendous value.

[ISR]

I don’t know much about this particular hunt, but they may be able to provide you a “buddy”, this person is invaluable, and some days I still like to have my buddy close by! This person has a very quiet, reliable horse that won’t mind if your horse invades his space. Though obviously not a good habit to get into, riding behind a safe horse in the field will help reduce some of the risks when riding a new horse out hunting.

Buddy horse prerequisites: a big booty to aim for to prevent your horse from running away with you.

Hiring a made hunt horse is preferable for your first couple of times out, but in an area without many other hunts, this might be a challenge.

[SidesaddleRider]

[QUOTE=ISR;7475234]
IBuddy horse prerequisites: a big booty to aim for to prevent your horse from running away with you. [/QUOTE]

However, ideally, you will have bitted up the first few times, so that you DO have brakes, and only require a “buddy horse bumper” on very rare occasions. (I usually recommend a pelham for the first time hunting, if the horse normally goes in a snaffle) Whatever you use to bit up, be sure to ride your horse in it at home first, as sometimes it can be WAY too much of a change for a really sensitive mouthed horse.

[ISR]

[QUOTE=SidesaddleRider;7475242]
However, ideally, you will have bitted up the first few times, so that you DO have brakes, and only require a “buddy horse bumper” on very rare occasions. (I usually recommend a pelham for the first time hunting, if the horse normally goes in a snaffle) Whatever you use to bit up, be sure to ride your horse in it at home first, as sometimes it can be WAY too much of a change for a really sensitive mouthed horse.[/QUOTE]

I agree, it’s not a substitution for proper hardware or training, and a “buddy” can do more than just act as a buffer–they can act as an overall babysitter, take you in early, etc.

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7472159]
So, I have a cute little mare. I want to do dressage and teach her to jump, but have no interest in show jumping.

I’ve always loved watching hunts but never had the gumption.

How high do you jump on average?( WE JUMP 2-2’6"-THE RARE 3’) Are their hunt groups that keep jumps low? (OURS ARE PRETTY LOW AT MOSTLY 2-2’6") Do you really kill animals or does it depend on the hunt? (WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME HOW MANY FOX’S WE HAVE KILLED, I SAY THAT WE MOSTLY COYOTE CHASING! WE DID GET A POSSUM ONCE!) Are there ways to go around jumps until you are ready or is it a “don’t show up til you are brave enough.” (FOR US, YOU CAN RIDE SECOND FLIGHT OR HILLTOP BUT SECOND FLIGHT DOES TAKE THE JUMPS MOST;LY JUST NOT AT THE PACE OF FIRST FLIGHT)

Do hunts allow people to practice on their (tracks?) paths?? (WE CAN TRAIL RIDE ON OUR HUNT OWNED PROPERTY BUT I THINK RIDING ON THE LANDOWNERS PROPERTY IS DISCOURAGED UNLESS ON A HUNT)

I plan on googling how hunts work per say, but how did you guys feel when you first started? How did you GET started? (MY EVENTING TRAINER’S HUSBAND IS OUR HUNTMASTER AND SHE SUGGESTED IT TO ME. I HAVE ONLY BEEN JUMPING FOR 10 MONTHS WHEN I STARTED FOX HUNTING FIRST FLIGHT. BOTH MY HORSE AND I ARE SO MUCH BETTER TOGETHER AFTER ONE SEASON. BUT MY MARE HAS JUMPED FOR A FEW YEARS, ALBEIT LOW JUMPS. I WOULD BE HESITANT TO START A HORSE THAT HAS NEVER JUMPED IN THE HUNT FIELD. I DON’T KNOW WHEN YOUR SEASON IS BUT OURS IS JUST ENDING. YOU COULD SPEND THE SUMMER GETTING HER ACCLIMATED. ALSO, MY MARE FOUND IT UNNERVING TO RIDE IN A HERD. EVENTING IS BASICALLY A SOLO ACTIVITY AND HAVING A HORSE BLASTING ON HER REAR END TOOK A BIT GETTING USED TO)

This may be something my daughter likes. She wants to jump for fun when she is older.[/QUOTE]

But that all said, it is the best move we have ever made. I love it!!

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=Hinderella;7473600]
If you were hunting a territory with vast open spaces and long, long gallops, maybe, But otherwise no. Sound mind and sure footedness are far more important than height. My pony is just under 14.1. Makes it easier to get back on after handling gates ([B]or the unplanned dismount )[/QUOTE]

[/B]

Oh, that reminds me. I owe $15!

[SLW]

[QUOTE=AmarachAcres;7473563]
So last question… does horse height have a huge impact on doing these? My new girl is only 14.3. My gelding is 15.3/16 but he is 20 and I’d rather work on teaching my up and comer that can do this with me for awhile.[/QUOTE]

My Connemara that I hunt is 14.2 and she does fine in the non-jumping field and on a smaller horse, you will become popular at gates. Teach your horse how to let you open and close a gate mounted and that will keep your boots clean.

At my hunt a new member is sponsored by someone who will be their buddy and help get them up and going with the hunt and the activities. Meanwhile, you will meet people on your own and get more answers and help from them. We want new members to have fun, be safe, be informed and understand why we use the traditions we use in the hunt field. New faces and ideas in a group are always welcome!

Seeing the hound work is the highlight and a kill is not the goal any longer. In our territory if the coyote population gets too high some landowners with spring/fall calving cows will take it upon themselves to thin out the packs. That is legal in my state.

[SLW]

[QUOTE=CindyCRNA;7476746]
[/B]

Oh, that reminds me. I owe $15![/QUOTE]

Sadly, me too!!! Though the witnesses said it did not count. We were done hunting on the first formal hunt and walking back to the kennels. Dear Pony kicked a can and it scared the bejebbers out of her and she scooted 3 strides to the left. If she had stopped at 2 strides I would have stuck it out. Grrrrrr.

[Hinderella]

That’s the downside of ponies…when they scoot or spook it’s REALLY fast