What gypsymare said. And most of the others. I hunted my dressage mare last season with a private pack. The season before I had capped a few times with a different pack. Very welcoming, lovely people. I ALWAYS rode her in the double bridle, and that was usually enough brakes. There was always a second field, sometimes a third, but I never had to jump. We did go fast though. It’s fun and not as scary as you might think it would be. I happen to have a very brave mare who’s not afraid of much. We viewed foxes but never accounted for any.
Most hunts around here have trail rides in the summer that anyone can go to, just pay a small fee. That gives you a chance to get to know some people, see how your horse is with a group (they usually just walk, maybe some trot and canter with jumping opportunities for those who want to), see what the territory is like. Also you can check out the sort of “atmosphere” that a particular hunt has. Then you can cap a few times.
Hunting is lots of fun and I highly recommend it.
