What? was/are some of the things you wish (!) you’d known/understood?!
Ok…not talking about the easily resourced/read pages on rules, etc…got all those! 
Looking for the literal, actual experiences that might not be readily documented.
:lol:
Hounds come out of the least expected places.
That ground bees will find you, at one point or another.
That you’d better have your horse fit before cubbing season because once those hounds are cast, it’s off to the races!
That trying to hunt a horse barefoot in New England granite is just plain silly.
That a 6oz flask is quite heavy when full of your drink of choice and flops around in your pocket, which it barely fits in. Ensure your hunt saddle has dees for a sandwich case so said heavy flask has a better place to be.
Thinking of hunting? You definitely should. 2011 will be our 4th season (where does the time go?) and we’ve never looked back. The horses, hounds and comradere is a thrilling combination not to be found anywhere else!
Show up earlier than you think you will need to; something always comes up before you cast off. Never speak to a hound. Even if she insists on following you, under your horse’s feet. Find a solid citizen to ride behind and hang on…have fun.
ask and you shall receive!!! :lol::lol::lol:
you guys crack me up.
Good news: of age adult daughter (will be 22) is going hunting for her first time with VERY knowing (hunted for years, whipper in, etc) family friend. (one of daughter’s ‘Christmas presents’)
We’ve been organizing and squabbling over all aspects of her packing/preparing all morning!!! (Mom, THESE long johns you got for me when I was 12…Mom…THESE gloves are too small) etc, etc…
Thought it would be fun for her to read some lighter banter in re: first time hunting!
(see : favorite winter hunting gloves thread )
Tell her to have fun…that’s it. Dress warm and watch the person three horses in front of you so you know when to ask your horse to transition.
love the three person rule! Simple (!) to the point (!)…
you guys have no idea with me being: ‘show mom supreme’…how HARD this is for me, but I VOWED that: my gift would NOT involve me ‘tagging along’…she was/is to drive out to friend’s house/hunt country on her own…stay and ride and meet and have fun as an adult, WITHOUT her whiney mommy worrying/fretting over every horsey aspect.
She’s earned it. Been a good kid all along…good horsewoman too. While I’ll miss being a part of it, I want more for it to be ‘hers’.
This is a blog post that I wrote after my first time hunting (in November):
I was invited to go fox hunting on the day before Thanksgiving, something that I have wanted to do since I was probably, oh, about 12 or 13. Anyway, I’ve been meaning to write up a detailed report of the experience and haven’t had time. Instead, I am cutting & pasting highlights that I wrote in an email that I sent to a couple of friends a couple of days afterwards.
This is what hunting was like:
•Pre-hunt announcements, instructions, etc. (meet our field master and so-on).
•Release the hounds – watch them fly across the field (it was an awesome sight). Ruby, ears pricked & watching, you could almost see the wheels turning and her thinking, ‘Well, I know what THIS is!’ (At certain times in open country when you could see the hounds and the field of horses all spread out chasing, it was breath-taking and amazing to know you are a part of it).
•Next moment, you’re just flat out galloping HARD. Like, tears-flowing-out-of-your-eyes-so-much-you-can-hardly-see, hard. Horse is galloping and passing everyone in the field. You have strong “conversation” with horse to gain control and not pass field master. Pass everyone in field but field master (thankfully).
•Gallop hard from field to field to woods to field again.
•Encounter jumps along the way and jump everything. Thought once in a while floats across brain, ‘Wow, that looks a bit … LARGE … oh what the heck.’ And jump it anyway. Try to get the coordination of giving the horse in front enough room to jump while not disrupting the flow of pace. Figure that out and move on.
•Fly though the woods and think, 'Wow if I was trail riding on my own, I’m not sure if I would even trot through this footing, no less gallop … ’ Gallop anyway.
•Gallop through field with a little ditch with water flowing. Other horses splash through, your horse jumps it (yes, those ditch issues are long gone).
•Realize about 20-30 minutes in that your quads are completely shredded and jell-o-like, like you had been skiing big moguls all day.
•Realize that without recent running program you would NOT have been able to do this. Be thankful for running program.
•Finally some trotting and a couple of check-points (where you stop and the fields re-group). Realize that your legs are now jelly.
•Reach area for stirrup cup, volunteers hand out lemonade. Some seasoned hunt members pull out flasks.
•Hack back to starting point and the riding part of the hunt is over.
•Go in for the hunt “tea” (which is really a big, potluck brunch). Eat good food and down two big glasses of wine.
•Wake up the next day incredibly sore from head-to-toe.
That was my hunt experience in a nutshell! And I can’t wait to do it again (am considering becoming a member for next year).
Did I mention how wonderful my horse is?
Your face will hurt, a lot, after the hunt because you’ve been grinning for 2 or 3 hours straight. Bank on it.
-If possible eat something before you ride, if not pack something easy to get into (granola bar) so you can have something while out. If you are riding/hunting for 3+ hours you are going to be hungry before the hunt breakfast/tea.
-Pack everything you need the night before. Make a list, check it twice.
-Get there early (minimum of 30 minutes early). It will give you a chance to get ready with out a huge rush and will give you a chance to meet other members.
-BREATH!! You will be nervous because of the unknown. Release the tension and enjoy.
-Smile!! You are doing this because you love it.
-Open your ears and close your mouth. (listen and watch).
-Keep a good distance between yourself and the horse in front of you, while still watching the pace of the person 3 in front of you. Distance is super important if you are jumping. You don’t want to be committed to the jump when the rider in front falls off just after landing or one stride later. (Yes it can happen).
-Hounds always have the right of way!!
-Some of the hardest things for the horse to do well in a hunt field are a check after a gallop and a reversal of field. If you are on a made hunt horse this should be easy, but ask the owner what you should expect and how to ride it.
-Be sure to thank the Field master, Huntsman and any staff (whips) out that day. They work hard so that you may have some fun.
-Take advil, tylenol or pain reliever of your choice when you dismount. You will be sore if you aren’t used to the length of time and pace. Start the pain relievers early and maintain through the next day. It may be a good idea even if you are used to time and pace as you may be tense from nerves and end up sore from that.
-Don’t be afraid to change flights, up or down. You are doing this to enjoy it.
Have fun!!
It’s even more fun as you learn what to do and how to do it.
Cranky, that was awesome! Well said.
Just out of curiosity, which hunt did you ride with that day?
Don’t hesitate to strike up conversation with a stranger you happen to be riding near - almost everyone out there will be only too happy to talk as we’re all out there to enjoy the day. You’ll be surprised at the different people you’ll meet!
Limit one cup of coffee on hunting mornings.
Oy… my bladder… :lol:
[QUOTE=Daatje;5328531]
Cranky, that was awesome! Well said.
Just out of curiosity, which hunt did you ride with that day?[/QUOTE]
It was the Die Hard Hunt at Garrison House Farm, November 24th with the Wentworth Hunt (New Hampshire).
[QUOTE=otterhound63;5328616]
Don’t hesitate to strike up conversation with a stranger you happen to be riding near - almost everyone out there will be only too happy to talk as we’re all out there to enjoy the day. You’ll be surprised at the different people you’ll meet![/QUOTE]
Just don’t strike up that conversation while actively hunting. You might get shushed! Field is not supposed to be chatting during the hunt. On the hack home however , chat up a storm!
This definitely went through my head a few times on my first hunt a couple of weeks ago
[QUOTE=Ponyclubrocks;5329582]
Just don’t strike up that conversation while actively hunting. You might get shushed! Field is not supposed to be chatting during the hunt. On the hack home however , chat up a storm![/QUOTE] Wow, another way your hunting differs to ours! Certainly whilst hounds are working the field remains quiet, but we still have ample time to catch up, and meet and greet when hounds are not nearby.
[QUOTE=ayrabz;5328224]
…adult daughter (will be 22) is going hunting for her first time with VERY knowing (hunted for years, whipper in, etc) family friend…[/QUOTE]
I still can’t believe you’re letting me take her…
After all, you HAVE read THIS story, right?
http://www.theshingleshanty.com/search/label/Misadventures
MWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAAA…
[QUOTE=Jennifer Alcott;5329987]
I still can’t believe you’re letting me take her…
After all, you HAVE read THIS story, right?
http://www.theshingleshanty.com/search/label/Misadventures
MWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAAA…
:D[/QUOTE]
When you got stuck in the mud puddle I almost peed my pants. :lol:
Thanks for the morning chuckle.
[QUOTE=cranky;5329507]
It was the Die Hard Hunt at Garrison House Farm, November 24th with the Wentworth Hunt (New Hampshire).[/QUOTE]
Ah-ha! I thought it sounded awfully familiar! I was there. Daatje and I have hunted with the Wentworth for 3 seasons now. I’m pretty sure I rode in 2nd field that day.
Glad to hear you had such a wonderful time and are thinking of joining!
Will you be coming to the Ball in February? It’s a lovely, lovely time. I didn’t attend my first season and really wish I had!
