a complete hunting newbie

[kez07]

I would love to go hunting but am really not sure where to startt!I am in South East Kent and wondered if anyone could tell me who my local hunt is?Also a few more questions- are hunters fairly nonchalant about ground etc(i can be a bit overportective of my horses legs!)?And just how fit does your horse need to be?and when do seasons start and finish for hunting?
thank-you in advance to anyone who answers my green questions!

 

[combat_claire]

My geography of Kent is a bit vague but here is a list of 6 packs that are based or hunt in Kent:

http://www.mfha.org.uk/directory/kent/

The hunting year depends on the type of farming dominant in the area (bear with me here!) - in moorland areas they can start as early as Mid-August, but more typically where there are greater areas of arable around the South East they will start in Early September. This is a period of autumn hunting - essentially moving from woodland to woodland, with a lot of standing about, depending on the exemption used. From roughly the first week of November the opening meet is held, a formal lawn meet where best bib and tucker is expected. This is the start of the gallopy gallopy jumpy jumpy part of the season. Black coats come out of the cupboard and meets start between 10.30 and 11am, compared with 6.30-8am in the autumn. Depending on various factors they may pack up between 4pm onwards, mainly dictated by loss of light making it dangerous to continue.

I can't answer the parts about ground or fitness as I ride a mountain bike and that is all dictated by my ability to get us both over the hunting field!!

 

[Red_Head]

I am also thinking of going out hunting this season and have just moved to East Kent. Thanks to some advice I got yesterday through this forum I am going to contact East Kent Hunt. They have a great PDF on their site. Maybe see you there. I'll be the one on an unruly Chestnut!

 

[lovecharles]

"I'll be the one on an unruly Chestnut! "

I know exactly how you feel!!!

 

[kez07]

thank-you for that i will check out the website!

 

[Bunce]

Just don't go. It's disgusting