A hunting report from a Newbie

[Kat]

Yesterday I went out with the hunt for the first time! And my face still looks like this

I had a really fab day and wanted to post here to thank everyone involved and to encourage anyone else unsure about whether to try it to get on and have a go.

I'll do it in bits as the forum keeps logging me off and losing my posts.

 

[Bernster]

Warning - may cause addiction

 

[Kat]

So background:

I'm the wrong side of 30 and bought my first horse last year. I've never hunted before and neither has my horse who was a just backed rising 4 year old when I bought her.

I've followed on foot a few times to see what it is all about and have been eager to have a go at hunting for ages. Now is the first time I've had a horse and transport to have a go.

I chose to go with the Four Shires as I know that they always have a non-jumping field and when I have been out on foot they have always seemed friendly and approachable. The meet was the last hound exercise before introductory meets and we went from Trusley.

 

[Kat]

I had allowed plenty of time and left the yard on time, I arrived in the village with time to spare but couldn't find the meet, or see any signs. Luckily eventually I happened upon some riders heading to the meet so I asked them for directions, unluckily those directions included an instruction to "turn round" so I executed a 37 point turn accompanied by much swearing, whilst trying to put off the "helpful advice" from a bystander, and eventually let the OH do it. We then quickly found the meet, parked up and unloaded in the lane, however we were by this time late. So I tacked up hurridly scrampled on board inelegantly and hurried to the meet.

I arrived just in time to handover my cap money and identify the non-jumping field master before they headed off down the lane with my frantically trying to tighten my girth and shorten my stirrups which were still at scrambling on from the floor length.

 

[Kat]

I was stressed and tense about the rush to get ready, although as the lovely field master who took me under her wing pointed out, at least worrying about being late etc means that you don't have time to get nervous.

We had a bit of a walk down the lanes to begin with, and the field master briefed me a bit as we walked. The senior master also introduced herself early on and was also friendly, approachable and reassuring.

The first field we went through was full of rather inquisitive cows, I don't have much chance to ride in open spaces so wasn't sure how my mare would react but she was a star. Very relaxed, no jogging or pulling.

We had our first canter in the next field and I started to relax and enjoy myself. She was really good, no silliness, totally controllable, came back when asked, walked when asked and stood when asked.

A couple of fields on and we went back onto the lane where I spotted the OH with some relief as I realised I had left my phone, keys, etc behind in my rush!

The day proceeded with some lovely hacks down lanes, some lovely canters and some brilliant gallops through stubble fields. Horse was brilliant throughout, an absolute star, and I didn't regret for a moment leaving her in a snaffle.

We stayed out until the end, and the day ended at just the right time as I started to feel my horse begin to tire a bit just as we headed for home. However she was much fitter than I expected as she hardly sweated at all, just sweaty under her saddle and behind her ears, and she was hardly out of breath even after some of the longer gallops.

We had a really wonderful day and enjoyed ourselves from begining to end!

My horse learned how to really gallop, and I discovered that she's been keeping a really stonking ground covering trot hidden too! We didn't jump anything as she's not jumped much so I didn't think it was fair to try when there was so much new stuff going on.

Everyone involved with the hunt was lovely, really nice and approachable, I think at some point I spoke to nearly everyone who was out! So I'd like to say a big public thank you to everyone at the four shires for helping me to have what is probably the best day I've ever had on horseback!

 

[AmyMay]

Brilliant report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kat]

So learning points:

1. Leave even more time to get there to allow for getting lost.
2. Drastically improve my ability to reverse the trailer. Waiting until everyone else has left is not always a suitable strategy for getting out of car parks, and if you take a wrong turn up a cul-de-sac reversing is kind of important.
3. Eat something, I don't think I ate anything all day until we got back to the trailer, I'm sure that this contributed to how tired, weary and rubbish I felt when I got home.
4. Put everything you need in your jacket pockets first thing in the morning, especially cap money and other essentials.
5. Remember to take a sponge, washing off is difficult without.
6. Practice mounting from the ground so that I can offer to do gates (felt a bit guilty not doing my share, but OH did lots as he was on foot).
7. Hunting is addictive and should come with some kind of warning, don't try it if you can't afford to go regularly - Doh! I'm already trying to work out how to squeeze a subscription into the budget!

Anyway, for anyone thinking they might fancy having a go, GO FOR IT! It is the best, I am still grinning from ear to ear and can't wait to go again.

And finally thank you again to all the people who made me feel welcome!

 

[CrazyMare]

How fantastic!! Lovely to read!

 

[Kallibear]

Brilliant We're hopefully off hunting next week (was meant to be last week but they've not started midweek rides yet ). Hope I have as much fun as you did!

 

[AmyMay]

3. Eat something, I don't think I ate anything all day until we got back to the trailer, I'm sure that this contributed to how tired, weary and rubbish I felt when I got home.

So important. And take a sandwich in your pocket.

Also - hot soup, or hot chocolate in your Landrover for when you get back in.

 

[Kat]

So important. And take a sandwich in your pocket.

Also - hot soup, or hot chocolate in your Landrover for when you get back in.

ooh a flask in the truck is a good plan!

I actually had a chocolate bar in my pocket but managed to not think about eating it until I got back to the trailer!

 

[Kat]

Brilliant We're hopefully off hunting next week (was meant to be last week but they've not started midweek rides yet ). Hope I have as much fun as you did!

Good luck, I'm sure you will love it.

 

[AprilBlossom]

Fab report - really enjoyed reading it, although a little jealous you had far more control than I (a fellow newbie) had

 

[Kat]

Fab report - really enjoyed reading it, although a little jealous you had far more control than I (a fellow newbie) had

Thanks! I enjoyed your report too but I'm glad I didn't read it until after I'd been!

 

[Orangehorse]

Great report. So envious of your lovely horse, most of mine have been total lunatics out hunting.

 

[Swirlymurphy]

What a lovely report, I'm so glad you had such a good day!

We always stuff our pockets full of sweets - jelly babies for me, daughter will eat anything. Daughter then swears by pot noodles in the car on the way home and I just go for cuppa soup and a mars bar. I love the fact that I eat complete trash just because I've been hunting and feel NO guilt whatsoever!

 

[JenHunt]

well done, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

just be warned... now your horse has discovered hunting, she may well be more excitable next time out. Equally, she may just be a saint and not put a foot wrong... but worth being prepared!

 

[Kat]

Great report. So envious of your lovely horse, most of mine have been total lunatics out hunting.

Bless her she is such a star, she takes everything totally in her stride, I'm VERY lucky to have her she's one in a million.

 

[Pinkatc]

Loved the report! Have been plucking up the courage to go out with my local hunt (Surrey Union) as I've now got a horse with brakes You may have motivated me to finally do it!

 

[Kat]

Yay go for it Pinkatc!!

 

[PortwayPaddy]

I hope I spoke to you at some point. I was on the big grey with a 2point over my Jacket (husband insists). Senior Master and Hon sec. had asked me to look after a young first timer. Apparently SM told me I gave her a good day, which is important at that age.

I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope that I did introduce myself at some stage.

We are pretty addictive at 4shires. From my first day everyone made me welcome. This is my second season as a Subscriber. I will be out next week and definately chat worth.

Pictures are up on the web site gallery. Me and my "charge" for the day, who was the most wonderfull young lady riding a pony which was bought from our yard not long ago and was very pleased to recognise my horse, are the last one!

I'll point H in the direction of this thread is that is ok.

Paddy

 

[Kat]

Oh yes, I spoke to you, and to your young charge. You were very welcoming too.

I thought the children were all lovely, a real credit to their parents. The little girl with you was a really nice child, polite and chatty, and her pony was super.

Thanks for the heads up about the photos, my husband got a few but not many, so I'll pop over and have a look.

 

[Bernster]

Glad it went so well. Other tip I would add is that we travel tacked up so we are ready to get on quickly and go. I know not everyone approves of that but we tie up loose bits and throw a rug over to cover the saddle. Think you will find a lot of hunters travel ready tacked.

Took my new horse the other weekend and I think it would have been a pain to tack her up at the meet. I had enough trouble just trying to get on!

 

[PortwayPaddy]

Glad it went so well. Other tip I would add is that we travel tacked up so we are ready to get on quickly and go. I know not everyone approves of that but we tie up loose bits and throw a rug over to cover the saddle. Think you will find a lot of hunters travel ready tacked.

Took my new horse the other weekend and I think it would have been a pain to tack her up at the meet. I had enough trouble just trying to get on!

Definately second this.

Unless we are travelling for more than an hour, mine goes suited and booted. Just travel boots, tail bandages and rugs to remove.

On wet/deep ground or right up in the country I put two long strips of black duct tape round each boot so they do not slip down and so far have never rubbed.

Long Suffering Husband has cutting of correct length and application of correct tension when wrapping down to a "T".

No matter how far we are going I always travel him with his bridle under his head collar.

Paddy