A hunting virgin about to take the plunge...

[clairencappelli]

Ok so im proper pooing myself... tell me ill be fine and everyone feels like before their first time out?!

I have always wanted to try hunting but my last horse ( tb ) would have lost the plot and becasue if previous injurys would not have been able to anyway.

I have had my WB for 2 years, she is bred to SJ but i do eveything with her. She started xc schooling last year but water and ditches took some work but at the end season she was quite bold so has gained confidence.

Tomorrow im going out with Coakham bloodhounds and i dont know how she will be. I think shell be excited or confused to start with but once we get going im hoping insticntics will kick in and she will jus follow as shes a napper and like to be with a group. I have been told this is a nice first hunt as that take scheduled stops and the jumps are nice ( a friends husband is field master tomo and they know the hunt).

Im wearing my racesafe with shoulder pads and will strap both my dodgy knees up and will pop a neck strap on. I have some bailing twine to put in my pockets along with a small piece of rolled up vet wrap just in case of any injury to horse or rider.

Can anyone offer any advice for a first timer..... should i put a green ribbon in her tail to let other knows we are new to this?

 

[Happy Hunter]

Good luck! Sounds like your well prepared and are going to have a great day!!!
~(unlike some others! )

Just keep it short and sweet - Ending on a good note will make you want to come back for more!
the most essential thing to pack = a hot thermos for you when you get back to base camp - works wonders for frayed nerves, adrenaline and cold fingers!

Let us know how you get on - and do post some photos!

p.s, green ribbon a great idea - might stop some people getting 'too' close

 

[TGM]

I'm sure you will be fine! The Coakham are a good one to take a horse out for the first time with, as they tend to get moving quickly and usually have a good long run for the first line, which allows the horses to get any over-excitement out of their system! OH and my daughter have both taken horses that have never been hunting before out with the Coakham and both horses have been fine! A green ribbon is a good idea though.

 

[clairencappelli]

Thanks! I worry my horse isnt as fit as she could be but she can do an hours trot/canter in a lesson and not really even break a sweat so as long as i take it easy and stop when i can i think she will be ok ( if she tires i know she she gets trippy and sling her head about along pulling me forwards )

Do you end up back where you started? The girl im going with has hunted before and her horse is very good but seem to be at similar fitness levels so we plan on going easy together. If i feel it get too much and want yo pull up i know i will have to tell the hunt but how do i get back home?. I know there are lots of foot followers at this one so i suspect there will be people to ask but i dont know the area.

Also im not great at plaiting the top of tails but she has a lovely tail and i want to plait the bottom and tape it up, will this be acceptable if i cant plait the top very well?

Im very old school when it comes to correct turnout so want to be sure im turned out as best as i can be ( dont know why in bound to end up ditch of hedge planted lol ).

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Gingey]

You will be fine! I went out hunting for the first time on New Years Day (figured any alcohol left over from NYE would just be a bit of Dutch courage ) this year. I was nervous before, went on my TB ex racer who hadn't hunted before (we did go to hound exercise once in the autumn which was good). I had SUCH a good time, everyone was very kind and welcoming and my horse was a star.
I was a bit worried about fitness too, silly mistakes when tired etc, but luckily adrenaline kept my boy going plus he was fitter than I thought- he was still up for doing it all over again when we were hacking back to the boxes!
He is not a brave cross country horse and can go very green, but there's something about being 'in the herd' that seems to help, he jumped everything in front of him and he loved it, as did I Can't wait to get out again.
RE going home, I was told to let the master know I was leaving at the end of a line, and ask him for best way back- as it was i ended up staying the whole afternoon But several people did leave to hack back and it didn't seem to cause a problem.
I just tied a green ribbon into my boy's tail, but then I couldn't really plait as his tail is pulled within an inch of its life lol.

Sorry that was a bit epic. Good luck and have fun! You will love it!

 

[JenHunt]

you'd be suprised how much fitter they are than you realise when you get going! especially if they are turned out a fair bit at home!

a green ribbon is a good idea - just in case she is funny about people coming up behind her.

if you can't do a great job of her tail then do the best you can and it will be perfect I'm sure! rather than tape up the tail try stitching it up - stays better than tape, and helps the whole plait stay in!

a neck strap is essential on a young horse IMO, so I'm glad that you've got that covered!

at the end of each line keep an eye out for other people who are heading home and ask if them mind helping you get back to the boxes. most people will be more than happy to help! otherwise, foot followers are pretty good at telling you the way!

have fun, and please let us know how you get on!

 

[clairencappelli]

Your all being very helpful, thanks everyone!

Another question has just popped into my head re boots....

I going to use my o/r boots and premier equine sports boots in front as these are brilliant and dont slip or move even when wet and the velrco stick like plop to a blanket ( as im paranoid im sitting here with a needle picking out very last tiny piece of hay from the velcro).

I was going to use brushers being but these area bit old so i would also tape these on for extra security.

I have just found a 2nd pair of sports boots the same as the fronts but would it be better to use a second set behind for better support or would they be of a hinder than a help?

 

[Ella19]

Personally I wouldn't use boots hunting esp not with bloodhounds as its fast paced and the tendons will heat up, the boots insulating properties may damage the tendons.

 

[clairencappelli]

I have xc'd in these boots, they have loads of little holes in them and if you put your mouth up against them you can actually breathe through them all over.

Im thinking the brushing boots would be better behind as its the fronts that i think will be taking more of the weight.

Do poeple as a rule bit use any boots at all? I dont think id feel very comfy about nothing.

 

[TGM]

I would say the majority of regulars with the Coakham boot up - but a lot of them use the air-cooled boots. Daughter's horse has a full set of PE air-cooled boots (originally was in air-cooled fronts and brushing boot hinds), but OH's horse hunts in very ancient brushing boots and the pony hunts in brushing boots too.

Boots are particularly wise on the downs when there can be a lot of flints. More of a grey area in wet places where mud can get under the boots and cause irritation. Not been to Nurstead before so can't advise what it is like there.

I presume you have already been on the Coakham Bloodhounds website but you might like to look at the full set of pro photos which are here:

http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/portfolio153448.html

to give you idea of turnout etc. Presume you know that you don't have to plait!

 

[clairencappelli]

Thanks for the link im closely studying... i do hope there is a photographer there tomorrow. These pictures are great and would love one of us out in the field!

Mine arent the air cooled ones but are breathable so will go im them and see how she goes and look to get the air cooled ones if i survive and am crazy enough to go again.

Thanks again for all your help and i will post a report tomorrow, thats if i make it home in one peice hehe. Lets see what the showjumper/dressage pony can do! I hope i dont get shamed and not make it over the first fence.

 

[Ella19]

Hope it went well?!

Now i'm intrigued, i've never been with bloodhounds only foxhounds. Why don't you plait?

 

[TGM]

Now i'm intrigued, i've never been with bloodhounds only foxhounds. Why don't you plait?

I'm not sure whether the no-plaiting applies to all bloodhound packs, but it definitely does for the pack the OP was going with. It is clearly stated in their dress/turnout guide on their website. Why, I don't know, but makes life much easier on hunting mornings, I must say!

To the OP, hope you had a good day - we need a full report!