advice please! getting back into hunting

[moocow]

Hi sorry if this a bit long but looking for some advice about hunting.

Right. my mare is only 4 and is at a jumping yard for schooling at the moment. she is a very sensible hunter type but has done nothing. i wanted to move her closer to me and have found a yard close to home that I like. its a hunt yard and they had said that they are willing to bring me out and chaperone me for a couple of hunts - ones they know in the area that aren't too hairy!

my questions are - my mare is strong but takes a check - she hates a flash noseband so I can't use one on her - head shakes like a mad thing! should I change bits for the first outing?

its been years since I hunted and turnout wise, the yard said that the hunt requires neat hunt attire, does that mean sstock etc and what colour jacket should i get?

boots - I ride in halfchaps and jod boots - monster calves being the problem with long boots - would this be acceptable?

Horse attire - what boots etc should my mare have for hunting?

Sorry if these are really basic questions but total novice and dont want to embarass myself or the yard by turning up a state!

is tehre anything else i should be aware of? should i arrive tacked up? Any protocol that I should be aware of etc?

thanks for any help!

 

[RunToEarth]

Hello
If your mare hasn't been out before and, like you say, is only a baby, ask your yard which are the quieter( usually midweek) meets. Take her in what you usually do fast work in- IMO flashes are over used so its probably a good thing your mare hasnt had one in from the word go. If you want a little more reassurance why not hunt her in something like an english gag with 2reins, this way you can ride her from the snaffle rein as often as you need.
Attire wise- coloured stock/shirt tie for cubbing season with hacking jacket and unplaited mane. For open season a white/cream stock and stock shirt, black/navy jacket and plaited mane. Im sure you won't be slated for wearing half chaps, if you want to look a bit smarter you could buy some gaiters, you can use them for showing and horsey events all year round then
Horse wise, unless you doubt her jumping ability IMO I wouldnt boot.
Lots of people do, and granted, yes, she is a young horse, but a lot of damage can be done by wearing XC boots for a full day hunting- after all they are only deasigned for XC rounds lasting about 10mins. Mine just wear dark or sheepskin numnah, tack and on the big wall days knee boots and possibly OR boots.

 

[moocow]

Thanks a million for your reply. i wasn't sure if there was something about not wearing a black jacket if you weren't a full member of the hunt. i thought you had to wear tweed for some reason.

thanks for that - may have to post again closer to the time if thats OK.