Advice please!

[LaurenB]

Taking my 17.2hh coloured gelding hunting, he's never been hunting before but has a fab jump to him. My concern is that it's a non optional jump day, we've been xc schooling and he's fine following others which I'll obviously be doing but the hedges are playing on my mind! Any advice on how to ride them is much appreciated! I'm confident with him so hoping he will feed of that and we'll have a really good day!
Also what are people's opinions on jumping in knee boots? He's a show horse so want to protect him as much as possible!! Thanks

 

[JenHunt]

I'm not sure what you mean by a 'non-optional jumping day'? most hunts have a non-jumping field, or a way round...

as for jumping hedges, ride in positively, keeping a good rhythm, keep your chin up, and allow the horse the freedom in his neck to stretch out over the hedge. Keep sitting up and looking forwards.

 

[Starbucks]

You'll be fine, if there's anything meaty then there'll be people going around if you don't fancy it. Who are you hunting with?

I don't hunt my horse in any boots, and unless in wall country (which sounds like you're not), I wouldn't wear knee boots. Think you'd struggle to get a big knee over timber/hedges and more likely to get caught in wire and cause a fall.

 

[LaurenB]

Thanks for the advice everyone
As for the knee boots I was thinking the same I always feel they are quite restrictive and wouldn't jump in them ever at home so will probably leave them off!

In the hunt description it says this is a non-optional jump day which means that you are expected to jump everything I think
And it's with the readyfield bloodhounds, now postponed till next week.
Thanks again for your replies

 

[Starbucks]

I thought it might be the Readyfield - that's why I asked because they say that.

My dad used to hunt with them all the time and I went quite a lot on my ponies. I'm not sure if it's the same now, but they used to have some fairly hardcore days! It's probably not quite the same as foxhounds where you can go around. Some meets are really nice though, always lots of jumping, but some with much more on the huge hedge front!

TBH I'd ring the secretary and ask what kind of day it's going to be.

 

[Starbucks]

Also, they do a fair bit of galloping so just be careful you don't do too much unless your horse is uber fit.

Alternatively, the Meynell are quite fun and hunt in Derbyshire.

 

[LaurenB]

Ooh thanks for that! I may reconsider for his first time out, I used to hunt with Barlow years ago with my pony so a day with them may suit him better to start with! Or like you say Meynell, thanks

 

[Starbucks]

I wouldn't rule out the Readyfield just find out what it's like first, I think their big days will be more in Leicestershire. There's also Four Shires Bloodhounds? Only been once but think they are a bit less hardcore, although not sure if they are more wall country.

I hunt with the Meynell so PM me if you fancy it. I'm fairly new but getting a feel for the country etc. xx

 

[LaurenB]

Yeh I'll ring the secretary I think, I've heard 4 shires were quite hardcore but then again I suppose you have to make your own mind up!
Yes I'll pm you if I do! Do they have a website?

 

[Starbucks]

Unless the Readyfield have changed a lot I deffo think they are more hardcore than Four Shires. I'll PM you about Meynell.

 

[pipsqueek]

Would definately phone the field sec as to what type of day to expect if you don't know anyone else to ask that is going, bloodhounding is usually faster and more full-on if you are with the jumping field. 4shires have a jumping and non-jumping field from which you can easily alternate between the two and and are a friendly welcoming hunt, Readyfield have some quite hardcore meets...Apperknowle for one, last one i went on years ago, luckily on my 'hang on and point homebred bullet of a mare' but they do have tamer meets!! ask the sec! Finally if you're in Derbyshire why not try High Peak? Lots of jumping stone walls but at a calmer pace, if something horrid comes up there is always someone who wants to go round, i.e with children etc, (and me at this particular time with a newish horse) Good luck (and take a hipflask... )

 

[LaurenB]

I shall bear that all on mind and give the sec a ring thanks for the really good advice everyone! And definatly taking a hipflask! Need some Dutch courage as its his first time hunting!