All I want to do is go hunting!!!!!

[redredruby]

Argh - right, this is very much a moan so please be patient with me!

When I bought my horse (just over 2 years ago) my ambition has been to go hunting (he is very experienced hunt horse - me not so much!)

November / December last year we did a few beginner meets (where the jumps were optional) with the plan to then do some 'proper ones' in the new year......but then I broke my wrist in January......

Ok, August comes and I go on a couple of hound exercises but my horse has been off work lame for a few months so am taking it very steady with the aim to then do a beginners hunt in November but it is cancelled due to rain.....ok, doesn't matter because there is one at the beginning of December.....but oh no, I decide to break my transverse processes instead!

It is so frustrating! Am now planning on hopefully getting out in January but if not I think I will give up and just sit here drinking port and getting all depressed!

 

[Countryman]

Just a thought, but if your horse is an experienced hunter is it necessary to go to a beginners meet? Because if not, you could go out any Saturday you liked and although it would be new to you you'd soon pick it up. With most hunts there's a way around the jumps almost always anyway, for the non jumping group.

 

[Suziq77]

Tbh you're not missing that much at the moment - the ground is filthy filthy filthy, days are very steady due to the frankly dire conditions, mud fever is extremely prevalent and parking is trickier than usual due to ground conditions

I have huge admiration for the huntsmen who are still managing to give us the best days they possibly can given the conditions, the masters who are managing to advise on the best routes / keep everyone under control and of course the farmers who are still prepared to allow us access despite the sea of mud that we leave in our wake

This might be a rare season where the days after Christmas are better than those before it......here's hoping anyway!!!

 

[redredruby]

Just a thought, but if your horse is an experienced hunter is it necessary to go to a beginners meet? Because if not, you could go out any Saturday you liked and although it would be new to you you'd soon pick it up. With most hunts there's a way around the jumps almost always anyway, for the non jumping group.

Well - he is experienced but I am not so much, hence all the broken bones! But, it might be an idea to go on one of the normal hunts but a steadier one.

 

[FairyLights]

You can footfollow. Its what I do, having youngsters who arnt backed yet. Its good fun and you get to talk to different people.

 

[arizonahoney]

a steadier one.

Absolutely...these can still be fun...extreme hacking, I call it Ask the secretary to recommend some suitable days for you and obviously avoid Boxing Day, New Years or Opening meets as these tend to be rather speshul with much brake failure to be seen.

 

[Happy Hunter]

Think youself lucky, I was all geared up for a cracking season, nannying my mare all through the last to make a clever and gentle horse,

then colic... Surgery... and sadly lost her.

So her Daughter is going to have to learn fast!!!!

Hope you get some good days soon!

 

[Happy Hunter]

Absolutely...these can still be fun...extreme hacking, I call it Ask the secretary to recommend some suitable days for you and obviously avoid Boxing Day, New Years or Opening meets as these tend to be rather speshul with much brake failure to be seen.

Extreme hacking!!! Ha! I wonder if that would make the insurance premiums smaller!

 

[FairyLights]

Extreme hacking!!! Ha! I wonder if that would make the insurance premiums smaller!

I love the term "Extreme Hacking".

 

[olderthanshelooks]

I know exactly how you are feeling OP. My day off in the week changed to a Tuesday so was going to be a twice a week hunter. and I had 2 horses for this season then in July the TB got caught up in wire which was going to put her out for the start of the season atleast.
Then at the end of September I came of the old faithful out exercising and broke both my wrists this has now put me out for the season. Can't ride til Feb/ march time
The TB healed and would've been just about ready for Opening Meet. tried to find a loaner for 6 months so that atleast 1 of us was hunting but on bonfire night the stupid thing over reached in the field and injured the same place again! Shoes have now come off for the winter. No one is allowed to hunt the old girl except me.
Anyway I have become a foot follower for the season, it's not the same but it's better than nothing and it's keeping me fit as I park my truck up for the day and follow on foot with my little dog. Also getting to meet a different crowd of people than you do when riding, even if they are mostly a bunch of retired old men

 

[Alec Swan]

I know exactly how you are feeling OP.

.......

...... Also getting to meet a different crowd of people than you do when riding, even if they are mostly a bunch of retired old men

Hang on a minute here, whilst I admire your stoicism, in the face of both your perambulatory existence, and the current company which you now seem forced to keep, I'd advise you, none-the-less, that there are those who've found the company of the long of tooth, acceptable.

Alec.

 

[olderthanshelooks]

Hang on a minute here, whilst I admire your stoicism, in the face of both your perambulatory existence, and the current company which you now seem forced to keep, I'd advise you, none-the-less, that there are those who've found the company of the long of tooth, acceptable.

Alec.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the more senior followers. Just that they are the majority, there aren't many other 20 something regular foot followers out.
One 85 year old man in particular drove me round whilst I was in cast and I loved hearing hunting tales of old, and his late wife etc. have also been learning things from him.
It's good getting to know them as riding you don't often get chance to socialise with the footies after the meet. To be honest I think they are all enjoying having a young girl out with them as well

 

[Beany1800]

I am in the same boat - managed Autumn Hunting on my mare then did the opening meet and a coupke more when they wern't cancelled due to the weather or ground conditions - my mare tied up, now got kidney problem and off work for the next however many weeks - so the rest fo the season is out for me too - this is after waiting probably 10 years of the wrong horses before I finally found the right horse that could take me hunting. It sucks sometimes x