Back from my first hunt - a few questions

[gokartbandit]

Went on my first hunt with Badsworth and Bramham Moor at Byram Park on Saturday.

The early part of the day was so exciting and exhilerating. After a couple of hours we just seemed to stand around doing nothing.

I have a few questions.....

Is the standing around typical? We were out for 4 hours. Did about 1 hour of really fast trot/canter/galloping. About an hour of medium work and then about 2 hours of walk 5 mins, stand for half an hour...
To be galloping for hours on end would be too much for the horses I guess, but just wondered if I went on a "slow" hunt?

How do you know where to go?
A lovely lady took care of me and my friends for the first hour (I think she might have been the hunt secretary), but once we were on our own it was very confusing.
I was following the non-jumpers and struggled to know where to go/who to follow.

Thanks
Sarah

 

[gokartbandit]

Also - the hunt master said we were hunting within the law.

What exactly are they doing. Following 1 trail which is pre set? Following a natural scent but calling the hounds off if they find a fox.

I thought it would become apparent when I was on my first hunt but I just ended up knowing less

 

[Thistle]

They could be following a preset trail, or they could just be exercising the hounds or they could be flushing to a bird of prey. All are within the law.

 

[Clodagh]

And the thing about proper hunting is you can never tell whether you're going to be galloping or pottering. I like that uncertainty but if you prefer a more guaranteed run you are better to go with drag or blood hounds.
It is confusing when you start, and its a shame that the hunt don't have a designated person to do the non jumping routes, but thats not always possible.
Hope you try it again!!

 

[dunc_n_toby]

Hunting can vary from meet to meet, depending on the country. For example on New Years day usually as a rule we spend most of the day standing around, although this year we had a good few runs.
It will just depend on the country and the scent on that day.
As for hunting within the law, well that can be done in a number of ways. Maybe they were hunting rabbits?

 

[gokartbandit]

Hope you try it again!!

Oh I will definately try again before I make up my mind!

I'm planning to go to Bramham Park at the beginning of Feb. One of my friends went there in November and had a fantastic time!

 

[buckybee]

I've only been with the badsworth (before they merged) once and it wasn't very good then, but i think it's a bit hit and miss from what i've heard, some really good meets but some not so much. They also might have been taking it steady because of the bad ground.

If your not too far away try the Rockwood Harriers;
http://www.rockwoodharriers.co.uk/

we normally keep on the move nawadays and don't do much standing around. we are quite a friendly bunch and have a variety of jumping/jump a bit/non jumping fieldmasters on most days so you should enjoy it! :grin:

 

[gokartbandit]

Well - actually it's a toss up between Rockwood and B&BM next time. We really want to go to Bramham, but my friend has left a message with the Rockwood Harriers Secretary to find out what meets they have before the end of the season?

I think she's away at the moment.

 

[tinker88]

yeah, come to rockwood.

alot of my friends go to badsworth (they don't like jumping!)

they are renown for being a bit how can i say this "Tame".

Come and visit rockwood.

see website

 

[tinker88]

visit www.klickonfotos.co.uk he takes photos of both B&B and rockwood, you can see some of the stuff both hunts get up to.

 

[gokartbandit]

Well - it turns out that B&BM meet at Bramham is a newcomers meet - which is just what I need. So I'll be going there on Saturday - hopefully I may come back knowing a little more this time.....

If not, It'll be Rockwood next season .