Boxing Day ...

[ComteDeChambord]

Hi -

For some time now, I have been harbouring a huge ambition to take up hunting. My life with horses to date has been centered around flat racing. My career has recently taken a diversion away from riding regularly and my desire to hunt has been heightened. I was hoping to take my own horse, a retired chaser, until he unfortunately broke his pelvis in the field september, an injury in which euthanasia was his best option.

I have boxing day off work this year and I'm determined to make my hunting debut. It's highly possible that I'll be in Warwickshire on that da, although travelling isn't a problem. Does anyone have a horse they wouldn't mind me taking for my first day?

Any suggestions would be greatly recieved.

Thanks!!

 

[kit279]

Boxing day would not really be my first choice to go hunting for the first time as it can get very crowded! However if you want to go, ask your hunt of choice if they will hire you a horse that knows the ropes.

 

[ComteDeChambord]

The crowd thing doesn't bother me really. How much does it usually cost to hire a horse for the day??

 

[MrWoof]

The crowd thing doesn't bother me really. How much does it usually cost to hire a horse for the day??

It might not bother YOU but it could seriously bother other people - who hunt all season!!
I would suggest that you go out for the first time on any other day BUT Boxing Day.
I have not hunted on BD, apart from on foot, for many years due to two serious accidents - one being fatal for a lovely hunter. Both accidents were caused by other people who were totally clueless as to how they should behave in the hunting field.

 

[kit279]

^^^ what he said ^^^

That might seem unfriendly - hunting by and large welcomes newcomers but do be aware that it is high risk for horse and rider alike, even if you know exactly what you're doing and know the horse inside out. Horses can and do kick and the more crowded it is the higher the risk that you or your mount will get kicked, particularly in a large group as happens on Boxing Day. Personally I would not risk any horse of mine on BD for that reason. I would contact your local hunt secretary, explain that you'renew to hunting, ask them to pair you with someone for a day who can talk you through it. Hirelings vary in cost but usually about £100-150 for a full day. That might seem like a lot but it will be well worth it for a horse that knows its job and will keep you safe. Borrowing any old horse for your first hunt would not be my first choice!

 

[ComteDeChambord]

The main reason for me picking that day is because it's one of very few days that I have completely free, possibly the same for a lot of people, making the holiday meets so popular. If it was down to me I'd be hunting all year round too and that is possibly an option in the future should my situation change.

Would it be frowned upon for a first timer to turn up on boxing day? I find it hard to believe that a negative response would greet anyone wishing to show their support and take part in hunting on what is afterall a public holiday.

 

[ComteDeChambord]

kit279.....

Thankyou for your help. Having been riding in races professionaly and regularly ridden in strings of 40+ on semi-broken horses, I'm no stranger to high risk riding. But your idea of being paired up is an excellent one. Does this type of thing happen often??

 

[MrWoof]

kit279.....

Thankyou for your help. Having been riding in races professionaly and regularly ridden in strings of 40+ on semi-broken horses, I'm no stranger to high risk riding. But your idea of being paired up is an excellent one. Does this type of thing happen often??

Riding racehorses is a totally different game and any Trainer who sends out 40+ in a string is obviously a total half-wit, who could not train ivy up a wall. I worked for various Trainers, including the late, great Major Dick Hern. He would have been absolutely horrified at a string of 40+. The Major would have sent out more lots - in smaller numbers.
Hunting is not a question of "high risk riding" but "knowing how one should behave".

 

[ComteDeChambord]

Does anyone know where the warwickshire hunt is meeting this week?

 

[ComteDeChambord]

^^^^ Thought if I went on foot I'd be able to learn a bit more about what goes on??

 

[MrWoof]

Does anyone know where the warwickshire hunt is meeting this week?

Google The MFHA and you should get to a list of Hunts and Contact Numbers. Ring the Secretary - or look in the Nag & Dog, some Hunts still advertise their Meets in there. Yes, going out on foot a couple of times before venturing forth mounted sounds a good idea.

 

[ComteDeChambord]

Thanks MrWoof!!