CHILDREN HUNTING

[poiuytrewq]

For the first time we have a lovely calm pony, she has hunted in the past and my little girl would like to hunt this winter- even if just a one off.
She can canter and rides off the lead rein but i will be on foot to grab if need be!
I have seen lots of little kids out hunting but am worried will we not just get left miles behind? and isn't it a bit hectic and crazy for a child? I mean is it flat out all the time, my old horse went mad when the hunt was around so never really been. Does anyone else L/R hunt?

 

[Ravenwood]

Both my kids have hunted from a very young but I always had a very sane horse to lead them off. We would often stay at the back but nearly always the gates were done for us even though we were perfectly capable of doing them ourselves.

We may have got left behind when everyone charged off but we always caught them up and often there were other Mums and little kids to stick with.

Hunting certainly gives a child a good seat!

 

[Maisy]

I suppose it depends who you hunt with! Our hunt is (I am told) fairly sedate (not that I think it is!). My horse certainly isnt fast and although we arent up the front when a charge takes place, we always catch up and dont ever feel 'left behind'!

There are always a couple of kids out with us, and they tend to keep to the back for safety anyway!

 

[LindaW]

I'm taking my 5yo to one or two of the childrens meets this year. Talking to the staff last year about it and they said they'd take very small ones into consideration when deciding where etc...

 

[poiuytrewq]

It would be the Heythropp, and unfortunatly i do not have a quiet horse i can lead from- I wouldnt take present horse hunting alone!! So will be running!- really depends on how close they come anyway as dont have transport.
Thanks for replies x

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Why not start with Autumn (formerly known as cub) hunting?
its much slower with lots of standing around covers so perfect for newbies That way you can make friends with other kids and find out if anyone "nannies" a group she could join!(me and OH do loads of nannying and love it)

 

[RhiannonColeman]

Land Girl. is right many hunts have nannie's that would be happy to lead your child.

I would think about going to the meet for a couple of times first, this way your child & pony can enjoy the atmosphere and you can get to know a few people talk to hunt staff etc

Also enquire about the childrens meet, most hunts have one and they are excellent for first timers.

 

[Sidesaddle]

Oh!

I thought this was going to be about hunting children. I was going to say, damn fine idea. Can't stand the blighters.

 

[RunToEarth]

lol sidesaddle.
I have hunted from being a small child, in fact that is where my fearless attitude came from- as for me it was a case of "jump or be left behind" as my parents were both hedge hunters and did not like the idea of waiting for me.
Many hunts offer a "non jumping group" which goes at a slower pace and usually consists of friendly people willing to welcome you out.

 

[Chestnut_filly14]

Oh!

I thought this was going to be about hunting children. I was going to say, damn fine idea. Can't stand the blighters.

I agree fully!

Em
x

 

[avthechav]

Hi,
I have hunted quite a lot with the North Cotswold (borders Heythrop country). Quite a lot of kids come out either being led or accompanied on a horse or by foot. If the field do get a run and canter off or a jump usually the lead ponies and the foot follwers just keep moving and catch up with them at the next cover. I have followed several times on foot and its surprising how you dont get left behind that much as long as you keep moving slowly. In fact usually when I go out on my horse instead of keeping up with the field I sometimes hang back with the others and keep moving. It is sometimes more enjoyable than galloping madly for a few fields and then standing around in the cold on puffing sweaty horses untill they move off again. You will probabaly meet a few other people at the meet with kids in a similar situation and have a lovely day out. (Do pick your meet though, Knowing parts of the Heythrop country I wouldnt fancy hiking up and down some of those hills all day!) Have fun and take a hip flask- you will deserve it!

 

[Aleka81]

I go out with the Heythrop quite regularly. My advice would be get out cubbing if you can. Cubbing with the Heythrop tends to be pretty mellow!
Then see how you get on. During the school holidays and half term they do have a few childrens meets. The other thing would be to phone up the Sec and ask which meets they would advise.
Depending on which Heythrop country they are in tends to dictate the day you will have. I would say Kids on ponies are great for Hunting as long as adult or parent is around. Any questions PM me.
x

 

[Zebedee]

Oh!

I thought this was going to be about hunting children. I was going to say, damn fine idea. Can't stand the blighters.

PMSL......I thought along the same lines........a novel way to beat the ban :grin:

 

[chester1234]

It might be worth contacting your hunt secretary and see if there are any "nannies" willing to take your daughter out

 

[skewbaldpony]

Is she in Pony Club? Our DC nannies, and so do some of the mums.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry about the delay in replying and thanks for all the info.
I dont think hunting kids would be much fun really- they tend to cry easily and may not run very far!!
I had no idea about nannies or childrens meets so will look into both. My problem is we dont have any transport unfortunatly so cant just go along to meets. Also our pony is very old and i'm not sure she will be up to a huge amount.
Aleka81- will pm you, thanks x

 

[Weezy]

harlequin my mare is a fantastic LR horse and very, very kind and sensible at hunt meets. If I still have her when the season starts I will gladly a) lend her to you or b) take your daughter out. I have taken lots of children out hunting and am more than happy to stay at the back and judge pace/suitability etc.

Let me know

 

[poiuytrewq]

harlequin my mare is a fantastic LR horse and very, very kind and sensible at hunt meets. If I still have her when the season starts I will gladly a) lend her to you or b) take your daughter out. I have taken lots of children out hunting and am more than happy to stay at the back and judge pace/suitability etc.

Let me know

OMG thats such a kind offer, Thank you so much.

 

[JenHunt]

IMO hunting not only teaches kids to ride well, and to keep a good seat, they also turnout to be better kids all round.

Hunting kids can hold a good conversation with an adult, but are still respectful and polite. It also teaches them to be responsible for their pony (even if they are on a lead rein!).

most hunts have kids following, and they don't usually get left behind except maybe on the really long runs, so i wouldn't worry about it. plus you'll always catch up!!

hope you all have fun!

 

[treacle86]

Aleka81 :

Depending on what you are looking for ,
i have a 15.2hh grey mare , 8yo , TB/ID/Connemara type mare . She can be mareish and grumpy to groom certain bits of her , and in the stable , she prefers to live out , She can be quite nevrous/ Spooky , She def has TB temperament , Hacks , pops a jump , 2 ft so far with me,

I bought her with the intention of a project but not having the time to do anything with her really , if you were interested , I was thinking of selling her , Looking for maybe £1000 for her , she has bred a foal before i beleive.

not got any pics on pc at mo