Confident to hunt?

[A1fie]

I am just wondering whether all of you who hunt are really confident riders or have a horse you really trust or a bit of both.

I started riding just over 18 months ago at the age of 35 and one of my dreams is to go hunting. However I am not a confident rider and am not sure whether I ever will be.

I share a horse and have just joined a riding club which is closely affiliated with our local hunt with a view to getting more experience and knowledge, starting off as a foot follower or helping behind the scenes and seeing how it all works.

I would never dream of going hunting in any event until I was sure I could control my horse and not be a danger to anyone but it is such a dream of mine and I just wondered am I being unrealistic to hope that I could do it as I'm not very brave.
I also (sadly!) don't drink so am not able to bolster my courage with a drink before I go out!

I would be very interested to know everyone views and experiences.

 

[mrsew]

Hi Alfiesmum - Me & my boy go out hunting & we love it! I'm not the most confident of riders but have found that hunting has actually built my confidence. We started out hardly jumping anything and have gone onto having a go at most things (apart from the very big hedges!). However what has helped has been the encouragement of fellow followers and the knowledge that you don't have to jump anything if you don't want to. Go on have a go....you'll love it! Enjoy...Sxx :grin:

 

[skewby]

I am no expert as have only been out once! But I'm like you, not the most gung-ho in the world, and I don't think you're being unrealistic at all. Sounds like you're doing your research, I believe some hunts are wilder than others so pick a quieter one and ask the secretary for a quieter day - my hunt sec has been a fab help to me picking suitable meets. Also depends on your horse - I found it hairy at the back but I have seriously crap brakes at the best of times. For what it's worth as well, I was so nervous and charged with adrenalin the port didn't touch me so you're not alone there! I, like mrsew, found the other followers to be fantastically helpful and supportive and I'm sure you'll find the same. Loads of people made the effort to come and talk to me as I was a first timer, gave me great advice and made sure I had a nice day. Go for it, you can always go home at any time if you're totally out of your comfort zone, particularly if you go somewhere you know the country (I didn't, but this was good as I was forced to stay out long enough to get nearer the front, relax and really enjoy it!).

 

[Nina76]

I would actually say I am not a hugely confident rider, and my mare is not particularly trustworthy in any way other than that I know if I ask her to do something she doesnt like she will probably drop a shoulder!

I also do not drink at all, (friend of bill) but I think saying saying no thanks to all the offered hip flasks was acceptable as I obviously needed to be 100% sharp to ride her!

However I know she will jump with a lead and we do have brakes so we stayed at the back out of the way and did our best to be polite at all times.

Everyone at both the hunts I have attended (Readyfields and South notts) have been lovely and havent made me feel I shouldn't be there in anyway at all.

I am not rich and do not have the option of another horse or even the cost of a seasoned and sensible hireling, I am hoping over time that we will both improve together and if we carry on to do our best in the meantime without upsetting anyone it might just work!

Good luck, like yourself this was always something I wanted to be involved in and now I am 'living the dream'

 

[Weezy]

So long as you can steer and stop and sit tight, you will be fine Go on a non jumping day for your first couple of meets, just to get used to speed and the field, and I bet you find you love it

 

[A1fie]

Thank you for all your replies, I feel so much more positive about it all now. The riding club I'm at know that this is a dream of mine and a lot of them hunt so I'm sure they will be supportive.

The reason I posted was mainly that yesterday I rode my share horse who hadn't been ridden for a week and a half and she was really difficult, spooking at everything, planting, jogging and trying to gallop off every time she saw a straight stretch of grass and I thought, jeez what hope do i ever have of being able to hunt if my nerves are in shreds just by trying to walk around the fields!

Thank you mrsew, skewby and weezy for your encouragement. Watch this space and maybe this time next year I will be able to say I've been and I loved it.

Nina - your post really tickled me, your mare isn't a chestnut by any chance? I also know bill - I know his sister better though!!

 

[Chumsmum]

I would say go for it too, sounds like you are going about it the right way, you can learn lots about hunting by following on foot. Also take your horse on a couple of exciting fun rides / fast hacks in company to see how you both cope.

I've found that lots of people (especially men) only learn to ride so they can hunt.

I first sat on a horse when I was 29 and had been only been riding for a couple of years when I first went and was in no way an experienced rider but I knew the etiquette and everyone was lovely. I had no idea if pony had been with previous owners either. Sadly we only went once again and unfortunately pony has Bone Spavin and I can't hunt him again but sometime in the future will hopefully own a horse that I can.

I do like a drink... but was still nervous after half a hip flask of sloe gin so not sure if it makes much difference.

I can still remember my first time like it was yesterday and can still say it was one of the best days of my life.

 

[A1fie]

Chumsmum - most men I know who ride are really confident, regardless of their ability! Wish I had some of it.

 

[Chumsmum]

That is so true!

Hopefully the first time you go your horse will just go along with the flow, it's normally the next few times it can be hair raising because they know what's coming up but by then you will know what's happening too and will be in a better position to cope. It's great that you've got involved with people who already hunt - they will encourage you.

Sometimes we just have to take a deep breath a go for it and most times the anticipation is far worse than actually doing it - can't wait to read a report of your first time and pics!

 

[RunToEarth]

Go for it. the more you get out hunting the more confidence you will get. I am lucky, I got my mum's wonderful old hunter to look after me once I left ponies, and I have hunted for a long time, but it is something that will grow the more you get out there

 

[A1fie]

Thanks chumsmum. I remember you were one of the first people who welcomed me when I joined and offered me encouragement as an 'older' new rider.

 

[Nina76]

No she's not chestnut but she should be!

LOL

 

[star]

have you done any sponsored rides? i'd say the big sponsored rides round me are fairly similar to the draghunting that i've been doing, just that hunting everyone goes together instead of one after the other on a sponsored ride, but you get same sort of stuff and horses tend to behave fairly similarly. i'm quite a confident rider on the flat but a bit of a wuss about jumping. my new horse is turning out to be a complete star though and will jump anything so he's really giving me confidence.

 

[A1fie]

Thanks star - I hadn't considered sponsored rides but that sounds like a good idea.

Rosie - Thanks. You would be someone who I would think is a really confident rider. I love looking at your pictures out hunting, schooling or competing and I absoluetly adore your oskey (sp?)

 

[chancing]

Hi,

Im so pleased you put this post on...Ive been wondering the same thing for a long time. Im in my first season hunting on the quad..and Ive jumped on a pony when a little girl fell off-but only for half and hour and the pony was a total star!!! didnt put a hoof wrong!! I dont have my own horse at the moment but im looking for one to loan/share. I really want to get out on the horse for a full meet..but not sure if Im good enough...I can gallop and canter etc in fields and jump very small jumps...would this be ok??

 

[Arabelle]

I have only been draghunting thrice, but what I can tell you is that my normally incredibly spooky pony didn't spook once. She was completely focussed on the job. I wouldn't say I had brakes, especially, but I could steer and found it relatively easy to stay out of trouble and find my own line. On the plus side, my pony loved it.
I do trust my girl - I know I can't stop her, but she is a pony and wouldn't run herself into trouble, so I just need to stick with her. I think that it is a lot to do with building up a relationship with your horse - but as I say, I am hardly an experienced hunter - but I hope to be out on Sunday!
A

 

[Arabelle]

Oh, and just to add. I am not the sort of person that I ever imagined would go hunting - I certainly don't come from a hunting background. Everyone was really friendly and relaxed and there was a real mix of horses and ponies. I had expected to find it a bit intimidating, but it wasn't at all - just really good fun - and an amazing adreneline rush!
A

 

[cavalo branco]

I'm not hunting right now as its too expensive but have done for a few years - I'd say - get used to riding at speed if you don't normally, your horse will invariably take off with the others and what is fun and exhilarating to some is terrifyingly out of control to others!!
If you get used to having a fast hack with other horses then you won't find it so different when you start hunting. Are you a control freak or an adrenaline junkie??!! My "control freak" friends who like a sedate hack would hate it. If you like x-country then practise round a course if you are able.

 

[A1fie]

Thanks Arabella for the encouragement.. Cavalo what you wrote makes a lot of sense. I am not used to riding yet at speed and I don't like the thought of feeling out of control but I really want to start to feel exhilarated instead of terrified if that makes sense?! I guess practice, practice, practice . . . ..

 

[Starbucks]

The reason I posted was mainly that yesterday I rode my share horse who hadn't been ridden for a week and a half and she was really difficult, spooking at everything, planting, jogging and trying to gallop off every time she saw a straight stretch of grass and I thought, jeez what hope do i ever have of being able to hunt if my nerves are in shreds just by trying to walk around the fields!

My horse was very similar today (although he'd only had a day with no work/turnout ) I was quite scared actually as he felt like he was going to chuck me off/bugger off with me.

We hunt a lot though and are fine... he's not really any worse than he is when excited out hacking. I've found that with a few horses that are quite forward going anyway... it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for!

Just give it a go! You can always go home if you aren't happy. Make sure you get someone who is a bit more experienced/on a sensible horse to look after you.

 

[A1fie]

Thanks starbucks - had a lesson at my new yard yesterday learning to trot and canter in a forward seat and it felt thrilling. I will try sponsored rides and fast hacks before I go hunting. I hope to be ready to go next season.

 

[Vicki1986]

I have a pony who I can really trust and thats the only reason I can go - i'm not overly confident definately not!!! When i first got her i wouldnt jump anything at all having had some bad experiences years ago. It helps that i have a confident friend who spurs me on. I did however bite off a bit more than i could chew yesterday but i surprised myself by just getting on with it - thats the thing with hunting once your in with the field everyones confidence rubs off on you and you kind of go with the flow and jump things you never would alone!! Good luck x