Considering going hunting for the first time in nearly 25 years...

[ann-jen]

just wondered if anyone could give me some ideas what to expect and whether they think I'll be ok on my loopy horse or a bit of a liability!
I've been asked to go out a few times and so far said no because my mare isn't very patient, especially about waiting in queues to jump. When I did a bit of riding club, at XC training she would fidget and be a general pain in the butt while waiting for others to jump.
She's had a series of injuries recently and while she is now fully recovered she isn't the same horse to jump as she used to be and I think a bit of fun stuff out hunting might do her some good.
Realistically we will be looking at next season now anyway so i wondered if anyone could suggest anything I could do to try to prepare her for the next season or whether she's just likely to do everyones head in with her antics. TBH although I'm confidant competing her round up to 1m classes SJ when she starts pratting about it does unnerve me a bit and I'm just worried how well I'll cope let alone her. Its such a long time since we've been hunting and back in the day (as a teenager) I was a lot more fearless than I am now.
So am I just being stupid, and can anyone put my mind at rest or any suggestions ......
Thanks.

 

[JenHunt]

who will you be going out with?
how about asking the secretary to recommend either a quiet day with few/no jumps, or a day when you are likely to not stop all day?

when she is fidgety try giving her something to do, even if its just walking a circle, most folk won't mind if you're out of their way walking round! it's much better than bumping into folk when she's fidgety!

 

[ann-jen]

Jen - thank you - it'll most likely be the South Durham.
The jumping and galloping should be ok, its the standing around that will be a problem. I'm hoping once she's been out a couple of times she'll settle but worry that my nerves might not help that situation.
I might enquire if there is a quiet day before the end of the season to perhaps test the water rather than wait all the way to the back end of the year. Maybe if she has a taster, I can decide whether its going to be a non-starter or not for the season-proper.

 

[Mavis Cluttergusset]

My horse was a pain in the arse last time I went out - there was a lot of standing about, and a combination of overbitting and frustration led to her doing stupid mini-rears and reversing at high speed all the time, to the point that when the field moved off she was still in such a backwards mood that we got left behind! I am off out again on saturday and am hoping to keep moving forwards, if there is a lot of standing around I shall endeavour to walk in a circle out of the way of everyone else. I shall also be wearing spurs this time and a lesser bit! I dont have any suggestions especially - sometimes it's nice to mention to the secretary that you are a bit unsure of how she'll behave, and could they pair you up with a seasoned hunter - we did this last time, I requested a non-jumping partner as I was being a poof, and aside from the reversing/rears had a nice day - loads of horses were pratting about and nobody minded. Have fun!

 

[JenHunt]

IME the days get faster and more furious towards the end of the season, you might be better getting her well and truly fit over the summer and going at the start of the season. Explain to the sec that you'd like to see how she goes before you decide if you're going to subscribe or whatever, sometimes they'll take the cost of a visitors cap off your sub when you subscribe.

 

[spacefaer]

best thing to do is to start her properly at the beginning of next season with hound exercise and autumn hunting.

No matter how quiet a day's hunting is, it'll be busier than you possibly want!

 

[ann-jen]

Thanks everyone - Mavis your mare sounds exactly like mine - I think that is exactly how she'll behave too.
I'll have a chat to one of the hunt staff and see what they think. We'll definitely give the rest of this season a miss then and start next seaon - from what you are all saying it sounds like that might be best. Maybe a couple of days cubbing to test the water too.

 

[Wild at heart]

Hi Everyone,
I am newish to the forum - I am going to take my mare on our first hunt and also wanted some advice we are going on a fairly quiet one, not many jumps and it is very familiar surroundings as its my hacking area.

a) if any one hunts with the Surrey Union I am looking for a seasoned hunt buddy but have already spoken to the sec who said she will see who turns up on the day if not

also my mare can be a bit of a handful but spoke to a very previous owner (in ireland) who bought my mare off the hunting field and said she has done 2 seasons hunting in ireland and is awesome, clears everything and looks after her rider - i have never hunted myself and she did say she rode her in a gag with D rings. Is this likely that she is going to be very strong and would i be over biting her?

Any thoughts and further advice for a newbie going on their first hunt as a friend said you never know til the day if you will be sitting on a sinner or a saint

 

[millitiger]

i would try and do some fun rides over the summer and then start off properly next season with hound exercise and autumn hunting.

 

[runaway]

(This is just my personal opinion)

I have an ex racer and he detests standing still so I don't take him Autumn hunting. If I had a youngster I'd more than likely take them as it is a good schooling ground for manners. Having said that when we're hunting "proper" he will stand, occasionally having a walk round, and is far better now than he was say 5 yrs ago! If Dad is out on his horse my man is brilliant and stands like a rock. He does as I ask in all other respects, stopping, waiting at gates, shutting them etc etc all when the field are passing him or going away from him so I do not put him in the situation when he has to stand around for long periods.

If you have a good stable companion to your horse who hunts try going with them, if not try and find someone this summer you can buddy up with. Make sure you have a bit that suits you both for the situation, try doing a pleasure ride with your horse, will give you an idea of how she may react to loads of horses being around. When you go hunting don't be afraid to stay at the back and at a distance so when the field canter/gallop you just trot/canter (make sure your mare doesn't think that having soft going under her hooves means speeding off!) as long as you stay in touch and follow them the field master shouldn't have a problem with you. Hope you have fun.

 

[ann-jen]

Thanks everyone. I'm just worried if i try to stay at the back she may tank off with me to catch up. She's a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character and a lot depends on what sort of mood she's in. I've done a couple of pleasure rides and 1 hunt ride. On the hunt ride we had people galloping full pelt passed her and she never turned a hair and was perfectly mannered and there's been times when I've gone for an ordinary hack and she's been keyed up. You just don't know what you'll get with her one day to the next. But she lives to jump and will find the idea of jumping on a "hack" v exciting.
Also do you think it would be worth putting a red ribbon in her tail. She doesn't kick and is 100% trustworthy with other mares but in the collecting ring at shows she will swish her tail and gnash her teeth if a gelding pass too close. I'm maybe being a bit paranoid but i wouldn't want to kick anyone!

 

[Kat]

Try a green ribbon for a novice if she doesn't kick but doess need extra space. And if it is standing around that you are worried about try bloodhounds there is generally less standing around than fox hunting as they are following a runner.

 

[ann-jen]

Great a green ribbon it is then.
I don't think there's any bloodhounds round here but I could be wrong.
Another question before you all get sick of me - what do you use for leg protection for the horse? When I show-jump I use open tendon and fetlock boots. But I imagine its just going to be sooo muddy at times I'm not sure its practical and also that the mud would get inside the boots and irritate....but the thought of jumping solid fences with no protection at all doesn't seem good either?

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

I use Premier equine or Woof neoprene boots for hunting- always with the double velcro and never have a problem with rubbing. Many people have boots too big and then they slip..

 

[spacefaer]

never use boots - mud getting inside and rubbing over several hours can cause horrible chafing and possible infection

the only horse I would use boots on is one that brushes and knocks into itself on a regular basis at home - then I would use N.E.W fluffy lined ones - helps stop the grit

 

[ann-jen]

This is what I thought about the boots. I will have a neb through the next few H&H issues and see what the majority of people are doing in the mag.