Cubbing/Hound exercise

[poiuytrewq]

I need a goal to get my horse going again for- Its obviously no good me just riding him for the hell of it because I then back out/cant be bothered in the rain etc etc- any old excuse will do!

He is an ex hunter anyway and was apparently a little strong but fab. He's suffered with lameness in his fetlock but this is under control now and he's been sound for almost 2 years, so we need to aim for something!

He wont load onto a trailer which cuts out a lot of things but last year I heard the hounds close a few times so figured maybe id give that a try.
Ive only hunted once and tbh it was a total disaster but like I say this horse is experienced unlike the last one

Tell me about cubbing (or what ever we call it now)
How fit does my horse have to be? How much standing round and how fast it it all?- I believe its slower paced than proper hunting? I want to continue to take it easy because of the old injury.
Can you tell me times and turnout code also please? I also find it virtually impossible to find out when and where meets are- understandably but how do you become a newbie!? seems impossible
Any other info much appreciated or even someone in my area who go's out with North Cots or Heythropp?
Thanks

 

[Countryman]

You will have a brilliant time with either the Heythrop or the North Cotswold!

Autumn Hunting still occurs in the early mornings in September and October, typically around dawn - which might be 6AM on September the 1st and 8:30 or 9 by late October. The first meets in September tend to be the most sedate, and as time goes on each week gets a little more mobile (though certainly in our country you're still unlikely to jump anything until the Opening Meet in November) but you'll cover more and more ground, as trails are laid away from the coverts a bit more from the start of October onwards, letting hounds run in the open a bit, but this won't be for very far. In September, it will mostly involve standing still listening to hounds.

Turnout wise, I'm sure some riders will soon be on hand with experienced advice but it tends to be much more casual, ties not stocks around the neck and tweed jackets rather than hunting coats.

Time and place; times as I say are usually early in the morning, but some hunts have occasional late afternoon meets, usually at weekends, which might be around 3 or 4PM for instance.

Many Hunts are reluctant to publicise their meet details, especially for Autumn Hunting (as less people are interested anyway) so may not produce a Meet Card - some hunts just send round emails with locations of meets. The best bet is to either email or call the secretary of the hunt, explain who you are, about your horse and why you want to come out, telling him/her where you are, so they can let you know of the nearest meets to you. This will also help you with precise times and turnout issues, as they'll be glad to help.

Although the Secretary will be very friendly and pleased to hear from you, it is advisable to have somebody (a hunt subscriber or follower that you know, no matter how distantly) that can vouch for you, as you may well be asked, so they can be sure you're not collecting meet details to pass on to Anti-Hunt protestors. You'll probably find this with the Heythrop especially, as, while they're very friendly, they will want to know who you are before they give you any details, as they've had quite nasty trouble from lots of local Anti's over the past few years.

Caps tend to be a lot cheaper than full hunting too, often costing between £15 and £40 depending on the pack.

Hope this has helped! Do give Autumn Hunting a go, and just say if you've any other questions!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Brilliant thank you! I completely understand the privacy issues and having to be careful, its very difficult to break through!

 

[turkana]

When I wanted to go on hound excercise with the local hunt I contacted them by email, they did ask if anybody could vouch for me but I was newish to the area & didn't know anybody contected with the hunt.
I just gave them my full name, phone number, address & the yard I kept my horse at, somebody gave me a ring a few day later, I must have sounded ok as I now get the emails.
Might be worth a try.