Daughter going Autumn hunting for first time and I am really nervous about it!

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billylula

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Finally have got to a point where daughter (13) can go autumn hunting. The pony is shod and sound, we've a good friend who she is going with, we finally have a car that can pull a trailer. She's off on Saturday morning and very excited. I am dreading it! I've never hunted so I suppose it is the unknown to me. She's a very sensible girl and the pony is usually extremely sensible and not hugely forward going although who knows when he gets to the meet!

Argh! Any reassurance welcome!:eek:
 
I went yesterday and my horse who is usually a wild one with other horses about stood solid. He went a bit jelly legged when the hounds ran under him but was good as gold. In general, there is alot of standing around (so your daughter should wear two pairs of socks!) There is usually shorter bursts of trot/canter so they are less likely to get into full gallop and cannot stop mode and the ground is generally better than hunting at this time of the year.

As long as she's with a sensible adult she'll be fine, just reassure her that she can leave at any point to come back to the trailer - even though you'll probably be dragging her home at the end! x A lot of people will take youngsters with red or green ribbons in their tails so make sure she knows what these mean x Cubbing is generally alot quieter, slower and earlier than hunting! x

Just be organised the night before as it will be pitch black when you get up and relax, she'll love it!! x
 
Socks advice is good! I am trying to tell her that she will need a base layer under her shirt tie and jacket but will she listen - NO! Thank you!
 
She'll have an absolute ball! Don't forget to fill her pockets with sweets, and put a spare stirrup leather on as a neck strap. If you can introduce her to the secretary and the field master, so they know who she is, they will keep an eye out for her as well. My 13 yo hunts without me and she is perfectly sensible - in fact she prefers it if I'm not with her as I go too slowly for her. Let us know how she gets on.
 
Sweets! Neck strap! *makes list* Thank you that is brilliant advice.

I did offer to come with her to the meet on my friend's sensible old horse but she declined :-/
 
Swirlymurphy said:
She'll have an absolute ball! Don't forget to fill her pockets with sweets, and put a spare stirrup leather on as a neck strap. If you can introduce her to the secretary and the field master, so they know who she is, they will keep an eye out for her as well. My 13 yo hunts without me and she is perfectly sensible - in fact she prefers it if I'm not with her as I go too slowly for her. Let us know how she gets on.
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Excellent advice. If you can ring/contact the FM and/or Secretary between now and then and have a chat, that would be best, they can then organise someone to shadow her and look after her a bit if needed.

She'll enjoy herself big-time and enthuse about it for evermore. Don't worry!!! (plus you'll have one VERY tired teenager at the end of the day - plus pony!).
 
Yes,definitely sweets and a neck strap.My 8 year old went proper hunting for the first time, with a babysitter last season and has been nagging me ever since about going again.She said it was the best day of her life!:D

Don't forget to come and give us a full report afterwards.:)
 
It was 'the best day of her life' :D The master came and said hello and raised his cap to her, I think if she could have swooned she would have. Pony was perfectly behaved. She's going again next Saturday :rolleyes:
 
billylula said:
It was 'the best day of her life' :D The master came and said hello and raised his cap to her, I think if she could have swooned she would have. Pony was perfectly behaved. She's going again next Saturday :rolleyes:
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You've lost her :D My sister has been hunting on whatever she can find since she was about 8 and now she's 18 and spends her winter as a 'hunting nanny', in charge of 4 children and loving every single second. It's such a social thing, she's got some lovely friends and good contacts from being so keen :)
 
Fantastic! I'm so pleased.

As a side bonus, it does make Christmas/birthday presents easier, as I now find anything hunting-related gets fallen upon with open arms!
 
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