Finally...

[rustyrider]

After three years of foiled attempts to go hunting, it looks like i might finally have a horse (and a rider) that is fit and ready to go hunting. I wanted to ask you lovely people some questions...
1. Is it wise to go out for the first time ever after the season has already started? i would ideally have wanted to go autumn hunting but my mare was recovering from an injury so i missed it.
2. If it is wise, when is the best time to go? Someone suggested midweek as there are fewer people and it's bit calmer
3. Who should we go with? We are based near Huntingdon, does the Fitzwilliam make the most sense, or are there other options?

I will be going with my friend who is also brand new to hunting, but am hoping to persuade someone from the yard to come and nanny us or, failing that, i will prewarn the secretary that potential numpties are hoping to come (is that the right thing to do?)!

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

The secretary should be contacted to check that you can come, as field numbers can be limited. The secretary will also give you any details that you need to know and Gould suggest a suitable meet. I persnally think that it's fine to hunt for your first time during the season, just don't stay out all day the horse won't be fit enough. Have you followed on foot at all before? The contact details for your local pack will be in the MFHA website. Have fun

 

[superted1989]

If you can go to a Newcomers meet. There will be experienced hunters there and will be much more forgiving and helpful.
In my experience, out of all the equine 'disciplines', hunting is the friendliest and least 'cliquey', it's also quite addictive!

 

[acw295]

Good luck! I'm in a similar boat, finally able to get out and going to first meet this Sunday (bloodhounds)

It's not a newcomers meet, but secretary is happy for us to come. I am going with a friend who has hunted before, but not for about 5 years and not bloodhounds. My Sec D has hunted before with previous owner and is apparently very good and has been a gate shutter in the past, so hoping that bodes well.

I am terrified but excited in good measure - I've never had sound and fit horse, transport, local meet and a companion all some together at the same time before - which is why we missed hound exercise and are jumping in feet first. Eeek!

My mare is reasonably fit though as we also dabble in low level endurance and can do 20km+ at 12kmph (all trot and canter), so we are hoping that will help

 

[A1JUMPJOCKEY]

Im lucky enough to Hunt twice a week and go Draghunting once a week on point to pointers i train and on a retired horse i whip in off. My biggest piece of advice to anyone wishing to go who have not done so before is dont hang out the back restraining them.

I hunt alsorts from our homebred 3-4yr olds to older wiser horses, and from experience i can asure you being miles behind is of no help to horses at all... I've seen so many Accidents or near Accidents when people have them grabbed up by the bit rings tailed off a field or so behind, let them flow along with the rest of the field, People forget horses are pack animals and will be calmer in company not watching everyone go miles ahead and being frightened of being left on there own. Main thing is to introduce your self to the Secretary at the meet, so she is aware of you being there, she will help no end, dont forget to pay your sub and mainly have fun.

 

[rustyrider]

Thanks so much for all your help!

JumpinBeckeyJane/SUPERTED1989 - i've contacted the secretary of our local hunt and she's kindly going to help me choose a good meet for newcomers (there isn't a specific one)

ACW295 - it definitely sounds like we are in the same boat. i hope you have fun on Sunday. let me know how it goes!

A1JUMPJOCKEY - that's great advice, i can totally see that newbies like myself could get worried and try to stay at the back - and send their horses crazy by doing so. i will try to relax and go with the flow!

How exciting, i can't wait!

 

[Suziq77]

This isn't meant to contradict A1JUMPJOCKEY - just to add, my youngster prefers to be at the back but still with others (not held miles behind) as she finds lots of horses coming up behind her quite alarming. I just let her settle in to find her rhythm towards the back of the field and it all happens naturally without her fighting for her head. She has no issue at all when the hunt staff come past her quickly, she just isn't comfortable at the front or in the middle of a large group of horses. Depends on the horse I suppose.