First time Hunting

[Chelseakerr]

I've never taken my pony out hunting and I would love to try it im sure he would too

What do you think would be the best time to go hunting for the first time? Also is it better for them to wear boots?

Thank you

 

[spacefaer]

The season is about to start, which is good timing to ask! It starts with hound exercise (long, slowish hacks with hounds from the Kennels, very early in the morning) getting horses and hounds fit. Then moves on to autumn hunting (also early in the morning, but getting later as the season moves on) where you stay with the field master, and hounds go off with the huntsman. Still slower and quieter than regular hunting, but gets faster, with more jumping, the nearer you get to Opening Meet. (usually 1st weekend in Nov)

Go sooner than later, and as often as you can, to get your pony used to it before the excitement starts.

I very rarely put boots on mine as you can get mud down them, which can cause bad rubs. If your pony needs them because he brushes, or you are worried that he might get too excited, then put them on, but just make sure you check his legs afterwards. It shouldn't be a problem while the ground/weather is dry anyway.

 

[Chelseakerr]

The season is about to start, which is good timing to ask! It starts with hound exercise (long, slowish hacks with hounds from the Kennels, very early in the morning) getting horses and hounds fit. Then moves on to autumn hunting (also early in the morning, but getting later as the season moves on) where you stay with the field master, and hounds go off with the huntsman. Still slower and quieter than regular hunting, but gets faster, with more jumping, the nearer you get to Opening Meet. (usually 1st weekend in Nov)

Go sooner than later, and as often as you can, to get your pony used to it before the excitement starts.

I very rarely put boots on mine as you can get mud down them, which can cause bad rubs. If your pony needs them because he brushes, or you are worried that he might get too excited, then put them on, but just make sure you check his legs afterwards. It shouldn't be a problem while the ground/weather is dry anyway.

Thank you, when does the season start?

 

[spacefaer]

Hound exercise on bikes is just about starting at the end of the month. Autumn hunting, once the corn is off in most parts of the country so usually in about a month....

Where are you? Do you know which your local packs are? You will need to contact the Hon Secretary before you go out, so you can find out where the meets are and to introduce yourself

 

[Chelseakerr]

Hound exercise on bikes is just about starting at the end of the month. Autumn hunting, once the corn is off in most parts of the country so usually in about a month....

Where are you? Do you know which your local packs are? You will need to contact the Hon Secretary before you go out, so you can find out where the meets are and to introduce yourself

kind of in the middle of Edinburgh and Glasgow, I don't know if there's any

 

[spacefaer]

hmm - you'd have to travel a bit

You've got the Duke of Buccleuch's hunt - covers Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire and Berwickshire
The Lauderdale - covers Lauder and Selkirk
Dumfriesshire and Stewartry who are west of you
Berwickshire - who cover .... Berwickshire, adjoining the Lauderdale

think they're the nearest, but not the handiest for you =(

 

[Kat]

Whether you boot or not depends on your country everyone wears at least knee boots with our hunt as it is stone wall country.

Unless your horse has an issue like brushing then ask what others tend to do with regard to boots.

 

[spacefaer]

well where do you live?

OP has already said that they are between Edinburgh and Glasgow - not surrounded by good hunting country sadly!