First timer! Tips please

jenbleep

jenbleep

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Morning all :)

Well I've been invited to go and hunt this Saturday - first time for me and horse so any tips would be most appreciated!

Charisma is full tb that's semi fit, (hacked out for a few weeks) so I was only planning on going out for half a day, as a learning experience. Would this be ok, or would it frowned upon? I mean I can't be the only inexperienced pairing there, and I'd want to leave on a good note! :p

Now, what to wear. All I have is white breeches, black jacket and white stock shirt. I have a stock, but I don't know how to tie it (!!!) and I have heard somewhere of people just wearing a white/cream polo neck (not slouchy!) Similar to this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Select-Cream-...652466&cguid=820e536312b0a0aad477fa57ffc974ab

Would this be correct? There is no way I can go out and get cream breeches between now and Saturday, too busy. So I'm afraid it'll have to be white breeches! Lets hope they stay white!! ;)

Any important rules to adhere to? I'd like to jump but probably won't jump too much because she isn't the fittest she can be at the moment.

I know it ranges from hunt to hunt, but how much do you pay for cap?

Erm I think that's it for now. I am meeting up with someone at the meet who is on a novice horse, so she said we'll only be going for a play and the experience, but i do wonder what everyone else will think because it is a rather large hunt!

Thanks all xxx
 
best to speak to the hunt sec to find out how much the cap is - it varies from £40 to £100 round here!

important rules... keep your horses head towards the hounds, don't get in front of the field master, don't jump unless the field master does first, don't jump on the way home, always say "good morning" to the masters on arrival at the meet, and "good night" when you leave.

white breeches, black jacket is fine, try to get layers on underneath to help stay warm! Horse should be plaited, clean and tidy. Black, white or brown numnah is correct, a green ribbon in her tail is a good idea this time out so people know she is new to it all.

Stock is dead easy to tie -
put the long end of the stock through the hole in the middle.
put it over your head.
put the button hole over the button at the front of your stock shirt.
tighten the loop around your neck so that it is snug.
pull the two ends over your shoulders, down your front.
put the left one over the right on, then up and through (like a single knot).
tighten the knot so that it's snug to the front of the stock.
straighten the knot so that both ends are hanging down the middle of your front, and the top of the knot is square under your chin.
take the end that is on the top round the left, under and through the gap (like another single knot).
again, straighten the knot so that it's square,
fold the two ends over so that they cross in the middle.
put the pin in the crossed bit, and if you can through the square front of the knot.




only other thing is to let us know how you get on!
 
Just to add

Don't forget to use a nice chunky pair of rubber reins, or some form of non slip reins.

Comfortable feet, too much of a sock overload will make your feet crushed up and they the will become cold and numb...specially on a cold damp day, so wear some nice warm socks but make sure you can wriggle your toes and foot about enough inside your boots.

Check you tack, billets/buckels etc make sure everything is safe and of course clean.

Dark coloured boots for the horse, OR and knee boots are often over looked but are very important for a horse during it's first meet, make sure they all fit correctly though.

You could put a green ribbon in your horses tail, just warns other that it's your first time out, reminds people not to bunch up too close behind both when your on the move and standing about.

Instroduce yourself to the secretary, they will no doubt put you in the none jumping group and make sure your looked after, when I say this someone will take time out to explain things to you so you fully understand what is going on and keep you all together as a group.

Have your phone with you in case of emergency but make sure it's on silent.

Don't forget your hip flask! :D
 
Thanks for both your replies!

I've emailed the hunt secretary but have not heard from her yet! Hope I can speak to them before I turn up unannounced :D

I was going to add a ribbon to her tail - I don't know if she should have a green or a red one though? And do people actually pay attention? She is only kept with one other pony and she likes to be the boss of him :) and she did kick a friends of a friends horse a couple of weeks ago, when they cantered near her bum. So, red or green?

Kenzo I need to get a hipflask from somewhere but I am definetly taking one! ;)
 
I’d go with red if she’s actually kicked out.. people probably pay more attention to that – I do!!

Definitely wear a stock!! Polo neck not acceptable at all. Hope you have fun!!
 
Don't expect the Secretary to automatically put you with a group, non-jumping or otherwise. I would say that most Hunts are not that organised.

Instead, ask the Secretary (who you will go and find in order to pay your cap, rather than waiting for her to come to you) if they can introduce you to someone who will be able to mentor you. If they have a group, then they will put you with that, otherwise they should hopefully find you a guide.

If you are in the least wary about your horse, go for the red ribbon. However, remember that wearing a ribbon is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. You cannot put one on and think "well, if anyone gets kicked it's their fault not mine now". Horses that kick are allowed out under sufferance only and it is still the rider's responsibilty to try to keep the back end of their horse out of other people's way.

In practice, this isn't that onerous. All you have to do is try to keep to the outside or back of groups as much as possible and you will be fine. Don't go thrusting to the front or into the middle of groups expecting other people to move out of your way.

If you can't tie a stock then ask someone at the meet to give you a hand (get there nice and early). I've never heard of the poloneck option being considered the thing.

Have fun.
 
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