Sealine
Well-Known Member
Some of you may remember my post from back in July when I asked about hunting in the Herts/Beds area. Well I finally did it! At the age of 47 in the space of two weeks I've been out on hound exercise with the Farmers Bloodhounds and Autumn Hunting with the Kimblewick.
The two experiences were very different but both enjoyable in different ways. The bloodhounds was very fast and a real adrenaline rush whereas the Kimblewick was slower which gave me more time to take everything and enjoy the experience. I found everyone to be very friendly and welcoming although someone did tell me I looked terrified! I think I was more terrified of making a fool of myself than of anything else. I was really pleased that my lovely horse, although very strong, stopped when everyone else did, jumped what I asked him to and was generally pretty sensible.
I have to confess I shed a little tear yesterday morning. After cantering across a field I looked back to see the hounds and huntsman gathered at the edge of the wood in the glorious autumn morning sunshine. I had to pinch myself to check it was real - me on my own horse out with the hunt! As a horse mad, horseless child I grew up dreaming of having my own horse and being able to do things like hunting. I only got my own horse a few years ago and it's taken me a while to get to the point when I've felt confident enough so it was an emotional moment. I was on the verge of embarrassing myself by crying in public so I gave myself a mental 'slap around the face' and pulled myself together and got on with it.
I haven't stopped smiling since and I can't wait to go again. If anyone else is thinking about going hunting my advice is 'just do it'.
Apologies for the rambling, self-indulgent post.
The two experiences were very different but both enjoyable in different ways. The bloodhounds was very fast and a real adrenaline rush whereas the Kimblewick was slower which gave me more time to take everything and enjoy the experience. I found everyone to be very friendly and welcoming although someone did tell me I looked terrified! I think I was more terrified of making a fool of myself than of anything else. I was really pleased that my lovely horse, although very strong, stopped when everyone else did, jumped what I asked him to and was generally pretty sensible.
I have to confess I shed a little tear yesterday morning. After cantering across a field I looked back to see the hounds and huntsman gathered at the edge of the wood in the glorious autumn morning sunshine. I had to pinch myself to check it was real - me on my own horse out with the hunt! As a horse mad, horseless child I grew up dreaming of having my own horse and being able to do things like hunting. I only got my own horse a few years ago and it's taken me a while to get to the point when I've felt confident enough so it was an emotional moment. I was on the verge of embarrassing myself by crying in public so I gave myself a mental 'slap around the face' and pulled myself together and got on with it.
I haven't stopped smiling since and I can't wait to go again. If anyone else is thinking about going hunting my advice is 'just do it'.
Apologies for the rambling, self-indulgent post.
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