Gate shutting duty

[chestnut cob]

Just had the meet card and misc. info through from the hunt about this season. They're saying that there isn't anyone on gate duty this season but if anyone wants to volunteer, then they won't charge that person for that day's hunting.

I've had my boy out cubbing a few times now and he's finally settled to it however I don't know if I've still got the nerve for hunting proper. My original plan was to buy a 6 day package rather than full subs, with the intention of upgrading to full subs if I used up all my days or adored it. But, am now wondering whether to offer to do a day's gate shutting duty to see if I still like it, before spending a small fortune on a package? Thoughts? I know it will be more stop/start for me if we're shutting gates, but horse has no problems at all being held back and will happily play catch up all day long. I assume I won't have to worry about the jumping (ie, if we're left behind a bit and I can't get over something) as I'd be closing the way around, ie the gate..

Good or bad idea?

 

[camilla4]

Good idea! If your horse had the manners then go for it. Remember, you'll get the benefit of some runs at least and, at the very least, you'll make yourself very, very popular! Give it a go for one day - you can always see how you get on and do more.

 

[chestnut cob]

Now we've sorted out the bitting he actually has lovely manners, and for the first part of the day he's a bit shell shocked by it all. To start with at least, he almost gets stage fright when it's a big field and they're all cantering off. Seems to prefer to watch them go and play catch up. Even once he's settled, he's actually v well mannered (let's hope I haven't just jinxed myself!!) and I think he would wait while I did gates, then be happy to gallop on to catch up.

Presumably by doing gates, I'm likely to be going around most of the jumps rather than over them?!

I am happy to pay for my 6 day package once I know I haven't lost my nerve, but am a bit loathe to pay it up front and find that I only do an hour each time because I can't hack it! Does that sound daft?!

 

[Rowreach]

Do you know the country very well? That's the only problem if you do get left behind and you don't know where you are and remember to take loads of string with you (a big bunch tied to your saddle) just in case

I'm sure once you get the hunting bug you'll be subscribing for a full season

 

[camilla4]

Now we've sorted out the bitting he actually has lovely manners, and for the first part of the day he's a bit shell shocked by it all. To start with at least, he almost gets stage fright when it's a big field and they're all cantering off. Seems to prefer to watch them go and play catch up. Even once he's settled, he's actually v well mannered (let's hope I haven't just jinxed myself!!) and I think he would wait while I did gates, then be happy to gallop on to catch up.

Presumably by doing gates, I'm likely to be going around most of the jumps rather than over them?!

I am happy to pay for my 6 day package once I know I haven't lost my nerve, but am a bit loathe to pay it up front and find that I only do an hour each time because I can't hack it! Does that sound daft?!

He sounds ideal for the job and you will have the option of doing jumps - it just means that you have to shut the gate from the wrong side and then jump, or jump and then go back!

I can understand you wanting to find a way to minimise costs if you only do an hour or so - gate shutting is a good compromise. You only need to commit to a day initially - see how you go.

 

[Lizzie66]

I think you'll find they normally do gate shutting in pairs, so if you partner someone who does know the country it doesn't matter too much if you get left behind.

I would also have thought they'd let you buy at least one day ticket as a visitor before they insist you subscribe. Give one of the secretaries a call.

 

[MrWoof]

Do you know the country very well? That's the only problem if you do get left behind and you don't know where you are and remember to take loads of string with you (a big bunch tied to your saddle) just in case

- and don't forget the penknife!! Ours do it in pairs (as do most I think) so you should be alright. You will be a very popular person with The Masters, I can assure you.

 

[SpruceRI]

I'd jump at the chance! Free hunting !! : )

 

[chestnut cob]

I can understand you wanting to find a way to minimise costs if you only do an hour or so - gate shutting is a good compromise. You only need to commit to a day initially - see how you go.

It's not really even a case of trying to minimise costs. I've been cubbing a few times this season and got him settled, finally. Been chatting to the Sec's and one of the Masters about buying a 6 day visitor package (ie, paying for 6 days up front). But, it's been a fair while since I hunted proper (hence getting out cubbing this year) and I'm just a bit concerned about paying up front for 6 days and then finding I've lost my nerve, so don't want to use the 6 days. Does that make sense?

I'm more than happy to pay for that package (and if I do find I love it after all, more than happy to pay for full subscription) as long as I know I'm going to want to use it. I was just thinking that a day or two on gate shutting duty might ease me back into it a bit more slowly, then if I do decide I have lost my nerve, I haven't paid £xxx for a package that I won't want to use.

Hopefully that all makes sense? It's not a case of me being tight and not wanting to pay, as if I find I love it (and horse stays sound) I will happily pay full subscription. It's more a case of me not wanting to pay, go out once or twice and find I hate it to then be left with 4 days left I don't want to use up...

 

[chestnut cob]

LOL madhossy I like your style!

 

[chestnut cob]

I would also have thought they'd let you buy at least one day ticket as a visitor before they insist you subscribe. Give one of the secretaries a call.

I didn't mean to imply they were trying to force me to subscribe! I have spoken with the Sec's and one of the Masters about a 6 day package, and upgrading to full subs if I love it. I was just mulling over a way to get out once or twice in main season to see if I still liked it (obv it's different to cubbing, and I haven't been hunting proper for a good while) before committing to 6 days, and possibly eventually full subs.

 

[millitiger]

yep, we do gate shutting here in pairs and the best thing is if you gate shut at one meet you get a free day at another one where you can be in the field!
so almost 2 free days of hunting really.

 

[marmalade76]

I used to gate shut for bloodhounds. I did it with a friend at first and after that always did it on my own. I found that when people stayed back to help it was more of a hinderance as they often could not keep up with me when catching up. My horse once burnt off a point 2 pointer up a fairly steep hill! The master who asked me to gate shut insisted that a gate shutter must be able to jump, and get on and off easily if needed. You need to be quick, 'cause with bloodhounds, they are soon out of sight!
I also did other jobs, like taking loose horses back to their riders and picking up lost Pateys, etc. I had a great time!

 

[Lizzie66]

Sorry you misunderstood me, what I meant was that you could try full hunting on a day ticket to see if you and horse enjoyed it, before buying a package.
Gate shutting wouldn't necessarily help you to know whether horse would settle to hunting when in with the rest of the field.
Happy hunting whichever way you decide.

 

[chestnut cob]

Ah! I see, sorry!

I did wonder whether gate shutting would actually show me whether I'd enjoy hunting proper or not. It might ease me back in to it gently ;-)

Thanks

 

[camilla4]

[quoteIt's not really even a case of trying to minimise costs.
I'm more than happy to pay for that package (and if I do find I love it after all, more than happy to pay for full subscription) as long as I know I'm going to want to use it. I was just thinking that a day or two on gate shutting duty might ease me back into it a bit more slowly, then if I do decide I have lost my nerve, I haven't paid £xxx for a package that I won't want to use.

Hopefully that all makes sense? It's not a case of me being tight and not wanting to pay, as if I find I love it (and horse stays sound) I will happily pay full subscription. It's more a case of me not wanting to pay, go out once or twice and find I hate it to then be left with 4 days left I don't want to use up... [/quote]

Makes perfect sense!! I think if the gateshutting gives you a free full day, it will be worth it. Effectively two days in the field