Hound Exercise......advice please ?

[peanutsmumma]

There is a local hound exercise coming up in a few weeks and I am thinking of taking part with my youngster.
I've never done anything like this before but feel it would be good experience for both of us!

He isn't the fittest but he certainty has stamina when we go out.

The exercise is introduction day so will be a slower pace that the normal hunt and there will be lots of help on hand if needed.
It's following a human scent so nothing too crazy.

Has anyone taken part in something like this.....any advice/tips for either me or my boy.

 

[Michen]

Do not go unless you intend to take him regularly (a couple of times a week) to settle him if he finds it exciting. Otherwise you are just winding a horse up for no reason and to reach them nothing.

I took both my youngsters 3 times a week for a month in the beginning to teach them good behaviour

 

[irishdraft]

I'm assuming a bloodhound pack, if your horse is fine to canter & jump in a possibly quite large group then go and enjoy. If you haven't done anything of this nature then I probably wouldn't. Also if you do go make sure you can stop your horse, I'm sure the pack concerned will inform you of the etiquette.

 

[Abacus]

My experience a couple of years ago is that whatever they say about going slower than normal isn’t true, as there were lots of ‘experienced’ horses there that found it incredibly exciting… with riders that didn’t really keep them under much control. I was trying to manage an ex racehorse on his first day out and hoped it would be a gentle experience for him but sadly it blew his brain rather! No major harm done but I regretted taking him and it certainly wasn’t fun or gentle.

 

[Jellymoon]

I’ve been on quiet ones and some very non quiet ones, so worth checking what it might be like by asking secretary. Assuming it’s with bloodhounds or drag hounds, there will likely be a jumping field master and a non jumping field master, and they won’t hang around, you will keep moving and there will be lots of trotting and cantering.

 

[ycbm]

It's following a human scent so nothing too crazy.

Make sure it's following a human scent, not following a scent laid by a human. Because if it's the latter then they just give the runner a very big start and go like the clappers, setting of when the trail has almost finished being laid.

He isn't the fittest but he certainty has stamina when we go out.

Please be careful, if his excitement and stamina cause him to exceed what he can safely do fitness wise, he could damage himself very easily on that kind of group exercise.

 

[Hackback]

Do they have a FB page? There's probably a lot of useful chatter on there if they do.

 

[Debsflo1]

We have a local bloodhound pack.
Currently hound exercise is a steady walk trot for 1 hour then speeds up to include canter and jumping.
We took my daughters youngster as did lots of others.
They encourage young horses and newbies to start whilst steady and everyone is friendly

 

[marmalade76]

Make sure it's following a human scent, not following a scent laid by a human. Because if it's the latter then they just give the runner a very big start and go like the clappers, setting of when the trail has almost finished being laid.






Please be careful, if his excitement and stamina cause him to exceed what he can safely do fitness wise, he could damage himself very easily on that kind of group exercise.

There won't be a runner if it's hound exercise.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Hound exercise is pretty much like a fun ride. The ride is mapped out so huntsman know where they are going. Unfortunately you have to go with the flow. Make sure he is fit enough to cope with different ground. Our local pack has finished hound exercise now and are on to faster stuff.

 

[SEL]

Our local pack has finished hound exercise now and are on to faster stuff.

So is ours. I think the first couple of meets were ideal for novices (horses & humans) but I've seen them out recently and it's definitely up a gear now

 

[ycbm]

There won't be a runner if it's hound exercise.

The OP said they were following a human scent.

 

[peanutsmumma]

The OP said they were following a human scent.

There are human runner so it will be following a human scent.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I’ve taken lots of youngsters on these and they are really good for young horses to get used to the discipline of being with other horses and listening to the riders aids, if you can pal up with someone with a quiet experienced horse and stay together that would be great, don’t get in to the pack but ride slightly behind or at the side so he can see all that is going on, ride out the day before so he’s not too fresh, you won’t know how he behaves until you try it, they are usually ok the first time, but tend to be more excited the 2nd /3rd times when they anticipate what is happening. Go and enjoy it, it definitely beneficial to horses as they learn to ride over different terrain and get more balanced.

 

[peanutsmumma]

I spoke to the secretary and she said that it was at your pace and not to worry if you get left behind as you will always be able to catch up and there will be huntsman on hand to help if needed.
I asked about fitness and she said that there will be lots of different abilities so the horses don't need to be mega fit.

My boy is usually very level headed, I'm expecting some excitement at the beginning but I'm hoping he'll settle into it quite quickly.

 

[palo1]

I’ve taken lots of youngsters on these and they are really good for young horses to get used to the discipline of being with other horses and listening to the riders aids, if you can pal up with someone with a quiet experienced horse and stay together that would be great, don’t get in to the pack but ride slightly behind or at the side so he can see all that is going on, ride out the day before so he’s not too fresh, you won’t know how he behaves until you try it, they are usually ok the first time, but tend to be more excited the 2nd /3rd times when they anticipate what is happening. Go and enjoy it, it definitely beneficial to horses as they learn to ride over different terrain and get more balanced.

Excellent advice. I have found that as long as the secretary of the hunt knows your situation there will be people on hand or paired up to keep everything calm. No one wants to see a horse over-faced with a situation either. I have introduced many horses to hound exercise and trail hunting and the advice to pair up and En let the horses watch what is happening from a little distance is absolutely correct. I have always had great support for these introductions from hunting people too. Enjoy!! Your horse's education will really benefit from the learning experience and there is nothing to beat riding a horse that is confident over all terrain in the company of others.

 

[peanutsmumma]

Excellent advice. I have found that as long as the secretary of the hunt knows your situation there will be people on hand or paired up to keep everything calm. No one wants to see a horse over-faced with a situation either. I have introduced many horses to hound exercise and trail hunting and the advice to pair up and En let the horses watch what is happening from a little distance is absolutely correct. I have always had great support for these introductions from hunting people too. Enjoy!! Your horse's education will really benefit from the learning experience and there is nothing to beat riding a horse that is confident over all terrain in the company of others.

This is what I'm hoping for.
We don't have many people to ride with at our yard so I don't have many opportunities to put him with a group. I want him to experience it whilst he is young so that when things crop up in the future, it won't blow his brain.

I've had him since 7mths and broke him myself. We have a very special bond so I'm hoping this will work in my favour on the day ?

 

[southerncomfort]

.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Agree with the above. I always advise newbies to contact hunt secretary beforehand to advise about your horses ability and your riding ability as they are the best people to inform you which meets are quieter and can put you in touch with more experienced riders and horses for support.
Our trail hunt has been exercising the hounds for some time now, firstly on foot and then with the horses. Generally they have been quite a gentle pace over the past few weeks but have kicked up a gear in the last few weeks ready for the opening season.
I can't echo enough to take your horse as often as you can to get him more comfortable with the whole affair. It's also worth asking if the hunt holds any "newcomer meets" in the first few weeks of the season. Our hunt usually holds one a few weeks in. Generally they are quieter and over "easier" terrain than other meets. Also many experienced riders and horses attend to help guide any newcomers around safely.
Good luck! I'm sure your boy will love it. Hunting is the making of many amazing horses ime.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Edit DP

 

[ycbm]

There are human runner so it will be following a human scent.

Strictly speaking, then, that's a meet, not hound exercise, though it sounds as if the hounds maybe aren't fit enough for it to be a fast meet yet? What's the dress code, that might clarify things?
.

 

[peanutsmumma]

Agree with the above. I always advise newbies to contact hunt secretary beforehand to advise about your horses ability and your riding ability as they are the best people to inform you which meets are quieter and can put you in touch with more experienced riders and horses for support.
Our trail hunt has been exercising the hounds for some time now, firstly on foot and then with the horses. Generally they have been quite a gentle pace over the past few weeks but have kicked up a gear in the last few weeks ready for the opening season.
I can't echo enough to take your horse as often as you can to get him more comfortable with the whole affair. It's also worth asking if the hunt holds any "newcomer meets" in the first few weeks of the season. Our hunt usually holds one a few weeks in. Generally they are quieter and over "easier" terrain than other meets. Also many experienced riders and horses attend to help guide any newcomers around safely.
Good luck! I'm sure your boy will love it. Hunting is the making of many amazing horses ime.

This is what this is.....a newcomer meet.
I have no idea what the correct lingo is as hunting isn't something I've ever taken part in

 

[peanutsmumma]

Strictly speaking, then, that's a meet, not hound exercise, though it sounds as if the hounds maybe aren't fit enough for it to be a fast meet yet? What's the dress code, that might clarify things?
.

I think its a newcomers meet. The dress code is relaxed.

The hounds have been doing various runs with the hunt masters but this is the first time out with other.

Im not sure what the correct lingo is for it all as I've never taken part in anything like this

 

[ycbm]

This is what this is.....a newcomer meet.
I have no idea what the correct lingo is as hunting isn't something I've ever taken part in

Don't worry, nobody will mind. Bloodhounds are fab dogs!
.

 

[Gallop_Away]

This is what this is.....a newcomer meet.
I have no idea what the correct lingo is as hunting isn't something I've ever taken part in

Not to worry. Have a look on the hunting forum on here. There are some very useful tips and general "Do's and Don'ts" for newcomers. Most important thing is to keep yourself and others safe and just have fun! ? (and ALWAYS turn your horse to face the hounds ?)

 

[Jess1994PM]

Id go and enjoy it! hound exercise is usually a lot more chilled and would be a good start for his first one. If you can make sure youve had experience cantering him over a field environment with a few other horses and that you have control/brakes as once your on the ride its too late. They don't take kindly to horses running out of control or overtaking the hunt master so just be careful, but as it newcomers they will be a bit more relaxed as long as your being safe. watch out for ribbons in tails, and don't jump anything your not comfortable with or you feel is unsafe if he refused. you could go on a ride and not jump just to get him used to the setting especially if he is unfit. but all aside if your confident go for it, sit back and have fun. you can't know if you love it until you try it! I was super nervous to go to my first one, and i loved it! I now try to go to as many as possible and hop some hedges!
P.S just a little personal one for me - depending on horses ability watch out for ditches, i dont jump them as they are not worth the mistakes that sometimes happen and if the horse messes it up can be dangerous - I would work on them out of a ride environment and start small if you are keen to do them, but just be careful. Have fun! x

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I think I saw this advertised. Is it with the Mendip? If not, another is doing a similar thing. Considered taking my 4yo but don’t want to blow her head.

 

[peanutsmumma]

I think I saw this advertised. Is it with the Mendip? If not, another is doing a similar thing. Considered taking my 4yo but don’t want to blow her head.

The one I've seen is with the New Forest Hounds

 

[marmalade76]

There are human runner so it will be following a human scent.

It's not hound exercise if that's the case, it will be hunting proper and for that you need a properly fit horse.

 

[peanutsmumma]

It's not hound exercise if that's the case, it will be hunting proper and for that you need a properly fit horse.

Its a newcomers meet