SEL
Well-Known Member
if they're expecting newcomers then you'll be looked after
Hound Exercise......advice please ?
- Thread starter peanutsmumma
- Start date
TGM
Well-Known Member
I think the terminology can be a bit confusing. In our local bloodhound pack (Coakham) we have the following:
1. Hound exercise - the hounds are exercised with people on foot, on cycles or on horseback. There is no runner to follow and they are not 'hunting'. It is mostly on tracks and lanes and the pace is generally quite sedate. Not normally publicly advertised but people who want to introduce their horse to hounds can ask the huntsman if they can come along to join in. Generally casual dress.
2. Puppy Hunting or Pre-Season Hunting, which takes place in September/October before the Opening Meet. The bloodhounds follow the natural scent of a human runner who is given a head start. The pace can be quite fast at times. The hunts are shorter than the 'proper hunting' that occurs after the Opening Meet. Jumping is usually optional. Dress is ratcatcher - being a tweed jacket with a tie or coloured hunting stock.
3. Opening Meet and thereafter - what you might call 'proper hunting'. Again following the natural scent of a human runner (or runners), who are again giving a head start. Longer days and usually more jumping, including boundary fences that need to be jumped. Often hedges too, but usually a way around them. Dress for followers is a black coat, black velvet covered hat, beige or white jodhpurs, long boots and a stock, although navy jacket/hat is acceptable too.
Hopefully if you are attending a Newcomer's Meet, the fieldmaster of the day will give a speech at the beginning explaining the important points ie stay behind the field master at all time, turn your horse's head towards the hounds if you come across them (sometimes a hound or two will get left behind), pass back any messages you hear shouted, such as 'ware hole' etc.
If you are actually hunting, rather than doing sedate hound exercise, then do ensure your horse is actually fit enough for the amount of fast work. Also make sure you have effective brakes, go up a level bit-wise if you are not sure. Also please do make sure you wear gloves, nothing worse than sore hands out hunting.
I do see the New Forest Hounds are having two field masters for their Newcomers Meet, one of which will be 'slow', although how slow that will be I don't know! I'd go prepared to be doing plenty of fast canter work unless you know otherwise.
1. Hound exercise - the hounds are exercised with people on foot, on cycles or on horseback. There is no runner to follow and they are not 'hunting'. It is mostly on tracks and lanes and the pace is generally quite sedate. Not normally publicly advertised but people who want to introduce their horse to hounds can ask the huntsman if they can come along to join in. Generally casual dress.
2. Puppy Hunting or Pre-Season Hunting, which takes place in September/October before the Opening Meet. The bloodhounds follow the natural scent of a human runner who is given a head start. The pace can be quite fast at times. The hunts are shorter than the 'proper hunting' that occurs after the Opening Meet. Jumping is usually optional. Dress is ratcatcher - being a tweed jacket with a tie or coloured hunting stock.
3. Opening Meet and thereafter - what you might call 'proper hunting'. Again following the natural scent of a human runner (or runners), who are again giving a head start. Longer days and usually more jumping, including boundary fences that need to be jumped. Often hedges too, but usually a way around them. Dress for followers is a black coat, black velvet covered hat, beige or white jodhpurs, long boots and a stock, although navy jacket/hat is acceptable too.
Hopefully if you are attending a Newcomer's Meet, the fieldmaster of the day will give a speech at the beginning explaining the important points ie stay behind the field master at all time, turn your horse's head towards the hounds if you come across them (sometimes a hound or two will get left behind), pass back any messages you hear shouted, such as 'ware hole' etc.
If you are actually hunting, rather than doing sedate hound exercise, then do ensure your horse is actually fit enough for the amount of fast work. Also make sure you have effective brakes, go up a level bit-wise if you are not sure. Also please do make sure you wear gloves, nothing worse than sore hands out hunting.
I do see the New Forest Hounds are having two field masters for their Newcomers Meet, one of which will be 'slow', although how slow that will be I don't know! I'd go prepared to be doing plenty of fast canter work unless you know otherwise.
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2 ponies 2 dogs
New User
I took my boy out on two SDBH hound exercises last year.first one we were stuck at the back of a fairly big "field" and couldn't get past two red ribboned horses whose riders were quite frankly rude. My boy got quite frustrated at being held back as although he is only 14hh he strides out like a big horse. The second time the lovely whipper in aka nanny said to us to go up the front with her and he was a different pony. Forward and keen but well mannered and did everything I asked of him, including standing and waiting and trotting over a stubble field when everyone else was hooning off and loosing the plot. Last Sunday he went out on his first tub hunt and was a little star. Really fast and bold along the field and only one hairy moment when brakes were tested but he came straight back down to walk then stood nicely again. Today I took him across the downs on the buckle on a really relaxed ride. Not at all bothered about going fast today. So it really depends on the pony as Michen said.
Nevin's Run
Well-Known Member
Hound exercise is usually on foot or on bike. We have autumn hunting or 'ambles' - though honestly, when I've been out on ambles with our local harriers, the only thing different to 'hunting' was the time of year. It's been just as fast with just as many (optional) silly hedges. I'd be keeping an eye out for introductory or beginner days specifically - though it sounds like everyone uses different terms for different things! If you can speak to the secretary they can give you a clearer idea what to expect from your particular lot.