Hunting etiquette question - passing people

[skewby]

I have not really hunted yet, but hope to. I went out once last season and on mounted hound exercise yesterday. My lad is very forward going and both times he has spent his entire time trying to move up the field. When we went proper hunting, I fought with him for an hour and had a horrible time, then gave in (exhaustion I think ) and ended up at the front (didn't pass the huntsmen) and he was then happy, and we both had an absolute ball.

So he's definitely better and easier to ride near the front. However, I do get looks as a complete newbie on a socking great Stow Fair special when I pass the rest of the field. I never ever push past anyone but when there is space, I do let him sneak through. Is this bad form? I want to have fun and I won't if I'm annoying people. Plus I hate rudeness in any sphere so definitely do not want to be guilty of it, knowingly or not.

 

[Irishcobs]

If the gap is wide enough and you don't effect anyone then go through. As long as you don't pass the field master.
The only thing I will say is you may find people use your nice white and brown bottom to stop, they seem to when I'm out

 

[joe_carby]

it wouldnt bother me aslong as you didnt catch my horse or anything just dont past field master and watch for hounds.

 

[dwi]

When I've been hunting I've found that the order is fairly fluid over the day. If your horse is strong why not stay at the front if he's happy there, much better than getting caught up in the melee which the middle can be.

 

[camilla4]

Absolutely nothing wrong with moving up the field, providing it is done politely! - but it is cardinal sin to get in front of master or hounds!!

 

[skewby]

Awesome, thank you all. I suppose people would actually rather me be at the front and under control, than causing a bloody riot somewhere behind them! It's hard enough work for me to stop him when I need to, and keep my distance from others, but I manage it fine. When I try and hang on to him all the time though, he gets really antsy, and I get exhausted and neither of us enjoys it! And that's when I'm in danger of losing him completely, which would not be pretty :S

Irishcobs I can definitely see that his brown n white bum might get used for that, it is very solid and rather wide! Lol!

 

[camilla4]

They would certainly prefer that - no-one wants a nuisance horse and rider (not that I'm saying you are at all!!) - it makes far more sense to keep your horse where he will run/jump happily - if he jumps reliably others will be happy to have a lead as well!

 

[spacefaer]

Hi Skewby -who do you hunt with? will keep my eyes out for you! I have a tri coloured chap I hunt

 

[skewby]

Camilla I can be a REAL nuisance if he throws his toys out of the pram! He does jump well, I have got a bit windy of late but confidence is coming back and I'm hoping hunting will help unfortunately he's out of action at the mo due to a fall at a fence at the weekend, but hopefully back on form in a few weeks and we can get out Autumn hunting!

Spacefaer I have been out with the Cotswold, they are a lovely, friendly, helpful hunt and both times the nice people I've met have made the experience with. Not many adults on coloureds though I have to say! Where are you??

 

[spacefaer]

We hunt mainly with the Ledbury (my home pack) and the VWH - more adults on coloureds with both - inc an ex amateur whip with the Ledbury who has the biggest jumping 15.2 - it's amazing! My OH had days out with the Cotswold last season, but on his chestnut maxi cob - he's not allowed to steal my coloured boy!

 

[camilla4]

Hi Skewby - sorry he's out of action just as you want to be getting him fit - what a pain for you! Don't worry, no horse is perfect all the time, escpecially when, as you say, they throw the toys out of the pram. I really hope your confidence comes back for you - hunting is so good for horse and rider. The fact that he jumps well means you are most of the way to having a good time!

 

[skewby]

Hi Camilla, yes it's such a pain he is very fit at the mo though so I hope he won't lose any. Had vet check him over and she thinks it's just muscle damage so fingers crossed she's right and he comes good with a week or so off! Yes the confidence is coming back, to be honest the only problem I am having at the moment is that he is backing off on the last strides into the fence, meaning I'm not too happy tackling any big stuff! It's all because when my confidence vanished I would stop riding him or pull him out. I'm sure he'll go back to his old self soon

Spacefaer VWH are actually closer to me and I would love to go out in Ciren Park, must be lovely. I was told though that VWH are a bit chaotic for a newbie and that I should stick with a quieter pack for a while - what do you think??

 

[camilla4]

Hi Skewby - that's good news from the vet! He should be fine with that short amount of time off. I think you'l find that hunting will help you both with your jumping - hope you enjoy it!!

 

[Aniseed]

Hi Skewby, I went out with the VWH as a newby and I went back for more so it can't have been too bad! I have only really done Mondays though so the field is relatively small and you don't get a lot of children. Going cubbing in the park on Monday so really looking forward to that. How do you find the Cotswold? I was thinking of having a couple of days out with them this year as they are quite close.

 

[skewby]

Thanks Camilla very kind of you. I am sure we will enjoy it

Aniseed I might give VWH a go, would love to go out in the park and there are loads of lovely fences there too the Cotswold are just lovely, sooo friendly and helpful and I'd defnitely say give them a go, Tuesday is their smaller field day

 

[ttt]

Hi Skewby,
My daughter has occasionally hunted her little 13.1hh for the past few seasons with the VWH, daughter had never hunted before, the pony had. The pony was VERY forward going and even in a Pelham, daughter couldn't hold her at the back. No-one complained, and as the pony had hunted for years and would jump everything and go anywhere, some of the adults even asked for a lead for some of their youngsters. Everyone at the VWH was really kind and hunting during the week, it wasn't overly busy. I would recommend them. Just sold the 13.1hh so no hunting this year. Have fun.

 

[skewby]

Ooh thanks ttt, what a lovely story, pony sounds fabulous! I shall definitely book an outing with the VWH. Just need horsey to hurry up and get sound now, was tidying up today (can you tell horse is off lol) and saw my ratcatcher, so need to be back in it and out! Fingers crossed everyone pretty please for a full and speedy recovery for my lad

 

[montmol]

the best piece of advice i got given the first time i went hunting by the master (who is a friend of my mums) was dont hold back and dont worry. but then i was on a 13.2 so there wasnt much chance of me overtaking him!!

 

[LouBerry]

I think as long as you're polite and don't barge people out of the way you're perfectly entitled to be where you want to be and where the horse is best settled. The only reason i'd see it being a problem is if you'd got something which annoyed/obstructed other people during the day e.g something which stopped at each fence, something which kept having tantrums etc.

I went last season and some horrible woman and her daughter had this "thing" about letting other people go past them. Seemed to think it was some sort of competition. She was merrily trotting down this wide track whilst the front of the field cantered off and when i politely tried to go past she shouted to her daughter to move over and block the path and that people shouldn't overtake. She also gave a friend a rollocking later on that day about going past people I was gobsmacked that someone could be that rude.