Hunting in December - help!

[millyspaniel]

Hi, i would really love to take my TB mare hunting this season. Neither of us have done it before. I am planning to go along with a couple of friends who will also be first timers.
We are hoping to go to the boxing day meet, by then my mare should be fit enough to go.
I believe its very fast and the horses get really fired up. My mare is 4 and she is very calm when hacking out with other horses - 5 at a time, and is happy to follow on at the back across open fields.
I know there will be lots of other horses there and i am a bit curious to how she will react.
So i have a few questions,
1 She is normally ridden in a snaffle and never gets strong, shall i change her bit for hunting just in case?
2 What do i wear? do i have to have a tweed jacket or a plain blue or black one? what about shirt? stock etc?
3 Does she need to be plaited up?
Thanks

 

[JenHunt]

1) don't change anything unless you know you'll have to, especially given she is so young. How fired up the hunt gets depends on who you'll be hunting with! Our hunt always has a long steady day on boxing day, with plenty of stops for hip flasks. And there will always be a group who aren't jumping or who are taking small kids round, so if she gets too much to handle you can drop back to that group so she calms down a bit.

2) Technically black or navy is correct after 1st November, but if you only have tweed then that would be fine too. A stock (white or cream with black or navy, and coloured with tweed) is always a good idea (keeps you warm, and provides a bit of support if you fall off), and if you're wearing a stock then a thermal stock shirt is a good plan! equally a plain shirt and coloured tie with tweed is acceptable. body protector optional and normally worn over the jacket. if you don't have a waistcoat a v-neck woolly jumper will keep you warm and not be noticed under your jacket. boots should be black (but gaiters (not half chaps) and short boots is fine if black).

3) She should be plaited up really! (natives are the exception to this rule)

hope this helps!

who are you planning to hunt with?

 

[millyspaniel]

Thanks for your info, think i will invest in a black jacket then seeing as its going to be december plus i may go a few times after that too.
I also need to invest in some black boots as all i have to ride in are the dublin valley tall boots inj brown.
Will keep her in a snaffle and see how she goes.
I am planning to go with a few friends who live nearby who like me will be first timers so if it got too much we could slope off home!

 

[L&M]

Not wanting too put you off, but I wouldn't personally start my hunting season with a Boxing Day meet! Even seasoned hunters can get wound up on the the biggger days and if you were able, I would go out a few times prior to this - at least you will know how your horse will behave, and whether your bitting is appropriate.
As above, re Navy or Black jacket plus plain stock, and plaited.
Good luck!

 

[millyspaniel]

who are you planning to hunt with?

the Ludlow hunt

http://www.ludlowhunt.com/

 

[MrWoof]

Hi, i would really love to take my TB mare hunting this season. Neither of us have done it before. I am planning to go along with a couple of friends who will also be first timers.
We are hoping to go to the boxing day meet, by then my mare should be fit enough to go.
I believe its very fast and the horses get really fired up. My mare is 4 and she is very calm when hacking out with other horses - 5 at a time, and is happy to follow on at the back across open fields.
I know there will be lots of other horses there and i am a bit curious to how she will react.
So i have a few questions,
1 She is normally ridden in a snaffle and never gets strong, shall i change her bit for hunting just in case?
2 What do i wear? do i have to have a tweed jacket or a plain blue or black one? what about shirt? stock etc?
3 Does she need to be plaited up?
Thanks

I would say NEVER EVER Boxing Day as a first Meet for a newcomer. Many of us oldies do not even venture forth mounted on Boxing Day. It is the day that the entire local troop of half-wits go out. No hunting experience, horses which kick, have no brakes and barge into everyone, etc, etc. Keep your nice 4-year old for another Meet where you will both be safe. There is usually a Children's Meet between Christmas and The New Year. Why not ask your local Hunt Secretary if you could attend with your friends as newcomers? Far safer and you can then go onwards and upwards. I still leave the Opening Meet (since 1956) as "tail-end Charlie" - that way, the mayhem can ensue before me and I can see it and side-step it rather than becoming involved in a melee. More accidents happen on Boxing Day than on any other day in the season. If you still decide to go, please be careful, keep at the back and above all, both of you come home safe.

 

[MrWoof]

who are you planning to hunt with?

the Ludlow hunt

http://www.ludlowhunt.com/

I did not realise that you were wanting to out with The Ludlow on Boxing Day. I would suggest you and your friends have a few days on foot first so that you can see exactly what happens during a day's hunting. This pack seriously motors - over big country.

 

[L&M]

Short notice but could you go out on a 'newcomers day' - I don't know if the Ludlow are having one, but it would be this week sometime if in line with other newcomer meets.