Hunting in Ireland

[buzzles]

Ok, I'll post these in here then as they didn't work in the hunting forum. Here are two videos of hunts in Ireland,

The Islands, foxhounds in Wexford who still hunt foxes
(the second half of the video kind of explains why I don't really like hunting my horses and I can't really see how it makes a young horse become braver

)

http://www.thehorsesmouth.ie/content/view/44/38/

the Bray Harrier, drag hunt in South Dublin/North Wicklow,

http://www.thehorsesmouth.ie/content/view/49/38/

 

[chester1234]

I've been out with the Bray

good god it terrified the life out of me! Brilliant experience though. We were in the Wicklow mountains staying at Devils Glenn in Ashford.

 

[Hornby]

Well that first vid was quite the most unpleasant thing I have seen in a long while (from 4:07 mins), quite a few horses looked to have the stuffing knocked out of them and the riders were fools (at best) to queue to put their horses at such a foul place to jump. Nasty.

 

[Weezy]

I thought it looked like fun

 

[icestationzebra]

Mmmmm - I certainly think too much of my horse to put her down that! Certainly explains why the little Irish chestnut horse in my avatar behaved as though he had been dropped on his head - he probably had!

 

[chester1234]

I did more than one fence like that! Having watched that first vid, what you have to remember is those horses don't know any different

so for them that's just normal hunting country - like South Notts from The Bear - I did that and thought oh sh*t, but that was normal for them! And those Irish double ditches are such a nightmare! I didn't realise that was what happened with them, and i jumped one and suddenly found myself faced with another! Here are some photos....BTW I was 11 at the time..!

Double Ditch - Second Ditch

Mum Doing the Same

Step Up Off Of The Road

Then A Bounce to This - My Mum's 5"4

Jumping It

 

[Hornby]

I agree that the horses learn how to jump them - the second vid showed that, and that most horses coped cleverly when the ground was half way decent but the first vid showed a drain with a horrible landing, many horses were up to their stifles in mud and riders off over their head.....

 

[oofadoofa]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought it looked like fun

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too! Good on the chap that came out the side door but kept his foot in the stirrup and managed to get back on again as the horse was down!

Notice just how many horses get it right though - certainly makes them think about where they are putting their feet!

 

[Groom42]

Always best to hunt local horses - they really do know what they are doing! Hunting out there,certainly where we were, has a completely different approach,and you have to remember "when in Rome". Turnout does not have quite the same importance placed on it; at the end of the day,everyone puts horses on lorry,and retreats to pub for the craic. I didn't see one travel boot,tail guard,or haynet - anywhere! The odd rug made it's appearance,but if you leave the saddles on,their backs don't get cold!? However,the horses were fit,well and loving their hunting,and sound in the morning. Obviously,our own horses would have a hissy fit if we tried that here,but then they have always been booted,suited and hayed,and expect no different.When our SOT arrived from Ireland,he panicked and was absolutely terrified when he heard the velcro on his rug - that told us how "comfortable" he had been!