Hunting Newbie

[FinkleyAlex]

Ok I'm thinking about going drag hunting with my 15hh PBA. I've never hunted in my life, I'm going to assume that he has as his old owners were the type to take their horses hunting. He's quite laid back but occasionally nappy (ie if 50 horses are going left at high speed and I want him to go right we will have problems) He also has mega-broncs when he's fresh (which isnt very often). He has a brilliant jump (occasionally jumps me off as he leaps when he's nervous) but we are not the most confident over big fences and he has never jumped fixed fences with me (or done XC with me).

Is there a "tame" version of hunting that would suit us? Or could we stick to the back with the kids and not have to gallop flat out everywhere (having never been hunting I don't know if this is standard procedure but its how everyone describes it) Is it possible to leave the hunt if he misbehaves and can I opt out of jumps?

Sorry about all the questions I just don't want to make a mistake and lose my horse in the countryside

 

[sorona]

There are peopl eon my local hunt who seem to take the tame way round which you can do if you ride with somebody who knows the direction the trail is taking. If you are new to it, you can tell somebody and they may allocate somebody to keep and eye on you too. Shame you didnt manage to do a newcomers meet s that would have been ideal. You can also leave the hunt at anytime as long as you have made someone aware that you are leaving them. There is normally a safer otion to the jumps but this may mean a long detour. If you are concerned your horse may misbehave, stay out of the thick of the action and bedeck him with a green tail ribbon or if he may kick, a red one. Chose a day where the hunt is over your local territory so if you do want to give it a miss before the end of day, you know your way back to the carpark!
I am lucky enough to be able to hunt in the New Forest which is very unique in that you are not crossing farm land but open heath and inclosures. There is generally no jumping involved although you may come accross the odd log you can pop over but there are rivers and ditches to negotiate. This however does not make it any less scary as you need a very sure footed horse to take you round safely as the ground is very uneven.
Your best option may be to phone the hunt up and ask for their advice and tell them of your worries and concerns and they should be able to put your mind at rest.