Hunting on wet ground?

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shadowboy

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I went out in November when we had a reasonably dry spell and my local pack are in my village next week so I would like to join them but the ground is so wet at the moment - is it safe to takes boy out in this going? We do t hunt often so I'm not sure of the impacts?
 
Tbh it is not much fun atm - very slippy conditions. Our hunting is very deep and wet but as our horses are hunted weekly in these conditions, are coping ok. Some meets we are keeping to roads and tracks so as not too trash farmers land, so are hammering the roads more than I would like.

Things too watch for are mud fever and strains - I am certainly only jumping if no other option - our Master's best horse has just done a check ligament slipping whilst jumping.

Hope I haven't put you off!
 
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Hmmm to go or not to go!!!? I don't have transport so this is my last opportunity. Do you think if I went for an hour and didn't jump id be doing the boy a favour? Or should I write it off and leave it for the year?
 
It's a hard one .
My horse went off work in early November for a small op he's back at work now and I have to decide whether to get him back to the hounds before the end of the season .
The horses that have hunted all season are very fit now and have been crossing all sorts of ground once or twice a week all season they are conditioned to their work .
While any horse can of course damage itself I do those unused to conditions are at more risk .
Horses hunting all the time have learnt how to haul them selves through bottomless stream crossings they are used to thinking about where they are putting their feet .
I think the key thing is what's your horses job if a strain ( even a minor one ) is going to ruin your whole summer plans I tend to err on the side of caution and leave them at home .
The only reason I will take J is because he's a bit of a wuss and going into the spring from hunting will do him a lot of good I also have a young horse to nanny so it can be a easier days .
I have no idea if I should go so can't advise you !!!!
 
Depends on how sensible he is!

If he is happy pottering at the back,or will turn away from the field if they go off to do something you don't want to, then I would go for it.

However assuming you are paying a visitors cap, it would be an expensive hour....! Maybe phone the Sec and seeing what country you are crossing? We have some meets on the hills with old turf which are still fine to gallop across, but the lowland meets are just filthy.
 
Depends how sensible he is and how good at going in these conditions. We have not been out since December, my boy is green and not confident in these conditions. I think it is highly likely he will slip and hurt himself or his confidence. Even if not jumping, it's just so deep round here. So I have left it, even at our home meet which was hard and I kept contemplating it but I'd rather wait til it hopefully dries up end of season or just miss out altogether until next season.
 
We're still hunting but horses are used to it as we're a plough pack. Like Sidney says, it isn't much fun at the moment, everything is soggy and covered in mud, were not covering as much country or jumping. Just be prepared for. Dirty horse!
 
Unless you are an avid hunting fan then I wouldn't waste time or money or my horses potential soundness by going out ad hoc in these conditions.
If I wanted a blast id be hiring all weather gallops!
 
I have only been out twice. I pay full cap on the day. And tbh it's not worth my horses inexperienced legs and my money to go out on this country atm.

Here's hoping for some bydays :) gagging to get out again
 
Depends if you know what type of land they will be hunting over. Not many landowners will let hunting proceed if the going is very deep and wet, as will totally trash the ground. Daughter and husband have been out hunting the last couple of weekends but lowland meets have been switched to ones on the South Downs, so very well drained and no deep going.
 
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We have only lost 1 day but some days have been very wet and muddy. Ours have been out every week since Sept so are used to it. We are plough/ditch country...no fences just BIG ditches. We do have lighter land for our next few meets which will be a welcome relief.

Depends on your finances and your horse. If you are happy to pay visitors cap and take it steady and go home early then go for it. At times like this it is easier if you are a member as you just appreciate the chance to get out...however short the day.
 
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