Hunting Scares me but its on my bucket list.

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mums the groom

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My goals for this year is to get myself a new pony (Connemara) and to go hunting, I've always wanted to do one since being little but have never had the confidence to do one. These are the big fears I have.
1) Don't know anyone who hunts, so how can I join a hunt?
2) What happens in my mind I have visions on complete mayhem with horses being so excited and wound up that there is me screaming and disappearing off into the sunset with everyone laughing.
3) What if the hedges are huge and I can't jump them.
4) if I don't know anyone who would look after me to make sure I'm alright.

I know those that do hunt take their children and I'm sure they don't go jumping great big hedges. do they have a nanny pack at the back I don't mind being at the back. Can anyone give me advise on how to get this ticked off my bucket list, I have been riding for nearly 30 years so its not the riding but just the unknown that's stopping me.

Thank you in Advance
 
Hunting scares me too and it's number 1 on my bucket list (I know I need to put something a lot more exotic on there, ha ha) but it is something I have wanted to do since I was a small child.

I have started to have jumping lessons in preparation of going, and I intend on going on a pre-season meet as I am reliably informed the pace is slower, you don't have to actually jump anything and there is a rear field master to look after you.

I have made the hunt secretary my new best friend (lol) and have been bombarding her with questions, she has been so kind and patient.

I will go this year, I will.
 
I went hunting. ONCE! Oh good lord! I went in the followers/ non jumping group. I stupidly thought that would be calmer. All was lovely and calm and friendly milling round at the start. Then we were off, I wasn't ready for it and minto totally and utterly got away from me. 50 odd horses galloping flat out at one muddy gateway! Minto channelled his tb half and was quickly in front. He did settle slightly then! But there were people at the back trotting along quite happily. From what I saw even in the jumping group you didn't have to jump anything. In hindsight minto probably not the ideal horse to take hunting. He had an absolute ball but had to be in front (he settled for side by side with leader) and my arms were 3 feet longer!
 
Grew up hunting as a vehicle follower and then went on my own on horseback when I was 13; as a farmer's daughter the subscription was paid by the farm and that entitled anybody from our place to attend on a horse and not need to pay further. I'm therefore not the best placed to explain how to get into it as my parents hunted, and my grandparents etc. so all I ever did was rock up with my horse!!

A lot of it depends on where you live and the type of country they cover. All these English hunts that jump are so far removed from the type of hunting we had in mid Wales. It was a lot of scrambling up the side of mountains and negotiating bogs on open hills and forestry land and main roads. Scarier in reality than jumping in my opinion!!

All I can tell you is to Google what your local packs would be and contact the secretary for information. A lot of these bigger hunts have open days and fun rides to go along on so that you can get a feel for the type of thing they do before you commit to going hunting. My horses are well-behaved in company despite being ex-racehorses and my one pet hate is unruly horses so keep that in mind! But everyone appreciates that it can take a horse a little bit of time to settle down in a group so...
 
Just do it!
I don't know anyone who goes, me and my pony were both in our twenties and I'd never been. For about 5 years I hadn't even hacked with another horse as no one at my yard rode. I thought I want to try hunting once! I was very bored of just hacking alone everywhere. So I just looked one up and went. Yes my pony was nuts but I enjoyed the challenge tbh, it was very exciting for me. We went many more times and I am hoping to try a new hunt soon as the one I used to go with has finished. You won't know if you'll like it unless you just go! If pony too naughty just stay at the back.
 
found a hunt near me that also do hirelings, I know its the expensive way to do it but it would be a safe hunting pony that knows what its job it so I think its time to bite the bullet and Tally Ho, hopefully wont break my neck doing it :o)
 
I've been hunting for years and it scares me too,but that's why I do it! Seriously if you want to have a go ask around and you'll find someone connected, you could always contact the MFHA (Masters of Foxhounds Association) and ask for contact details. I would recommend that you work up to it by going autumn hunting a few times to start with as this is much less daunting, also find out about fun rides and hound exercise (we do these as "pub rides") and then you'll get to know a few people. If you can pick a mid week day then go for that as there are usually way fewer people, you are more likely to see hounds working and it's a lot less hectic. When you've done that you'll be ready! Also look out for Newcomers Days at the beginning of the season, quite a few hunts do them and they are specifically for people like yourself. Be warned - it can be (is) addictive!
 
Loving this thread as I'm due to go on my very first beginner's mock hunt in a couple of weeksnds' time, and I'm bricking it a bit. Oh ok, a lot! :)
 
I started hunting for the first time this year and all I can say is absolutely go for it!!! I'm such a nervous person and it has done me the world of good for my confidence in all areas of riding. I was able to get out on a borrowed pony who knew his job well so that was a big help. The hunt I went with is small enough that there aren't separate jumping/not jumping groups but there wasn't anything I had to jump at all and there were other people not jumping. We never went so far from the car park that you couldn't go home when you wanted either. My advice would be to talk to the secretary and when your there don't be scared to talk to anyone. Just introduce yourself and say this is your first time - usually you'll find another buddy who's also new and some old timers who can help you out also. Just go for it, if your experience is anything like mine you won't regret it!
 
mums the groom said:
My goals for this year is to get myself a new pony (Connemara) and to go hunting, I've always wanted to do one since being little but have never had the confidence to do one. These are the big fears I have.
1) Don't know anyone who hunts, so how can I join a hunt?
2) What happens in my mind I have visions on complete mayhem with horses being so excited and wound up that there is me screaming and disappearing off into the sunset with everyone laughing.
3) What if the hedges are huge and I can't jump them.
4) if I don't know anyone who would look after me to make sure I'm alright.

I know those that do hunt take their children and I'm sure they don't go jumping great big hedges. do they have a nanny pack at the back I don't mind being at the back. Can anyone give me advise on how to get this ticked off my bucket list, I have been riding for nearly 30 years so its not the riding but just the unknown that's stopping me.

Thank you in Advance
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1) you need to find your locals - ask here/facebook etc and contact the secretary
2) err no, not at all in fact we have days where all I have done is wander round the same woods with the odd sedate canter, drinking and chatting before giving up and going home :).
3) I have hunted with 2 packs in 2 different areas and never been required to jump a hedge, which is handy because the pony is far too old to ask that of even if I wanted to. Occasionally there have been enough people to have jumping and non-jumping fields but not usually in the locations I was able to go to.
4) The people I have been with have been lovely, when you do point 1) ask the secretary they will usually be able to introduce to a couple of nice regulars on the day who will help you out, and if anything really does go tits up no one is going to abandon you.

Extras - mid week meets are usually quieter, I've been to a few which were less than 10 including hunt staff. The secretary will also be able to suggest a likely quieter day/location. I've hopped the odd log but not one for jumping anything unless there is a point, ie following hounds whereas a few just go off for a hedge/jump hop just because.
 
mums the groom said:
My goals for this year is to get myself a new pony (Connemara) and to go hunting, I've always wanted to do one since being little but have never had the confidence to do one. These are the big fears I have.
1) Don't know anyone who hunts, so how can I join a hunt?
2) What happens in my mind I have visions on complete mayhem with horses being so excited and wound up that there is me screaming and disappearing off into the sunset with everyone laughing.
3) What if the hedges are huge and I can't jump them.
4) if I don't know anyone who would look after me to make sure I'm alright.

I know those that do hunt take their children and I'm sure they don't go jumping great big hedges. do they have a nanny pack at the back I don't mind being at the back. Can anyone give me advise on how to get this ticked off my bucket list, I have been riding for nearly 30 years so its not the riding but just the unknown that's stopping me.

Thank you in Advance
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Good for you! It's always good to challenge yourself!

If you put what area of the UK you are in, you may find likeminded people on the forum already who hunt and who could befriend you - there are lots of us out there and we're all pretty friendly!

Start off in August with autumn hunting -lots of standing around, walking and trotting from covert to covert. Don't go out this season - everyone else will have seriously fit horses and you will overface yourself.

With regards to jumping - it totally depends what part of the country you are in and which pack you go with. If you are in East Anglia, for instance, you are more likely to be faced with small timber hunt jumps and fairly large ditches. If you are near Exmoor, there will be no jumping, but lots of very wide open spaces, hills and bogs!

Some of the mid-range packs have jumping and non-jumping field masters - by which I mean, ones that the fields are large enough to warrant both field masters needing to keep control of people crossing the country in whichever way they choose. The top flight packs, in the Shires or Gloucestershire eg the Belvoir, Quorn, Beaufort, will not have non-jumping field masters and you are generally expected to jump -at least hunt jumps, if not hedges.

First things first, you need to identify your local packs, contact the Hon Secretary and explain who you are, and that you would like to join in next season. Often hunts will run a newcomers day, or week, towards the end of the autumn hunting season (October-ish) just before Opening Meet, to give you an idea.

You might like to go on foot this season, and follow by car to get an idea of how things are conducted. Foot followers are very welcome, and quite often, some of the footies are more knowledgeable than the mounted field.

If you have any questions, ask them - no question is stupid!
 
Op I went on a new horse for the first time before Christmas. I put a thread about it in the hunting section.
I absolutely loved it but did find it very difficult to get round jumps. There didn't appear to be a non jumping group and I felt a bit like because I wasn't willing to jump a beefy fence directly onto a concrete road that I was holding my daughter up a bit (she loves hunting and is a regular but with another hunt)
I had a fall but it was a long story and didn't ruin my experience.
I'd like to go again but need to sort out a non jumping friend!
Google your local hunt and contact the secretary. I'd bet they will fix you up with someone if you explain your situation.
Prepare to ache 😂
 
I would like to try but nowhere does hunting here. I would have to do it on a holiday and hire a horse. I probably wouldn't want to take my horse anyway as I doubt he would cope well in a hunt situation for me. He likes to be at the front so that he knows he isn't left behind but I would want to be at the back for the first time.
 
Let us know where you are in the country and then we can help you more. Hunts vary wildly in how much they jump, whether they have non-jumping masters etc. If you are in the South East then worth checking out the Coakham Bloodhounds, their website is www.coakhambloodhounds.org.uk and they also have a very active FB group. They try to let people know in advance how demanding the jumping is at each meet, and they sometimes have a non-jumping master (which makes it easy to get round the jumps on that day if you wish). You don't have to book in for their meets, just turn up on the day. People are very friendly and if you say it is your first time out you will probably find someone to help you.

When you get your new pony/horse I would suggest taking it out in company as much as possible to start with - go to the beach with friends for a gallop, go on sponsored rides etc., so you get an idea how your mount behaves. Then when you have found a local hunt, start going autumn hunting - usually this starts off quite sedate and with little or no jumping, and builds up towards the opening meet. If all goes well then you should be well prepared to go hunting properly!
 
Hunting on a well mannered horse is lovely. Hunting on a nutcase is a nightmare. If you really just want to try it, I would recommend going on a hireling, which will be well mannered, fit and hopefully a reasonable jumper and the owner will probably nanny you too.

The way to get into it is to ask around which is the local pack, find out the name of the secretary and telephone and find out when the meets are. Of course, it might be better to find someone who already goes as they will know other people and can introduce you.

If you want to take your own horse they must be controllable in company and be fit. It isn't 100% necessary to jump as there is usually a non jumping group, but it is really far more enjoyable if you do jump, even if you have your own height limit.
 
I was absolutely terrified the first time I went (about 3 years ago) and at the time I was having breakdowns jumping bigger than 80cm, but now I've got the bug! I'm lucky that my previous horse was a dream to hunt, and we even ended up giving the hunt staff leads over a couple of very spooky/tricky ditches a couple of times and jumping huge hedges with confidence and ease! (If you told me that the first time I went I would have laughed and told you you were insane) I didn't know anyone the first time I went either, but got the secretary's number from a friend and called up and asked a lot of questions! They're usually very helpful.

I'm now teaching my new youngster to hunt, and have found most people very accommodating of his occasional less than perfect behaviour (nothing horrible he's just a bit fidgety and strong at the moment but getting better) I would recommend that if your horse has never hunted before, or you're not sure if he has, that you put a green ribbon in his tail as people should give you a bit more room that way! You can also tell people that you're new to this and they may be able to point you in the direction of someone who can "nanny" you and show you the ropes with a quiet, reliable horse as a lead.

TGM, I hunt with the Coakham too and have also found that they are lovely people! Definitely worth checking out if you are in the South East OP.
 
Weirdly I commented to my daughter today my horse was easier to hold with 50 odd horses galloping across open fields than he is following her and her horse for a quiet canter. Don't quite get that!
 
the masters of foxhounds association lists over170 packs of hounds, contact them then go and follow 1 or 2 in your car and on foot ,get there early and talk to the secretary, following your initial phone call stating you would like to follow them with a view to hunting in autumn 2017, most packs have intro days (no or very small jumping) to get your horse used to the hounds and rules and regs, and newcomers days that are a bit more up pace and size, go and get involved and enjoy.
 
I think even people who have hunted all their life still get nervous about hunting. On our big days, everyone hacks to the meet very quietly as they ponder what lies ahead! I'm certainly very quiet at the meet and its not until we've been going for a bit and jumped at least one jump before I can breathe again and remember why I love it.

If you have a saint of a hunter that is well mannered, jumps everything safely and is a joy to hunt - you are so lucky!! I've had 2 of those in the last 10 years. All the others including my current one are a bit more tricky and therefore add to the day's fear!!
 
You know you're from Ireland when its only today (after riding for 12 years and hunting for 3 of those) that some hunts don't jump :P Irish hunting is very jump-focused, however most compulsory fences aren't much bigger than 85-90cm.
 
I can't hunt because my mare will not stand - she goes feral if asked (I've tried everything) however we love the hunt pleasure rides where she can bowl on in company and we can pop over nice tame jumps if the mood takes us.
 
mums the groom said:
TGM I'm based in Cheshire / Manchester area so plenty of country side to play with
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Why not contact the sec at the Cheshire Forest and see whether you can go to their Children's meet, they have one coming up in a few weeks? There are some really friendly people out there and some beautiful country to go at. Alternatively, maybe start with a hunter trial at the end of the season, get involved with non riding based hunt dos over the summer and start autumn hunting in September?

I absolutely love my hunting and this year not riding has been very difficult for me.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Weirdly I commented to my daughter today my horse was easier to hold with 50 odd horses galloping across open fields than he is following her and her horse for a quiet canter. Don't quite get that!
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Mine is 25, a total liability out hacking, and worse in the arena. She's the foot perfect hunter that goes first, last, leaves the field and does gates.

I can't do the arena gate on her because she explodes.
 
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