Hunting Tips for a First Timer

[Sessle]

Hey
I'm intendingto go hunting this year with my horses, but after 21 years of riding, I've never ever done hunting, and quite frankly the whole thing confuses me!! So has any one got any useful tips - even obvious ones

Thanks

 

[irish_hunter]

WELL...!
Firstly it's often a good idea to perhaps follow on foot a couple of times, go to some meets etc, so that you can see what actually goes on (sorry, not sure how much you do know?!) and so that you know what to expect...
First time/few times out, I would definately go with someone more experienced who can stick with you, teach you the ropes, let you know what is going on and why...what you can do and what to avoid, just general do's & don'ts, etiquette etc.
Make sure you are clean and well turned out things such as right colour stock with correct jacket etc etc..
With 21 years experience i'm sure you will be fine, but make sure your horse will be ok!..again a good reason to stick with someone else so that your horse (if he/she's a first timer too) has someone to stick with..
Hope that helps as a starter..i'm sure you will get lots more better tips. OH..and don't forget your hip flask :grin: have fun!!

 

[rema]

If you go to the top of the hunting forum page you will see two threads,one is about the hunting speak what they mean when they say gone to ground ect and one is about advice for people new to hunting like never overtake the master. :grin:

 

[Lizzie66]

Have a look at the post in "Latest News" from Countryside Alliance about "Hunting for Free".

Its an initiative they are running to encourage the Hunts to have a Newbies week in October.

If a Hunt near you is participating then it is probably similar to our Childrens meet where the regulars will be making sure that everyone is OK and will also be more than happy to answer questions on what is going on etc

Its an ideal opportunity to go for your first time, the day will probably be a little slower than normal and there is likely to be both jumping and non-jumping groups.

 

[j17bow]

Get to the meet earlier than you think you need to, you will be really embarrased if you are late!

 

[Bunnybasher]

Possibly helpful stuff for experienced riders going hunting for the first time.

1. It is likely to be absolutely terifying. If you have ridden for years you will be used to close and continuous communication between you and your horse. However, the first time the horse finds himself galloping around in a large herd of his excited bretheren, he is likely to switch off to you. This gives the experience of going at top speed on an animal which is completely out of control. However...

2. Don't worry. He will stop when the rest stop. More importantly, he isn't really out of control, but is listening to the herd around him - if you really need to get his attention back, you will find that you can - although it may take a bit of time and effort.

3. Don't interrupt. Going quickly over rough ground requires a lot of thought from the horse, and the best and safest way to get this to happen is not to be continually interrupting. This is where the "out of control" feeling can get hard to manage - if you are continually distracting the horse from his core job of keeping his footing and keeping up, he is more likely to slip.

4. You get told from time to time to stay at the back. This is fine if that is where the horse wants to be, but not if it doesnt. Most horses, in my experience, like to be as near the middle of a herd as possible. Having a fight with the horse as to where in the group he stands isn't worth it. However if he starts indicating that he thinks his place is at the front, have a quiet word.

5. Horses absolutely adore hunting. This means that they will go on with every indication of keenness and energy even if they are absolutely exhausted. Be very, very sensitive that the horse may be out of fuel and running on adrenaline. As soon as you feel that he is, say goodnight and take him home.

6. You do not have to jump anything. Every hunt, without exception, will have a small cadre of mounted followers who, for whatever reason, do not wish to jump (or to jump much). Go with them a few times - no-one will think any the less of you for it. Jumping natural obstacles out of a muddy field with uncertain footing is a very different experience from jumping in a school or on a cross-country course, and it takes a horse some time to get good at it.

7. Some horses find it all just too much to cope with and blow up. This can happen in the most unlikely cases - I have seen otherwise quiet hacks start waving enthusiastically at aeroplanes at their first meet (and conversely I have seen lunatic thoroughbreds settle to it in five minutes). If this happens it is likely to happen at the meet or a few minutes out. If it does, GET OFF. Walk the horse around, give him time to recover, help him see that it isn't frightening, and when he feels calmer have another go - but please not too near anyone else.

8.The odds are that you are about to have one of the most satisfying and exhilerating experiences of your life. To the extent possible, relax and enjoy it.