I would love to go hunting but am intimidated...

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Hi

I would love to go hunting, but am intimidated by it all and have loads of questions.

I don't even know where to go to find my local hunt. Or what to wear, or how to behave.

I have recently bought my first horse. I don't know how to prepare her for hunting, or how to find if there are any beginners hunts or anything.

How good a rider do you have to be? Do you have to jump all the fences? I can jump about 75cm ok, but higher than that and I start to worry! Would I be in the way?

I guess I'm just afraid I'll make a huge fool of myself, or get looked down on for doing something stupid, and not having been in the pony club, and being 26 and only just having my first horse.

What would you advise? What can I do to prepare and feel welcome? :o
 
This is exactly how I feel. I have owned lots of horses, but none that have been good enough to hunt. But the one I have now is. But I'm so confused about where to begin! Where abouts are you based?
 
first of,where are you based? i can then try and help you locate a few local hunts, then you can ring their secretaries nearer the season to check its ok to go out (it will be, but jsut to be polite) and ask any Qs you may have about times and where it is etc.
secondly, you WILL NOT make a fool out of yourself! there is something called cubbing, which is earlier on in the season which is much slower paced and very few jumps, a good way to start is by going to these, or the alternative are childrens meets- i know your not a child but there are many helpful people at these and they make it so that they avoid bigger jumps but have some very small post and rails and walls for people to jump if they wish.
you will need your horse to be very fit, and it will need to be cleaned. plaiting is not neccessary but if you want to, it makes a good impression.
you need to wear either a hacking jacket or a black jacket is fine. you need to have cream/beige johdpurs and boots or half chaps are reccomended.
if you are really intimidated after loacting a local hunt you coud go and follow them, go and meet the hounds and huntsmen at the meet so you can see what its all about...
if you have any more Qs. please ask :)
 
I’m going hunting for the first time ever this year too! I Googled my local hunt and found the e-mail address of the Hunt Secretary, and sent her an e-mail. She came back to me almost instantly and was lovely. Just do it, I’m sure there will be loads of people that will help and support you!

Not in Kent are you? We could support each other??!!??!! :grin:
 
PourToi, I am in Kent, just outside Tonbridge. I feel like I need a beginners meet or something, where they tell you what it's all about and how it works.

Do many adults go on the childrens meets? How does it work with just following a meet one day? Are there any dress codes or anything for that?

How do you know how to get home at the end of the day? Couldn't you end up miles from home?

Do any hunts run a kind of buddy system or anything, pairing an experienced rider with a novice?

Sorry for all the questions!
 
Thank you very much for all the replies!

JoBo, I am in Kent! Where are you?
Click to expand...
Oh we are Maidstone way, and I’m going out with Tickham hunt! I can forward you the e-mail address of the Hunt Secretary if you like? I’m going on the Taster with hounds at the end of August with my Cob Bodey. Be great to go together?
 
I'd love to! I don't have a box though, and really don't know if I'm good enough, or if my horse is fit enough.

how good do you have to be? I've had my horse 4 months, and can jump about 75cm comfortably, although she is capable of more. She's great with other horses hacking and stuff, just haven't taken her to any shows or anything yet, so don't know what she's like in other environments.
 
http://www.huntwatch.info/hunts_southeast.htm this may be of use. and yes many adults go to these childrens meets as often it is their first time or they are riding youngsters.
when following a hunt you go around in your car, there will be lots of other people doing it to. you can wear what you like, generally jeans and a coat or such like.its good to see hoe the hunt works etc.
well you will probably have trailered to the meet (????) and yes yiou do end up miles from the trailer quite often, but you can hack back with other people or ask people for directions- they will be happy to help!
i dont think hunts run anything like a buddy system, but ask your DC if theres anyone whjo wouldnt mind showing you the ropes, there are plenty of people who will as hunts are very focuse on making sure people understand how it works and what is going on.
i would deffo speak to a secretary about it all as they will be able to expain exactly how their hunt works....
anymore Qs. ask away :)
 
in reply to your latest post- you dont have to be able to jump, many dont and theres always people going through gates.
you will need to make sure your horse is fit enough- can you canter it say for 45 mins and then it recover fairly quickly back to normal breathing? to get a horse fit you need to canter it out on hacks constantly for a fair amount of time. it doesnt matter if she brreathes heavily its about the recovery rate, the shorter it is, the fitter they are.
i would definitley find someone to go with as this will help with transport and your confidence and also i would go cubbing first as there are less people, its much slower therefore your horse doesnt need to be as fit, but still fit and very few jumps. horses tend to find it all less exciting then hunting so relax more.. :)
 
If you're going to go cubbing first, don't panic too much about fitness- yes, your horsey will need to be fit enough to cope with a few hours work, but cubbing is very slow, no/limited jumping and gradually "speeds up" as you get towards the Opening meet- ie November- so following the progression of the season will get your horse fit for you!

And no matter what anyone says, there is always a way round anything you don't like the look of, but you'll have plenty of horses to follow and you'll be surprised at what you'll find yourself jumping! On my first day, I was adament I didn't jump at all....once I was out, having fun, and chatting away to someone, ponio and I wombled over a fence no worries!

Your best idea is to contact your local hunt secretary- look at the mfha website, find a hunt near you, and give the secretary a ring. Even if you've not rung the right one, they will be able to set you on the right track.

I'm secretary of a pack in Essex, and can verify that hunt secretaries are normal humans, and we don't usually bite :-)
And remember, whoever you phone, whatever they say to you, every single person who hunts had a "first time" and was just as worried as you!! Enjoy....

:-)
 
Go for it -you will have a great time! We all make fools out of ourselves sometimes, I did regularly when starting out 25 years ago!!!!! And still do sometimes now, but who cares!? You will have lots of things to look back on and laugh about. Hunting is much more relaxed post ban. Yes, there are awful sniffy people who hunt but there are far more who are nice, friendly and normal; just try and tag along with one of them and they will show you the way round, the way back to the meet etc etc. Good luck.
 
Def go, when i brought Taz, it took me a year to pluck the courage up to go god is it amazing, it was a real turning point for me, i jumped everything fences, hedges everything he was amazing, i then decided to go out boxing day and there were nearly 200 horses out i swear if i went back to look at what i jumped i wouldn't have done it, it is such a confidence booster, just plait your horse, wear long black boots, beige jods, and a black jacket and i would suggest if you have never been before going out for a mid week meet as they tend to be quieter, i did a few wednesdays and then did a few saturdays adn then did boxing day.

Do let me know how you get on i am addicted now. x
 
I made a compleate fool of myself my first time out with the fox hounds. (or rather my pony did) I had taken her drag hunting for a few seasons befor i went with the fox hounds so she was used to keeping going. When the hunt stopped and the hounds went to draw the wood she couldn't understand why we had stopped and she took off in the direction of the hounds we even flew passed the huntsman!! :o The hunt was lovely and although i went home they welcomed me back the next week ( with a better breaking system). Everyone was so kind. That was 8 seasons ago and now my pony is the most amazing hunter you've ever met she has whipped in on several ocations and now we hunt every week leading a 5 year old on her shetland pony. I hope you find a pack near you and find them welcoming (most packs are). Good luck and tally ho.
 
Go for it! I went hunting for the first time on the last meet of last season and loved every minute of it. Can't wait for autumn so we can go again!

Get in contact with the secretary. I found everyone really welcoming. Just make sure you have a clean horse and are smartly dressed. And have adequate brakes!

As one of the hunt staff said to me when I went - it doesn't matter what sort of horse you have as long as it can gallop and jump a bit!
 
Pourtoi, although there isn't usually a formal buddy system if the newbie has a word with the secretary they can usually arrange an experienced follower to guide them through the hunting day until they feel confident to go solo.

I'd also say that www.mfha.co.uk is the better place to find your local hunt and related info. I know for a fact that you could have a very long wait for the hunt to turn up if you followed some of the Hunt Watch information...
 
You could also try to get hold of a few books on the topic, some of the best for those starting out include:

The Chase by Michael Clayton - rather dated, but a useful summary of dresscodes and so forth

Hunting by Alasadair Jackson - again a little outdated as to safety hat standards, but an excellent introduction to the subject and produced for the Pony Club.

A Practical Guide to Hunting by Anne Holland - everything you wanted to know, but didn't want to ask.

Some of these are out of print, but you can usually find them on Ebay or on secondhand book sites.
 
and i just wanted to say we all make fools out of ourselves. i do reguarly. it usually involves my horses head being on the ground and me pulling for dear life as we gallop past everyone at high speeds!!
dont worry about it, just go for it its so much fun. it boosts your confidence so much and has really helped my horse improve in his XC. you jump things you never think you would!
definitley once your more experienced go out on boxing day or chirsatmas eve! we jump some herrendously big fences...
good luck and have fun! you will be addicted in no time :)
 
THanks everyone for all the encouragement!

I have emailed the secretary of what I think is my local hunt, and asked their advice.

I really, really want to go, especially now you have all been so nice to me! I'm quite excited about it, but very nervous that when I do do it I'll make some horrible error!

Another question. When does cubbing start?
 
Seriously don't worry about it, the secretary will probably be able to suggest someone to accompany you and guide you through the day.

Autumn Hunting will start late August/Early September depending on when the harvest is in. As soon as they have enough cut corn to get across a farm then they'll be off. Time wise they start the first few weeks at 6am or 6.30 to take advantage of the cool of the day and get progressively later with the darker mornings and the approach of winter cooling temps down. By the end of autumn hunting they will be meeting at 8.30 or even 9am. The opening meet is usually the first week in November - this is when the dark hunt coats come out of the wardrobe and meets push back to 11am.
 
Hello all I don't normally post here!

You could try reading The Fox in the Cupboard by Jane Shilling, it's a memoir from a lady who took up riding and then hunting in Kent as an adult. It might inspire you!

If I had a horse I would love to give it a go... one of these days.... but I would feel just like you do so good luck.
 

I have been privaleged to have had many happy years hunting.For me ,a vital part of hunting is good manners.and this means taking care of those around you,especially people new to the sport we love.Go hunting, talk to other riders, and make new friends.
As for jumping,dont worry,there will be plenty of people to show you an easy way round a jump.If you can do a fence, great,but never feel intimidated into putting your horse at a fence you are not happy with.
Please come out hunting and let us show you why we love it. :)
 
http://www.ashfordvalleyhunt.com/
Don't know how close you are to the Ashford Valley but they have some good pointers about what to do etc on the website.
I will be out at some point this season (Have only been out with the West Street Tickham a few times before but will go to whatever hunt is closest when Fella is fit!) and I would love some company!
 
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