Introducing a youngster to the hunt

[Hecken92]

Do the hunt tend to mind if you bring a youngster along to have a look and not to actually follow them? I keep a youngster in hacking distance of the meet and I want to take her for a hack up to see all the horses and hounds but not to follow as I think she's too young. Is this ok to do?

 

[caberston]

what about newcomers day? or have you a friend with a more experienced hunter who could come with to babysit? best thing to do would be to ring the sec and ask their advice, you could always go to the meet and see how you get on, you don't need to stay out all day!

 

[cob&onion]

Will be following this post too - my girl will be rising 5 after xmas and after the summer off am hoping to bring her back into work in Jan and aim to take her to a meet (within 10 mins hacking distance) at the end of march. Shes never been out or seen hounds before either.

 

[Hecken92]

I don't intend on even following the hunt out, just going to look at the meet before they leave as my mare is rising 4 so far too young to be starting to follow. I just wondered if they allowed that kind of thing or if it was more - if you come to the meet, you follow the hunt

 

[PFM22]

I have frequently taken youngsters to my local meets and not actually hunted, just to acclimatise them to the atmosphere etc. I have always ensured that we are well turned out however.
Best to get in touch with your local hunt secretary and just forewarn him/her of your intention just out of courtesy.
Usually more than happy - I always throw a few £ in the kitty out of courtesy also on the meets i go to and don't hunt.
Or try and attend some quieter autumn hunting meets