Introducing children hunting

toffeeyummy

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10 October 2011
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My daughter (9) is really keen to go hunting and I'm wondering what's the best way to go about this? Trouble is I don't have my own horse (she has her own pony) so I couldn't accompany her but she's too young to go on her own. I don't know anyone who could ride with her either. Any advice please? I'm not even sure how her pony would behave, he's generally very good but I know hunting does bring a different side out!!
 
My daughter was introduced through her branch of the pony club. They hold children days and have helpers specifically for the kids. She loves it and hopes to go out a lot more this coming season.
 
Could you find someone to a) ride her pony out hunting a couple of times to make sure it's OK and then b) take your daughter out on the lead rein.

I took a child out hunting on the lead rein twice. She had been out quite a few times on her own but had got jostled a couple of times and was a bit nervous I think.

It all worked really well and after 2 Meets she was ready to go off again on her own (accompanied by her older siblings)
 
Thanks, she is in the pony club I will investigate with them. It would be great if perhaps an older member could chaperone. I don't think I could keep up on foot! And he's the kind of pony who would stay next to a horse so I think he would be ok but good idea re getting someone to try him out first.
Sorry for the misleading title, now wouldn't that be a sport ;)
 
Ask if the PC if one of the instructors (is there one that hunts?) can run the Hunting Certificate - is good timing as most hunts do Childrens meets in half term, so could get this organised in conjunction with the local hunt to undertake the hunting session at the children's meet.

http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/tests_and_achievements/efficiency_tests/hunting_certificate/

Our PC did this a couple of years ago in conjunction with the local draghunt, and there's a good group of them that took this certificate that now hunt regularly, it's great fun.
 
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