Maybe I’m crazy but...

pistolpete

pistolpete

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Really love the idea of taking my Highland drag hunting. There are blood hounds nearby and if I can get us both up together enough think it could be something we’d both enjoy. Thoughts on a slightly nervous 55 year old taking a barefoot pony whose a bit spooky out hunting!
 
My spooky, barefoot highland was foot perfect out cubbing the one (and only) time I went. The people, not so much, so it's not a scene I wanted to move in, but the pony was perfectly pleasant. If he's sound on all terrain and fit, the barefoot thing isn't a problem. Spooky depends on what bothers him, but not necessarily an issue.

Bloodhounds do go fairly fast though.
 
We’d be at the back I would think! I’m doing lots of de-spooking work and fittening him up is a work in progress. Just would love to hear of people who tried it wondering if it wasn’t really their thing then turned out to love it. Really want to find our niche. He was a show pony but I’m not into that. Dressage and competition generally isn’t me.
 
TREC?

I think, unlike real hunting, bloodhounds are fast all the way back - but I would defer to someone who's more experienced in that sense, this is just what I've been told by people who do a lot of both. I'm the opposite - I thought I would enjoy it, but bloody hated it from start to finish!
 
Bloodhounds aren't fast, they are pretty slow dogs and the fox hounds used by a drag pack go much quicker.

It's a great idea PP and you'll really love it. Just check that you will be able to pootle along with a slower group at the back if you want to, and whether there is a way round all the jumps. That really needs a second, official or unofficial, field master. If the field is big enough that should happen.

JFTD did you go cubbing before the ban with a crack of dawn start? If so, that's when you used to get a field of mostly die hard old style hunting people out who can be pretty unwelcoming to new folk, as I found out myself.
 
OP, Bloodhounds are quite a bit slower than trail hounds or drag hounds (have done both).
I've found both Blood Hounds and drag packs to be full of the most delightful, helpful friendly people.
I'd go along on foot a couple of times, get to meet people, so you get to see how it all happens and possibly meet a few friendly faces.
Most will advertise if a 'novice' day, which will often be suitable for non-jumpers.
Our local drag pack will usually have 2 field masters on a novice meet, one to lead and the other to direct a 2nd slower group which will be able to dodge fences etc.

Hope you enjoy it :)
 
ycbm said:
JFTD did you go cubbing before the ban with a crack of dawn start? If so, that's when you used to get a field of mostly die hard old style hunting people out who can be pretty unwelcoming to new folk, as I found out myself.
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Post-ban, crack of dawn start - not that the hunt seemed to care about the ban as they didn't abide by it (one of my issues - I don't really wish to be complicit in that sort of thing - breaking the law, I mean!), they were pretty unfriendly, one of the people there barged past to overtake on a narrow track and her horse booted mine on its way past. We were supposed to be out for a couple of hours with no ditches / jumping, but ended up out for over 4 with a number of big ditches with no way round (fine for me, not for my friend who was with me). It was also freezing cold, though that's not their fault, it just added to the misery!

Sorry, I clear have my foxhounds and my bloodhounds mixed up. I really should shut up about things I don't know I don't know enough about!
 
I've never been but my local bloodhounds pack has a warning on their website:

It is important that you realise that the type of Lines that we are now riding is suitable only for experienced riders and experienced horses. Accordingly, if you wish to bring out a horse of limited experience, you should not do so unless you
have had a discussion with one of the Masters who is responsible for the day in order to find out if the Line is suitable for
your horse.
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not sure I'd be going if I wasnt a brave rider with an experienced horse!
 
JFTD-WS said:
Post-ban, crack of dawn start - not that the hunt seemed to care about the ban as they didn't abide by it (one of my issues - I don't really wish to be complicit in that sort of thing - breaking the law, I mean!), they were pretty unfriendly, one of the people there barged past to overtake on a narrow track and her horse booted mine on its way past. We were supposed to be out for a couple of hours with no ditches / jumping, but ended up out for over 4 with a number of big ditches with no way round (fine for me, not for my friend who was with me). It was also freezing cold, though that's not their fault, it just added to the misery!

Sorry, I clear have my foxhounds and my bloodhounds mixed up. I really should shut up about things I don't know I don't know enough about!
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You meet some good old style hunting people there! Very much my own experience of fox hunters, I'm afraid.
 
Late in the season? We have only 2 - 3 weeks to go. Most packs - blood, drag and trail are really working at the peak of fitness and demand just now.
 
My first experience of hunting was a hireling. A bit hairy but so much fun. Back when I was feeling more confident! A great idea if you want to get experience and don’t have the horse for it.
 
Drag hunting is lots of fun. I've never gone out with bloodhounds.
It's probably best to go out at the start of the next season rather than the end of this one.

The hunts at the start of the season tend to be easier. Some packs also have a children's hunt. It's just one day out and it's ideal for inexperienced hunters.

In general, if you hang back a bit you won't be going as fast and the others will have knocked the bigger stuff down 😂
 
Unfortunately my experience is that very few hunt followers have the slightest idea what is going on .Even those that one might assume were "good old style hunting people".When I used to go cubbing the last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by a bunch of folk yacking and socializing. I want to listen to every sound from a cover .The sound gives a mental map of exactly what is going on. I am sorry to hear that JFTD ws ,s horse got booted by someone galloping past. It is a fact of hunting (Drag ,trail , Bloodhound all equally ) that there are people who have to get to hounds FAST.Usually because they are running the wrong way on either the wrong scent ,or are heading towards a road or railwayline. They are not going to slow down just because someone is dithering in the way. If this was not the case then I would suspect that the rider was an all the gear but no idea. My old draghunter who could kick holes in a concrete wall was once used as a buffer by a pony ,without brakes . On the third crash into his backside I was amazed as he looked around at the pony and raised a hind hoof and gently tapped it on the chest ,barely ruffled a hair . The pony stared at him in sudden realisation and from then on miraculously seemed to have acquired brakes . Not particularly relevant but anyway.
 
Bob notacob said:
I am sorry to hear that JFTD ws ,s horse got booted by someone galloping past. It is a fact of hunting (Drag ,trail , Bloodhound all equally ) that there are people who have to get to hounds FAST.Usually because they are running the wrong way on either the wrong scent ,or are heading towards a road or railwayline. They are not going to slow down just because someone is dithering in the way. .
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Um, I was trotting down a narrow path, following the horse in front of me, the horse that barged past was trotting faster and went up the horse in front's arse instead. They were definitely not doing anything constructive, they were just an arrogant arse of a hunter (who had been out with the pack for 20 years by all accounts).

So well done for creating a nice story to put me in the wrong, but it is just that - a story!
 
JFTD-WS said:
Um, I was trotting down a narrow path, following the horse in front of me, the horse that barged past was trotting faster and went up the horse in front's arse instead. They were definitely not doing anything constructive, they were just an arrogant arse of a hunter (who had been out with the pack for 20 years by all accounts).

So well done for creating a nice story to put me in the wrong, but it is just that - a story!
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In fairness I did say that if it wasnt the case then I would expect the rider to be an all the gear but no idea, I certainly have no interest in "putting you in the wrong" If your horse was kicked by another follower as you describe ,they should be ashamed of themselves. I hope your horse was OK.
 
Bob notacob said:
In fairness I did say that if it wasnt the case then I would expect the rider to be an all the gear but no idea, I certainly have no interest in "putting you in the wrong" If your horse was kicked by another follower as you describe ,they should be ashamed of themselves. I hope your horse was OK.
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As I say, experienced, dyed in the wool, hunter, so I'm not sure I'd say all the gear, no idea. Yes, thanks, he was OK.
 
JFTD-WS said:
As I say, experienced, dyed in the wool, hunter, so I'm not sure I'd say all the gear, no idea. Yes, thanks, he was OK.
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Real hunting people have rather strong views about people whose horses are allowed to kick other peoples horses .Such horses also may kick hounds and that should be a hanging offence!I am most terribly sorry that your view of hunting folk has been damaged by such a person.
 
Bob notacob said:
Real hunting people have rather strong views about people whose horses are allowed to kick other peoples horses .Such horses also may kick hounds and that should be a hanging offence!I am most terribly sorry that your view of hunting folk has been damaged by such a person.
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Nah I thought they were all weirdos, not just her! But I'm sure there are nicer packs out there...
 
JFTD-WS said:
Nah I thought they were all weirdos, not just her! But I'm sure there are nicer packs out there...
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There certainly used to be. I hunted with two ,long gone ,packs which lacked the "prestige" that some want now. I confess that whilst I still love hunting I am less than happy with the followers it now attracts.
 
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