New to hunting

[horseyhan1992]

I am a complete newbie to hunting but would really like to have a go! I am based in Hemyock so, from the little bit of research I have done, it seems like Taunton Vale Harriers are my best bet. Are there any others close by? I want to keep transport at low as possible.

It looks like I have just missed hunting season . Do any hunts run out of season? And when do most hunts restart?

Also, how do people know when and where the hunts start? Is there a timetable or something?

Thanks

 

[combat_claire]

The majority of packs will now have closed their seasons, however the staghounds and some of the moorland packs have a few days left.

Keep an eye out for hunting clinics over the summer and then autumn hunting will start in the West Country during August. If you have a word with the hunt secretary, hound exercise might be an option although some packs don't allow mounted field to join in..

If you want to meet hunting folk in the meantime try and get to some summer hunt socials or come out with minkhounds on foot.

 

[meesha]

worth a call to your hunt secretary as there may be mounted hound exercise (i am waiting to see if our hunt is doing any) which would be a good intro. Failing that you will have to wait for "autumn hunting" which starts around September ish. You will probably have a few hunts around you, ask about to see which is most suitable. I have 1 very close but I dont go with them as they do alot of wet low lying ground and enormous ditches, the next closest looks lovely but was almost double the price so I travel the extra 10 mins (usually just under hour trailer ride) to go with lovely hunt "west somerset vale"

If thinking of going get on ebay for a cheap tweed for autumn hunting or check tack shops - mine is hideous but was only £25 !

 

[combat_claire]

mine is hideous but was only £25 !

I think we should see a picture!!!

 

[meesha]

no pics with me wearing it thank god but one below of the lovely article in question ! when I went to the tack shop they said - "no nothing second hand, well......... except this ..... but ........come and have a look !" I tried it on and it unfortunately fitted like a glove and the lady in shop bless her said " it doesnt look too bad with the brown boots (browny red Mark todd boots)!" haha !! my own fault - day before I was going autumn hunting for the first time, knew if I didnt go the next day I never would so anything was a goer !

ps. I expect it was the height of fashion in the 70's !

 

[combat_claire]

Bless you, isn't as bad as I imagined. At least everyone is too sleepy to care what you are wearing for autumn hunting!!

 

[VoR]

CC hasn't seen it up close has she Meesha!!

I say ring your Hunt Secretary, the ones at the West Somerset Vale are particularly nice.............but then I may be VERY biased!!

 

[Bernster]

H&H had a good article a few issues back on pre-hunt courses. My geog'y is rubbish so I don't know how local this one is, but I am booked in for something in August/Sept -

http://www.harrymeade.com/training-and-clinics/pre-hunting/

Jumping/eventing clinics and xc course hire in the meantime might keep you entertained (and build up fitness) until the Autumn. And sponsored rides with natural fences and tons of hosses can be good practice as well if your horse is really new to that stuff.

 

[ester]

oh I don't know, they are pretty lovely

meesha that looks very similar to an old one of my mum's which I have used for WHP, I let LizzieJ dress me up for hunting purposes. If you do find your coat an embarrasment I can recommend slipping in the mud

 

[meesha]

oooh VOR ! you can go off people you know !

slopes off to ebay to look for a (probably not much less) embarrasing jacket !