Newbie.

[lindsayH]

I haven't hunted since I was on the lead rein but would love to try. It is all a bit daunting though. It also seems really expensive! Any advice for hunting on a budget?! Is it still worth going since the ban? I don't have a suitable horse (poncey dressage type) can you still hire a horse and how much does this cost? Finally (phew!), I'm on the herts/bucks border and the local hunt don't seem to exist anymore. Does anyone belong to a hunt anywhere near me? Cheers!

 

[combat_claire]

It is perfectly possible to hunt on a budget - every hunt offers a day cap rate, which varies from £30 to £100+ depending on where you are in the country. You can pick up the kit cheaply off Ebay and in secondhand shops. There are also discounts to be had with 7 day special subs or for being a farmer/young person.

It is very much still worth going post-ban, the majority of hunts have got experienced trail layers who are skilled at setting a line that mimics pre-ban hunting exactly with the checks and the jumps and the fast bits!

I'm not quite sure where you fall but the Aylesbury Garth & South Berks might be a good starting place. http://www.valeofaylesburywithgarthandsouthberks.com/ - or check out www.mfha.co.uk for details on the Puckeridge, Oakley, Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace and Grafton.

As for hirelings it depends, but a friend of mine was quoted £170 for a day with the Woodland Pytchley. I would guess this would be a fairly typical figure.

 

[lindsayH]

Thank you very much, that's really helpful.