Possible my first hunt tomorrow

[Ranyhyn]

Opening meet and I think Im going to go :grin:

I have read the articles and posts and *think* I am ok on everything.

Horse will be plaited (does he need tail? I'm even poorer at that than mane plaiting but Im having a go to be polite!)

I am wearing black jacket, cream jods, brown boots and gaiters and shirt and tie (a-is any tie ok and b-will my boots be ok?)

My horse is a seasoned hunter, I am a newbie, I think I know who I need to pay my cap to and finally - do I need to ring beforehand to ask if I can go?

Oh and I worked out "Goodnight" never "Good evening" :grin:

Kitty:grin:

 

[Aniseed]

I'm not exactly a pro myself but from what I have gathered from being out and about:
You don't need to plait the tail
What you are wearing sounds fine. Technically you should wear a white stock now it is proper hunting, but my first few times I only had a tie and no-one said anything. You can get a cheap and cheerful stock by Dublin for less than £5.As has been said on here before there is lots of etiquette as to what you should wear, but as long as you are smart it isn't a problem.

The secretary will generally find you to collect the cap if you don't know who they are, so no need to worry about that. It is polite to ring beforehand just to introduce yourself, find out what the cap is and check that it is ok to go.
Have fun and be sure to report back!

 

[Ranyhyn]

Thank you!! I have been badgering one of the MFH' sons (who is my farrier) with questions, think he's sick of it now!!

 

[Clodagh]

Have a great day! Remember the Opening meet is full of numpties do their annual red coat show off so keep away from fat men who look like they can't ride!!

Stock would be correct and black boots but no one is going to mind brown boots and a tie. You could, if you have one, wear as hacking jacket which would go better with brown boots and a tie not a stock. That being very picky though, and no one will mind. I plait my tail up as she kicks at it otherwise but if you wear a tail bandage on the way there it will be lying nice and flat and neat for the meet anyway, and 5 minutes into the day you are bound to look like you have been dragged through a hedge backwards!
Yes you need to ring the secretary to ask permission to go, or the master.
Have a great day! Remember your hip flask and your warm underwear.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I only have a black jacket - I can pop to countrywide and get a stock - what colour would be appropriate - will have to get ready tied too!

You do tend to worry so much about getting the turnout right but I guess its just because you don't want to seem rude to the people organising.

Will call the Secretary this afternoon.

Kitty

 

[LizzieJ]

White stock with black Kitty

 

[Ranyhyn]

Thanks Lizzie x

 

[muffinino]

Who are you going with? PM if you prefer, it's just that our opening meet is tomorrow!

 

[muffinino]

As for the tail, you could always put it in one long plait then put it up like a polo pony - that's what I do as I'm rubbish at tail plaits, plus it's more practical when you have a traditional or native with a long tail. Remember to fix it with insulation tape!

 

[Ranyhyn]

I'm off with the Llangeinor. I did think about doing it all up - ala polo pony,not sure if I can, may have a play round this evening!

 

[Ranyhyn]

Inevitably will end up with wonky plaits lol

 

[muffinino]

I'm off with the Llangeinor. I did think about doing it all up - ala polo pony,not sure if I can, may have a play round this evening!

Ah, different hunt, but nearby

If I can do it, anyone can, it's simples! Just do one long plait, as tight as you can, then fold it up twice, get a friend to hold it there for you and wrap insulation tape around it - T's tail takes 5-6 wraps as it's so long and thick. You can squeeze in any bulges using the tape to make it look tidier, lol.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Problem is - i have never even plaited!!!

 

[muffinino]

Problem is - i have never even plaited!!!

Not even a normal plait? Well, you're bushed then, aren't you?!

 

[Ranyhyn]

lol well maybe when I was about 16, but since then I have carefully avoided plaiting, I don't think I did too bad a job, lets hope that I can draw on my memory lol

 

[Clodagh]

Don't use insulation tape, it looks awful - sorry all those that do, I know I'm in the minority. Either sew it up or leave it down, just cut it as short as you can without him looking silly.
Have a great day - the hunt are meeting here tomorrow so I'm cooking sausages as we speak!
C

 

[muffinino]

Don't use insulation tape, it looks awful - sorry all those that do, I know I'm in the minority. Either sew it up or leave it down, just cut it as short as you can without him looking silly.

I have to disagree with that. As I said, I do it to my traditional's and it looks fine as long as I make sure it doesn't bulge anywhere. If you have a native or traditional you can't cut it if you want to show or simply don't want to cut it short because you keep them hairy. How do you sew up the tail of one of these? I'm genuinely curious how you manage to keep it all tidy with string, tbh, as I can't picture it.

 

[Clodagh]

I've only ever plaited up tb or sport horse tails so no have got no idea with a thick one, tbh.
You are probsbly right and tape must look better than a muddy tangle! I also appreciate you can't cut it short.
And you probably make sure that your tape matches the tail colour!

 

[Clodagh]

Well? Did you go?? How was it...am on tenterhooks!

 

[Ranyhyn]

The least said about it the better lol total failiure!!!!! x

 

[Clodagh]

Oh go on...I must know now...did he misbehave??

 

[JoBo]

I wanna know now too! I’m doing my first hunt very soon, could be this Wednesday.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Actually we didnt even make it!! In the huge furore to make sure I had the right clothes, had rung the secretary (who probs thinks Im a right retard now!) my boots were polished, my tack clean...
Forgot to put the cap in my pocket.
Got there, plaited (and did an Ok job!!) and then realised I had £0.00 on me....
:crazy:
I didn't take my wallet etc as I was leaving car at yard all day and obv nowhere to put cards etc...

PLUM is not the word!!

So my beautiful plaited, clean tidy (and quite excited) horse went out in the field and I went home to throw myself dramatically on my bed and get licked to death by jack russels!

 

[Sneedy]

Aaargh....what a nightmare for you! I'm sure if you'd spoken to the sec they would have accepted the money next week??? The Llangeinor are a very friendly bunch......??

There's always next week.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I did think that, but i didn't want to get refused as i would have likely cried right there in front of everyone!! i am well known to one of the masters but still, wasn't worth taking the chance.
I have to go to the ones where they meet locally and ride locally, as no transport, so will keep an eye out for one soon! x

 

[Clodagh]

Oh b*gger. I'm so sorry. I forgot my hat once!! And another time my boots...

 

[Ranyhyn]

I don't know why I am surprised, the only showing show I went to, I spent too long getting ready and turned up when it was over lol woe, woe is me!

 

[muffinino]

I've only ever plaited up tb or sport horse tails so no have got no idea with a thick one, tbh.
You are probsbly right and tape must look better than a muddy tangle! I also appreciate you can't cut it short.
And you probably make sure that your tape matches the tail colour!

lol, I'd have to get industrial string to hold T's tail. I am lucky that hios tail is black so getting matching tape is simples

 

[Vicki1986]

was looking for this report... oh no !!

I once got 1 hour into a 1.5hr journey and realised i'd forgotton my hacking jacket, which was locked in the car so no one could bring it up to us, so we had to turn the lorry round!!
Very nearly forgot my saddle too for 3 day event over 2 hours away!

So your not the only one!!

hope you get out hunting soon

 

[skewby]

Oh kitsune, nooooooo!

I can totally understand how you did it - you get so keyed up about it, it's easy to mess up like that!

You should have asked to pay later, lol! They'd have been fine!

Ah bless ya. You're going to try again soon though yes?? When they next meet by you? Sorry it went wrong love! xx