Pre - lockdown fun....

[stormox]

I have been looking at some of the hunts around the UK- it seems a lot are having their opening meet on WED, so as to have a 'last Hurrah' before lockdown. Is this really right? We are going into lockdown for a reason, is it not creating a bad opinion of the equestrian community to be having fun at this time?

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Good luck to them. Wish i was joining them.

 

[Cortez]

Everyone who's going to any "pre lockdown" shindig is nuts, IMO. If we had any sense and had kept away from each other in the first place we wouldn't be needing a lockdown at all................

 

[stormox]

I think hunting is a fairly low risk pastime, out in the open air on horseback, and if I was in UK I might be tempted to go, as a lot of my friends are. But Im in Ireland and lockdown has already begun.
But I just wonder what it looks like to people who are already opposed to hunting - surely it just confirms their opinion that hunting people just think they are above everyone else and immune to normal rules and regulations (not true but its what a lot of people think), and thats without considering that the NHS is already at full capacity.

 

[emilylou]

Open air, horseback, outdoor fun. Covid risk is pretty much nil. The house parties that will be happening Wednesday night are significantly worse.
Wish I could get the day off work. I hope they have good weather and soft ground, best of luck to them.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Stormox the haters will always hate regardless of what the hunting lot do. There will be worse pre lockdown fun get togethers than bombing around the country with friends on horseback naturally social distancing outside anyway.

 

[Tiddlypom]

They’ll be fetching up outside mine tomorrow. They don’t normally meet on a Weds. The opening meet is usually at another location a few miles away, so maybe they’ve already had that, although by tradition it’s on the first Thursday in Nov...

I’m anticipating a big turnout, not least from the travelling circus of car followers.

 

[scruffyponies]

Everyone who's going to any "pre lockdown" shindig is nuts, IMO. If we had any sense and had kept away from each other in the first place we wouldn't be needing a lockdown at all................

This is true, but riding out in company is hardly a huge risk. It's quite hard to get within 2 metres of another rider. It's outdoors. Practically zero risk, in other words, unless you start sharing hip flasks.

 

[Cortez]

This is true, but riding out in company is hardly a huge risk. It's quite hard to get within 2 metres of another rider. It's outdoors. Practically zero risk, in other words, unless you start sharing hip flasks.

It's not just about the activity itself though, is it? It's to do with the travelling, the inevitable chat before/during/after, the general mixing - every time you stop for petrol, get a coffee, all the preparations beforehand, etc., etc. People just don't get it.

 

[Bernster]

i suspect there’ll be lots of last hurrahs before Thursday. I did wonder about the PR angle too and it’s not really in the right spirit.

 

[splashgirl45]

i dont see why hunting should be singled out, its in the open air and social distancing can be carried out. what about the crowds of people who have been rushing to the pubs etc for their last nights out, all completely mad IMO. i have hardly been anywhere for the last 6 months and will carry on the same for as long as necessary in a selfish way to keep myself safe as i am in the over 70 group....

 

[Goldenstar]

Our hunt is out tomorrow .
They are meeting very near here .
Sky is doing his first BD competition tomorrow as well two miles from here its not going to go well when he hears his mates having fun .
Blue and H are going hunting .

 

[Goldenstar]

I have been out autumn hunting a few times I feel safer there than in the supermarket .

 

[WandaMare]

I don't think its the most risky activity (at least from a Covid point of view!) that people will do today but it is still a load of people coming together which will inevitably create a few opportunities no matter how small for the virus to spread. Where do they all go to the toilet? What happens if someone falls off? Touching gates? Its not risk free. I don't suppose they will be seen by huge numbers of people so probably not a reputational risk but I wouldn't join in myself today. The more everyone can do to stay apart the better, boring and not fun but that's the only way to get rid of this horrible thing imv.

 

[Equine_Dream]

All the best to them. Wish I was out on a beautiful morning like this instead of being stuck in work *humph*

 

[ester]

Plenty of people are doing the same for everything else, you should have seen the fireworks queue in Tesco last night to have them this evening.

 

[ester]

I don't think its the most risky activity (at least from a Covid point of view!) that people will do today but it is still a load of people coming together which will inevitably create a few opportunities no matter how small for the virus to spread. Where do they all go to the toilet?

Generally not an issue IME hunting, plenty of separate bushes as required. . .

 

[Equine_Dream]

Generally not an issue IME hunting, plenty of separate bushes as required. . .

Yes but be sure to avoid the prickly ones or covid will be the least of your problems.....

 

[WandaMare]

Generally not an issue IME hunting, plenty of separate bushes as required. . .

Of course for some people yes, but I know some who wouldn't dream of lowering themselves (quite literally) behind a bush especially when its not for a tinkle

Seriously though, some people will pop in the nearest pub afterwards so its not completely risk free. Some one will be saying hunting is an essential activity next

 

[ester]

I've never seen anyone go and use an actual toilet anywhere while hunting! People do this?! Where do they find one do they just knock on someones door?

 

[WandaMare]

I've never seen anyone go and use an actual toilet anywhere while hunting! People do this?! Where do they find one do they just knock on someones door?

Pub nearest the meet

 

[ester]

I guess some must not travel very long distances then, I'm used to ending up a long way from the meet there's no way you would go back just to use a loo.

 

[Lolo20]

I don't think the hunt itself is particularly risky but if there were social interactions before and after (which there are bound to be) this could have consequences. It's no fun to stay apart but better for all of us if we are in it together to try to stop any spread.

 

[rabatsa]

I've never seen anyone go and use an actual toilet anywhere while hunting! People do this?! Where do they find one do they just knock on someones door?

I have known people do this, usually on the door of someone they know.

 

[scruffyponies]

Generally not an issue IME hunting, plenty of separate bushes as required. . .

I thought it was standard practice to use the trailer and a handfull of straw; certainly for anybody who has ever been to pony club.

 

[ester]

Not if you've hacked there . Or are several miles away from your trailer.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Firstly, don’t drink too many cups of tea before a day’s hunting. As for the other, well, try to hold it in.

If you need to go, find some bushes to hide in.

These bushes should not be on a trail, or in pre ban days somewhere where the fox might run between you and your friend while you are squatting down to pee . This resulted in a very quick rearrangement of clothing before hounds and the huntsman came though .

 

[stormox]

I have seen a man stand up in the saddle, turn and pee...

 

[Tiddlypom]

I have seen a man stand up in the saddle, turn and pee...

Hope he checked which way the wind was blowing first!

 

[scruffyponies]

I have seen a man stand up in the saddle, turn and pee...

Must be so convenient being a chap.