So who's been out already?

[Sealine]

Frustrated today! I've only managed to get out autumn hunting twice so far this season and was due to go this morning but it wasn't meant to be. YM called me yesterday because my horse was standing at the gate at 9am (I only turned him out at 8am) which is most unlike him. He really wasn't himself, tucked-up and heaving slightly, so I got the vet out who diagnosed a respiratory infection.

The meet was at 7.30am and only 15 mins hack up the road. Instead of hunting this morning I've been working. That's horses for you!

 

[Meredith]

Got back from taking 24 year old out for first time this season, supposed to be going quietly to see if she'll be OK. Quit after 2 hours. She was covered in sweat and still raring to go, me, ditto but exhausted. I've always said she has never opened, let alone read the horse management manual.

 

[Hoof_Prints]

Amazing day out today with the Readyfield ! lots of jumping, was the first time I've taken Finn out hunting this season as I've been hunting my young Connie. Loving the 12:30 meet time, means I get some sleep and it doesn't feel ridiculously early to start on the hipflask when you get there They kindly handed out mulled wine and lots of food so we were happy. Below is the helmet-cam video link for those who like to go hunting in the comfort of their home. The hedge we jumped was huge, seriously huge , with a drop too...I may have hit my nose on his neck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBQPoiWtp40

 

[meesha]

Thanks hoof-prints, great video, helps the withdrawal a bit, we have saddle fit issues so no parties for us until saddle checked/reflocked or new bank breaking saddle !

 

[Bernster]

Amazing day out today with the Readyfield ! lots of jumping, was the first time I've taken Finn out hunting this season as I've been hunting my young Connie. Loving the 12:30 meet time, means I get some sleep and it doesn't feel ridiculously early to start on the hipflask when you get there They kindly handed out mulled wine and lots of food so we were happy. Below is the helmet-cam video link for those who like to go hunting in the comfort of their home. The hedge we jumped was huge, seriously huge , with a drop too...I may have hit my nose on his neck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBQPoiWtp40

Some cracking fences you have. Well done.

 

[palo1]

It's lovely to read all these! I was so looking forward to getting out again after our gentle re-introduction to hunting last year but it looks like it won't happen till at least after Christmas if I am lucky, sadly. Horse was lame in front - abcess now dealt with but foot needing a bit of care and now blooming thing is lame behind. I haven't been able to keep the horse in work so will need to build up again too once poor horse is sound. Vet doesn't seem too worried but it's sooo frustrating!!

 

[Queenbee]

The plan was to take ben out last year but as usual with the best laid plans they usually go tits up and finding out he had a retained wolf tooth shard put paid to that. I've been too busy with work or camps and competitions every time they have been out this year until today, so he made his debut! It was at the most fitting of venues, my old mares favourite meet venue - somewhere I have not been since 2009. I didn't even realise there were pictures being taken until I got home and saw them on fb - amongst other lovely snaps there is a lovely photo of ben standing in the same place as a photo I have of my mare!! He was pretty joggy and tense with eyes on stalks bless him but he settled quickly, we stayed out of the mix for a while and when he was ready moved towards being with the group, he did some cantering/galloping, popped some of the smaller jumps, was great around the hounds and the stampede of other scary galloping horses, stood nicely with minimal fuss when asked and to top it all broke away for home when asked. Was so good to be back hunting and I'm pretty sure that with time he will become a damned fine hunter! We will have to abstain from next Saturday as I don't want to over phase him at the opening meet but will be back out in a few weeks for round two!!

 

[Claire-R]

I took my mare today for the first time and it went tits up!!

 

[meesha]

Queenbee sounds like Ben was a star. Claire-r hope u r both OK and not too traumatised! What went wrong? Was it just all a bit much for her?

 

[Bernster]

Queenbee sounds like Ben was a star. Claire-r hope u r both OK and not too traumatised! What went wrong? Was it just all a bit much for her?

Same here on both counts! Qbee sounds a bit like me at the moment, lots of other stuff on with horse and home so difficult to get the time. Might take a day off and do a quiet Tuesday meet in Nov/Dec. Can't complain as its because I'm doing lots of other fun things too !

 

[Claire-R]

I think it was a bit too much for her. She reared up whilst running backwards and fell over landing on me, she stood on my leg to get up and trampled me kicking me in the head with her back legs.
Luckily no broken bones! Just extremely bruised. Shes fine as well

 

[meesha]

Ouch, you don't do things by half! Hope you aren't too sore and horse is OK too. Unfortunately you never know till you go how they are going to react.

 

[Queenbee]

I think it was a bit too much for her. She reared up whilst running backwards and fell over landing on me, she stood on my leg to get up and trampled me kicking me in the head with her back legs.
Luckily no broken bones! Just extremely bruised. Shes fine as well

Ouch, you don't do things by half! Hope you aren't too sore and horse is OK too. Unfortunately you never know till you go how they are going to react.

she's putting it on, it was nothing! Actually it was quite a ding dong, scary as hell to watch and worse for Claire. The mare was a little overwhelmed I think and whilst the running backwards and the rearing wasn't huge... it poor mare lost her footing and they both went over... Claire is sporting some very impressive colours all over her body!! I couldn't get near her or Paris as Ben was jogging and skipping around and all I could do is stand and wait!! Its a reminder that this is an extreme sport and just how quickly things can go wrong! Claire sent a messenger running over to instruct me to go on hunting! And when I was sure the ambulance was there and Paris safely loaded for home, Ben and I rode to find the hunt... I am gutted for Claire and Paris, would have been lovely if we could have done it together, but so very glad they are both ok... could have been a lot worse and the hunt handled the situation amazingly well - were right on the ball! I was a bit tired last night but here are some snaps from the day...

Claire_R in the middle, myself on the right and a lovely lady who I paired up with for the hunt - her second time out... her horse was a bit of a bucker so we stayed right at the back... I told her to go in front as there is no way ben would ram her horse up the back end and risk getting booted!

Where's wally... ben's first canter - hes on the far right

in the woods

Oooh this is exciting!

homeward bound

 

[meesha]

Lovely photos Queenbee and at least Claire has a couple of pics to remember it by once the bruises stop reminding her! R u both going again ?

 

[Queenbee]

Lovely photos Queenbee and at least Claire has a couple of pics to remember it by once the bruises stop reminding her! R u both going again ?

I definitely am, but its the opening meet next weekend so we will skip that one... it will be too busy, I dont want to over phase him, so will go after that. Im not sure re:Claire, I don't think she plans to take Paris again, but I know there are plenty of people offering their seasoned hunters for her to come out on

 

[JFTDWS]

Looks like nice riding there, QB And not such nice falling for c-r!

This was Fergus out cubbing a wee while back

 

[Queenbee]

Looks like nice riding there, QB And not such nice falling for c-r!

This was Fergus out cubbing a wee while back

Awww such a dude gotta love the Fergster!!! JFTD... one day I will have to come up your way for a hunt and you come to Cornwall... xx

 

[JFTDWS]

Awww such a dude gotta love the Fergster!!! JFTD... one day I will have to come up your way for a hunt and you come to Cornwall... xx

Will have to wait till I have a more comfortable saddle The facial expression there is the result of 4 hours in Red, my evil little Jeffries - my back was crying!

 

[Queenbee]

Will have to wait till I have a more comfortable saddle The facial expression there is the result of 4 hours in Red, my evil little Jeffries - my back was crying!

pmsl! yes I have a jeffries too, but a pimped up one, not too uncomfortable for four and a half hours in the saddle (including hacking time!) Im not far off buying a Bua saddle... hoping that the suspension will make things a bit easier! Lol! xx

 

[JFTDWS]

pmsl! yes I have a jeffries too, but a pimped up one, not too uncomfortable for four and a half hours in the saddle (including hacking time!) Im not far off buying a Bua saddle... hoping that the suspension will make things a bit easier! Lol! xx

That's an elite - so flat seated and like riding on a board. Can only ride stupid short because of the blocks. So massive pain ensues. My old flyover was lovely, and I like their hawk events, but this one was not made for long times in the saddle! I have a custom dressage saddle coming in a few weeks, as my Albion doesn't fit any more. Tempted to sell the jeffries and the flyover (not my old one, this one doesn't fit anything anyway!) and buy a more comfortable jump saddle too!

 

[Claire-R]

I'll be stealing ben emily!!

 

[meesha]

Ouch X

 

[Queenbee]

JFTD... Ben's Jeffries looks like a working hunter but the panels are stamped as an old event saddle... The flaps were changed before I bought it and new knee rolls added... It's pretty comfy all told, and looks the business, for £110 on eBay I seriously can't complain but want my bua! Claire, I'm going to take him out one more time test his metal now he knows he likes it and if he is good again you know you can steal him any time you want to hunt xx

 

[Claire-R]

Okay deal! Xxx