Some advice needed please!

[Megibo]

Hello everyone..I am a complete novice when it comes to hunting!

The most I have done is a hound ride, and my mare was a bit bonkers for..well..all of it!That was a few years ago and she's 14 now..is it too late to sensibly introduce her to a bit of it? And if so, what is the best way?!
Also how do you go about getting them fit enough?

My Mum's new horse is a 4 1/2 year old, already done some 'light' hunting in Ireland so I'm wondering if I'd be better off starting out on her? They're both usually sensible but I'm well aware they can change once at the meet!

 

[JenHunt]

It's never too late! to get your mare used to hunting you ideally would start over the summer, going on hound exercise with your local pack, and then progress to autumn hunting before opening meet.

But, at this stage, you can still get going! get in touch with your local pack, via the secretary, and find out a few quieter meets to go to, and aim to stay at the back of the field, watching and learning, and letting your mare do the same, for a couple of hours and then head for home while she's not too tired. IME the more tired they get the harder they become to deal with, and the more fractious they get, and the more likely you are to have or cause an accident (that said, there are some who just need "Bottoming" - hunting until they are too tired to argue!).

if after your first day out she's really really excited, or very strong then try hacking to meets - and I mean at least 3 or 4 miles - at a good trot to help calm her down. you can also make sure she's worked well the day before to help too. Also, do not be tempted to over-feed... our two hunt on haylage, alfa oil and linseed... they don't need masses of cereal at all!

as for getting her fit - if she's currently up to doing an hour of jumping schooling, or hacking mostly at trot or canter then you're halfway there... aim to be working up to riding out for an hour and a half and the majority of it trotting, and up as many hills as you can find and you'll be there in no time.

tbh, I'd suggest that you'd be better off taking your own mare to start with and perhaps getting your mum to go with you on her horse once you're happy with how your mare reacts!

 

[Megibo]

It's never too late! to get your mare used to hunting you ideally would start over the summer, going on hound exercise with your local pack, and then progress to autumn hunting before opening meet.

But, at this stage, you can still get going! get in touch with your local pack, via the secretary, and find out a few quieter meets to go to, and aim to stay at the back of the field, watching and learning, and letting your mare do the same, for a couple of hours and then head for home while she's not too tired. IME the more tired they get the harder they become to deal with, and the more fractious they get, and the more likely you are to have or cause an accident (that said, there are some who just need "Bottoming" - hunting until they are too tired to argue!).

if after your first day out she's really really excited, or very strong then try hacking to meets - and I mean at least 3 or 4 miles - at a good trot to help calm her down. you can also make sure she's worked well the day before to help too. Also, do not be tempted to over-feed... our two hunt on haylage, alfa oil and linseed... they don't need masses of cereal at all!

as for getting her fit - if she's currently up to doing an hour of jumping schooling, or hacking mostly at trot or canter then you're halfway there... aim to be working up to riding out for an hour and a half and the majority of it trotting, and up as many hills as you can find and you'll be there in no time.

tbh, I'd suggest that you'd be better off taking your own mare to start with and perhaps getting your mum to go with you on her horse once you're happy with how your mare reacts!

Brilliant, thanks for this! :biggrin3: