The Farmers Bloodhounds

[Girlracer]

Long time since i've posted in this forum.

Well basically i quite often hunt with the North Cotswolds, but want to have a go at something a bit different. So presuming they come near to me (as i have no transport!) i'd like to go out with these.

Could you tell me a bit about what it's like? Are the jumps in the 'jumping group' massive and never a way round them? And does the other group jump nothing?

And has anyone from here gone out with the farmers bloodhounds?

 

[marmalade76]

I used to go out with them regularly, but sadly not since 2004. Bloodhounding is the best ever! They are moving on most of the time with 2/3 breaks. Jumping is mostly hunt jumps and hedges. I never jumped anything I did not like the look of. Sometimes I would watch a few jump and if it looked like it was not jumping well, I would find a gate. But, if you are not willing to jump anything, then you simply won't keep up. You need a fit horse that is a safe jumper.
I think it has changed a bit since I used to go, different masters/huntsman, but everyone was really friendly and you are well looked after.
Unfortunately, they seem to have less meets in my area now.

 

[marmalade76]

Just read your post again, I never saw a 'non jumping group', hound exercise yes, but not hunting proper. I used to gate shut, so I think I would have noticed. That said, it is a long time since I have been.

 

[avthechav]

Hi Lanim- I have been out on hound ex with them. Plenty of jumping if you want but also a non-jumping master. Im pretty sure that there is also a non-jumping master on hunting days too- you could PM Daisychain as she went out with them last year. I think that they went quite fast and the jumping group were jumping fairly meaty stuff but you could go along with the non jumpers for a couple of runs

 

[Girlracer]

The reason i ask is because whilst i'm happy jumping most things i don't want to end up the other side of a 4foot hedge wondering what the hell i'm going to do!!! I'm sure he's done it before but i'm far to much a poof, but i will jump most things and tbh being forced into it i would probably try a big hedge. I have jumped hedges just not often and regularly.

Is there no way of opting out of the obscenely huge ones? Is it just jump big or don't jump at all?

 

[marmalade76]

TBH, when I used to go, there was nothing *really* big, but I only went to the meets that were about an hours drive from home. I did jump most of the hedges on a small 15.1<<< and TBH, 4ft is not big for a hedge! A lot of hedges have a hunt jump in them anyway, if not , find a gate but be quick about it 'cause the field is soon out of sight!
I would rather jump a hedge than an upright post & rail as hedges are more forgiving. Just kick on, you need a bit of pace to make the spread and don't let yourself get too forward incase your horse pecks on landing. If you don't want to jump hedges at all, the meets at Foxcote & Stowell Park are all hunt jumps.
You really should give it a go , I think bloodhounding is the best fun you can have on a horse, beats foxhunting hands down!

 

[Girlracer]

Oh no i really really want to jump hedges, i'm thinking forcing myself to do it is the best way (with me anyway) however i don't want to get there and end up stuck though!!!

I did email them and they said usually there is a way round but i will be able to email about the country when i decide when to go. I'm really looking forward to it though we don't get much hedge hopping with the North Cotswolds!!

 

[Beagle]

The Farmers Bloodhounds has its own website – see the link below:-

http://www.farmersbloodhounds.co.uk/introduction.htm

As you will see the site contains both a meet card & “What to expect” but that section does not touch on jumping, though the Picture Gallery may give you some idea.