Unaccompanied Children in the Hunting Field

[Devonshire dumpling]

i have never been hunting but those of you that find kids on the field a problem must also find young/inexperienced/difficult horses an issue too? what about elderly riders or nervous ones? and god forbid if anyone with a physical disability wanted to hunt how inconvenient would that be?

maybe the hunt should become a bit more selective again but this time make it ability not money that is the deciding factor.

i thought the biggest thing with hunting was the way in which everyone in the field looks out for each other creating a sense of belonging and responsibility particularly in the younger generation, how are kids supposed to become responsible/polite well adjusted adults if they do not join in with the adult community without their parents constantly acting as a buffer?

Jools well said, but to be fair I think most hunts are like this.................. like a family! X

 

[Littlelegs]

It's hard to explain really jools if you haven't been hunting. While on the whole people look after each other there's also the fact that its not fair to ruin someone else's day, hunts aren't like a hack where the whole field should go at the pace of the slowest, so imo they really aren't the place for a nervous novice. Most hunts have children's meets for lr kids, & quieter days more suitable for safely mounted novices, or a horses first meet. While the majority I have met will help, there is a duty of common sense required from those at a disadvantage. It's not appropriate to take a just off lr child to a big mid season sat meet on a fizzy pony, & expect to be walked past at a distance, or to use hunt subscribers as free childcare. If at 10/11 my daughter falls off, or needs a lead etc I would expect someone to help in my absence. However I don't expect to ruin someone's day by having them ride shoulder to shoulder, remind her of very basic manners, & either coach her over each fence or accompany her round. And same goes for novice adults. I loved hunting, & whilst happy to help, no way would I sacrifice the entire day happily so a nervous novice can plod round, unless paid. As for the elderly, ime they are usually the least in need of help on the field. Either right up front or mounted on safe reliable sorts after a lifetime of hunting. And always know the country as well as the rest of us know our gardens!

 

[Goldenstar]

i have never been hunting but those of you that find kids on the field a problem must also find young/inexperienced/difficult horses an issue too? what about elderly riders or nervous ones? and god forbid if anyone with a physical disability wanted to hunt how inconvenient would that be?

maybe the hunt should become a bit more selective again but this time make it ability not money that is the deciding factor.

i thought the biggest thing with hunting was the way in which everyone in the field looks out for each other creating a sense of belonging and responsibility particularly in the younger generation, how are kids supposed to become responsible/polite well adjusted adults if they do not join in with the adult community without their parents constantly acting as a buffer?

I agree with this the first friendships I had with adults without my parents present where formed out hunting it was so good for me.

 

[Judgemental]

I love to see children on the hunting field, like someone else said, where would hunting be without them in the future? What I do object to is older people on big horses using children as gate shutters. Now I think it's fantastic for children to stay at the back and shut gates etc, and it's easy for them to pop up and down, but sometimes I feel it's expected for some poor child to do it ALL day and have heard people moaning if they didn't!

They shouldn’t have to.

Proper hunts should have a rota of daily Gate Shutting and Damage stewards properly organised and appointed by the secretary.

I.e. two people from the regular mounted membership, who come out in Barbours on their day of duty, with a considerable amount of 'Binder Twine' looped into The Couple Ds, a sharp knife and a sense of humour. The latter, because it is always the way, that when hounds are having a fantastic hunt, with a nice point, muggings is doing damage. That said, under the current legislation damage and gate shutting can be rather more ordered, because the 'fox' has been spoken to first thing and told everybody where he/she is going.

Bet somebody says, we are a 'proper hunt' but nobody organises Damage or Gate Shutters. Well 'bout time they did then!

Damage and Gate Shutting Stewards are a PR point with farmers. If a farmer sees them and that it is all properly organised, then the hunt is all the more welcome.

 

[Jools1234]

It's hard to explain really jools if you haven't been hunting. While on the whole people look after each other there's also the fact that its not fair to ruin someone else's day, hunts aren't like a hack where the whole field should go at the pace of the slowest, so imo they really aren't the place for a nervous novice. Most hunts have children's meets for lr kids, & quieter days more suitable for safely mounted novices, or a horses first meet. While the majority I have met will help, there is a duty of common sense required from those at a disadvantage. It's not appropriate to take a just off lr child to a big mid season sat meet on a fizzy pony, & expect to be walked past at a distance, or to use hunt subscribers as free childcare. If at 10/11 my daughter falls off, or needs a lead etc I would expect someone to help in my absence. However I don't expect to ruin someone's day by having them ride shoulder to shoulder, remind her of very basic manners, & either coach her over each fence or accompany her round. And same goes for novice adults. I loved hunting, & whilst happy to help, no way would I sacrifice the entire day happily so a nervous novice can plod round, unless paid. As for the elderly, ime they are usually the least in need of help on the field. Either right up front or mounted on safe reliable sorts after a lifetime of hunting. And always know the country as well as the rest of us know our gardens!

i never mentioned lead rein riders or those that need nannying just the idea that looking out for each other and that for me includes first timers youngsters or those that mat be struggling for any reason

 

[Sherston]

I must say Littlelegs, very well and nicely said.

Hunting is not hacking, or cross country or a fun ride, it's hunting.

Hunts should welcome genuine newcomers old or young, but they are coming out hunting and a reasonable initial standard should be expected, riding and turnout which can then be developed in the hunting field, anyone who is genuine should be supported.

 

[Littlelegs]

I do see what you mean jools, & people do look after each other. But whilst you may not have meant nannying, some peoples idea of 'a little help' does equate to nannying. As you say, you haven't hunted & stuff which is par for the course hasn't even been mentioned on this thread, so I can see why you might get a false impression. There is a huge sense of community, but like with anything there's always the small minority who try to take advantage.

 

[combat_claire]

I did have to chuckle when out with the mink hounds this summer. I had a little helper who can't have been more than 6 and he was determined to learn all the hounds' names and understand what the huntsman was calling. After a quick lesson on some of the lingo and a morning of carrying my whip for me he then declared to our huntsman 'I know everything about hunting hounds now!'

These little people of today will be the hunt staff and masters of the future so I vote we raise a glass to Sholto and all like him. May their enthusiasm for hounds and hunting continue.

 

[Judgemental]

These little people of today will be the hunt staff and masters of the future so I vote we raise a glass to Sholto and all like him. May their enthusiasm for hounds and hunting continue.

About 45 years ago those were the very words used to me by one of the great latter day contemporary huntsmen.

 

[natalia]

I love taking the children out hunting and if it's a day I know we will have lots out my self and my friend take our very quiet hunters out and am happy to nanny round at the back. They all have a good day then and it's nice to encourage them. I tend to save my fast/ good horses for week days and take out something more sensible at weekends for this reason.

 

[Judgemental]

A driving instructor once told me that he found that young people who rode horses, were much easier to deal with as learner drivers and took to the wheel with greater confidence.

 

[Katie_lew]

I thinks its great to see kids out and i must say i learnt the best lessons in respect an politness as a child on the hunting field
My only problem is those you seem to forget Hunting is a 'Job' whilst most are very well behaved there are the odd few that have no repsect for others and just go for a jolly and a fast ride, its a shame as they ruin the reputation for the others. I found a young boy very helpfull one time when i was shutting and couldnt get back on as i was left behind and my mare was very upset by this, this young Boy, no older that 10 said "dont worry ill wait with you, do you need help" he stood with me and calmed my horse so i could get on safley. i made sure to tell the secretary how lovley this boy was. i occasionally see him hunting now about 15 and its nice to see kids grow with the hunt.