wanted to go hunting but mates put me off

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proctor

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I bought a dutch WB in March this year, 18 year old but thinks he's still 4! Anyway, he has hunted before and I mentioned today that I was thinking of taking him on the Boxing Day Hunt, some of my horsey mates have tried to put me off saying that the hunt gallops down hills, canters on roads and wont wait if you run into trouble. How true is this?
 
I'm a relative hunting newbie and the packs I have hunted with have always been very friendly and accommodating BUT I would not advise picking the busiest day on the hunting calender for a first time out. Try a day mid week towards the end of the season, ring the secretary and they might even find you a 'nanny' for the day. I've found the pace of hunting really varies depending on the type of meet again worth a chat with the secretary. Pick a meet with more woodland/copses and it should be slower. I think the New Forest Hunt (isn't that Hampshire way??) do very little jumping so might be bit more sedate, maybe worth checking their website.
 
You might well find people galloping down a hill or cantering on a road, but you never have to do anything you don't want to. You often find that if you hold back or stay in one place that the hounds/field come round to meet you again!

If I was going hunting for the first time I probably wouldn't go out on boxing day! Start off cubbing quietly next season and go from there.
 
Very wise - Boxing day meet is up there with Opening meet and other such mad days, and is not usually a true represntation of hunting as more of a 'jolly' to entertain the field.

But do go out on a more normal day - I only started a few seasons ago and although was not the bravest rider then, am now hooked, and hunting has given me so much more confidence.
 
Boxing day meet is a nightmare! We are not so bad as we don't get huge fields out but our neighbouring hunt will get over 200 people!!! (Not massive for England but huge for Ireland).

Pick another day, there will always be a few at the back who will look after you! I am the 'nanny' in my hunt. I usually have a few kids and beginners!
 
Would echo advice above. Personally I'd start with cubbing next season; that's always been the traditional way of easing a horse (and rider!) into hunting gently, then when the season proper begins its not such a culture shock.

I think you might find the Boxing Day meet atmosphere a tad daunting for a first day out - everyone's half p!ssed anway IME, and it would be a shame if you were put off hunting for good so I think your friends were wise to suggest it might not be the best day to pick.

Go on foot by all means, and imagine what line you'd take with YOUR horse at any particular moment during the day and so make it a good learning experience - then personally I'd start with cubbing next season and see how you go.

Enjoy!
 
Boxing day meet is definately going in at the deap end! Much better to go out on foot and watch.Hitch a lift with a regular footfollower,they wont mind.learn a bit by watching,you will find people very welcoming and open once they realise you are there to learn and hopefully ride with the pack. I envy you ,you have so much to experience as new (though I still find every day hunting is new after 40 years)
 
hiya, which hunt will you be going with if you don't mind me asking?
Hunts are generally all very nice and accomodating, but might be better to go before boxing day, a mid week hunt is usually quieter, then you and your horse can get some confidence in the field before boxing day!
In terms of galloping down fields, and cantering along roads, people do do it, but you will usually find that there are some people who go at your sort of pace. When I go hunting there is a real mix of people there, and people are always willing to help :)
Good Luck :)
 
Totally echo the advice above - in my first season my boy was an angel at every meet except the Boxing Day Meet - there were sooooo many people, many of whom weren't regulars, didn't have any decent control and didn't seem to understand the rules and customary courtesies (if you need to put a red ribbon on your horse's tail, don't ride 3 abreast just behind the field master blocking the track!).

Our hunt is quite happy for people to come along on Hound exercise - the huntsman takes the hounds out every day for about 2 hours and always welcomes any company (and it's free) so it might be worth taking your horse along on hound exercise just to check how he'll react to what seems like hundreds of hounds milling around
 
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