Weather and hunting......

[L&M]

Is it really worth it in the current conditions? After yet another vile day of sloshing through the slurry that our poor countryside has now become, I am seriously debating whether to continue for the rest of the season......

Don't get me wrong - I totally understand why farmers do not want us on their land, and why we are so restricted, but as a 'twice weekly hunting addict' normally, the appeals of this season are starting to wear very thin.....at least as a full subscriber I am fully 'paid' up so the hunt won't lose out in that way.

Anyone else feeling the same?

 

[bounce]

I was out today and for the first time ever I decided to go home early to save my pony for another day as neither of us were enjoying it. Its definitely the worst ground I've ever known and as I only do it to keep my eventing pony fresh and not as a true hunter I've decided its really not worth risking tendons in bottomless ground.

Fingers crossed for some dry weather soon.

 

[kiteman0]

ive wanted to go out for the first time this season but because of the weather not actually been on horseback yet
i keep telling myself theres always next year

 

[olderthanshelooks]

Due to injury I'm not allowed to ride this season, back during autumn hunting I was gutted to be missing out but must confess as the season is going on and the wet weather continues I'm glad I can't ride! No wet muddy horse and jackets to have to clean and dry at the end of the day!! And gradually more and more people seem to have horses going lame

 

[CrazyMare]

We did an hour today.

Took a 4 year old out for an hour on Wednesday - we were just on tracks really - tracks I can usually hack on, but not with 20 other horses....

Not sure we will get out any more unless it dries up considerably. Can't even turn out as the sheer amount of water is just sat there, even at the highest point of the yard.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

I was out til 3 and came home with hounds...but only because OH whips in. I was on roads and bridleways and was watching rather than following. The field went home at about 1.30 as there is only so much you can do up and down the same track!! We were also out Sat and Mon but I must say it has all been pretty much the same.

Looks like Sat will be cancelled and I actually feel quite glad, which is not like me, but Christmas was all washing, plaiting and tack cleaning.

 

[spotty_pony]

I was out yesterday and the going was terrible in places - although surprisingly the old turf is still holding up pretty well! There were plenty of idiots out yesterday though... throwing their horses at big hedges surrounded by boggy ground, etc. I just picked and chose my fences and insisted that my boy waited and slowed down through gateways, etc. We came home at second horses absolutely covered in mud but still managed to have a good morning.

 

[Masmo]

Well I had my first ever days hunting today, it was very wet out but everyone was sensible and it was a fairly quiet day- perfect for a newbie! I must say hunting proved to be a fantastic morning out, and I can honestly say I met some of the most welcoming and friendly people I could hope to meet. Huge thank you to regular huntsman and women who make newcomers feel so welcome. I can't wait to go again!

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

We had a cracking day on floded gravel tracks- came home almost cleaner than we arrived Saturday will be bottomless and it wouldnt surprise me if it wasnt cancelled or heavily restricted

 

[RedImp05]

Reading this post has made me feel slightly better about missing out on Boxing Day. First year I've had a hunt fit horse and it chucks it down for a week before!

Ummed and ahhed but just didn't feel good about taking my boy out in the conditions, think I would have spent the whole time worried about his legs. Let's hope next year brings better conditions!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

We are cancelled tomorrow, but will be out New Years Day but how much we will do I don't know.

 

[toppy72]

I have certainly decided to draw a line though it for the next two to three weeks it is far too wet. I had to go out on boxing day because I was age shutting but I felt so guilty for the horse it was miserable, coupled with overhead rain it was not a pleasant day, and the cleanup of tack etc seems to go on and on. Like the OP I would normally go out twice a week.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

we did go today but it was soo wet stuck to roads and tracks until one of the whips needed a lead and my little cob was flying along leading the way my jacket is now leaving puddles on the kitchen floor

 

[Countryman]

Was out on foot today and I didn't think it was as bad as it was on Christmas Eve. That said, I did manage to properly fall into the (full to the brim with floodwater) disused canal...

 

[Ditchjumper2]

..........my jacket is now leaving puddles on the kitchen floor

Sounds familar....our house was like a sauna the Sunday before Christmas trying to dry our sodden coats ready for Christmas Eve. We managed it but were a bit hot!

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

DDD, surely it was leaving more than a puddle after Christmas Eve tho ;p

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Hunting over Xmas period... last Sat managed to stay dry but so foggy so couldn't see anything. We were on top of a very, very tall hill and horses were still fetlock deep in standing water. Madness.

Vale on Monday - never seen it that wet in 7 seasons I've been hunting down here. Got soaked. Bottomless ground so no hedgehopping from us. Think we jumped 4 sets of rails all day despite everyone else skylarking. What's the point?!!

Weds - just pootled around with OH. Really wet despite being in our dryest bit of country. Got wet.

Sat (yesterday) - got wet. Deep going. Am amazed horses's legs are all fine.

Tues - down by the sea. Normally dry as anything. Supposed to be sunny. Lets hope so!!

 

[L&M]

Well, I have to say we had a better day yesterday...

I took my son to the Childrens meet, and as he is not the bravest, it suited him that we weren't able to charge around as normal. The mud was bottomless in places, but I did manage a couple of small rails as my cob loves jumping out of the deep mud, but a lot of people chose not too.

The owners of where we parked let us wash the horses off there after, which was very kind, so only had to deal with the filthy tack when we got home.

Roll on Tues as the weather is meant to be better and we are on our hill country, so may get my hunting 'mojo' back!

 

[minnierosie]

i,m going hunting soon (this friday actually) but I,m going to stick to the not so muddy bits.
Our paddocks wet and mucky as well but we can't help having to let the ponies out. Anyway they are welsh mountain ponies so they should be able to cop plus they have rugs on.

 

[TeamChaser]

i,m going hunting soon (this friday actually) but I,m going to stick to the not so muddy bits.

Good luck with that minnierosie - are there any not so muddy bits??


I've been a total wuss and not been out yet this season. I'm in Gloucestershire and there just seems to have been no let up. My ISH probably wouldn't have too much of a problem with the mud - pretty tough and he's team chased in some pretty soft going - it's just the thought of all that wet and mud (told you - total girl)!! Just can't bear it. I'm sick to death of riding every day and getting soaked, washing dogs after walking every day, mouldy tack etc, etc

I've even taken to show jumping lessons to relieve the boredom ... what's that all about?! On a nice surface though and we stay clean