Weedy question but - do i have to jump?

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trundle

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I may have the chance to go out hunting next season with some friends, and i am very excited. I am perfectly happy charging about on the ground - but I'm a nervous jumper. Do i have to jump when I go out, or are there likely to be other Nervous Nellies who want to find an open gate rather than haring over the hedges?
 
im not sure about the uk but over here there is a hunt every spring time (i think) and normally they over a full blown hunt with dogs following a false scent and big hedges etc but there was also an alternative option where is was more a long hack with little ditches etc that you could jump if you want and they go a bit slower. Maybe need to enquire if they do this.
 
totally depends on the hunt but I think you should expect to have to jump a bit, nothing massive but it's better to prepare yourself to jump small things or I don't think it is fair on the hunt to have to find ways around for you.

Thats just my personal opinion though and most hunts are very accommodating. Give the hunt sec a call and see what the deal is. :D
 
ring up the secretary and they will advise of any none jumping days we have someone who takes riders round the jumps if nervouse always remember you can always get round, good luck and have fun.
 
There are usually half a dozen at the back that don't jump - they often see more of the action as well.

But I would agree that phoning the sec is a good idea.

The thing that annoys the Masters is people is taking a horse that hasn't been taught to jump and then trying, and breaking all the fences.
 
Look out for the 'Newcomers' Days' hosted by your local hunt in September/October when the season starts again. You'll get someone to look after you on the day, and some hunts will do a briefing at the kennels a few days earlier.

Have fun.
 
Readyfield always have two huntsmen out - one for the jumpers and one who will always find a way round for those who dont want to jump.
They also do childrens meets and intro days where jumping is also optional.
Hound exercise is good too - usually only a few smallish fences for those that want to.
Whereabouts are you located?
 
Like you, I am not a great jumper soI mentioned this to my hunt last year on my first outing. Although they said jumps were not compulsory, I did have to jump a few small ones along with some rather large ditches. For a non jumper its amazing what it does for your confidence! You'll be surprised how the horses find their own feet jumping ditches - no fear there now. I was quite a way up the front of the field and when I looked behind, I did see that some of the field had found smaller ditches to cross at. Best to try the training days or beginners huny days. I did that too. All I can say is roll on September....
 
I was like you before I went for the first time. I didnt really like jumping at all and it was made worse when i turned up at the meet and my YO was there and he sed there'd only be a few gates to jump. luckily he was joking as i was so scared!

Where there is a fence there is usually a smaller option or a gate to go through. Dont worry about it, you wont be the only one who doesnt want to jump. even so you could always try a little jump its amazing how ur horse will just follow the field and pop over the jumps. its very good for ur confidence as well.
 
im going to go out on a childrens meet for my first hunt - my 13.1 pony and i are capable of jumping 2ft9 happily but anything over that im sure she would manage but i dont want to knock my confidence as im super confident now after loosing it all after a bad fall when i was a young teenager.

also if theres any in your area you may find a few mock hunts beneficial - the ones in my area have horses as the hounds and a very fast horse as the fox - all the jumps on these are optional and its where i have got all my confidence from so now i can't wait to go out with my local hunt.
 
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