Which hunt?

[DanielleP]

So, I have decided this year is my year to give hunting a go, it's something I've always wanted to do but my horses have either been unsuitable or I have been involved in other disciplines. My old boy, now 20 has now decided that he will load in my lorry so it's all systems go at last!

Im based by plumpton race course so I think my nearest hunt is Southdown. Does that sound right to you experienced folk or is there a more suitable hunt in my area either distance wise or for taking on the inexperienced hunter!

Cubbing or hunting first ?
I'm blessed with having a horse which is a gem so have no worries about him on day manners wise but I'm guessing I would be best to start with cubbing?

Fitness
How often do your hunters get ridden a week on the build up to and during the season? I really want to make sure my horse is fit enough to keep up with you lot!

How often and how much?
How regular do you hunt twice a week? once a week? once a month? How much am I looking at in fees?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm getting excited about it already and it's still a way off!

 

[Sherston]

Hi,

Your questions are extensive and could be answered in a couple of books (or more), but in summary..

I can't help you on the hunts in your area - South Down and E, East Sussex & RM or Crawley and Horsham, but sure someone will soon...... Costs will depend on if you decide to subscribe and compound versus subscribe and pay field money, day tickets or pay individual caps (to the extent that the hunt will allow

In terms of hunting and fitness depends on how often you are intending to hunt and for how long, either way hunting a horse one day a week for a full day should be fine, you need a reasonable level of fitness for whenever you start, my hunters get one day off exercise a week, usually the day after hunting when they get turned out for exercise they are ridden for 45mins every day.

Get some autumn hunting in (at least), meet some people and find out about the hunt and then subscribe ahead of the opening meet on the best basis for you.

Good luck
Sherston

 

[DanielleP]

Thanks for your reply Sherston, i think i will definenitely get some autum hunting in hopefully i can befriend someone who can show me the ropes!

 

[AlisonJames]

Thanks for your reply Sherston, i think i will definenitely get some autum hunting in hopefully i can befriend someone who can show me the ropes!

Do take me with you as well while going for hunting. I am scared of hunting I can't do but yeah I can watch it easily.

 

[AlisonJames]

Thanks for your reply Sherston, i think i will definenitely get some autum hunting in hopefully i can befriend someone who can show me the ropes!

Do take me with you as well while going for hunting. I am scared of hunting I can't do but yeah I can watch it easily. online shoes

 

[chestnut cob]

Firstly, you mentioned your horse is 20yo so you might need to be a bit careful about the sort of ground you hunt him on, trotting/cantering on roads, and generally how much work he gets. I hunted my last one a fair bit but at 17 with some niggly arthritic issues, he couldn't do every week as he simply wouldn't stay sound. He was also a little limited with jumping so I'd have to pick my meets carefully. But assuming he's completely sound and fit...

Cubbing or hunting first ?
I'd go autumn hunting first. It's a good way to see how the horse is going to react. Should be quieter, slower and you'll get to meet a few people. If you're unsure who you want to go out with then try a couple in the area, and subscribe (or buy a package) with whoever you liked the most. If you can go cubbing a few times then it shouldn't be such a big shock/ event when your horse goes hunting.

Fitness
How often do your hunters get ridden a week on the build up to and during the season?
With my last one, he was going out every 10-14 days (because he couldn't cope with weekly and I couldn't afford to subscribe fully). In between times he was worked 5-6 days per week. I used to do a couple of reasonable length hacks per week (up to a couple of hours), including trot/canter work, a couple of shorter hacks, maybe school once and lunge once. He was IDxTB and stayed pretty fit on this regime. The new one is a Connie (possibly with a bit of cob in there) and is proving much more difficult to get and keep as fit as the big horse.

How often and how much?
How regular do you hunt twice a week? once a week? once a month? How much am I looking at in fees?
I never hunted twice a week, and TBH wouldn't even with the new one (too many other things to do!). I may have done a couple of Saturdays in a row with the previous one, but usually once a fortnight, sometimes once every 10 days. IME most packs will offer some sort of part subscription or package deal if you don't want a full subscription. Or you can have a full subscription, or do a certain number of days as a visitor etc. You need to talk to the Hon Sec of each to get a better idea of the costs.

 

[DanielleP]

Firstly, you mentioned your horse is 20yo so you might need to be a bit careful about the sort of ground you hunt him on, trotting/cantering on roads, and generally how much work he gets. I hunted my last one a fair bit but at 17 with some niggly arthritic issues, he couldn't do every week as he simply wouldn't stay sound. He was also a little limited with jumping so I'd have to pick my meets carefully. But assuming he's completely sound and fit...

Cubbing or hunting first ?
I'd go autumn hunting first. It's a good way to see how the horse is going to react. Should be quieter, slower and you'll get to meet a few people. If you're unsure who you want to go out with then try a couple in the area, and subscribe (or buy a package) with whoever you liked the most. If you can go cubbing a few times then it shouldn't be such a big shock/ event when your horse goes hunting.

Fitness
How often do your hunters get ridden a week on the build up to and during the season?
With my last one, he was going out every 10-14 days (because he couldn't cope with weekly and I couldn't afford to subscribe fully). In between times he was worked 5-6 days per week. I used to do a couple of reasonable length hacks per week (up to a couple of hours), including trot/canter work, a couple of shorter hacks, maybe school once and lunge once. He was IDxTB and stayed pretty fit on this regime. The new one is a Connie (possibly with a bit of cob in there) and is proving much more difficult to get and keep as fit as the big horse.

How often and how much?
How regular do you hunt twice a week? once a week? once a month? How much am I looking at in fees?
I never hunted twice a week, and TBH wouldn't even with the new one (too many other things to do!). I may have done a couple of Saturdays in a row with the previous one, but usually once a fortnight, sometimes once every 10 days. IME most packs will offer some sort of part subscription or package deal if you don't want a full subscription. Or you can have a full subscription, or do a certain number of days as a visitor etc. You need to talk to the Hon Sec of each to get a better idea of the costs.

Thanks for that Chestnut cob. To be honest once every 14 days I would be really happy with. I'm comfortable arranging the hunting I do around my horses limits I have another horse just a 5 year old that will have commitments throughout the season so this would probably work to my benefit. Having a try day at a couple nearby sounds a great idea I will definitely look into this!

 

[Melchesorge]

You need a reasonable level of fitness for whenever you start.

 

[Bernster]

Can't improve on chestnut cob's post but other thoughts - you may have already seen the stickies at the top of this forum, info for beginners, but I found those really useful at the start. And gives you something to read to help contain your excitement, as I def know the feeling!

As for fitness, obv depends on how often and how long you plan to go out for, but provided they are fit enough to do 1 or 2 good long hacks a week, with other work the other 4/5 days then should be fine for autumn/cubbing, as they get plenty fit enough then I should think. Your horse will tell you, so maybe plan to end early the first few times, although that can be a challenge if no-one else is heading back at the same time!

Even though you know him, I'd still suggest a stronger bit dep what you ride in at the moment, as that was what I was told at the start (and still am using!).

Hope you have a blast, it's not that far away really as hunting fitness prep will have started for most people. It's the only thing that makes me get up at 6am !!

 

[spotty_pony]

Would definitely suggest you go Cubbing first as you are new to it so that you can get used to it first as it is a great introduction for newcomers. (Although I will admit I went straight out on a big day mid-season on my boy and neither of us had ever hunted before but I didn't know any better!)

Fitness - My boy is always kept well above the fitness level required. Always better be too fit than not fit enough IMO as injury is less likely. At the moment, he is hacking out 4-5 times a day steadily with plenty of hillwork and some longer spells of trot and canter in there so I can test his fitness level. We probably do 2-3 longer hacks per week (2 hours +) and 1-2 short hacks (under 2 hours). He is also happily popping over small fences/ditches out hacking so is more than fit enough to start Autumn Hunting which should start anytime now! Once the season starts, I hunt probably twice per month - usually just half a day as it is big, trappy country around our area but sometimes a bit longer depending on the going. I always finish when there is plenty of petrol still left in the tank though. He is hacked out 3-4 times per week on weeks when he is hunting and 4-6 times per week on weeks when he isn't hunting to keep his fitness. This includes plenty of hill and trot work and I will try to take him somewhere where he can have a good canter at least once a week as he tends to get quite fresh!

How often and how much?
Twice per month for me due to work, cost and also I think if we did any more then he wouldn't keep his weight at all as it takes him a week to calm down completely after hunting - he loves it that much! Price varies from hunt to hunt so contact the Hunt Secretary for more information.

Hope this helped