Youngstock and brood mares

[Rollin]

A question for those of you who hunt.

What steps do you take when you hunt to make sure you do not cause hurt to other horse owners breeders?

The question arises after a breeder's valuable mare aborted a much wanted foal after the hunt had caused problems on her stud for the second time.

I too have problems with France and now one hunt at least come and tell me when they will be near our farm after one of my brood mares was injured.

I don't hunt but wonder what horse lovers think.

 

[JanetGeorge]

My local hunt steers well clear of my place - they know I have in-foal mares and youngstock and that I'll kill them if they come too close. And a couple of weeks ago they were meeting next door to a field where I have 11 yearlings turned away - I had a word before the Meet - and again AT the Meet (as I was out on a youngster) - and they gave the field a wide berth!

 

[ElleSkywalker]

My local hunt were very good last year when we had some mares in foal in our fields, but this year they have been particularly bad and both time they have been past, foals have jumped out of thier feilds, leaving the foals with lacerated back legs.

On the second ocasion we did say that the foal had jumped out last time, so they said they would just have a person or 2 on point in our feild, however, again, the whole field decided to wait for about 1/2 in my field, meaning, you guessed it the foals jumped out again, more lacerated back legs.

I am afraid next time I am going to have to say they can't come in my feild at all.

 

[Rollin]

I am sorry to hear about your foals injuries. What surprises me is that the hunters are riders and should understand the risks to brood mares and young stock.

My hunt in France are just men with guns and terriers who have no understanding of horses. Our lot have behaved since we told them, if you come onto our property again we will call the gendarmes.

I don't like to resort to threats but it was more effective than explaining nicely. Sad it is necessary.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

round here you either get carded or a visit from the master or a phone call to inform you they are in the area on such a day, around such a time. its then up to you as an owner to make arrangements to keep your stock safe .. like bringing them in or moving them to another field. Not easy if you have loads though ...

 

[Maesfen]

round here you either get carded or a visit from the master or a phone call to inform you they are in the area on such a day, around such a time. its then up to you as an owner to make arrangements to keep your stock safe .. like bringing them in or moving them to another field. Not easy if you have loads though ...

Snap although I know some can slip the net simply because they don't live in the area and nobody knows who to contact but in those cases usually a note is left on the gate that hounds will be in the area, it's all that can be done if you never see the owners.
From MOPV, I always bring in my broodmares for my peace of mind even if I leave the others out although usually they're all in although I understand if you have too many to do that.

I think that as long as you are told somehow of impending 'visits' then it's up to you to take the actions you deem safe for your horses. If you're not told then strict words with the Masters and Hunt Staff are needed so that they understand your needs too but they're not mind readers and if you're in a Hunt Country then you should make yourselves known to the hunt as horse keepers so that you are included in any messages of future meets for your area.

 

[JC1]

We get carded as well. We bring ours in - not possible in all cases I know. I hunt with our local pack and wouldn't dream of telling them they couldn't come across our land when I'm quite happy to go across everyone else's.

 

[A1JUMPJOCKEY]

Id echo Maesfen's comments, If your based in a Hunt Country with a livery Yard, Stud or Racing Yard etc and your not known by your local pack, make sure you are!!! Make sure your area Master or Secretary is aware of your situation. We have a bit of country that is full of Stud's with young stock etc and its like snakes and ladders weiving in and out of fields and lanes. But we were asked not to get to close so we didnt. We are forever gratefull to our landowners and farmers for letting us on and across the land, so we respect there decisions not to cross if they dont want us too.

If you have not made your situation clear and your Local pack pass near by unfortunately you have no one to blame but yourselves if a problem with youngstock etc occurs!!!

 

[melbobineau]

Hi Rollin.

Legally in France they are allowed to come hunting in your fields except if you to opposition to the "prefecture". This procedure it isn't without some rules and restrictions.