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Has anyone here gone fox hunting?

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  thisiswater 
#1 ·
I live near a fairly active and friendly hunt. Would love to be able to ride with the hunt in the fall, but have no idea how competent and confident I'll be by then. :gallop:

I'd love to hear about your experiences!
 
#2 ·
Many times, with many hunts. Each hunt has differing levels of formality. Some I have enjoyed very much and was very included, some I didn't feel welcome. Have a good, seasoned, reliable and PATIENT horse is very helpful while you have to wait for the master. You run, you wait for the hounds to pick up scent... You run again... You may take a break... You run... Jumps interspersed. Depending on the hunt you may be able to go around, but often not. Or you need to get creative. If you are on a difficult horse who doesn't like staying in line- not so much fun.

I would say try it and see if it is for you. I enjoyed getting out regularly in the winter.
 
#3 ·
I went on one hunt as a teen and it was one of the biggest learning experiences of my riding career.


It was a 10 hour drive one way, so a Pony Club family hosted us. I fully expected a lot of pomp and circumstance, and woke up at 4 am to braid my horse and get ready. We trailered from the host's barn to the hunt and I was shocked that no one else braided. It was a very informal affair (well, riders were still all dressed up, but no formality beyond that). I felt welcomed and enjoyed the blessing of the hounds and horses before the ride, and was shocked my horse didn't mind the bagpipes.


When we got on and started out, I went with the rest of the guests to the back of the field of riders. I had only had my horse for about 3 months at that point and was still getting to know him. We had to get two abreast for a stint through the woods and that was when Hank started playing up, obviously agitated not to be in the front. As soon as the forest trail opened up into a clearing Hank went crazy and I came a cropper (got launched over his head) as he raced as fast as I have seen a horse go in real life, right past the hunt master out of sight.


This hunt was held adjacent to a military training grounds, and there were drills occurring, so my heart went into my throat as Hank went directly towards the training grounds. The hunt stopped, two riders went after Hank and a very kind hunt member had me get on double behind her on her Clyde. Unfortunately that horse did not appreciate being ridden double and began to buck. I slid off before I was ejected. About 15 minutes later and after profuse apologies on my part for holding up a section of the hunt and separating them (the master and others had gone on), the riders who rode after Hank came back leading a muddy and ornery grey TB. He had also interrupted the military drill and was fixated on a Sherman tank when they got to him. I thanked the riders, one of whom was my host mother and mounted back up. She suggested a small group of us (about 4) ride separate and just work on getting Hank calm in the middle and then back of a pack.


So I didn't get to finish the hunt behind the hounds, I didn't get to fly over jumps, but I did get a great hack out and a great learning experience on how to handle a very hot, reactive horse. She also suggested I try and look into Hank's history, the way he ran and passed other horses and when she followed him over some jumps, she bet me he had raced before. And indeed, when I got home, I did research, talked with previous owners and found out he came from Ireland as a steeplechase horse.


The other pony clubbers from my club who had traveled up had a great time, and learned a lot about how to jump in stride at speed. They had good, calm horses. One was advanced, one was a beginner, with about 18 months riding under her belt.


Moral of the story, if you have a good, calm horse, it can be great fun, even without a lot of prior experience. I did have a lot of fun, and the gathering at the end of the hunt was a blast. I took a good ribbing from a lot of members, but it was all in good fun.
 
#4 ·
For your introduction to fox hunting, often clubs will hold training sessions before the hunt season begins. You can also join the group hill topping where you get a good view but don't actually follow the hounds or jump---this is a good introduction for horses who have never hunted before. If the hunt is large enough, the with be different groups to ride with so those who are really experienced go first and a second or third group follow a little behind. Most hunts are really friendly and welcome newbies. There are certain rules that must be followed so ask for a copy of theirs. Also, any hunt I've been a member of requires that visitors must be accompanied by a member who is responsible for their guest.
 
#5 ·
Many hunts often hold "intros into fox hunting clinics" to welcome new members in. I had had to be sponsored by a current member and basically be babysat until I proved I wasn't going to kill myself or other members around me.

You typically start third or second flight out which is slower and then move up as you improve... Or prove merit or have a faster horse.
 
#9 ·
If you are a beginner, fox hunting is a few years off for you. You have to be comfortable riding at speed on rough ground, jumping some scary obstacles, and have a Velcro seat while handling an over-excited horse along with an understanding of all the unspoken rules of being on a hunt. The hunt itself would not have horses available for riders, but a barn may have a lease horse that is suitable.
 
#8 ·
I only went true fox hunting once, on my old mare Dolly. We did second field, I think, or whichever one did not do the jumps but still rode at a pretty quick pace. I rode along with another woman from my barn who had gone before. It was a lot of fun, kind of like a very long group trail ride, but with more excitement.

Sometimes another good option for someone who hasn't fox hunted before is to go hound walking. I think most hunt clubs will do hound walks early in the season, as a way to take the hounds out for practice and also allow people to kind of ease back into hunting. It is usually more relaxed and informal, and I think people are able to school over jumps, if they choose to take them. I've gone hound walking once on Nav and he was not the best, since we came upon some cows and he had a freak out. :P I also fell off going over a coop, so it was not the best experience, but I would go again if I had the chance!

Also, I have a picture from my first hunt with Dolly
 
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