Equestrian Life November 2016 Edition

HUNTING
Photos by Penny Richardson Photography
A Hunting
WE WILL GO!
An Introduction to Hunting by Tina Canton BHSI Bsc
(Hons) UKCC level 3
So you’ve always fancied the idea of
hunting, dashing across the open
countryside without a care in the
world bravely tackling huge hedges
with great style! This is the fantasy, but
what is the reality it takes to get there?
Many people are worried that hunting will
be too much for them to take on, might
blow their horses brains and is only for the
brave and chosen few. This is a fallacy and
hunting is one of the equestrian disciplines
where no-one judges your riding and there
are no prizes (except one for staying on!) It
is truly a great grounding both for horses
and riders and it’s a shame that now horses
are of such great value that many riders
feel that hunting is too risky due to so
many external uncontrollable factors!
A childhood hunting taught me to stay
on or walk home! It is also fantastic for
developing a survival instinct when things
don’t go to plan cross country and horses
certainly learn to cope with all sorts of
going and develop a ‘fifth’ leg! Autumn
hunting is a great way to introduce any
horse to the concept of hunting. It gives
them a chance to see the hounds, be out
with other horses (but usually not a huge
number) and it also tends to be a little
more sedate as you spend a lot of time on
point standing and watching. It’s a great
idea to take the young horse with a nanny
that you know will stand still and behave
as you can use them to educate your
newbie as to how they should behave.
A couple of hours out usually is enough for
them to start to absorb the idea. I usually
put a slightly strong bit in as well, just in
case they find it very exciting! We also
put road nails in all the horses that will
be hunting to help them when the roads
are slippy. Ask your farrier to put them in.
Choose who you hunt with and what days
you go out carefully as well. Some hunts
are renowned for big country and others
have softer country. Midweek meets are
usually smaller fields and often not the
prime country. That is usually saved for
Saturdays. Ask regulars about the country
around the meet, the hunt secretaries are
also very helpful. Most hunts have two field
masters these days, one for the jumpers and
one for the non-jumping field so you can
always have options. I personally wouldn’t
go straight out with the bloodhounds on
a young horse, unless it is very lazy and
needs a good pep up!
I believe that the youngsters need to
learn to hunt with manners and learn to
stand so you have a nice day and often the
bloodhounds are fast and furious!! They are
great though for giving a horse a good fun
day and refreshing the desire to go forward!
They are also guaranteed jumping, which
often with foxhounds in certain parts of the
country you may not get due to the land
they are covering that day. Turnout is very
important. It is a sign of respect both the
to hunt staff but also the land that you are
being allowed to cross. Never forget it is a
privilege to be allowed on private land.
For autumn hunting Ratcatcher is the order
of the day - this means tweed jacket, shirt
and tie, cream breeches and brown boots. A
pet hate of mine is riders without hairnets,
so make sure your hair is under control!!
36 November 2016 Equestrian Life