|
Some helpful questions answered...All or any references to the uses of the term 'hunt' or 'hunting', or any relation thereto used in the text should be interpreted strictly as meaning hunting within the law as defined under The Hunting Act 2004 and covering such activities as hound exercise.
Both you and your horse should be turned out as well as possible. Never bring a muddy horse hunting. If you haven’t hunted before, it is fine to wear a hacking (tweed) rather than a black jacket but jodhpurs should be in cream or beige. It should be noted that summer show coats will be next to hopeless at keeping you dry and warm on inclement weather days. We would prefer that you enjoyed yourself and not be cold and miserable, if you don't have a 'traditional' thick hunting coat, then a warm jacket of dark neutral colour is perfectly acceptable. All of your tack (including your numnah) should be a dark neutral colour. An approved hat must be worn and body protectors may also be worn. Earrings and facial jewellery should not be worn out hunting – they can catch on branches and cause a nasty accident. All ladies must wear hair nets, for the same reason, unless they have a short style. Up to Opening Meet, your horse should not be plaited. From Opening Meet and any Lawn Meet (which is a Meet held on someone’s property) thereafter your horse should be plaited (unless hogged.) A well turned out member of the field makes our farmer feel proud to see you on their land. It is always a good idea to travel your horse to the meet in its tack (if safe to do so) as trying to tack up an excitable animal at the designated un-boxing place can be fraught for both you and your equine friend. An arcane piece of Hunt etiquette requires that only Masters and Hunt Servants have the ribbons of their caps down. For all others the ribbons should either be tucked in or sewn up. A red ribbon around a horse’s tail indicates that the horse kicks. A green ribbon indicates a young horse that might kick – please make sure that if there is any chance your horse might kick, it wears the appropriate ribbon. Even a horse that does not normally kick may feel threatened if barged from behind. If the rider feels their horse is getting annoyed or stressed, you may warn the person behind by putting your hand behind your back, palm outwards, this means take heed and back off. We strongly recommend that you have 3rd party insurance as a minimum. The best way to do this is to become a member of the Countryside Alliance (CA). All CA members are covered with the appropriate insurance automatically for trail hunting. Please take care to avoid getting too close to a horse with a ribbon – if it kicks you, the rider will not be at fault. Regardless of the bit you normally use on your horse, think of upgrading to a stronger bit when going hunting. You may not need it but most horses ‘grow’ a hand or two when hunting. It is better to have ‘extra’ brakes on hand rather than find you are out of control. |
|
|