First time hunting, tips and hunting attire

ilovemarmite

Hi

Going on my first hunt next week and just wanted to ask about what female riders wear. Can you tell me if this is right.

Tweed Jacket (any particular colour?)
Shirt and Stock (should these be white?)
Cream jods (I have beige is cream lighter than these?)
Black long boots (Have these)
Gloves (I have black)
Riding hat
Whip (just have a regular black jumping whip)

Anything else I should know about attire and etiquette or any other general tips would be much appreciated

fits

Everything you have sounds fine.

I wear either tweed on warmer days or a black wool hunt coat on really cold days. The colour of the tweed doesnt matter.

gozunda

ilovemarmite wrote: »

Hi

Going on my first hunt next week and just wanted to ask about what female riders wear. Can you tell me if this is right.

Tweed Jacket (any particular colour?)
Shirt and Stock (should these be white?)
Cream jods (I have beige is cream lighter than these?)
Black long boots (Have these)
Gloves (I have black)
Riding hat
Whip (just have a regular black jumping whip)

Anything else I should know about attire and etiquette or any other general tips would be much appreciated

Check with others in the hunt you are going out with

If you are new then as long as your reasonably well turned out no one will mind

Long term and for full hunting attire some hunts may request certain things

Not all hunts allow tweed for main hunting season but again if you are a visitor it's not a problem

Eg some hunts ladies wear a navy hunt jacket with matching silk or hat instead of black

Some hunts only the hunt staff wear white breeches

Beige / cream breeches are easier to look after anyway ( don't worry to much about the shade

Generally shirt and stock (not pretied) are standard

Ordinary whip or 'lump o wavin' fine

I suggest you talk to someone in the hunt or the hunt secretary for relevant info

But whatever have a good day - you won't regret it ...

ilovemarmite

Thanks a mill for all the fast responses. Going with a few from riding school and the instructors to introduce us to it. Hiring horse from them which they'll choose for me so have a good match. Was told about tweed jacket, jods and stock so all sounds good.

This season going to try go a few times hunting and to hunter trials to get used to it and gain some experience and see what it is like. Hopefully then next year will be more experienced and can go more regularly. (Also might have own horse or long term loan horse by then)

Can't wait, really looking forward to it.

Thanks again for help

Ah_Yeah

Everything you have sounds perfect

Just make sure you have something warm on underneath your shirt, and warm socks, you will be doing a lot of standing around and it gets cold

Enjoy yourself, it's a lot of fun!

ilovemarmite

Thanks, good idea ah_yeah will make sure I have a layer underneath, have warm socks too so will remember to put them on

byhookorbycrook

Bit long and rules may be more relaxed elsewhere, but gives a general idea:

Hunting Etiquette and Hunting Terms, Language and signals

 

The major concern of people wishing to hunt for the first time seems to be a fear of wearing or doing the wrong thing. I hope this guide will help you feel more comfortable and confident if you should choose to go out for your first experience of hunting. You will not remember all of it, but the more you hunt the more you will realise the reasons for a code of conduct.

What should I wear?

Whilst there is a formal hunting attire that regular followers wear, there are a variety of alternatives which are perfectly acceptable. Starting from the top, any form of safety hat is acceptable, but we would prefer the cover to be of a sober colour and without tassles or pom poms! A hunting shirt and stock. shirt and tie or even a polo neck sweater are acceptable under any safe coat/jacket, but once again brightly coloured coats should be avoided. Wax jackets are usually acceptable. Fawn breeches are preferred, but white or coloured breeches/jodhpurs are acceptable if they are all you have. Long boots or jodhpur boots are safest. Spurs are completely optional. Back protectors are also acceptable and are indeed recommended for novice children.

What should I do before coming to a meet mounted?

The first thing to do ask if you may join the hunt for the day and check the amount (cap) you will be required to pay. You can also find out the best place to park and any other matter you are unsure of Also by "booking in" you can be informed of any last minute changes due to weather, farming problems etc.

What should I have in my pockets?

The money for your Cap, a and possibly some food. You may even consider carrying a handkerchief or a bandage for emergencies. If you are carrying a mobile telephone it should be turned off during hunting. If you are a complete stranger, or suffer from any medical condition, it is a good idea to carry a printed copy of your details so that we can help you should you have an accident.





Going to the meet?

It is much more relaxing to allow plenty of time to get to the meet/unboxing place as you are more likely to find a convenient place to unbox. Please do not park in gateways or opposite other boxes or vehicles. Where possible ensure vehicles are completely off the road, especially on narrow roads, and allow room for agricultural vehicles to pass.

What should I do at the meet?

Etiquette demands that you should find the Hunt Secretary and offer her your cap, rather than waiting for her to approach you. Similarly you should say good morning to the Joint Masters (the correct greeting being "Good morning Master" even if you know them personally), whilst ensuring that your horse does not get amongst the hounds. In particular find out who is the Field Master for the day and keep behind him/her and obey his/her instructions. If hospitality has been provided at the meet, be sure to thank your host before you leave.

How can I tell who the Hunt Staff are?

The Master wears a red coat The Master and Hunt Staff carry full responsibility for the day and have invested considerable time and money in the hope of providing you with an enjoyable day. You should understand that if anything goes wrong or if damage is done, it is the Hunt Staff who will have to put matters right. In return you should treat them with some respect and give them priority at gates or jumps.

Is there anything special that my horse should wear?

If you know your horse is liable to kick it should wear a red ribbon at the top of his tail. If it is a young horse and you are not sure of its temperament it should wear a green ribbon, In both cases they should be kept to the back of the field. If the person in front of you is going through a gateway and has one arm behind their back you should be aware that their horse may kick if you crowd them.

Is there anything I need to know about the hounds?

Do not assume that because you horse does not kick your dog at home that he/she will necessarily tolerate a pack of hounds. Even if he/she will, the huntsman does not know that and you will worry him if you get amongst the hounds. Bloodhounds are particularly bad at getting out of the way, so it is your duty to keep away from them.

Jumping Etiquette

Do not attempt to jump if there is a hound anywhere near a jump. Give Hunt Staff priority and if you know your horse is a poor jumper let others go first. If your horse refuses, clear the jump quickly and let others go before you try again





Riding near or through livestock

When riding near or through livestock ensure you are between the stock and the fence and ride at a speed they will tolerate without getting upset. If stock bunch up in a corner, stop and wait for them to move out. You should not enter any field without the Field Master unless instructed to do so.

End of the day

It is important to remember that without a huntsman and his hounds there would be no sport. A thank you goes a long way in helping these people feel appreciated, especially Hunt Staff who will probably be cold, wet and tired at the end of the day. It is traditional to say "Goodnight" at the end of your day.

General Etiquette

It is surprising how many people leave their manners on the ground when they get on a horse. Please thank cars for slowing down, wave cars on when you see the Masters wave them on, and keep to the nearside if you hear the shout "car please". A smile and "good morning" to people on foot will help to dispel the myth that everyone on horseback is a snob and too good to talk to people on foot.

HUNTING TERMS, LANGUAGE AND SIGNALS

Autumn Hunting

The early part of hunting from August until the Opening Meet on the first Saturday in November.

Babbler or babbling

A hound that speaks when it is not hunting is said to be a babbler or babbling.

Bitch

Female hound

By Invitation

This sometimes appears on the meet card of a hunt that has been invited to hunt in another hunt's country.

Cap

A daily charge to come out hunting

"Car Please"


Is shouted to tell the Field to keep to the left to let cars through on the road.

Cast

When the hounds are looking for the line. The huntsman may cast the hounds towards where he thinks the hounds will pick it up.

Check

When the hounds lose the line.

Couples

Hounds are counted in couples.( i.e. one hound, a couple, a couple and a half, two couples, etc.) Couples are also two collars linked on a chain and can be seen hanging on the hunt staffs' saddles.

Cur Dog

A canine which is not a hound.

Dog

Male hound

Drag hunting

Drag hunting is the hunting of an artificial scent usually on a rag dragged by a runner or rider

Entered

An entered hound is a hound that has done a season's hunting.

Feather

Hounds are said to feather or be feathering when they have the line but are unable to speak to it.

Field

The mounted followers.

Field Master

The person in charge of leading and controlling the Field.

Foil

Any smell or disturbed ground which spoils the line.

"Gate Please"

Shouted backwards on going through a gate which should be closed.

Gate shutter

A person specially designated to shut gates and mend fences. Sometimes wears a white armband. Even when these people are present you should shut gates where necessary.

"Good Morning"

The appropriate greeting at the meet.

"Good Night"

The appropriate salutation for the end of the day even if it was an Autumn Hunting morning which ended before midday.

Green Ribbon

Worn on the tail of a young horse.

Hand behind the back

Means this horse might kick if you crowd it.

Hand in the air by gateway

Signal to people coming towards a gate, but out of hearing, that the gate should be shut. The response to which should be to hold your hand in the air to show you have got the message and will shut the gate.



"Headland Please"



Shouted when the Field is required to ride in single file close to the fence boundary of field in order to protect crops.

Heel

Hounds are said to be hunting heel when they hunt the reverse direction to the route of the quarry.

"Hold Hard"

Shouted by the Field Master to stop the field overtaking him/her.

Hot bitches

In season bitches.

Hound

All scent hunting dogs are referred to as hounds. It is the duty of mounted followers to keep out of the way of the hounds, not vice versa.

Huntsman

The man who hunts the hounds. There is only one huntsman on the hunting field per day, he may also be a Master, and he has absolute right of way at all times.

Hunt

A hunting day usually consists of 3 - 5 hunts, each hunt being 2 - 5 miles long. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as "runs" or "lines".

Hunt Staff

The people responsible for working the hounds. i.e. Huntsman and Whippers in. They may be Masters, amateurs or professionals.



"Kick on"



You may get this response when you make way for a Master or Huntsman at a gate or jump. It means you don't have to wait for him/her and should carry on.

Lawn Meet

A meet where refreshments are provided by someone, usually the owner of the property where the meet is taking place. This person should be thanked by everyone as they leave the meet.

Line

The scent left by the quarry.



"Loose Horse"



Shouted when someone has fallen off and the horse is running away.

Master

Maybe a Joint Master. These are the people responsible for the running of the hunt and particularly for liaison with the farmers and landowners. They should have right of way at all times second only to the hunt staff.

"Master/Huntsman/Whip/Hound please"

This means give way to these people as they have a job to do. If it is heard on a road or a track everyone should get to one side, not line both sides, to reduce the chances of them being kicked.

"Master/Huntsman/Whip/Hound on the right/left"

This means the Master/Whip/Hound should be let through on the side shouted. The side corresponding to the direction of travel of the majority of the Field.

Mixed Pack

A pack consisting of dogs and bitches

Mute

A hound which hunts without speaking is mute

Opening Meet

The start of formal hunting.

Puppy

A hound which is new to hunting that season. It will appear fully grown.

Rat Catcher

Term used to describe the official dress for mounted followers during Autumn Hunting and consists of a Tweed jacket as opposed to a black jacket. is also an.

Red Ribbon

Worn on the tale of a known kicker. These horses should be kept at the back of the field.

Riot or rioting

When hounds hunt something other than that which they are supposed to be hunting, they are rioting.





Scent

The smell, indiscernible to the human nose, left by the runners. The hounds also use the smell of the disturbed ground where the runners have been to stay on the line.

Season

Runs from August until March. Autumn Hunting will start once the harvest is under way, usually in August and will consist of short hunts in the early morning or early evening. Formal hunting starts with the Opening Meet, usually the first Saturday in November, and will go on for as long as country to hunt over can be found, usually to mid March.

Secretary

Usually the Honorary Hunt Secretary (unpaid) who deals with day to day inquiries from subscribers. Visitors should seek this person out at the meet and offer to pay their cap to them.

Speak or speaking

Hounds do not bark, they speak or are speaking when they are "on the line" (hunting a scent).

Stern

A hound's tail.

Subscriber

Someone who pays an annual subscription to hunt with a pack of hounds.

Walk

Hounds at walk, often known as Puppy Walking, is where whelps are sent to private homes, in minimums of two's, from the age of eight weeks, at which point they return to kennels to learn how to fit in to the pack.

"Ware Hole/Wire/Glass"

If you hear "Ware 'ole" it actually means mind out there is a hole in the ground coming up! Similarly any other hazard.

Whip in the air (usually by Field Master)

This means stand still where you are, not wait until you get level with the Field Master and then stop.

Whip held to side by huntsman

If the whip is in the huntsman's right hand he will be keeping the hounds to his left. You should therefore let him pass so that his horse is between you and the hounds.

Whipper in

The person who helps the huntsman control the hounds. This person has right of way at all times and will only give way to the Huntsman.

ilovemarmite

Thanks

That is a very useful guide for a newcomer

ilovemarmite

One last question, should I put my hair in a bun/hairnet or something, it is usually in a ponytail for everyday riding

byhookorbycrook

Hairnet is considered more correct, but many hunts now are easy enough, once it is tidy. I hunted with a fairly strict hunt in my time, so always had the 'net. A real must is a good sports bra, as there can be some road work and when horses get out ,they can jog. Rubbed raw nipples don't make for a fun day!Plus, you don't want to spend the day trying to haul up bra straps from your elbow.
I always used a martingale, more for neck strap value over dirty drains or hairy banks. On my own cob now, I have a breast plate with the martingale straps off , it doesn't move when he puts his head down so is always where you need it.

ilovemarmite

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Hairnet is considered more correct, but many hunts now are easy enough, once it is tidy. I hunted with a fairly strict hunt in my time, so always had the 'net. A real must is a good sports bra, as there can be some road work and when horses get out ,they can jog. Rubbed raw nipples don't make for a fun day!Plus, you don't want to spend the day trying to haul up bra straps from your elbow.
I always used a martingale, more for neck strap value over dirty drains or hairy banks. On my own cob now, I have a breast plate with the martingale straps off , it doesn't move when he puts his head down so is always where you need it.

Thanks

I'll let you all know how I get on, really looking forward to it now

byhookorbycrook

It's a great day out, you'll jump stuff you'd never chance "in the cold light of day." Personally, I always loved the music of the hounds and watching them work. Have fun!

ilovemarmite

Had a great day on my first hunt, can't wait to go again

finbarrk

Good for you! What hunt? We had our first day last Thursday, got soaked and frozen though. Co. Clare.