Foxhunting is a great adventure, whether you are leasing a seasoned mount for the day or enjoying the sport on your own horse, but hunting your own horse for the first time can be daunting. Above all else, try foxhunting first on a seasoned horse before taking your own! It’s hard for you and your horse to both learn something new at the same time, so it’s helpful for you to already have a vague notion of what you’re doing and what to expect.

“Embrace the chaos!” - Allison G
“As a former Second and Third Fieldmaster and lifetime foxhunter (56+ years), please let your fieldmaster know that you and your horse are new to the hunt field so they can keep an eye out for you if you experience problems. See if there’s someone out there you could pair up with who would keep an eye out for you. Your field master may have some suggestions if you let them know your situation. Truly, it’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on!” - Louise K

So now you’ve been to a foxhunt, you’ve met members of the community, and you’ve either participated enough or read enough to know what to wear, what to say, how to behave, and what to expect. Now you’re ready to bring your own equine partner to their first foxhunt. We put the question out to the foxhunting community - advice for taking your horse to their first foxhunt - and here are some of their words of wisdom sprinkled in with our own.

Like most riding disciplines, there are many different approaches to introducing horses to the hunt field, and there is no single, correct approach.

“Hunting is both simple and complicated. Some horses love it, others don’t. Always remember it’s supposed to be fun! “ - Judi S
“It’s OK to be shit. Most of us are here and there and it makes for great stories!” - Tracey F
“The safety of the horse, other members, and me was paramount. Live to fight another day.” - Mary O

Meet the Hounds and Hit the Trail

Hound Exercise

Ride on hound exercise, off-season hound walks, or hunt trail rides to expose your horse to the hounds before the Big Day. Your horse may be used to dogs, but a pack of hounds is a different beast.

“Go out during hound-walking before the actual season starts. Smaller crowd, less excitement, and it will give you an idea of how your horse reacts to hounds. Kicking a hound is the worst thing your horse can do.” – Betsy C

Remember to face your horse towards the hounds when they are stopped, coming towards you, or passing you. This is not only a courtesy to the staff, but allows your horse to see and understand, rather than feeling snuck-up-on.

Trail Riding

While trail riding is quite different from hunting, it is a great way to expose horses to new terrain, novel scenarios, and different kinds of excitement than what they are accustomed to at home, as well as a great way to build fitness. Expose your horse to riding in a group and at different speeds, over variable terrain.

“Ride the road. Go places you shouldn't be. Get chased by farmers. Introduce your horse to dogs (preferably dogs that aren't yours, just in case) and farm equipment. Ask a friend to jump from random bushes while you're riding. Ask a mounted friend to gallop away from you without warning. Stop randomly for 10 minutes after catching up to said friend. Have on foot friend jump from bushes at this stand while holding a strange dog.” - Tracey F

Choose a Day

When you’re ready for that first hunt, stay away from big events like Opening Meet or Boxing Day - the less excitement, the better.

“Go on a quiet weekday with a trusted friend who knows the territory and has a horse that can hack in with you if the shit hits the fan. Nothing worse than being stuck out with no exit strategy if your horse has an unexpectedly dangerous reaction to the action. When greeting the masters and staff in the morning it’s good to briefly mention your horses first day out so if they see something amiss it’s understood.” – Brooke R

Be Prepared

Introduce Yourself

Introduce yourself to the Masters and staff when you arrive, and to the riders around you. Let them know it’s your horse’s first time.

“Very important to have great manners towards hunt staff and masters.” - Andrew C
“Ask questions and listen to the answers.” - Tracy T

Green Ribbon

Even if your horse isn’t technically green, if they are green to hunting it is still advisable to wear a green ribbon in the tail, letting other riders know to give you some extra space.

Timing

Be sure to give yourself enough time to tack up before the hunt, and ride around a little bit to get your horse used to the area. The hunt will not wait for you if you’re running behind. That said, if you show up hours before the start of the hunt to school your horse, you might not have any horse left by the time the hunt starts.

“Regarding getting ready - be completely dressed - stock tie, hair net, all the details - before you arrive. Trailer your horse tacked up if possible and if you can do that safely - so all you have to do is put in the bridle at the meet site.” - Allison G

Tack and Turnout

Saddle - If you’re more comfortable in a Western saddle, or a Dressage saddle, or something non-traditional for the hunt, check to see what is allowed first.

Bit and Bridle - If your horse has a soft mouth and schools in a snaffle or bridleless at home, that’s great, but you want to make sure you will have control in the hunt field. This doesn’t necessarily mean bitting your horse up, but know your horse. If your horse has a sensitive go-button when in a group of horses, better to be sure you will have brakes. Many riders hunt in bits with double reins, so that they can ride on the snaffle rein most of the time, but have a curb rein accessible when they need that little bit of extra.

"Use the strongest bit you could ever need, and hope you never need it." – Ashley C
“Don’t use your first hunt to borrow a gag bit and try your new boots.” – Jackie G

Turnout - Some hunt clubs, especially the more traditional, favor plaiting horses for every hunt., while others do not. Inquire before attending to know what is required - there is never anything wrong with being the only one plaited, but you certainly don’t want to be the only one who didn’t if you were supposed to!

Attire

If you’re still unsure what to wear, read up on Hunt Attire to make sure you’re properly turned out. Keep it neat - boots clean, hair in a hair net, shirt tucked in.

“Wear your sticky pants.” - Kathy G
“Less is more— no bling, no leopard print gloves, no flowing hair, no colored galloping boots or pads… your horse needs to be clean, trimmed and tidy. Stay in the back of whatever field you are riding unless specifically invited to ride forward.” - Cindy B

The Ride Itself

This first hunt is a BIG experience for your horse, and how it goes will determine how your horse feels about hunting from here forward. Keep it positive - find a buddy to ride with, keep it slow, and remember there’s no shame in retiring early. Even if it’s going well, don’t take advantage of the horse by pushing too hard. No need to jump your first time out. Maybe not even the second, or third.

“Don’t be in a hurry to run first flight or A field. The experience can be sensory overload for your horse, put him in a position to be successful. The time to run and jump will come once your mount has settled their senses.” - Kate P
“Expect nothing. Ride the horse you have that day. Don’t be embarrassed. We have all been there. Don’t be shy about making a circle if you need to and you can . Plus I recommend staying in the third field if your horse has never hunted. You won’t regret it. Let him make a friend then stay close to the horse .” – Tanya N

Ride in the back until your horse can do so settled before moving up. If you move up and it doesn’t go well, fall back again.

“For the love of God don't over take the master!!” Rebecca C
“Make sure your horse can neck rein just in case the field takes off while you are eating your sandwich. That way you can still finish it while you gallop…..” Lindsey A

Dutch Courage and Calming Cocktails

Only you can decide what is safe and acceptable for you when it comes to drinking in the hunt field.

“Lots of port…and brave pants” – Sally C
“Learn to hold your booze. Start drinking at 8am. Mount from random objects while friend gallops away and on foot friend jumps from a moving car at your horse. Drink. On your first hunt bring several flasks, take nerve pill. Possibly give horse a nerve pill... Heels down, bottoms up, and away you go!” – Ashley C
“Two valium! One for the horse and one for you.” – Joylene M

What about for your horse? Consult your vet or trainer about different options for calming supplements or Ace. Taking the edge off can be very beneficial and help make your horse’s first hunt experience a pleasant one.