Stories from the Saddle
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Foxhunting
What to expect and how to prepare for your first foxhunting experience with your horse. Whether joining a live or a drag hunt, there are factors to consider such as tack and turnout, fitness and conditioning, and training which can be helpful before you find yourself in the hunt field.
Guide to Foxhunting Vocabulary and Terminology
When I describe the red coats, the sound of the hunting horn, exhilarating gallops, and howling hounds, folks tend to look at me like I’ve joined a cult. And honestly, from the dress code to the unique and peculiar traditions, it could be a cult, except that our religion is the rush of the ride and the thrill of the chase, our huntsman is our priest, and whether we ride through enchanting forests or wide-open prairie, those hours in the saddle each week are our church.
Early-morning hound exercise with the Rand Hunt in the Kyalami suburb of Johannesburg - a great way to greet the dawn and start the day on horseback.
When I describe the red coats, the sound of the hunting horn, exhilarating gallops, and howling hounds, folks tend to look at me like I’ve joined a cult. And honestly, from the dress code to the unique and peculiar traditions, it could be a cult, except that our religion is the rush of the ride and the thrill of the chase, our huntsman is our priest, and whether we ride through enchanting forests or wide-open prairie, those hours in the saddle each week are our church.
Packing can be daunting, and sometimes when you don’t know what you need it can be tempting to bring EVERYTHING, just in case. Here are some essentials for foxhunting trips anywhere in the world...
Foxhunting is deeply rooted in tradition, and many traditions which originated on the hunt field are still carried out today in other riding disciplines, like plaiting manes or wearing a stock tie for dressage. If it’s your first time foxhunting, it’s important to dress the part. While some of these items vary for different hunts, this list is applicable to most.
Helmet or Riding Hat: Although you might see some riders wearing top hats or hunt caps without a chinstrap, an ASTM-approved helmet is generally recommended anytime you’re riding, especially if you’re jumping. For formal hunts, your helmet should be black velvet, with the bows in back pointing up (unless you’re a member of the staff). Long hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into your helmet with a hairnet. Top hats should only be worn with coats with tails.
Coat: Black, lightweight for warm weather or wool frock for winter. Some hunts specify navy, hunter green, or other colored coats for the members and/or masters, but black is usually a safe choice. Three buttons in front, two buttons on each cuff. Never wear a red coat unless you have earned it and are supposed to!
Shirt: White, long-sleeved (like a show shirt), tucked in.
Stock tie: A plain white stock tie should be fastened with a plain, gold pin. Some hunts specify a different type of pin, but a plain, straight, gold pin is a classic safe choice.
Vest: A canary yellow or a tattersall vest is acceptable for most hunts.
Breeches: Tan, buff, or canary breeches. For some hunts, masters and red coats will wear white breeches.
Boots: Black leather dress boots are traditional, although many riders wear field boots (with laces).
Belt: Belt should be black and shirt should be tucked in. Leather belts are advised, as they can be substituted as a rein or stirrup leather if needed.
Gloves: Gloves may be black or white, depending on the hunt.
Helmet or Riding Hat: An ASTM-approved helmet is generally recommended anytime you’re riding, especially if you’re jumping. For informal hunts, your helmet can be black or brown. Long hair should be pinned up in a bun or tucked into your helmet with a hairnet.
Coat: Tweed (in many patterns) and muted earth tone coats are acceptable for informal hunts and cubbing or autumn hunting. If you don’t have one, a black or navy coat is fine, too.
Shirt: A light-colored, collared shirt with sleeves, or an Oxford shirt with a neck tie. White is also fine.
Stock tie: Any color stock tie except white during cubbing season, and for informal hunts white or any other color or plaid or patterned is alright, fastened with a horizontal stock pin. Stock ties may be decorative, but other jewelry is discouraged.
Vest: Vests are optional but can be canary yellow, tattersall, plaid, or patterned.
Breeches: Tan, buff, gray, or rust.
Boots: Black or brown dress or field boots.
Belt: Belt should match the boots and shirt should be tucked in. Leather belts are advised, as they can be substituted as a rein or stirrup leather if needed.
Gloves: Black leather, brown leather, or string gloves. Stock pins may be decorative.
As we canter between fields of grass blowing in the breeze like ocean waves, a trio of zebras in the field next to us take flight, galloping alongside the horses. Join us and the Rand Hunt for an away hunt weekend on a beautiful farm in the Free State, South Africa.
Sunlight flickered through the canopy of the pecan trees as we galloped through the orchard, closed branches overhead forming arches like a cathedral. The soft ground, carpeted in green vines, muffled our hoof beats and the distant howling of the hounds. A pile of large logs ahead spanned the gap between the trees, and the riders in red and black jumped it one by one, like deer over a fence, in pursuit of the pack.
