Secret hunting fantasy

[Lesson13]

So I started taking riding lessons 1x a week at a dressage barn because I always have wanted to learn to ride and I want to learn to ride correctly and safely. I just finished lesson 13 and am working on my rising trot and managed last week to change speeds while trotting. My instructor thinks I'm confident (I have her fooled). I really don't feel nervous or scared of the horse or on the horse. However, I do feel scared of the idea of getting a head injury if I were to fall or or winding up paralyzed.

Still I have a little part of me that wants to learn to hunt. Is that insane? Can I get enough practice with a weekly lesson and possibly a weekly or biweekly practice session to eventually learn to hunt before I"m old and decrepit (I'm 42 now). We are doing alot on the longue line now working on balance and that seems to really help. I don't think I'll be a dressage competitor because being judged makes me nervous but I'd like to be able to go hacking out and not kill myself. Is working on the fundamentals like this with a dressage person the right thing to be doing? Might it be realistic to think about getting a horse to hunt with by my 50th b'day?

Thanks for the feedback.

[JSwan]

Is this a joke?

[Lesson13]

Um no.

[JSwan]

Sometimes we get trolls in this forum. Can't tell if you are one or not.

Lots of folks take up hunting later in life- but I gotta tell you your post worries me a little. Why do you want to hunt? You do realize that most hunts involve a great deal of galloping, lots of horses, high speeds.

If you are too nervous to compete in a dressage show, and you admit you have a great deal of fear after only a few lessons..... well.. it's not a sport for the faint of heart. Dressage is the foundation of all riding, and it's the perfect place to start your education.

But it's not foxhunting - not by a long shot. Foxhunting is more like steeplechase or racing. Even in hunts that have second or third fields, you still need to have a certain level of confidence, even a bit of bravado - to handle the uneven terrain and the uncertainties in hunting. Even if you buy a made horse - you still need to be able to stay on it.

So - I guess my question is... why do you want to hunt?

[birdsong]

Well, its 8 years until she is 50....plenty of time to learn to ride correctly if you stay focused and keep your goal in mind. It takes more than correct form though to stay on board in more strenuous sports such as riding a hunt.

If you are ballsy and not a coward I would say Yes...you can do it. Why not...?? Youngsters do.

[JSwan]

I agree, and that's why I wrote that plenty of people take up the sport later in life. A friend of mine started in her early 50's. Then she fell and broke a bone and quit riding altogether. No one likes to see that happen (to a rider of any age).

I'd say keep taking lessons - lots of lessons, and once she develops an independent seat and hands, and can walk trot canter gallop under control in an open field......with confidence, that's when she can consider hunting. And even then, going to clinics, maybe doing judged pleasure rides, horse trials, hunter paces can be an inexpensive part of her education.

If we focused on what could happen to us out hunting we'd never leave the barn.

[armandh]

but I had been riding about 3 years

once you have progressed to a point of satisfaction with your riding skills,
start trail riding with friends.

if that goes well find a barn that promotes hunting.

[carolinagirl191]

Sounds like a wonderful goal. Now list all of the baby steps/ mini milestones you'll need to get there and start picking them off. There are certainly opportunities to ride in a second or third flight where one needs less bravado. One always needs a VERY GOOD horse.

We had a gentleman out w/ us last season who had never ridden, but wanted to hunt. He was in his early 50's, not particularly fit or athletic and was definately not a horseman. He went to an instructor with the express goal of foxhunting and they worked together to that end. The day I met him, I never saw him without a smile. It was amusing to look through the photos, everyone that he was in he had a big grin. We covered a lot of ground that day and we went up and down some hills and gullies (he was always smiling) His instructor rode behind him and would coach a bit as needed. He did not have an independant seat and he did not have independant hands, but he could stay in the middle and he could bury his knuckles in mane and hold an "Oh Sh**" strap. A saint of a pony stayed under him regardless of terrain and footing.
So, I asked about him earlier this season as he had not been out. Instructor said that he was dealing w/ some health issues and that he had been hit pretty hard by the economic downturn. She said he still calls her to see what happened out hunting.

Set your goal, go after it and don't wait until things are "perfect". Have a knowledgeable person watch your back and plan, plan, plan, ride, ride, ride.
From The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons "You never know what's coming for you."

As for the head injury or the "p" word, NEVER, EVER allow those thoughts in when mounted and banish them from your general thought process. There are far too many important things to be thinking about to allow fear (and that is fear) to compromise the path to the goal. Know that there are dangers and learn how to best be safe, leave the rest and remember the most dangerous thing you will do is drive to your lessons.
Good Luck!

[Beverley]

Back in the day in Virginia, a gentleman, early 40s, took up riding in, oh, July, because his wife had gotten into riding and he decided, why not. That September, he was cubhunting with the first flight. And never looked back.

So yes, your goal is certainly achievable.

[Elghund2]

I was 37 when I started riding. Started hunting at 41. My wife just did her first hunt at 45.

[wateryglen]

Absolutely! Positively!!! Very Do-able! Go for it! Set it as your goal and gear your riding (and lessons IMHO) towards it. Find a hunting oriented riding barn & teacher. Do LOTS of trail riding. Get a horse who will do you well for hilltopping. Remember, it's the horse that's really hunting - WE are along for the ride!!! :winkgrin: A hunting friend/mentor is the best coach and introduction to the sport. I met mine at a riding club trail ride over a picnic. She asked me what I wanted to do with my horse and I shared my secret desire and it's been all uphill from there. I also was out trailriding with a friend once in a hunts territory. We didn't know they were out. Ran into them, was invited to follow along, we did and I was hooked.

One word to the wise; start saving your money cuz you're gonna need it! It's like a bad drug habit!! :D It just gets bigger & more expensive after you get more & more hooked! Starts with lessons.....then the boots...then the saddle.....then the horse....then the clothes....then the truck.....then the trailer......then the dues.....then a farm....then more horses and more tack and more horse stuff and more farm equipment and then?!!! the divorce!!! :eek::winkgrin::D

Spend this time learning & reading & meeting hunting people. Work on your physicality, cross country skills, confidence and of course, read EVERY thread ever written on the Coth Hunting Forum!! . Personally I think you can do this in under 2 years. The horse is the key. I did it in less than a year but....I'd been riding for years & had my own horse already.
Skip the dressage in my opinion. Go for show ring hunter lessons instead.
You don't have to know how to jump to hunt BUT....it's a cross country skill that may be necessary to get over that tree that's fallen on the trail maybe. It's a confidence thing too.
Best wishes! Go for it!

[SmartAlex]

Lesson13... go for it! I have very few "fantasies" or "dreams". Basically, I'm content with my life, but I WILL hunt someday. I've had it in the back of my mind for about a year, and have been doing little things to prepare. Trail riding, learning to jump.... Can't wait until I have to tell my husband I need to buy a hunt horse, and start hauling to hunts. ;) I live smack dab between two nice hunts, and they are both a 2.5 hr drive. But, I'll figure it out eventually. :D

[rebeginner]

I started riding seriously 10 years ago at age 47. I had the following goals: to be safe (to myself, my horse and those around me), to be competent (in whatever discipline I was riding in) and to have fun. I went hunting for the first time four years later.

It's terrific to have goals, especially those that are attainable, but flexible. (For example, I rode with the hilltoppers the first several times out.)

Keep learning, keep asking questions, ride more than 1 X/ week (expand to trail riding, as several other posters suggested, as soon as you are safe and competent to do so) and you'll be guaranteed to have more fun than you thought possible.

[TheRedFox]

I think its a great goal to have but you have a very very very long way to go. If you really want to accomplish anything as far as riding to learn goes, you really should be doing lessons at least twice a week. It's imperative that you train those "riding muscles" to do what you need them to do. A lesson once a week will get you good and sore and then you will start losing the definition that you gained in that one day a week class. The more you can ride, the better off your body is going to be and your mind/confidence too and the faster you are going to progress. Also keep in mind that some hunts will have you riding for hours. There is no time to pull over and take a pit stop to rest or take care of nature's call. If you do, you're going to get left behind. Perhaps you can do some hilltopping when you get more comfortable but even that is a prospect that is out of your reach at this time. If you really want to get to where you say you want to be, you have to get more lesson time in during the week and its very important that you have a trainer that is encouraging you to do more than one lesson a week. You're going to get there..you have plenty of time. :-)

[rmaryman]

A brief history;
I started taking riding lessons at the tender age of 45 with the goal of being able to get on a horse, walk, trot, canter (a little) and feel safe so that the occasional trail ride would not be so intimidating. It's eight (plus) years, still doing the lessons - BUT - in the mean time I have progressed way beyond my original goal...so now I jump, (nothing BIG...up to 2' 6") do very low level eventing, and have (just in the past few weeks) joined the local hunt (after having hill-topped and capped with them several times the last couple of years). Lots of trail riding both in groups and by myself (on the farm's trails and adjoining property), and the very occasional hunter show.

A couple of suggestions...if you are going to eventually hunt, you should also consider finding a good hunt-seat instructor along the way...you will need to learn to ride with your stirrups a couple of holes shorter than for classical dressage, you will need to be able to gallop securely on rolling terrain, maybe jump some smaller jumps just in case your horse wants to hop a small stream or log on the ground). Most hunts are very welcoming, and Hill-topping is a safe way to get introduced to the sport.

Keep sight of the goal...you will get there as soon as you are ready. Best wishes!

Rick in VA

[2ndyrgal]

Don't let anyone discourage you. What you'll really need is a good, made, idiot proof hunt horse (yes, they're out there or there'd be many walking home during some hunts) and enough perseverance and guts to do it. Once you get so that you can safely manage all three gaits out in the open, and not panic or fall, you can hunt. Let me qualify that by saying you can hunt with SOME hunts. Some hunts have obstacles, terrain and speed that makes hunting with them fall into the "don't try this at home" catagory. Many of them, however, don't, some are live, some are drag. Biggest thing is, for your first time, make sure you are on THE HUNT HORSE. One who does what he should in spite of you, not because of you. Good luck. First time I hunted (and I'd ridden and jumped for years) it absolutely knocked my socks off.

[pleasantmeadowfarm]

Go for it! You may need lessons more than once a week, but starting with a good dressage foundation can't hurt. You've plenty of time before the big 50, and your goal will certinaly be attainable sooner than you think. Confidence will come with experience. Once you've got the basics under your belt, the only thing you will fear (or at least I do) is the unknown. Take baby steps. Good foundation, with independent hands, and seat, and then hit the trails... possibly work up to a part lease on a made schoolmaster... or a good horse with a willing temeperament and fairly unflappable.

When faced with something new or scary... fake it, till ya make it - is my motto! Either you or your mount has to have the confidence to do it... eventually you will have faith in one another. You will fall at some point... we all do. Trust that when it happens it won't be a big deal.

A friend of mine went out cubbing for the second time a couple of weeks ago and came out of the tack five minutes after we struck off. She's been riding for several years, and has owned her horse for a year and a half... In all that time she's been waiting to come off.. As her horse put on the brakes she wasn't able to stay with him and went over his shoulder.. I was right in front of her and I turned and saw it happen... she had a grin on her face the entire time. Off she went, rolled once, and scrambled back on before anyone even noticed... She was quite relieved that the "big fall" was over. She just signed up as a full member yesterday... and the two of us are out there with perma smiles twice a week.

Hunting is worth the time, effort and energy it takes to get out there and gain your confidence. It will come - and enjoy the journey as you go!!!!!!

Good luck to you:)

[Nbairnsfather]

Try to get a hold of a copy of Jane Savoie's "That Winning Feeling" -- particularly the cassette tape Volume 1 and let her drum into your head that, basically, you can do anything you put your mind to!!!! Of course this does not take the place of actual saddle time, but Jane is a fabulous motivator!

I look forward to reading a report of your first hunting experience!

[in_the_zone]

Keep taking lessons, but learn to ride comfortable in a jump saddle. Hunting (even without jumping) isn't feasible in a dressage saddle. Keep in mind some hunts do more hilly terrain than others, so you might feel more comfortable with flatter terrrain to start.

Find a good seasoned horse, preferably on the lazy side. Used to the hounds, calm temperment, knows his job, will let other horses go away from him and visa versa, hopefully has been whipped off of.

Go trail riding. Cross creeks, bring a dog that will stay nearby, bring a friend, go alone, get used to trekking a good while across less than perfect footing and hills up and down.

Get to know local hunt groups. Find one that has a nice, calm hilltopping group to start with.

This lady's goals are certainly attainable. And let's face it people, not everyone from the hunt knows how to ride or cares to learn for that matter!

[Eventingjunkie]

I was hoping this was going to be something of a "Lady Chatherly's Lover" kind of thread. :lol:

[Lesson13]

Thank you to all who replied. I am overjoyed this might be a possibility. I plan to stick with the dressage instructor for a while and then look to change over after I've got cantering under my belt. She was kind enough to take me on as a complete newbie and I feel like we have a rapport. I might even keep my eventual horse at her barn so don't want to burn any bridges. And as someone said having a decent foundation can't hurt.

The Good news is I've already gotten the truck, half the clothes and 2 divorces (haha!). Thanks for the encouragement Wateryglen. I'll be in touch eventually.

Meanwhile, I keep looking at the Irish Draught and Sport Horses on the internet...

[Simbalism]

I am going to realize my dream of hunting this season. I had always thought I would like to try it, just never had the horse that I thought would do it. My current Tb mare is
(I believe) going to allow me to try.Of course it took until I am 55 to get there. I have quite a few friends that have been hunting, and between them there are 3 different hunts I am going to cap with. The last few weeks, I have been accumulating my equipment( new helmet, white saddle pad, new white ratcatcher, new stock tie and pin, new black coat). The only thing left is boots. I am going on a shopping mission this coming weekend for those. I am definitely not a balls to the wall type rider, but have done tons of trail riding on moderate to difficult terrain and trust my horse alot. So, I'm giving it a whirl...Keep your dream, it will come true at some point.

[nightsong]

Just a reminder that the dressage lessons are really the way to go. Dressage is the foundation of riding. While 'hunter' or 'hunt seat' riding SOUNDS like fox hunting, it's NOT. While it can teach you jumping, that's something you won't be ready for quite some time. Stick with dressage. All of the other suggestions (trail riding, etc.) are ALSO things you won't be ready for for quite some time; not until you feel safe and secure on a horse.

[Lesson13]

Just an update. I cantered today for the first time (lesson 19 and yes I am counting every single one). I didn't actually mean to canter. It was my first time on a mare. She was only 15.2H as opposed to the 17 H+ gelding schoolmasters. My legs were much freer because her barrel was much more slender. I managed to sweep her side inadvertently while trotting on a circle and off we went. Next week we will be concentrating on working the brakes. But I stayed on and was very happy to have cantered. Its like a little milestone on the way to my goal. A very tiny milestone very far off from the goal but still.

Also I managed to take 2 lessons this week for the first time and committed to the elliptical machine to help build up my stamina for all of this (still doing Pilates for my core).

Finally, I am growing addicted to perusing the internet for "made foxhunters" :) Next week I'm setting up direct deposit horse savings account. Is $20,000 a reasonable budget for a made Foxhunter for a 5'4" woman size 6-8ish? Based on how many horses are out there it seems like horse prices will keep coming down but it seems like prices for trained horses would still remain pretty high since its not like there's an overabundance of them right?

Oh and I read every post on this board from start to finish. It just sounds like everyone is having so much fun. I've shown my dogs and don't really have a yearning to show a horse but racing around the countryside while not actually racing sounds cool.

[skip916]

Go get the book "Never Outfoxed" by Ben Hardaway and read it cover to cover. It was my hunting bible when I first got interested in the sport and if you have that passion already- then go for it!!

[JSwan]

J I've shown my dogs and don't really have a yearning to show a horse but racing around the countryside while not actually racing sounds cool.

Wow - it sounds like you're really coming along! If you'd like to learn a little bit about hunting while you're still learning how to ride - why not come out basseting?

It's just like foxhunting - but no horses. There is a Master, huntsman, whippers-in, and the field. The hound and staff commands are the same - except the quarry is the eastern cottontail - not fox. We follow on foot - but you can get pretty close to the action and watch the hounds from a few feet away.

You're in NoVA - it's not that far for you to get out this way. You'll meet some absolutely terrific people - some of whom also foxhunt. Others are dressage riders, trail riders - all sorts. Some don't ride at all.

All you need is a good pair of walking shoes. That's it.

I just came in from basseting and in two hours we had 5 runs on rabbit. 5! Rabbits everywhere! We had glorious weather and it was a lovely fixture - with the Blue Ridge in the background.

Then we had a tailgate and watched 2 chukkers of polo. (we hunted at a local farm that offers polo lessons and they were practicing)

Come on out! Get to know some local foxhunters and foothunters - see what it's like out here.

I promise you'll have a great time. Send me a PM and I'll give you some contact info. You can hunt as my guest.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Ha! I'm on lesson 42 - I still count 'em myself.:)

Sounds like you're doing very well. I used to show dogs too, and oddly, have had very little interest in showing horses as a result. I suppose we got that out of our systems in Jr. Handlers, eh?:)

Cantering by accident is, IMO, the best way to start. You don't give yourself "first canter nerves" if you don't know it's coming.:D

If I lived closer, I would absolutely take JSwan up on her offer to go a' basseting! In fact, I'm going to take her up on it anyway at some point.:yes:

[JSwan]

If I lived closer, I would absolutely take JSwan up on her offer to go a' basseting! In fact, I'm going to take her up on it anyway at some point.:yes:

Here's the deal. We hook you up with Hunter's Rest - and we all go foxhunting.

That evening - we go to the Iron Bridge Wine Company and spend the evening drinking wine and eating stinky cheese. Hunter's Rest can come too.

Then we'll stagger home and collect eggs and do chores in the dark. Which house you end up at is immaterial as both are farms and have lots of chores - except HR's is nicer. I have a broken kitchen appliance on the front porch. Tres chic. :lol:

Think you can take it? Foxhunting and foothunting in one weekend? Plus a night on the "town"?

Lesson13 can come too - we might as well get her indoctrinated at the same time we do you. :D

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I love wine and stinky cheese!:yes: And I am already very experienced at doing farm chores in the dark. And I will bring Christmas lights to string on the broken appliance sitting on your front porch. Blinky ones.:D

But for this season, I better stick to bassetting. Hunter's Rest's horses will thank me for this.:yes:

Is there a foxhunting car follower who might like a companion?:) I would love to car follow.:yes:

[JSwan]

We'll get you hooked up somehow. The car followers have all the fun - they get to point at us and laugh. I strongly suspect they have lots of wine and stinky cheese, too.



But for this season, I better stick to bassetting. Hunter's Rest's horses will thank me for this.:yes:

Is there a foxhunting car follower who might like a companion?:) I would love to car follow.:yes:

[iechris]

Pain't let me know if you want to car follow down in Aiken and I'll hook you up!

[armandh]

dear lesson 13

starter horses are quickly outgrown [skill wise]
and as a noob to the horse purchasing world

CAVEAT EMPTOR

you will need great advise plus time to see and test ride B4 buying. often there is no recourse to a bad purchasing decision.

for hunting it is soundness and the horse's experience at your riding level above all else.

Do not rush this part.

ALWAYS get a vet check by your pick of vet, not one suggested by the seller.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Wow.:cool: I have two invitations to car follow! Thank you JSwan and iechris!

OP - I'm certainly in no position to give you advice, but instead of buying a hunter I plan to lease an experienced hunt horse for a fair few of my first hunts. I don't ride often enough or well enough right now to keep a hunter in tune. And I don't know enough about the sport yet to evaluate a hunt horse. Of course, that's just me.:)

[wateryglen]

:yes::yes:I am the queen of foxhunting car followers! I invite ANYONE to join me anytime with any of the local hunts. OR I can hook you up! Xrab & I do it together every year w/Old Dominion and I like to follow Warrenton too. And I'm an Ashland Bassets member and can get you out with a local beagle pack too. All yous gotta do is ask! :D

[Beverley]

Don't forget about taking the "alternative" route to fulfilling your dreams . . .and by that I mean PONIES!!!!

(and just bought a 14'3 draft-cross pony for those days when I am feeling not-so-brave)

Ponies for hunting are 'in.' A friend about my age has a lovely welsh cob, and I've observed or heard of other long time hunters downsizing. My 14.2h qh mare will be introduced to hunting in 2010. And I'll be happy to get the gates.:) My other horse is a bit over 16.1, a lovely lap dog of an appendix qh- but I do like seeing that stirrup closer to the ground, and I figure in 10 years it's gonna look even better!