Hunting Feature
Modern Day Hunting
and Etiquette
S
o your big day has arrived, the
day you have been waiting for,
your first day with the local
Hunt. You maybe excited,
nervous or a mixture of both! This
article is meant as a basic overview of
hunting customs, including suggestions
which will help you enjoy your day.
Etiquette
Make sure you arrive at the meet in
good time and avoid parking where
you might be blocking any gate ways or
entrances, you will normally see where
the other horse boxes are un-boxing so
follow suit.
Be prepared to follow any requests
and instructions from the Masters, take
46
note these are the people responsible
conducting the days activities and they
are regulated by the MFHA Masters
of Foxhounds Association. When
you follow the hounds their authority
is absolute and instructions should
be followed, it’s important that at no
point do you and your pony obstruct
the Masters, Huntsman and Whippers
Including any of the hunt staff.
Always be polite, and make sure your
behaviour is acceptable to everybody
around you, avoid loud conversation;
inappropriate and offensive language
will not be tolerated.
Appearance
Sensible clothing and tack should
written by Bryan Pye
be worn, avoiding brightly coloured
fashion clothing. A standard, clean neat
finish should be aimed for, with safety
incorporated into the chosen outfit.
Hair should be neatly tied back or in a
net and ties should be secured. Riding
boots should be clean and in good
working order. If in any doubt you can
always contact the secretary of the Hunt.
During the day
Once you have set off keep up with the
field of riders, always making sure you
are behind the field master, who will
introduce himself at the beginning of
the day at the meet. The land you are
crossing throughout the day belongs
to local farmers and who are happy for
Everything Horse Magazine • Issue 25• October 2015