Hunt caps should fit well regardless of whether they have a harness or not. Ribbons on the backs of hunt caps should always be sewn up, unless one is either professional hunt staff or a Master. Long hair is best contained in a hair net ( male or female ) .

    If a hunt whip cannot be safely carried, a rider should at least carry a crop, but it should never be carried in one's boot.

    Saddle flasks, sandwich cases, fence tools, holsters, camera cases, etc. should be unobtrusive and made of leather. Coats should remain buttoned while a rider is mounted. Fancy jewelry and perfume are inappropriate. As a nod to practicality, authentic-looking rubber riding boots are acceptable. Hunting tack is simply that which is most appropriate for the job: plain and strong. Bridles, reins, and stirrup leathers cut from a heavier pattern are more dependable in the hunt field. It must be clean, serviceable, and reliable. Check girth, reins, and stirrup leathers frequently. Breast plates are a good idea, both for the comfort of the horse and the added safety of the rider.

    With respect for the overall visual picture, the less correctly turned out riders should remain in the rear of the field.

    If you are just starting out in Foxhunting certain allowances will be made for tack and attire by the Masters, please check with the Master if there are any questions. Riders in less proper attire should stay to the back of the field.

    Informal dress, known as ratcatcher, is usually worn during autumn hunting (cub hunting) prior to opening meet. Ratcatcher may also be worn for informal meets during the regular season.

    Ladies wear a tweed coat or hacking jacket; natural-colored (buff or tan, but never white) breeches; shirt and colored tie or ratcatcher shirt with collar and stock pin; tattersall vest; brown leather gloves; brown or black field boots; and hunt cap or saftey helmet .

    Gentlemen wear a tweed coat or hacking jacket; natural-colored (buff or tan, but never white) breeches; shirt and colored tie; tattersall vest; brown leather gloves; brown or black field boots; and hunt cap or safety helmet.

    Juniors wear a tweed coat or hacking jacket; natural-colored (buff or tan, but never white) breeches with tall black boots or jodhpurs with brown jodhpur boots; shirt and colored tie or ratcatcher shirt with collar; tattersall vest; brown leather gloves; and either a black velvet hunting cap with a harness or a ASTM safety helmet with a harness and a black cover.

    Ladies wear a black frock coat or Melton coat with plain black buttons. A lady will wear a canary or tattersall waistcoat; a white shirt with a white stock tie and a horizontal gold pin; buff or tan britches of twill, cord, or leather; wash, brown or black leather leather gloves ( string gloves are also acceptable ) and regular hunting spurs high on the heel. Boots will be of black, calf without tops -- tabs are sewn in but not sewn down.

    With a Melton or a frock coat, ladies wear either a black velvet hunting cap or safety helmet.

    Gentleman wear a black frock coat or Melton coat with plain black buttons. A gentleman will also wear a canary or tattersall waistcoat; a white shirt with white stock tie and horizontal gold pin; wash, brown or black leather leather gloves ( string gloves are also acceptable ) and heavy-pattern hunting spurs high on the heel. Tabs on the boots are sewn in, not sewn down. - With a Melton coat, gentleman wear buff or tan britches of twill, cord, or leather and either a black velvet hunting cap or saftey helmet . Boots will be of black calf without boot tops.

    They may wear a black or dark-colored Melton coat with plain black buttons. A junior will also wear a canary or tattersall waistcoat; a white shirt with white stock tie and horizontal gold pin; buff or tan britches or jodhpurs; wash, brown or black leather leather gloves ; and regular hunting spurs high on the heel. Juniors will wear an ASTM safety helmet with a harness and black cover.

    Buttons are awarded by a Master before colors at Duhallow. The reasons are generally the same reasons as colors but this is an intermediate step before the member is awarded colors. The black buttons with Duhallow logo are added to the riders ( ladies and gentlemen ) black coat front buttons and sleeve buttons. The rest of the dress remains the same as for a lady / gentleman.

    'Colors' is a term which applies to the hunt uniform or livery. The hunt-peculiar color on the formal coat's collar and buttons with the hunt insignia. The privilege of wearing the hunt uniform (i.e. 'ENTITLED to wear colors' or 'awarded one's colors') can been granted only by a Master. This is done in recognition of a member's demonstrated responsibility and ability in the hunting field as well as for their continued loyal support of the hunt outside of the hunt field. Once a member is entitled to wear their hunt's colors , gentlemen generally change to a scarlet coat with hunt colors on the collar and with brass buttons with the hunt insignia.            

   Ladies wear the hunt colors on a black coat's collar, have the insignia on black buttons, and may have black patent leather tops on their dress boots. Small brass buttons with he hunt insignia may also be worn on the waistcoat.

    Colors and scarlet coats are worn on a formal day when hunting with one's own hounds (including joint meets) wherever that may be. Wearing colors is never assumed when hunting with another pack. Visitors should wear black or seek permission from the host Master to wear their colors.

    The hunt uniform for Duhallow ladies entitled to wear colors consists of a black coat, black buttons with the Duhallow insignia, and black patent-leather boot tops.

    The hunt uniform for Duhallow gentlemen with colors consists of a red/scarlet coat, and three brass buttons with the Duhallow insignia. A four button front is only for a Master to wear. A five-button front is appropriate only for a Hunting Master or Staff. Gentlemen may also wear a black frock or Melton coat with black buttons with the hunt insignia. Brown top boots and white breeches are proper with a frock ( not melton ) coat.

WHAT TO WEAR WHEN ->

The Master may call for a suspension of formal attire when weather is poor for example when temperatures are well below freezing or a heavy rain.

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