Text Box: may hear staff speak to hounds using the command “hark to ’im” or something similar. The intent is to get the hound to listen to another hound that is speaking or to respond to the huntsman’s horn. Noise from the field or, worse yet, “commands” from the field to hounds should never be done. It only serves to confuse a hound if the hound responds at all. Unless specifically asked by a Master or the huntsman, no member of the field should ever speak to a hound. The word “‘ware”, short for “beware” is used to alert your fellow riders to the proximity of anything that can cause harm or problems. You will hear such things as ‘ware hole, ‘ware wire, ‘ware ditch, ‘ware limb and of course, ‘ware hound. Keep your wits about you and be observant and you’ll do fine. Repeat the warning if you feel those behind could not hear the warning, otherwise, stay quiet and be careful. Many hunts have two fields, a jumping and a non-jumping or hill-topping field. If you are not absolutely confident in your ability you should begin your hunting career in the non-jumping field. When in the first, or jumping, field and you are approaching a jump in a tree line or fence row you should keep your horse in line and wait your turn, leaving enough room to respond safely if the horse in front of you refuses. If you have riders behind you and your horse refuses the jump and you’ve managed to stay on, swing your horse away from the jump and get at the end of the line. Do not block the jump and repeatedly try to force your horse over. Ultimately, if you can’t get your horse over you must realize that you will probably be left behind if you can’t find a convenient gate or other means. If you are lucky enough to have a gate close by, make sure you leave it as you found it. As long as you can catch-up with the field quickly, you should do so. Otherwise, you will have to go in. If you have no choice but to go in, do not wander around. Go back by the most direct route being careful that you are not crossing the line that the huntsman is drawing. Stay well clear of any hound activity that could be disrupted by a rider moving through the covert that may contain a fox. Never ride on any planted crops or homeowner’s lawns, and stay on pavement if you have a choice. Horses leave big footprints whether the footing is soft or dry. It is especially important not to give any landowner or farmer a reason to close their property to the hunt. Hopefully, at this point things are going pretty well, and you are starting to relax. You might actually begin to look around you. Your relaxed feeling may be interrupted if the field has stopped on a trail and someone shouts “huntsman please’ or “staff please.” You should see riders begin to move their horses off the trail and out of the way. The proper position for your horse is to be out of the line of the on-coming rider with your horse’s head pointed towards the rider. Do not aim your horse’s rear end in their direction. This is especially important if your horse has a tendency to kick (all horses kick under some situation) when being overtaken or approached from his blind side. Hold your horse in this position long enough for any hounds to pass as well. If you are concerned that your horse might kick you should have already braided a red ribbon in their tale as a sign to all Text Box: that they need to give your horse extra room, but a red ribbon doesn’t give you license to forget about the riders behind you. Actually, the safest position for a horse sporting a red ribbon in its tail is with no horse behind it; i.e., at the end of the line. Some hunts also ask that a horse new to hunting, a “green” horse, also have a green ribbon in its tail. Not a bad idea. The worst offense you can commit in the field is to have your horse strike a hound. The hounds are a hunt’s most precious asset, and they must be given every consideration. If your horse commits the unthinkable, you must immediately correct him with your hunt whip or crop. The horse must understand that this is absolutely unacceptable behavior. If the hound is seriously injured, the Master has every right to send you in, but he or she probably won’t if it is clear that you have administered suitable punishment. However, if the offense is repeated, this horse should be recognized as unsuitable for hunting and should not be brought back to the hunt. The best rule is to admire the hounds from afar and leave the handling of hounds to the huntsman and staff. When you see a fox, take off your helmet and point it at the fox or the direction he has taken. Whisper to the Master if he or she has not seen the fox, but make no other sound unless asked to do so by the Master. A fox is easily scared by noisy people, and a scared fox leaves no scent. Do not shout talley-ho or any of the more colorful outbursts sometimes heard unless specifically told to do so by the Master. The Master or Huntsman may direct you to place your horse on the line while the huntsman brings hounds to the line. If directed to do so, hold your position until you are released with your horse pointing in the direction the fox has been seen running while holding your hat pointing to the line . The field has just had a great run and everyone has finally gotten their horses to check and out come the flasks. If you have one you may offer it to the nearest rider, and if you are offered one, you may take a polite swig and pass it on or politely refuse. At Goshen, all adult participants are permitted to carry flasks and you will see them shared generously. Flasks are not permitted at the annual junior hunt for obvious reasons. The trailers are in sight and you have the satisfaction and relief of having survived your first hunt. It’s now time to thank the Master, the Huntsman, and the whippers-in for providing you with a fine day. As a novice foxhunter, you will probably have little idea as to whether or not the hunting that day was outstanding or not. However, the worst day hunting is far superior to the best day doing anything else. At the very least, Master, staff and hounds will have worked very hard for several hours to make your day a pleasure and you should express your gratitude. One final piece of etiquette: Don’t clean the manure out of your trailer until you get back home. Remember that you are a guest of the landowner and be sure that the area around your trailer is as neat and clean as it was when you arrived. Material for this article was contributed by Ted Veneman. The editor welcomes material from any member.
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