Any foxhunters out there?

[Jennifer]

I have ridden horses all of my life (bareback and western), but have always wanted to learn the elegant style of English riding. As we all know, private lessons can be costly and I am finally at a point in my life where I can afford it. I have college behind me and I have an established career and I am now focusing on my next goal...learning how to foxhunt! I have been taking huntseat lessons for a couple of months now and would like any inside tips or pointers on the art of foxhunting. I want to know everything and anything about it since it combines my two loves...horses and dogs. Dashing through the countryside on horseback behind a pack of hounds in full cry must be absolutely exhilerating! There is a hunt not too terribly far from my house (about an hour and a half drive) and I hope to visit there sometime soon. In the meantime, I am taking my lessons and reading as much as I can. Any advice for an aspiring foxhunter would be greatly appreciated! Happy Hunting!

[Paul C]

My advice is DON'T. Enjoy your riding and the socialising that goes with it, but terrorising then killing any animal in the name of 'humane culling' is barbaric.

Sorry to be so blunt, but I feel strongly about this.

Paul

[intouch]

Jennifer - have to admit I admire your courage! Not so much for hunting - which as you say, is exciting, exhilarating, addictive and highly risky - but for having the courage to admit to your ambition in the face of the torrent of abuse which you have left yourself open to from people who agree with our "Nanny" government that we do not have the intelligence, knowledge or consideration to be able to make our own choices.

[LindaAd]

I heard on the radio this morning about the money that this anti-hunting goverment is spending on promoting fishing....what's the difference between killing fish and killing foxes, except that fish never did anyone any harm, and fish aren't furry?

Jennifer, don't be put off by the anti-hunting lobby; why not just get in touch with the hunt people, find out when they hunt, and go for it?

[Wally]

In GB the Foxhunting issue is very delicate. This forum may not be the right one as opinions in GB run so high that it runs the risk of turning into a slanging match.

As you are in the USA it may well be completely different to rules and regulations here in the UK. Whatever We tell you may not have any relevence over there.

In GB the government are trying to ban hunting with dogs (hounds ignorant bunch) Nanny state gone mad!

Do remember the Cunningham bloke who was a top vioce in banning hunting? Well he went on so much about banning hunting and to hell with any associated jobs.
I was reading "Trout & Salmon" magazine and it turns out he is a keen fisherman. He was giving an interview with the mag. He said that the fishing industry and associated jobs was too important to allow to decline! Investment was vital to its survival. WHAT A FLIPPIN' HIPPOCRITE!

Seriously though, if you want to hunt, ask about locally. each hunt has different traditions and the like. If hunting is banned over here anyone wanting to hunt legally may well have to go to Ireland or America.

[Jennifer]

I am aware of the fact that foxhunting is under serious attack in GB--what a tragic situation-- and I suppose it was a little risky to post a message regarding the subject on this forum. Most of you responded favorably, and I really appreciate that! As I stated in my previous post, I have always admired foxhunting from afar and have dreamt of the day when I could participate in this traditional sport of amazing beauty, grace and skill. My dream is drawing closer by the day and I cannot tell you how excited I am about the prospect of riding to the hounds! My ultimate dream is to foxhunt in GB (since that is where the sport originated), but sadly that may never happen. If Parliament bans foxhunting in GB, could the US be next? This causes me grave concern. It is a sad day when a "democracy" dictates what her citizens can and cannot do. Would the situation be different if Blair were not PM? What is Lady Thatcher's view?

[bernadette]

Hi Jennifer, yes very brave of you to post about such a delicate issue. I agree that's its very hypocritical of the government to promote other sports such as fishing yet they are condemning those who wish to hunt at the same time.

paul c - what are your views on drag hunting? you still get the thrill of the chase but as the hounds are chasing a scent there is no 'barbaric killing' as you call it

[Paul C]

Originally posted by Wally
This forum may not be the right one as opinions in GB run so high that it runs the risk of turning into a slanging match.
I agree that this isn't the place, but I'd hope that we're capable of seeing the arguments on both sides and respecting those with differing opinions.

There are convincing and reasoned arguments for and against; it comes down to a personal opinion of how far you value particular animals' lives, your definition of 'pest' and how you think pests should be controlled. That's my take on it anyway.

As long as we celebrate our similarities and tolerate our differences the human race will be in with a chance:)

Bernadette: I have no problem with drag hunting whatsoever.

Paul

[floppy]

I went ona fox hunt once in poland , but it wasnt a real one, the fox was a normal man riding a fast horse with a fake fox draped around his body.
I saw recently that they do that alot here in germany..but no doggies

[Maci]

Don't panic everyone! Foxhunting in the US and Canada is more of just following the fox or whatever, but not killing it! It's just the fun challenge to get the dogs out, wear traditional clothes, and high-tail it throught fields and woods, when your dogs smell an animal! But they're called back, or trained not to kill! That's the case in most foxhunting clubs in North America, anyways.

Jennifer: I'd say go for it! Foxhunting is like a high-paced trail ride! Try to find a club/society near you, or someone that belongs to one! Getting into an actaul hunt might be hard, because most of them are private invites, but it's worth a try! Good luck!

Maci :)

[Yann]

Yep, there's not likely to be a meeting of minds on this subject is there. I'm personally on the anti side, but I can see the attraction in riding terms, the social aspect (I'm well aware a lot of hunters are perfectly ordinary folk not hooray henries), and the traditions.

Can't see why that can't continue without the need to destroy a wild animal along the way, by drag hunting for example. Or maybe I'm missing the point somewhere?

Is the 'barbaric killing' bit really so essential to the whole thing?

[Jennifer]

Maci-Thanks for your encouraging words! You hit the nail on the head when you said, It's just the fun challenge to get the dogs out, wear traditional clothes, and high-tail it throught fields and woods That is exactly why I want to foxhunt! I want to do it for the sport of it, not the kill. A drag hunt would be perfectly fine with me. I love horses, I love dogs, and I love high-speed action...that is why I thought foxhunting would be so great!

[Maci]

Exactly, and thank you Jennifer! :) My cousin was part of a foxhunting club, and they only persued the animal, but eventually they stopped that trail, and went on to find another adventure! I also read it on some foxhunting site, that rarely do they actually go as far as slaughter, in USA & Canada fox hunts!

You have to be pretty bold to do it, though! High speeds, ready to jump whatever's in your path, be ready for all kinds of conditions (ponds, muddy fields, etc.).....I might try one day! ;)

Maci :)

[Sarah]

hello!

I am really glad to see that this thread didn't turn into a bloodbath.

I hate to be a partykiller, but as hunting is such a hot potato here, I am going to close the thread while everything is still hunky-dory.

Sorry to be a pain!

Sarah