I dont wish to start another debate here on the rights and wrongs of fox hunting as I know all of your opinions and although I have my own opinion I have never been on a hunt and would like to go on one.

What I would like to know is ....... we have decided to go on our local boxing day hunt but dont really know the best way to follow as we dont have a couple of horses :D :D :D  it said in the paper we can follow on foot, by bike or by car ? which would be best? and if we went on foot could we take Fagan (on the lead of course)

Thanks for any constructive replies :)

We are taking the kids to our local hunt on Boxing Day as well, I want them to see it in case it disappears for good. We are not following though, just popping down to the market place to see the horses, hounds and horses before they set off

:)

Don't forget they go on the MONDAY this year - no hunting on a Sunday :)

Oh, I will have to check the paper again, im sure it said Sunday - probably just me being dim :rolleyes:

Whereabouts are you?

Hampshire (near Basingstoke), I believe the hunt is meeting at the fur and feathers in Herriard, I thought it said boxing day but I probably mis-read it

Here you go - click no your area and it will give you a list:

Countryside Alliance

Thank you for that Chloe H, I will have a look when I get home as it has come up with the dreaded "403 FORBIDDEN" firewall :rolleyes:

Thanks for the link Chloe. If it says Boxing Day but no date I take it they mean Monday ??

Well, it says on the write up that it takes place on the Monday - but a lady from my local hunt says they are going on the Sunday - so I'm not sure either!!!

car id say, you can always park up & walk around

unless you have a quad bike! which can be more fun than even riding!!! (& means you dont have to plait up!)

A quad bike I wish :D :D we were thinking more along the lines of mountain bikes - of which im very good at falling off of especially going cross country, I usually end up in stinging nettles with OH trying to keep a straight face

A lot of hunts dont allow followers on quads (ours included!) as they make too much noise & the other followers cannot hear or enjoy the hound music & the servants cannot hear where the hounds are speaking or marking. The best way to follow is by car. Undoubtedly if you find the right person to follow, you will see more foxes & more of the hound work than majority of the riders! :) Land allowing, you will also be able to walk across fields & see the hounds working. The music will make the hair stand up on your neck, its so beautiful :)
Unless you are following bloodhounds (who hunt sundays) there will only be boxing day meets on Monday for foxhounds/staghounds/harriers/beagles etc.etc.
have a fun day but bear in mind it will not be a typical hunting day as sadly its the day when all the idiots decide to go out as well, & most of the proper hunting folk (like myself! :)) prefer to stay at home & keep their horse safe from the kickers who dont have the basic hunting manners that come with practise :(

About 60 horses go from my local town - its a fantastic sight. I love to see the hounds and the horses waiting to go and the support is always good - they are expecting 3000plus turnout this year. To follow though I prefer to go on a low profile day :)

BB... if we follow we watch them go at first, then ask one of the followers where they are headed, jump in the car to get there (follow the line of 4x4's!) and then park, jump out and watch and follow on foot. Then back to the car to get round to the next bit :D Take a flask and dress warmly.

Good advice :)

Lucy
xx

I will be going to the meet on Monday.  I personally think its imperitive that hunts get as many people to see them off as they can, a HUGE amount of support is needed.  You can find a full list of all the Monday meets here  http://www.mfha.co.uk/events/boxingdaymeets2004.html
Dawn.

I have checked the local paper again (havent been able to get onto any of the websites given) and our hunt is on Monday @ 11am.  So if we follow by car, then do some on foot, would it be good etiquette (sp :) ) to take Fagan along if we keep him on a lead? or should we just leave him at home? seems a waste to go for a walk without him :D :D

Hmm...I wouldn't take Willis, but only because there's a fair bit of standing around and you tend to go to a place, watch and then when they move cross country you jump back in your car quick and go the long way round to meet up again....but that could just be my local hunt.

Does anybody have meet information for New Years day as I couldn't go boxing day as I was working but would like to go and support Tomorrow if we can?

Check the above link and look forthe individual hunts, i.e search by name, find your local one, then look for the info there.
Dawn.

Well we went and it has to go down as one of the bext experiences ever!  OH loves shooting however the closest he has ever come to horses is helping me with mine so needless to say he went with reservations of feeling 'out of it'.  What a day!  We were made to feel so welcome, the hounds were awesome and mingled with Joe Public and all their dogs, the horses behaved fantastically and regardless of the age of rider/horse etc everybody there was treated with the upmost respect and consideration.

My Dressage trainer and Yard owner turned up as they bought a youngster last year however he hates dressage but would make a fantastic hunter and at over 17Hh loves his Xcountry and jumping.  They are taking him at the next meet as he will absolutely love it.

Wish I was brave enough to partake as Massey was the Huntmasters horse with Quorn before I acquired him however not sure my bravery would stand up and I am more than happy to just go along and support - OH as we speak is joining a supporters club.

We are both going to the next meet and will definately be there on the 19th Feb!

p.s. - Sam - I envy you so much - keep it up!

Glad you enjoyed it Lisa. Anna and I were over at our shoot this morning doing a bit of feeding and I saw the ground in front of the hunting gate into our small wood was cut up with hoof prints so I reckon the hunt was through there over Christmas.

Best wishes, John

I got some brill pics of Albrighton Hunt leaving - 3000 people turned out to watch them go. PM me if you would like the address I put them up to (they are on a horse forum).

I went to the Albrighton Woodland hunt on Monday, it was fantastic!  Glad you all enjoyed it today.
Dawn.

My instructor said the Albrighton is a really nice hunt so we might head over that way for their next meet. It was the Worcestershire hunt we went too however have every intention of going again so we might head up your way. :)