Foxhunting Etiquette

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Foxhunting

Foxhunting is just that, we are hunting foxes and coyotes. This should be understood by all that participate. Please take this into consideration when inviting guests and bringing children, if this is offensive to you or them, your ( or their ) time would probably be better spent in other pursuits. Most of us ( other than the Huntsman and Staff ) are following the hounds and watching the hunt that is in progress, this is the reason to be participating in the days ride. The focus of the riders in the field should be on the progress and conduct of the hunt while the hounds are hunting. This is not a trail ride, cross country event or a nature walk.

There are proper conventions and etiquette that participants are expected to follow. Any unsafe, rude or unsportsmanlike conduct will be addressed by the Master up to and including removal of a rider from the field. The Master is the final authority in the field, any requests by the Master must be followed immediately and without discussion.

The Staff

At the end of the day thank the Huntsman, and the Staff, they worked hard bringing you a day's sport.
Staff have duties from before the hunt until returning the hounds to the kennel. Please understand if they are unable to socialize with you at times.
When a staff member passes by you, especially on narrow lanes, turn your horse's head toward the staff member...never your horse's tail.
A call of 'staff please' requires that you quickly leave room for said staff member to pass safely
Greet the Secretary to ensure that you are recorded as being on the hunt, pay your capping fee before the hunt moves out

The Quarry

If you see a fox, don't "Tally ho," because that fox might not be the hunted fox, and even if it is you might scare him and make him turn around right into the pack of hounds. Get word to your Field Master - quietly - and, after making sure the fox is safely on his way, he/she will signal a Whip or the Huntsman by pointing his/her horse's head and cap at the spot the fox was last seen and, if necessary, calling "Tally-ho."
If you see something and are not sure if it is a Fox Or Coyote - see the above.

The Hounds

Watch and listen to the hounds working - that is why we are here
Listen for the horn and the hounds to tell you what's happening, learn the Huntsman's horn calls and you will find you are a bit more prepared for what happens next.
Never 'rate' - talk to - a hound or correct a hound - that is a huntsman's or staff responsibility.
Never use your whip on a hound in any manner - dropping your lash to discourage a hound from going near or underneath your horse is acceptable
Do not speak to one another when close to hounds -- you will bring their heads up, do not mention their names when they can hear you.
Keep your horses head pointed toward passing hounds to avoid an errant kick
Let the hounds proceed over coops before you do - do not ride into or jump into hounds.

The Masters and Field Master

When you arrive at the Meet, go up and say 'Good Morning ' to the Master(s), and at the end of the day, say 'Thank you ' to the Master and, if he is nearby, the Huntsman.
If you must leave the field, ask permission of the Field Master or inform the secretary. If you are heading back to the kennels you should go with one other person for safety reasons. If you do not know the way, ask direstions or for someone to lead you. Try to travel the safest route, stay on the roads when possible and avoid jumps.
At the end of the day Thank the Master, the Field Master, the Staff and Huntsman
Do not pass the Field Master, if you happen to pass the Field Master, be prepared to donate a six pack of your favorite beverage to the club refrigerator ( for each offense )

Proper Riding order and rank

The riding order at NHH is as follows:

Field Master
Ex-Masters, Masters of other Hunts, by invitation of the Master
Gentlemen and Ladies with colors
Gentlemen and Ladies with Buttons
Gentlemen and Lady members
Visitors and Guests with their sponsors
Juniors with colors
Juniors
Field Secretary

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

Members of other hunts may have their colors honored by a NHH Master and would then ride accordingly in the field. Members of other hunts should always ask permission of a Master to wear their colors when hunting with a different hunt ( excluding formal joint meets ).

Riders should seek to stay in the above order to the best of their ability especially when roading to the meet and when moving from one location to the other ( carrying the hounds ). If those of higher rank than you choose to stay back and chat etc. you may pass them. During runs following the hounds, you may pass others if they can not , or choose not to keep up with the group. In a situation of 'full cry' or a 'tally - ho ' run, you may choose your best line and take it as long as you do not pass the Field Master or interfere with the line of the hounds.

Riding Etiquette

Stay in close to the field that you are riding with, straying off or working your horse is termed 'larking' and is not acceptable
Watch the horse in front of you, do not crowd other horses
Watch the group in front of you for changes in speed, direction, etc.
Watch out for holes, or wire, or any other hazard.
Listen for instructions: Gate, please! Reverse field! Hold hard! Stay on the edge of the field!
Keep chatter to a minimum while the hunt is underway. Talking is allowable while roading to and from the meet, at refreshment breaks and when the hounds are not being hunted. Keep an eye on the Master for a raised hand to signal quiet when we are stopped.
If a gate is closed when you reach it make certain the last rider through closes it. If a gate is open, leave it open, likewise with wire across coops.
Pass on warnings to the person behind you. Don't try to yell it to the end of the line. It is your responsibility to make sure the person behind you knows what to expect. If you are warning about a hole, etc., say "'ware hole" and point at it AS YOU PASS IT. If the message is "Gate, please" or "Gate open," say it to the next person AS YOU GO THROUGH THE GATE.
Do not pass other horses too closely or at a high rate of speed
Do not circle in front of other horses
Gentlemen should assist ladies and children as necessary in the conduct of the hunt for convenience and safety

Turnout

Your horse and tack must be clean and neat and in good repair.
You should be clean and neat as well too - there are opportunities to get dirty along the way.
If you have long hair, you must wear a hair net - male or female.
Do not wear anything that could get caught on trees or other obstacles and cause injury to you or your horse ties should be pinned to the shirt and under your jacket
Jewellery and perfumes are to be avoided

Safety

Listen for warnings, Beware ' Ware ' : 'Ware wire; 'ware hole; hole on the right; 'ware Staff (or Huntsman, or Master); 'ware hounds.
Don't slam into the horse in front of you. If you can't control your horse, excuse yourself from the hunt.
Put a red ribbon in the tail of a horse who kicks ( and keep to the side or rear ) and a green ribbon in the tail of a green horse
Rated safety helmets are strongly recommended and all helmet chin straps should be securely fastened
Staff members and some field members carry a spare stirrup leather in case you break one
If you have a medical condition that may impact your riding - please inform the field master and / or the secretary
If you feel afraid to cover a certain jump , obstacle or section of ground, please do not take chances, inform the field secretary or another rider to take you a different route or speed
If you can not ride in a safe manner or control your horse please excuse yourself from the field with the field master.

Coops and Jumps

Foxhunting is not about jumping. In the course of a days hunt the first field may encounter a few or many jumps - usually coops that are placed in fence lines to facilitate the movement from one field to another, there will also be fallen timber and perhaps ditches as well.
Ensure that both you and your horse are capable of safely jumping the obstacles that we encounter. If you are afraid of a jump or your horse is getting dangerous, please fall back to the gate group.
Jumps are to be approached in single file, leave enough space between you and the horse in front of you to be able to stop or turn away from the jump if the other riders horse refuses or the rider comes off at or just after the jump.
If your horse refuses a jump, go to the back of the line and try again - do not continue to school your horse at the coop and do not prevent others from taking the jump and following the hunt. If you need a lead for the next time ask another rider on the way back.
Never jump anything that the Field Master did not jump, if the field goes through a gate next to a coop , then you go through the gate.

The Land and Landowners

If a field is seeded or freshly plowed, ride on the edge only, even if the staff crosses it.
Smile and wave to all landowners and local residents that you may encounter.
Do not take a hunt as an invitation to explore the hunt country apart from the field
Never take rides on hunt or non hunt days across any of our country without landowner and Master's permission.
Remove your sunglasses while talking to a landowner, introduce yourself, it is also proper to dismount also, as a person on a horse can be intimidating
Try to avoid confrontations with landowners - if a Master or Staff member is nearby refer questions and issues to them
The landowner is always right ( and even if they are not treat the issue like they are )
Report any damage the hunt may have caused to the Master
Report any problems or landowner complaints to the Master immediately - get the name of the person that you are speaking to and tell them that the Master will call them

General

Never clean out your trailer at the site of the meet - do it at home ! Pick up after your horse as well
Arrive early and give yourself time to be tacked up and mounted before the hunt goes out, if you are late - the hunt will leave without you.
Smoking is not acceptable in the hunt field
If you bring a guest, call the Master the night before for permission. Introduce your guest to the Field Master and pay the capping fee to the Secretary before hunting commences.
If you bring a guest it is your responsibility to inform them of proper etiquette and ride with them at the back of the field
Never hesitate to ask a question about what is going on or what you should do, and always tell someone if you have a problem!