When I was foxhunting in the seventies, it seemed like an extreme sport. One of our regular territories, Beecher's Corner I think, had mostly coops, but they were between 3'6" and 3' 9," and there was one gate that was 4.' My adrenalin was pumping on those days. My horse at the time, a TBXQH cross, was a superb hunter. He had great gaits and he could really jump.
As a group, foxhunters (the people) are not the best riders, and they
are halfway through their flask of happy-juice before the hunt even
starts. The great thing about foxhunting is that as a member of the field, there is always someone going before you, and the horses understand quickly that if they don't jump they'll get left behind the herd. Suffice to say they're motivated, and most would jump anything with little or no encouragement.In the six or so years I foxhunted, we lost one horse who had a heaves episode in the field. Tragically, we also lost one rider.
I thought we had some rough days -- but they were nothing like this. If you are really sensitive, you may not want to watch. No horses are hurt, as far as I can tell, but they are certainly struggling.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Extreme foxhunting
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I wouldn't call that extreme. I call it realistic hunting. And traditional Irish hunting. Wonderful horses and ponies, trappy and sporting and people of all ages. How well the horses behave, they don't panic they just work it out. I would love to be there! I've crossed a few gullies like that in my day out riding in the hills with my old morgan mare. She'd been a ranch horse in her youth and nothing phased her.
ReplyDeleteReminded me of Somerville and Ross stories of hunting in Ireland.
People seem to think fox hunting (or drag hunting) is a lovely gallop over gentle slopes with picturesque things to jump. Not every landscape has that to offer. There are different kinds of hunters for different kinds of land and the UK has so much variety.
Working cow horses deal with things like that on the job too.
These explain why they needed that "Happy Juice" ... OY!
ReplyDeleteCall me a weenie, then. I would not ask my horse to do that...
ReplyDeleteI am a ballsy, ballsy rider, but you wouldn't catch me doing ANY of this. And if they're not concerned with the welfare of the horses, you'd think they'd at least be worried about some of the YOUNGER RIDERS that are in these videos. OMG...
ReplyDeleteI used to foxhunt but it was always with horse's safety foremost in my mind. I cringed watching these videos. I don't think it's fair for these horses to put up with all this. What about their legs, tendons, their backs, and their minds?!?! I could never ever subject my horse in this!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like it might just be this particular hunt club. I've never seen such rough riding and such lack of resect for the horses from other fox hunters.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear others saying what I was thinking...and also do these folks own these horses or rent them for the hunt? I can't see taking those kinds of risks with any horse I own or will own.
ReplyDelete8 year old kids today have formidable schedules -- they are in school "full time" and often juggle various activities -- volleyball, track, horses, piano, church, what have you. Yes, their parents are run ragged too. But they're eight. Their brains are pretty much like ours.
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying, anyone who wants to compete should be able to memorize a dressage test. This is not NASA. It's a series of steps that fit on a 4x6 card.
Hunting in Ireland is, for sure, a different sport. I've foxhunted for years and would be scared to death to cross those ditches and I'm sure my horse would be too! This is why Irish hunt horses are considered to be the boldest out there and the riders? Probably had a stirrup cup or three by the looks of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite as appalled as people who don't hunt. Hunting in Ireland is defined by ditches, banks and getting good and wet. I didn't see anyone beating their horses over the ditch (by golly, my horse wouldn't jump that even if you lit a fire cracker under him). These horses are used to this kind of territory. And yes, these would most likely be the riders' own horses, not rentals.
The attitude toward riding and hunting in Ireland is completely different than in the US (even among foxhunters) and it's hard to look at it from our perspective.
While it looks very rough, the ditch isn't that deep and the ground is soft. I don't think it's quite as dangerous as it appears.
Okay -- flame suit on 'cause I'm sure many will disagree with my assessment!
I've ridden though some pretty nutty terrain on trail rides, mostly because there was no other way to go. Not sure I'd do it today, but when you are on a really "game" and surefooted horse, you can do some pretty amazing things without anyone's getting hurt.
ReplyDeleteHere, they were all slowed to a walk. I'd hate to see anyone galloping up to one of these barriers. I wouldn't be riding with them myself at this point, but I surely could see myself doing it 30 years ago! And, as Liz noted, the horse pictured are well used to these kinds of challenges.
I totally agree with you Liz. Hunting in Ireland is very trappy. Everyone is very game in the video and the horses remain calm and go ahead no matter what. The horses appear to be used to it. Horses are very game in a group too.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with the two videos is that it's difficult to see where the land stops and the ditch begins because of the tall grass, the ground is already soft from the (apparent) rain, and everyone is crossing from basically the same spot, which means the ground/footing is already compromised. (I mean, if the pair in front of you end up neck deep in the mire, why would you want to leave the bank from the same spot??) Also, is it the standard to jump a ditch from a standstill? In the second video, one of the riders got off the horse and let it figure out what to do--without the added weight of a rider on its neck (!) I've gone on one very informal hunt in my life (and hill-topped a couple of times) but my experiences were never like this. I was on an AQHA gelding who LOVED being with a pack of horses and "doing across the terrain." I'm all about "no drama."
ReplyDeleteMy old cob had done a couple of seasons with the hunt in the videos before he came to me. Never mind a 5th leg, he had about 7 and used to watch the ground himself for bogs etc and adjust speed accordingly. It's pretty clear where he picked up his sure footedness!
ReplyDeleteI remember one time back in the seventies when we came up to a drop into a snow-lined shallow creek and no one's horse would take it until I got Rufus to make the slide/jump. Game Standardbred! Then everyone else was able to get going - that sure seemed exciting, though, in comparison to this terrain, not nearly so daunting.
ReplyDeleteGooooooood grief - the Irish version of hunting seems to be, "Let's see what we can make our horses do today that they'd rather not!" Personally, I wouldn't want to spend the day with cold ditch water sloshing around in my boots, either. :0
ReplyDeleteThe Missouri version of foxhunting was miles tamer, and in fact, I just blogged about my adventures doing just that: http://mylifeasarider.blogspot.com
I don't know Rider. I remember being on some wicked Missouri hunts. The thrill is the chase right?
ReplyDelete