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Foxhunting With North Country Hounds

An Introduction to Fox Hunting in Vermont and New Hampshire

Welcome!  We invite you to join us fox hunting with the North Country Hounds.  New participants (cappers) are always welcome.  Please review the following information to help you have a safe and enjoyable day.  Definitions of terms in bold can be found in the appended text.

The first step

Please contact our Secretary, David Wilson, if you’d like to hunt with us. We need to have all paperwork completed by you ahead of the hunt date. Members, guests and cappers must register for each hunt ahead of time so we can better prepare for trailer parking and assign the staff necessary for the day. There are occasional cancellations mostly due to weather and we will notify you by email 6am of that particular morning if you're registered online.

The Meet

The day begins with the hounds, horses, and hunters coming together at the meet. When you arrive, please check in with the field secretary, Anne Peytonwho will be expecting you and introduce you to the Master. If you have not been vaccinated and boosted against Covid, you must wear a mask while on the ground and maintain a safe distance from others.

Once you unload your horse, shut the doors of your trailer so the hounds do not investigate it. We are at the meet through the courtesy of the landowner and neighbors.  Please always be polite and appreciative of their generosity.  Take manure and trash home with you.  Be respectful of crops, lawns, farm animals etc.

The Staff

When the hounds are released from the hound truck, they are under the control and direction of the staff. The staff includes the huntsman and whippers-in, and are easily identified by their “pink” (pinque) coats. Please always give the hounds and staff plenty of room to work. Do not attempt to assist them or speak to the hounds unless you are asked to do so.

The Field

Join the Field Masters when the Master of Fox Hounds calls for the field to assemble.  The field is the group of people who follow hounds on a given day.  At NCH, we typically have two fields.  The first field rides at whatever pace the hounds set.  The second field rides at a more moderate pace.  You may join whichever field you feel comfortable in, but the second field is often recommended for inexperienced horses and riders.  Each field has a field master who controls the pace and directs the riders.  Do not pass the field master. They are in place to protect the hounds by creating distance between the field and Huntsman. Introduce yourself to them as a new rider so they may assist you.  Follow all their instructions.  If you need to retire, adjust your tack, pick up a glove you lost etc. please let the field master know.

Rules of the Run

Our Hounds

Our pack of hounds are very friendly, gentle, timid creatures. We expose them to hens and other various livestock plus people and their pets. Our daily hound walks always include the various walker’s dogs. Foxhounds are scent hounds, bred for their noses. They are trained to pursue the scent of foxes and and importantly, to ignore deer.

Casting

The field will move off and the huntsman will move hounds to the covert and cast the them while the field follows. One or two of the hounds may scent a fox and will speak.  If the scent is honest, the other hounds will honor the strike hounds and we’re off!  When all of the hounds are speaking on the line of the quarry, we are on a run and the hounds are making music.  During a run, please try to keep two horse lengths between your horse and the one in front of you in case of abrupt stops or falls. Ride in control. Do not pass other riders unless they are holding up the field. If you do need to pass, ask politely to do so; let the rider in front of you know which side you will pass on. Hunting is not a race.

Jumping

If you are jumping, please leave three horse lengths between you and the horse in front of you. If your horse refuses a jump, allow others to proceed and go to the rear of the field or quickly go around the jump. You are permitted to jump in any of the fields, but never required to do so. All fences have go-arounds. If you choose not to jump, please stay to the rear of the field to promote good flow during runs. Do not jump a fence unless the field master does so or gives you permission to do so.

Colors

You will notice some gentlemen in pink coats in the field and some ladies in black coats with blue collars and green trim. These are members of the hunt who have their colors. They have earned the privilege of riding wherever they like in the field. Unless you are invited to do so or they are holding up the field during a run, do not pass riders with their colors. If you have questions, persons with their colors should be able to help you.

Checks

If the hounds lose the line, there will be a check (the hounds and field will stop). Please remain quiet during this time as the huntsman may be trying to help the hounds find the line again. Always turn your horse’s tail away from hounds and other riders (into the bushes works well on trails) to prevent kicks. At these times, whips may need to pass the field. Be listening for the call of “‘ware staff” and give way to staff members promptly. Hounds may also be coming from behind the field at this time. Be listening for the call of “’ware hound” and give them room. Do not get between the huntsman and the hounds. If able, the huntsman will resume the line that the hounds were running. If not, she may pick up the hounds and attempt to find another line.

Coming home

When we return to the trailers, please wait for the field master to dismiss the field before you dismount. After you have cared for your horse, please join us for hunt breakfast or casual refreshments. We would love to hear how your day was and what we can do to make hunting more fun for more people.

Dress

We would hate for anyone to miss the experience of fox hunting due to concerns regarding their clothes. The minimum requirement to participate in a hunt during the formal season is: appropriate boots for riding, a hard hat, light colored breeches or jodphurs, a riding shirt or turtleneck, and a dark riding coat. A hard hat with ASTM-SEI certified harness is required for all riders. During cubbing season, golf shirts or button down shirts with breeches or jodphurs are commonly worn. Hunt members may dress more formally but this is not required of visitors.

Juniors

We strongly encourage young people to ride.  If the rider is under 18 years of age and will not be accompanied by a parent in the field, you will need to appoint an adult in the field to mentor them for the day.  Riders under 18 years of age will need a release signed by their parent or guardian.  Please make these arrangements before the day of hunting.

Your horse

All horses are required to have proof of a certificate of rabies vaccination and a negative Coggin’s test within 12 months of the hunt. Horses that have a history of kicking should wear a red ribbon on their tail to alert other riders. Kickers should be kept to the rear of the field. Horses that have not hunted before should wear a green ribbon on their tail. Ribbons are available from the field secretary.

Finally

If you would like more complete information about fox hunting, an excellent resource is “Riding to Hounds in America” by William P. Wadsworth, MFH. Copies can be obtained from the hunt Library. Please contact Kip Lindsay regarding book loans.


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