Hunting Etiquette
Hunting involves riding over other people’s land and moving across country up lanes and roads in the company of perhaps 50 other riders and a pack of fox hounds. Good manners and a knowledge of hunting etiquette are essential to maintain good relations with other riders, the general public and our land owners.
Make sure you know who the Master of the day is and if this is your first day out, introduce yourself. Never ride in front of the Master.
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On the road
At all times show courtesy and appreciation to other road users. The Hunt has often impeded their progress and delayed their journey. Wherever possible make way for vehicles. Thank drivers who slow down and make way for us.
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Across country
Always listen to the Master’s instructions and be aware of instructions passed down the field.
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‘Headland please’ means keep tight to the edge of a field to avoid your horse trampling on a crop. ‘Gate to be shut’ means what it says. If you are either the last through or near the last through it is your responsibility to make sure the gate is shut before moving on. If necessary you must dismount and shut the gate. ‘Whip, Master or Huntsman please’ means make way to allow these people to come through the field.
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When jumping, always take your turn and do not jump unless you are sure the person in front of you has gone clear. Only jump an obstacle that you have seen the Master jump. If you plan to use an adjacent gate to a jump, allow the jumpers to go first before using the gate.
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When negotiating a hazard such as a slippery bridge, don’t gallop off as soon as you have crossed it. This will excite the horses of those following. Wait until a few more have crossed before catching up the rest of the field. Do not do more than a trot through gateways and always walk through stable and farm yards. Acknowledge and greet people you see in the countryside or in farmyards. They may well be the landowner, over whose land you are riding!
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At the beginning of the day you should always go and find the Master and say good morning. Equally if you go home before the end of the day, you should always say goodnight to the Master or at least let them know that you have gone home. That way they will know that you have not got lost somewhere in the countryside.
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Hounds
Always ride so that you maintain a distance between you and the hounds as much as possible. If in a tight place the hounds are coming through past you, turn your horse to face them. Sometimes hounds will be trying to make their way through the field to catch up with the pack, make way for them and hold back if necessary.