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Hunting
Some Hunts have websites with useful advice and tips
Hunting on Dartmoor is one of the best ways to get to know the moor, and to learn to ride on the moor with respect. However it is not for the faint-hearted, but with simple preparation, can be enjoyed by most competent riders.
A good day with the right horse, company and weather can be one of the best days of your life ...the opposite is true when you are lost, freezing, and a long way from home. At worst even the horse and then you will wonder why.....
Many people do not go hunting as they are afraid of the terrain, what to wear, etiquette and their own or their horses ability. Following simple tips, you could soon enjoy it, and what is one of the most natural experiences for a horse: being in a herd and galloping in company. When I followed the eight year old daughter of a hunt master out on her Shetland for six hours I thought if she could do it, then so could I.....
Novices should go out with experienced friends, preferably early in the season to the right meets with the right hunt - all hunt different territory, so see notes below. Stay close to your friends, find out who in the rest of the hunt to follow, do not go out for long, an hour or two to begin with. If they go down steep hills you do not like the look of, hold back and wait, and try to find another way perhaps. You do not need to jump much on Dartmoor, but you will need to cross difficult streams and avoid bogs, so see other parts of this website for more advice. Remember it can take a while to get back to your starting point, so you may end up in the saddle for longer than you expect. Your horse should be used to riding on moorland. Best to go on the meets that have the easiest country, such as the South Devon Hunt or those off the moor, like the Modbury Hunt, to begin with, and go early in the season to less formal and cheaper days, before the Opening meets in October. Many people in most hunts are friendly and welcome newcomers. Regrettably, some in some hunts some do not, but it is the same in many sports, so just avoid and keep your distance. Try to keep away from other horses and even small ponies back ends, as it can be devastating and painful if you or your horse get kicked badly.
Always ring hunt secretaries beforehand for advice on suitable meets, and where to park.
Some hunts have special meets for children and novices. Usually, you park at least a quarter mile from the meet, so you do not block the area and the distance will give your horse a warm up. Take sweat rug and water for your horse when you return.
Hunting terms De-mystified:
Master and/or Huntsman: in charge of the hounds on a hunting day : sometimes a lady, usually wearing red coat, sometimes green or blue.
Whip: assistant to Master, wears same colour coat - keeps the hounds together and works with the Huntsman
Field Master : wears same colour coat, and is the person in charge of the mounted followers. Some give excellent advice and instruction
Subscription: annual cost to join as a Member is between £250 to £500, with reduced rates (cap) paid on the day you hunt
The Field: Group name for the mounted followers on horseback
Followers : People going hunting following the hounds on foot (if you go on foot you need to be fit)
Meet: Place where you meet, usually 11am after October 1st 9am in Sept, often food and drink served
Cap: sum paid to go out for the day members £10 to £25, £30 to 45 a day for visitors, half for members of adjacent hunts - £5 children
Hound: The dogs that you follow (not called dogs...)keep out of their way and do not let you horse tread on them
Country: the area of land hunted by a particular pack
In-Country : the country just off the moor and beyond.
Red Ribbon: in horses tail means they may kick, so, probably, will the owner - frankly, best not to go hunting with a regularly kicking horse....
Green Ribbon: Novice Horse, perhaps tie one on for your first few days out - dont gallop past someone with green ribbon in tail! Bad manners...
A good day: what you hope to have or what others may ask if you have had in terms of Runs. Some are not good days, and lots are wet, misty, cold, windy, boring or a combination of some or all these
Run: instead of hanging around, going for a good long "run" across the moor in pursuit of something found by the Hounds
Length of a day: get to a meet about 15 mins before the Meet time, usually 11am, and they will set off approx 11.20. Average day ends about 3pm, but some much longer, particularly if a good run takes place over some distance from the start. Novices or unfit riders might leave after 2-3 hours, but add to that the time it takes to get back to start and then your box.
MOORLAND HUNTS
The moor is hunted by five different hunt packs, who divide the moor into four main quarters, with the Lamerton Hunt having a smaller slice.
SOUTH Quarter - Dartmoor Hunt, Kennels nr Ivybridge. Master: Michael Weir, Secretary: Carolyn Johnson 01548 830456 perhaps the best country, need a good horse and ability to keep up to enjoy to the full, not for novices or unaccompanied children. Can go fast and deep into the higher Moor, not usually easily followed by car.
Just off SOUTH Quarter - The Modbury Hunt, Kennels at Flete Estate nr Modbury, Joint Masters: Greg Johnson & David Milner, Huntsman: Sally Cunningham, Secretary: Margaret Bishop 01364 644011. Friendly, small Hunt, hunting the landscape of outstanding natural beauty of the South Hams. Some lovely meets in pretty villages, splendid estuary and sea views on some days. Easy to follow by car, ideal for novices and children. Often call at the pub afterwards!
SOUTH EAST Quarter - South Devon Hunt, Kennels off the moor at Denbury ,Master: Ian Pearse, Secretary: David Ellis 01647 221249 southdevonhunt.co.uk. Easier riding on softer country, patches of moorland, pretty valleys and villages. Friendly hunt, ideal for novices and children. Never far from roads, can easily be followed by car. Part of NORTH WEST Quarter - Lamerton Hunt, Kennels 01647 432280 from Lydford to Meldon Reservoir (more info required)
NORTH EAST Quarter - Mid Devon Hunt,middevonhunt.co.uk Kennels at Chagford 01647 432280 Master: www.middevonhunt.co.uk ,Secretary Alison Bright. Country from Meldon Reservoir around to Moretonhampstead to Postbridge Road, with some good moorland and pretty historic in-country around Chagford and old villages
SOUTH WEST Quarter - Spooners & West Devon Hunt - Kennels at Sampford Spiney, Master: Clair Bellamy, Secretary: Jamie Jameson 01752 839445 secretary@spoonerswd.co.uk www.spoonerswd.co.uk. Some good moorland, friendly hunt, lovely rides out from Kennels up to the Moor, some meets easy to follow by car and suitable for novices and children, wonderful sunsets over Cornwall on way home.
You can hire a horse for hunting (known as Hirelings) suitable for experienced riders. Fit hunter types, beautifully turned out and delivered to near the Meet for you to return to afterwards. Some people regularly hire and often ask for the same horse, and although it sounds expensive it is actually cheaper than owning your own if you only want to ride occasionally
Nr Ivybridge - Gill Norrish 01364 631210 from £140
Nr Poundsgate- Lorraine Chamberlaine, Foxworthy 01364 631210
Nr Tavistock Jenny Boon - 01822 613120 from £120 0780 169 9985: email hurlditchfarm@hotmail.co.uk
jonathanmathys.com
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