Hunting for the first time, I'm terrified

[FirstHunt]

Am hunting on Monday it.l be the 4th time I've ridden the horse though he has hunted, I've popped over some small jumps in the school but I've never ever jumped a hedge, will I have to jump? if I don't jump am I likely to be left behind massively that's something he really doesn't like. I don't mind popping over small stuff but not huge hedges etc.

[nellyjelly]

People still want to do this? FFS.

[FirstHunt]

No tough I'm not asking for sympathy but advice. You are well entitled to your opinion. I am well informed and happy with my decision.

[Eve]

I would put roundings on the gag or double reins.

.....and make you come back Mon and post pics of all then innocent animals you have killed on mumsnet to prove how awful hunting is.

Obviously 1 or 2 people breaking law means we all do

[saintmerryweather]

if he came with a flash i would probably put it on him for the first time to see how he reacts. can you easily take him home if you need to?

[jade80]

Nellyjelly- as far as I can see, hunts now have more support and better turn out numbers than pre-'ban'. Search for boxing day meet 2012 images if you don't believe me.

[Greensleeves]

FirstHunt will you be hunting a fox to its death or not? It's unclear. Of course you don't have to tell me. But I thought fox hunting was now illegal.

[jade80]

Toughasoldboots- out of interest, do you think foxes should be left uncontrolled? Or would you prefer another method of controlling them? If so, what?

[frustratedworkingmum]

what toughasoldboots said, if you are happy with your decision, tell your family, im sure they'll be proud.

Why can't you just go on a hack? Why the need to hunt, i don't get it? I went on a horse riding holiday at exmoor we rode out in a different direction every day, belted around all over the place, was amazing, didn't have to add to the experience by killing anything though.

[BinarySolo]

Then surely that's called drag hunting rather than fox hunting. Op said fox hunting. The name does rather imply the hunting of a fox. Also, why would op's family be anti hunting if it was just drag hunting?

I was also in the belief that hunting with hounds was now illegal. And for very good reasons.

[frustratedworkingmum]

Don't bring out that old chestnut, yeah they need controlling, but you know, you could just shoot them, you don't have to enjoy it!

[jade80]

Greensleeves- it isn't as clear cut as that. The act was badly written with various loopholes. Most hunts still operate, 'within the law'. Firsthunt cannot say whether she will be 'hunting a fox to its death'. She's not even likely to see a fox, and certainly won't be personally hunting one!

[headlesshorseman]

Good luck and have a lovely time firsthunt
I personally am not brave enough to take dhorse hunting, but love to watch, and there are always plenty of people around who prefer not to jump

[frustratedworkingmum]

I think it illegal to do what they used to do and go around and basically find the fox before the hunt, set the trail and send the terrier men around to block up the entrance to their shelters (brain gone, cant think what they are called, sets?) so they can't get away from the dogs and if they do, send the terriers in. But if they happen upon a fox on their lovely day out, then its fair game for the dogs to rip it to pieces. I mean, what can you do

[Bunbaker]

Thought it was banned.

So did I, but I found this after googling

"At present, legislation in the Hunting Act outlaws the killing of wildlife by packs of dogs, however dogs are still allowed to chase the scent of a fox and flush out the animal, which is then ?humanely? killed by being shot."

In practice I bet most foxes get ripped apart by the dogs before they can be killed humanely. I live in a rural area and appreciate that foxes are pests, but I do not condone fox hunting in any way.

[Eve]

Fox hounds hunt scented trails usually laid by a runner.

Its the same thing as a drag hunt.

Blood hounds also hunt trails.

[Greensleeves]

So yes then, but really disingenuously.

Utterly repulsive.

[jade80]

Frustrated mum.

That is so far from my personal view.

I feel strongly that shooting foxes is far crueller. Shooting foxes often leads to injuries, resulting in a slow, cruel death. It is also totally unselective.

Whereas with hunting the fox is either caught or it is not. There is no chance of an injury and a slow death from gangrene or starvation (unable to hunt for food)- this is a likely outcome with shooting.

I find poisoning an equally unpalatable option- death by poisoning is a horrible,long drawn out way to go.

Hunting is more likely to result in weak foxes being killed, leaving a healthier population. As healthy foxes are less likely to prey on domestic animals this is also beneficial. Healthy foxes easily outrun hounds- I have seen it myself.

For you to blithley say 'shoot them instead' shows me that you haven't really thought about the implications.

[TheFallenNinja]

I smell a troll

[jade80]

Oh that is all purely academic by the way. Hunting in the uk should now all be purely within the law, as announced at all meets.