Here at the Rockwood Harriers we like to
think we are a friendly bunch. We accept that novices can find their first
hunting venture a bit daunting. To help you we have produced the information
below as a guide.
There is no need to regard hunting as
old fashioned as in fact most of the traditions, etiquette and behaviour
associated with hunting are practical and realistic
Newcomers are welcome at any meet but if
you're still unsure have a look at the meet card for "Newcomer Meets" as we have
days specifically aimed at novices where we take it gently to give you the
opportunity to enjoy as well as learn. We also often have a second "Non Jumping"
Field Master for those unsure of their / their hoses ability.
The Master,
(or MFH), is in overall command of the hunt and his word is final in the field and
in the kennels. He decides when and where hounds will meet, what coverts are to
be drawn, and when hounds will go home. He is responsible for hounds showing the
best possible sport under existing conditions; and he is responsible for the
hounds, the staff, and the Field neither damaging nor annoying the landowners
who make the sport possible. He is the boss, and during his term of office there
is no higher appeal. In many hunts the duties of the Master are divided between
two Joint Masters.
The Huntsmen
Controls the hounds, indicating to them by signals when he wishes them to follow
a trail, He
attempts to be sure that hounds work together as a pack by encouraging the tail
hounds and steadying the lead hounds. In the case of a check he must be prepared to assist hounds to
recover the line by use of a cast if necessary. His technical decisions must be
quickly made, and staff and Field must abide by them.
The Whippers-in
Assist the Huntsman in controlling hounds by turning them back to the Huntsman
or by encouraging them forward to him as necessary. Whippers-in are also used by the
Huntsman to retrieve
the hounds should they engage a Hare. No one except the
Huntsman gives orders to Whippers-In. No one, except by request of the Huntsman
or MFH, should accompany them or attempt to assist them.
The Field
Consists of the mounted followers and is controlled by the Field Master who
rides at the head of it. The Field Master is responsible for seeing that the
Field does not interfere with hounds in their work; and he is also responsible
for seeing that the Field avoids damage to the landowners property. The Field should be
aligned behind the Master by order of their office and by seniority of
membership in the Hunt. All Junior members shall follow behind the Senior
members. Please do not change position in the field as all unnecessary commotion
tends to distract the hounds.
The Secretary Assists
the Field Master in his job of observing and reporting the behaviour of the
Field, particularly if it affects the landowners. Damaged fences should be
reported to the Secretary. "Capping Fees" - (a set fee per hunt) must be paid to
the Field Secretary before mounting.
Check the meet card for where
and when the hunt is meeting.
It is courtesy to ring the secretary and ask if you may join the hunt for the day.
Arrival at the meet
Ensure your horse and it's
tack are clean and well turned out
You should wear the correct
clothing which comprises of :
Cream or Fawn Breeches
or Jodhpurs
Dark or Tweed Jacket
Velvet hat / scull cap with black or navy silk
Cream / white stock or tie
Gloves are optional but should be dark coloured leather or string
Arrive at the meet by the time
stated on the meet card (preferably a little before it).
Park sensibly in the
designated area ensuring you aren't blocking a lane or driveway or anything that
may cause congestion or inconvenience to other road users. Also un-box well away
from the meet if possible.
On arrival at the meet
introduce yourself to the Master(s), Huntsman and Whippers-in. Seek out the
person responsible for collecting caps (secretary). Do not leave it to them to
seek you out.
Hunting is a sport to enjoy.
The more people you talk to at the meet, the happier the atmosphere that is
created. In particular, remember to greet people on foot and make those out for
the first time feel welcome.
Make sure to face your horse
to the hounds should you be in close proximity of them. Do not allow your horse
to tread upon or kick a hound. A horse will by instinct kick out at something
that comes up unexpectedly from behind. This rule applies throughout the hunt.
During the Hunt
If you or your horse are a novice a
Green ribbon should be worn at the top of the horses tail.
If you know your horse is liable to
kick it should wear a red ribbon at the top of it's tail.
Ensure you stay behind the Field
Master, Huntsmen and Whippers-in.
When jumping, wait your turn. If your
horse refuses then then let the others go first before trying again.
If you should damage a fence, gate or any other of the landowners property,
ensure you leave it stock proof and report it to the master or secretary as soon
as practicable
The
early part of hunting from August until the Opening Meet on the last
Saturday in October
Cap
A
daily charge for non-subscribers
"Car Please"
Is
shouted to tell the Field to keep to the left to let cars through on the
road.
Cast
When
the hounds are looking for the line. The huntsman may cast the hounds
towards where he thinks the hounds will pick it up.
Check
When
the hounds lose the line.
Couples
Hounds are counted in couples. i.e. one hound, a couple, a couple and a
half, two couples, etc. Couples are also two collars linked on a chain
and can be seen hanging on the hunt staffs' saddles
Feather
Hounds are said to feather or be feathering when they have the line but
are unable to speak to it.
Field
The
mounted followers.
Field Master
The
person in charge of leading and controlling the Field.
"Gate Please"
Shouted backwards on going through a gate which should be closed.
Gate shutter
A
person specially designated to shut gates and mend fences. Sometimes
wears a white armband.
"Good
Morning"
The
appropriate greeting at the meet.
"Good Night"
The
appropriate salutation for the end of the day even if it was an Autumn
Hunting morning which ended before midday.
Harrier
A hound that was originally
bred for hunting Hares
Heel
Hounds are said to be hunting heel when they hunt the reverse
"Hold Hard"
Shouted by the Field Master to stop the field overtaking him/her.
Hound
All
scent hunting dogs are referred to as hounds
Huntsman
The
man who hunts the hounds. There is only one huntsman on the hunting
field per day, he may also be a Master, and he has right of way at all
times.
Hunt
A
hunting day usually consists of 3 - 5 hunts, each hunt being 2 - 5 miles
long. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as "runs" or "lines".
Hunt Button &
Collar
Subscribers who, over a period of time, have gained knowledge and
been helpful to the hunt may be awarded the hunt button and collars of
the hunt.
Hunting the
clean boot
The
process of hunting human runners with no artificial scent applied.
Hunt Staff
The
people responsible for working the hounds. i.e. Huntsman and
Whippers-in. They may be Masters, amateurs or professionals
"Kick on"
You
may get this response when you make way for a Master or Huntsman at a
gate or jump. It means you don't have to wait for him/her and should
carry on.
Line
The
scent left by the trail.
"Loose Horse"
Shouted when someone has fallen off and the horse is running away.
Master
Maybe a Joint Master. These are the people responsible for the running
of the hunt. They should have right of way at all times second only to
the hunt staff.
"Master/Huntsman/
Whip/Hound please"
This
means give way to these people as they have a job to do. If it is heard
on a road or a track everyone should get to one side, not line both
sides, to reduce the chances of them being kicked.
"Master/Huntsman/
Whip/Hound on the right/left"
This
means the Master/Whip/Hound should be let through on the side shouted.
The side corresponding to the direction of travel of the majority of the
Field.
Mixed Pack
A
pack consisting of dogs and bitches
Opening Meet
The
start of formal hunting.
Puppy
A
hound which is new to hunting that season. It will appear fully grown.
Rat Catcher
Term
used to describe the official dress for mounted followers during Autumn
Hunting and consists of a Tweed jacket as opposed to a black jacket. Rat
Catcher is also an acceptable form of dress after the Opening Meet.
Riot or
rioting
When
hounds hunt something other than that which they are supposed to be
hunting, they are rioting. In the case of bloodhounds hunting the clean
boot / Trail hunting, all wildlife is known as riot.
Scent
The
smell, indiscernible to the human nose, left by the runners. The hounds
also use the smell of the disturbed ground where the runners have been
to stay on the line.
Speak or
speaking
Hounds do not bark, they speak or are speaking when they are "on the
line" (hunting a scent).
Stern
A
hound's tail.
Walk
Hounds at walk, often known as Puppy Walking, is where whelps are sent
to private homes, in minimums of two's, from the age of eight weeks
until they get too big and boisterous for the walkers, at which point
they return to kennels to learn how to fit in to the pack.
"Ware
Hole/Wire/Glass"
Ware
is often pronounced "War" and means beware. Therefore if you hear "War
Hole", or "Ware Hole" it actually means mind out there is a hole in the
ground coming up! Similarly any other hazard.
Whelp
A
new born hound is a whelp and remains so until it come back from walk.
Whipper-in
The
person who helps the huntsman control the hounds. This person has right
of way at all times and will only give way to the Huntsman.
Signal to
people coming towards a gate, but out of hearing, that the gate should
be shut. The response to which should be to hold your hand in the air to
show you have got the message and will shut the gate.
Red Ribbon
Worn on the
tale of a known kicker. These horses should be kept at the back of the
field until they become educated and no longer need to wear a ribbon.
Whip in the
air
(usually by
Field Master) This means stand still where you are, not wait until you
get level with the Field Master and then stop.
Whip held to
side by huntsman
If the whip
is in the huntsman's right hand he will be keeping the hounds to his
left. You should therefore let him pass so that his horse is between you
and the hounds.
