Safety & Etiquette

"Good manners may be defined as habitual consideration for the rights and feelings of other people with whom we come in contact. Hunting etiquette may be defined as the rules by which good manners may be best expressed under conditions prevailing in the hunting field. No sportsman wishes to cause injury or offense, but without a thorough knowledge of hunting etiquette, one would need the wisdom of Solomon and the mental speed of a computer to avoid doing so unintentionally." It is also true that a lot of the pleasure we derive from fox hunting comes from the satisfaction of being correctly turned-out, and from mastery of the attendant rules and conventions that link us to a dramatic and venerable tradition.

A hunting cap, derby, or top hat is required.

Ride a safe distance behind the horse in front.

Do not ride off other horses.

Ride the line set by the field master and ride under control at all times.

Allow three horse lengths between horses at jumps.

If your horse refuses a jump, make way for the remainder of the field prior to presenting him to the jump again.

A known kicker should have a red ribbon tied to his tail and be hunted at the rear of the field.

Vicious kickers should not be hunted.

When making way for staff, horses' heads must be faced towards staff members as they pass.

Watch for holes and trust your horse. Try to stick to tracks and trails. Watch where the field master rides. It is his job to try to keep you safe.

If you see a hole, point to it and call back "ware hole." Watch for wire on the ground as well.

Do not hold branches as you ride past. When you let go, they will spring back into the person behind you.

Correct turnout is expected. Day members have permission to dress ratcatcher at any meet.

Arrive at the meet in plenty of time. The Master requests that riders be mounted 15 minutes before the scheduled time of the meet. This allows time to warm-up, greet guests and friends, and to cheer the Master, huntsman, and staff with your "good mornings."

Park in the designated area.

Leave enough room behind and between trailers to allow safe unloading and tying of horses.

Help huntsman and staff, if asked. otherwise leave them to their work after wishing them, "good morning."

Gather with the rest of the field behind the field master before hounds are released. At this time, guests are formally introduced and there is a word from the Master.

All members of the field must remain behind the field master during the hunt.

Members with colors are extended the privilege of riding at the head of the field. Junior members and guests are expected to ride in the back unless invited forward by the Masters.

Please make every effort to avoid stepping on the hounds.

Do not speak to or direct the hounds in any way. This is the job of the staff only.

Quiet is essential when the hounds are hunting.

If you must retire early from the field, please excuse yourself to the field master. If this is not possible, send word forward to him by someone else.

Please remember that we are guests of the landowner, and must at all times respect his property and treat it responsibly. Always ride on the headlands (i.e. as close to the fences as possible) to avoid damage to crops, including grass.

Please close all gates.

Please walk through or by cattle, even if the hounds are "gone away." Be particularly careful of loose horses.

Please report any damage of property to the field master.

Upon returning to the trailers after hunting, wait with the field master while the hounds are put up. Call "thank you" to the Master, huntsman and staff before you retire to your trailer.

Please leave as little evidence of your presence as possible. Discourage your horse from digging up the grass. Scatter his droppings, and police your area for litter before you leave.

You are requested to refrain from smoking while on the landowner's property.