We gave thanks this morning for a perfect day of hunting (and I gave thanks to my family for letting me ride!).
A splendid Thanksgiving hunt!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Category Archives: fox hunting
Sneaking in under the weather
With an unusually early Nor’easter working its way up the East Coast, there were a ton of cancellations. But not our hunt. This morning dawned raw and cold but dry and we had the good fortune to sneak in under the impending weather. Good news because this is a territory we only hunt once a year and it’s spectacular, even in the gloom. This is a hunt where we ride through a working dairy farm, traverse a state park, and are treated to gallops in big open fields.
Driving over the thermostat registered 35 degrees and it felt colder. I’d broken out my heavy weight Melton and wore it even though it looked like it had lost a fight with our long-haired white cat. It was cold and if we were moving fast enough, no one would notice.
Sure enough, the hunt started off fast. Just as well because heavy rains last week kept me from riding and the 20 minutes I’d found to ride him in our field yesterday had not made a dent in Freedom’s energy level. He was ready to go and got the chance. The hounds were on the scent and we all moved along at a good pace.
I’d feared that the footing would be bad from all the rain. Certainly, there were places where it was slippery and others where it was deep and muddy. There were several fences that I chose to gap because I didn’t like the way the footing looked on the take off and didn’t want to guess what it looked like on the landing side. There are some great stone walls out on that hunt and several of them were quite jumpable.
Perhaps I was being extra careful because at one of the first fences the horse in front of me fell. It’s always a tricky fence with a sharp left turn after landing. Add a good amount of rain to the layer of leaves and pine needles and it became very slick. They made it over the fence fine, but the horse lost her hind end on the turn. Luckily both horse and rider were fine. I waited for her to remount and we jumped a few more smaller fences on our way to catch up with the field.
While we were moving, we all kept warm but the during the checks, the cold crept into your fingers and toes. I was grateful for my stock tie around my neck. This was a long hunt (a bit over two hours) with three casts. I must admit that by then end of the ride — when we had a nice gallop along an aqueduct — my legs were really feeling it. Freedom was starting to tire, too and was grateful when we walked the last bit to the trailers.
I was grateful for the hot chowder waiting at the tea. And the blazing fireplace.
Now we’re watching snow fall and shaking our heads!
Last week’s hunting
ONBH Hounds at the check off of Monument Street in Concord.
I can remember when time seemed to stretch. Days were long, weeks were long and there was time to savor things. Now, time flies. Here it is Saturday again and I look back and realize that I’ve hunted three times in a period that seems unbelievably short. I really should write up my hunt reports right away before they all start to blend into one, long gallop through the woods.
Last Saturday we had our first joint hunt of the season with Tanheath (Pomfret, Conn.) joining us. It was the first time I’ve ridden Freedom in a joint meet. Last year I wasn’t sure he could handle the larger numbers. This year, I figured he’d be fine. And he was.
Of more concern was the footing. We had two days of heavy rain coming up to the hunt and when the sun came out on Saturday I wasn’t sure what we’d find. We were hunting off of Monument Street in Concord and part of that territory is down by the river. There are times when the river bank trail is pretty much non-existent.
I was also mildly concerned that I hadn’t ridden since Tuesday’s hunt. Every time I had time to ride, it was just raining too hard. To be on the safe side, I “upgraded” his bit to a Kimberwicke. I like to leave him on a loose rein most of the time while I ride . . . but I also like to have brakes.
I needn’t have worried. This hunt started out with a good long canter through the woods. The footing was much better than I’d feared and even the down hill jumps weren’t too slippery. The Kimberwicke commanded enough of Freedom’s attention to keep him balanced and listening but wasn’t so much that he curled up behind it. He was jumping in good form and enjoyed the pace through the woods.
Watching the hounds work the field at the second cast.
Our second cast was in a spectacular meadow. We had the chance to watch the hounds work the scent and then we were off. A nice trot through the field and over the zigzag fence.
This field connects with another that is equally spectacular. We galloped up to the top of the hill and then had a brief pause while staff rounded up the hounds.
At this point a friend had an unscheduled dismount over a large coup (not hurt, luckily) and I stayed behind while she remounted.
When we caught up to the field we discovered that the hounds had found some exciting live scent. The source was revealed when two deer bounded across the final field, depositing the hounds right back where they should be — at the hound truck.
Our third cast was into a little jewel of a spot – private land that is at the end of a long winding and very wet path. Hunt members had built four new fences around the perimeter. They were too large for us to jump at the end of a hunt, but we enjoyed the gallop.
All in all it was a good two hour ride. I think our Tanheath guests enjoyed the day and we’re looking forward to hunting their territory soon.
The flood plain at Stow looked beautiful and remote.
Tuesday’s Hunt
Tuesday was a a misty, gray day. It drizzled a bit as I drove to Stow, but a little damp is good for holding scent! The start of the hunt in Stow is down a causeway and on a flood plain. It’s always beautiful but Tuesday it was atmospheric.
The hounds were right on the scent
Tuesday morning was gray and drizzly but the muted colors were lovely.
nt and the first cast was fast and a lot of fun. It was over far too soon. Freedom was in fine form and armed with the Kimberwicke he was light and responsive. His bounciness stands me in good stead because he often canters when most of the field is trotting. I have to admit that it’s quite an enjoyable gait to sit!
The second cast was into the woods. We kept a good pace along the trails and watched the hounds working. We had three casts in all and ended up with a brisk gallop around the flood plain.
Saturday’s Hunt
Yesterday we hunted in Acton. It’s always been one of my favorite territories but it was also the last hunt I was able to do with Kroni. For the first year after I lost him I couldn’t bring myself to ride there but now, Freedom has reclaimed it for his own.
This is a hunt where we get to ride on some amazing private land — wide open hay fields, magical forest trails and
The thrills of weekday hunting
Over the weekend the fall colors started to emerge.
Hunting mid-week is one of those guilty pleasures. There’s little better than sneaking away for a few hours on a Tuesday morning and going for a gallop in the woods with friends. It is one of the real benefits of working for myself.
This week’s hunt was particularly good. For a start, the weather was amazing. The weekend heat wave was over and the temperatures were in the low 60s and sunny. Seemingly overnight the trees have started to turn and are now entering their full glory of golden yellows and bright reds.
The hunt started just the way Freedom and I like it — with a long gallop. It settled both horses and hounds and got us all off to a good start. It’s much more difficult when you start off full tilt and then have to hold hard to wait for the hounds. The horses are unsettled and it’s hard to get their minds back.
By the time we slowed to a walk, we had a tremendous view of the hounds working the scent in the woods right off the main trail. Freedom was entranced. He loves to watch the hounds and here they were, practically under foot! Several times I had to prevent him from leaning over and giving one of them a good snuffle.
During the first run the hounds gave amazing tongue. This was the most “music” that I’ve heard this season and it was delightful to follow.
Strategizing at the check.
Freedom felt great and, in a nice change from Saturday’s hunt, his brain was engaged and he was listening to my aids. Instead of bouncing in place and flipping his head he was relaxed and forward, but obedient. The first series of jumps are small and when he isn’t listening to me, he can get too fast. I rode at the back of the first field so that I had the chance to keep him balanced. There are about six jumps in that first run and he took them in stride and went right to the base. It was the best that I’ve felt him jump since he was diagnosed with Lyme.
The second cast was into the woods by Fairhaven Bay. I’ve written about this territory before — it’s right next to Walden Pond and the trail system takes you over to the lake and to the replica of Thoreau’s cabin. It’s still a very peaceful place where you see only a few people on the trails. I think on Tuesday we had the woods to ourselves.
After the hunt horses and riders looked happy.
The second part of the hunt took us over the larger fences. I jumped most of them but decided that I didn’t want to over stress Freedom on his first outing over fences. I admit that I still worried about him jumping poorly and didn’t want to experience it over the solid log fences.
Once again the hounds gave great tongue and the pack finished up almost complete. The aptly named Diva was the last to come in but eventually she also turned up.
Happily, there were also no bees.
On Tuesdays our tea is a tailgate but this one was exceptionally well stocked. With several kinds of salad, cheese and crackers and a cake there were no complaints — except that we all had to go back to work!
A tired horse is a happy horse
Our first cast was in a beautiful field where you can see the hounds working.
After two weeks on Doxy, Freedom started to feel like himself so I decided that I would hunt this weekend, but take it easy and not jump him.
Saturday promised to be a fantastic day to hunt — and it didn’t disappoint. It was a picture perfect, sunny day in the mid-70s. After a week where we had overnight lows in the 30s it was a treat.
We had a good turnout with three fields — first flight, hilltoppers and our third field which is for people who enjoy hunting but don’t want to gallop or jump.
I started Freedom in the hilltoppers field with every intention of taking it easy. In fact, all the fields started with a bit of waiting as the hounds started off well but then came across some live scent — most likely deer — and while we could hear them give tongue off in the distance, they were not on the drag. That left the field waiting for staff and the hounds off the side of the trail, hoping not to disturb a nest of ground bees (that’s one of my biggest fears when hunting on warm fall days).
After nearly 10 minutes we moved on but at a controlled pace. Freedom was not happy. He was pleased to be out hunting and most obviously wanted to move on. Since we couldn’t, he decided to bounce. He was cantering
Our first check was in a glad in the woods.
almost the whole time. When he wants to, he can canter almost in place and he was putting a lot of energy into vertical motion.
Our first check was at a glade in the woods. It’s a very pleasant place to pause as it was a little cooler out of the sun and gave the horses and hounds the chance to catch their breath.
I could tell that Freedom was feeling fine. I decided to move him up the first field and let him move out a bit. He’s funny. Now that he understands hunting, he will stand at the check on a loose rein and snooze. Once the hounds are cast, however, he is ready to go.
The second cast went very well. The hounds were back on track and we had a good gallop through the woods. Freedom still insisted on cantering the whole time but since he’s very balanced, I didn’t worry too much about it. As long as he keeps a good distance behind the horse in front of him, I generally let him choose the gait.
At the first run of fences, I realized I’d been wise to decide not to jump him. As soon as he saw the fences he started to flip his head and bounce. While he never really misbehaved, he was not focused and I wasn’t sure that he was paying enough attention to actually jump them. I ended up with foam all over my glasses and my jacket!
I did let him jump one fence after the third cast — only because it was easier than going around it. Freedom doesn’t like to gap the fences. He sees them and there is a magnetic attraction. However, we’ll have plenty more chances to jump this season.
Freedom wasn't quite as tired as this photo makes him seem. But he was hot and sweaty. He certainly enjoyed his after hunting bath.
We finished the hunt with an adrenalin charged gallop up the final hill. Freedom must have had some flashbacks to his racing days but we managed not to pass anyone.
As we pulled up at the trailer, I had a happy horse, but a tired horse. It wasn’t so much that it was a long hunt or a particularly fast hunt, but the heat coupled with his excitement had left him covered with foam. He even had sweat on his eyelids. While he wasn’t as hot and tired as the photo makes him look, he certainly appreciated his after hunting bath and grazing time.
As for the riders, we had a magnificent tea after the hunt. This was our annual lobster tea. We sat out behind the barn with lobster and killer shrimp chowder soaking up the afternoon sun.
It was a great day, for sure. And, for all fox lovers, keep in mind that the only thing that was chased (except for the deer) was some anise.
Early fall hunting is the best
Saturday was one of those perfect riding days. It was clear and crisp, without a bug in sight. In foxhunting terms, we are “cubbing”. Traditionally in the early fall this is when you take out the hounds, who have been mostly roaded or walked over the summer, and get them fit. It’s a time to introduce young hounds and it’s a great time for new riders or new horses to get introduced to the sport because it’s a bit slower and shorter. The traditional aim of cubbing was to disperse the adolescent fox cubs throughout the territory. Of course, since we are a drag hunt, there are no foxes, cubs or otherwise, so it’s more accurate to call it our informal season.
We hunted in a lovely and historical territory off of Monument Street in Concord. Despite the proximity to Boston, this is a territory that still has some lovely open fields and wooded trails. Conveniently, there are cross country jumps that are built along the trails that are begging to be jumped.
Saturday’s hunt was at a more leisurely pace than we would take later in the season. Some of the hounds are young and they needed some coaxing to stay on scent. We had two casts (the third part of our territory was being used for a historical re-enactment) and they gave good “tongue” on the first cast and a bit less on the second.
It was a great day to be out riding with friends and listening to the hounds work. Really, it was almost a timeless experience. Being steeped in the history of the hunt and the history of the territory made it a very cool experience.
Somewhat optimistically I carried my tiny Flip video camera with me to try to record the hunt. Unfortunately, Freedom really needs two hands on the reins right now so I got only a few useable snippets which I will piece together. Maybe I need to go the helmet cam route. Or buy a tiny camera that I can hold in my hand without letting go of the reins.
Here’s a brief glimpse of our second cast.
How to avoid becoming a lawn dart
Get ahead of your horse and you may take the jump without him.
Get a little ahead of your horse coming into a jump and you may find yourself jumping the fence alone — generally making a not-so-graceful arc over the fence going head first.
Sadly, most of us who ride and jump have become a lawn dart more than once in our riding careers. I had a particularly embarrassing moment over the first fence at Pleasant Hollow many years ago. My coach just happened to catch it on video and showed it over and over and over again.
It’s easy to get ahead of your horse. I know that with Freedom when I started jumping him, his jump was unpredictable and I didn’t want to get left behind so I tended to lean forward coming into a fence. I think there’s also a subliminal desire to lean forward to encourage your horse to jump.
Of course, that’s actually the worst thing you can do. By leaning forward you front load your horse, putting more weight on his forehand and making it more difficult for him to jump safely. It also encourages a horse without much of a sense of humor to stop. As a trainer I ride with pointed out, “when was the last time you fell off the back of your horse?” How true.
When I first started eventing and was still transitioning from the hunter ring, my trainer at the time put me on a horse at the barn who was known to stop if you got ahead of him. It was humbling to be on a horse that showed up my faults so clearly. After riding him through some breath-taking stops, I started to feel how I had to ride to make him feel comfortable. He was an amazing teacher and the feedback was immediate.
With Freedom, my concern is not so much that he’s going to stop. He’s a very honest horse who locks onto a fence and takes me to it. My problem is keeping him from getting too quick and running at the fences. I need him to stay in a rhythm and find the right distances out of his canter.
To help Freedom stay quiet, I CANNOT lean forward. Not even a tiny bit. He takes it as a tacit instruction to speed up. And that’s when we get into trouble.
To improve his jumping the image I have in my mind is getting slightly left behind. Although this is counter intuitive to my hunter background, it works for Freedom. It helps to keep him slower and helps him keep his forehand light and power off his hind end. It also helps me keep him in front of my leg.
I think that this style of jumping is what really differentiates eventing jumping from hunter/jumper jumping positions. In the hunter ring (especially today) I see riders that look perched over their horses’ withers. In eventing, you tend to see riders that are more centered over the middle of their horses — they still give their horses freedom through their necks and backs, but their center of balance is further back.
In many regards, this is a position that is reminiscent of old hunting prints where the riders have their feet on their dashboard, are sitting in the “back seat” and slipping their reins. When riding cross country over varied terrain, it’s a safe approach.
I suspect that if I watched myself jumping (I don’t have the courage to have my lessons videotaped) I’d find that I’m not actually too far behind the motion of my horse. It’s just that for so many years I’ve started to tip forward and I have to retrain my muscle memory.
The Spring Season ends on Monument Street
Freedom hunting on Monument Street
The last few hunts of our Spring season were in the territories off of Monument Street in Concord. This is one of the most beautiful areas that we hunt — there are huge fields, wooded pathways and river views. Cross country jumps are built into the trail system at regular intervals — nice inviting stone walls and log piles for the most part.
The Old North Bridge in Concord - our hunt's namesake.
In addition to its beauty, this is an area rich in history. At one of our last hunts I heard someone say, “you can almost feel the Minute Men’s presence in the woods.”
In Concord you are in the heart of the American Revolution, where the first day of fighting took place. We are, after all, Old North Bridge Hounds, and while we don’t hunt through Minute Man National Park, we are very near to it. This is a town that still has a very rural feel to it. There is a lot of open space and in the spring everything is lusciously, radiantly green.
My last hunt of the season came on a hot, steamy Tuesday. The temperatures were approaching 80 degrees by the time we ended. Luckily, the hounds hunted at a leisurely pace, taking time to cool off in the Concord River a few times along the way.
Because of the heat we only hunted two casts that morning, which was probably enough. Freedom felt great, despite the heat. We were the second horse in the first flight and had a clear view of the hounds working.
We caught some good jumps. As his confidence has grown this season I’ve been asking him to jump the larger or more complicated jumps in the territory. On this hunt I added an in and out — two stone walls placed at an odd distance apart. The jumps ride as a short two strides. Several years ago I learned the hard way on Kroni that if you don’t come into those fences right they ride at a very awkward stride and a half. Freedom jumped in big over the first fence but checked very nicely and handled the second without a problem.
This might have been helped by the fact that I upgraded his hunting bit to a pelham. I found that the Kimberwicke didn’t offer enough enough subtly and he was starting to lean on it. He has more respect for the pelham and he was very ratable to all the fences.
I wish I’d known that day that Freedom had an abscess brewing that would keep us from the last hunt of the season. But perhaps I wouldn’t have enjoyed it any more than I already did.
