I'm going fox hunting for the first time next week and I must admit I'm rather nervous
. I mainly take part in dressage and showjumping and although I go out competing every weekend I'm some what nervous about hunting as it's very much out of my comfort zone. I suppose I just want to try something new and I've heard so much about it over the years I feel like it's time I had a go. I'm going on my one mare who I know I can trust and although she's very strong she has a heart of gold and as she's gone hunting before with previous owners I think it's time I have it a go and went with her.
I decided to give my tack a good check over and get everything ready for it so that I know I'm prepared and safe on the day. I firstly decided to check that I had my best safety stirrups. At least with my best safety stirrups I knew they weren't going to break on me as I know it's a strenuous days riding and I need to be safe when I'm going across open fields.
I also make sure I checked all my stitching on my tack so that we were going to be as safe as possible. I don't want to have anything break when I set off so it's worth giving it a good check and clean.
I decided to change the bit in my comfort bridle. Although I had intended to ride her in a stronger bit anyway I've had so many people suggest it so It's well worth changing it in my comfort bridle.
I thought I'd pack a few extra rugs too so that my mare would be nice and warm when she came back from her days hunting all sweaty. At this time of year the last thing I want is for her to get sweat chills because she's been left cold after exercising hard.
I also thought it would be worth having some bandages at the ready so she can have her legs wrapped up if the grounds been a little hard.