Fox Hunting Etiquette
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If you are going to participate in a hunt, you need to keep in mind that there is definite fox hunting etiquette that needs to be followed. Failure to follow proper rules of fox hunting etiquette will result in embarrassment of all involved.
In regards to landowners, you owe them respect and need their permission for fox hunting on their property. If you open a gate you should shut it, if you break something, you either repair it yourself or report it immediately to the owner. You should be extremely careful when smoking on someone else’s land, and should avoid it altogether in the dry seasons.
It is disrespectful to landowners while fox hunting on their property to jump fences unnecessarily. It indicates to them that you are too lazy to erect training structures on your own time with your own materials. Fox hunting etiquette dictates that you do not jumping fences unnecessarily. Doing this reflects poorly on fox hunting and fox hunters.
Another piece of fox hunting etiquette is that you should never crowd the Huntsman. The Huntsman always has right of way. It is important to stay clear of the Huntsman and the pack. You should pull your horse well away from hounds passing you and have the horse face the hounds.
It is also important fox hunting etiquette to give the Whipper-In the right of way at all times. You should not follow a Whipper-In when he is sent off on a point. You should also never get between a Whipper-In and the Huntsman on the road. A Whipper-In may have to turn quickly and unexpectedly, so riding beside him is bad fox hunting etiquette.
In regards to the hounds, fox
hunting etiquette requires that you keep away from the hounds at all times. A hound distrusts strange horses and will be unable to hunt if it is worried about the horse. Hounds know that even the quietest horse will kick at a strange dog.
A big part of fox hunting etiquette is courtesy to the other riders. If your horse kicks, warn other riders with a red ribbon in his tail. This does not absolve you of responsibility for your horse’s actions, but it is courteous.
Another courtesy for other riders is to immediately yield the right of way if your horse refuses a jump. You also need to make sure that the rider before you at a jump has cleared the obstacle safely before you jump. Fox hunting is a lot of fun if you understand the rules of etiquette.
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