What do you really chase? For the most part, we chase coyote. The emphasis of the sport is on the chase. We mainly pursue coyotes until they run out of the country that we are allowed to hunt. We do not carry guns.
How many hounds do you have and what kind are they? We have about 50 crossbred, American and English foxhounds in our kennel. They are trained daily by our professional huntsman. They are friendly and happy, and our most involved members know them all by name. While they are working, they work, but when on break, they enjoy a pet and a scratch behind the ear just like your dog at home. Occasionally, there are opportunities to adopt retired foxhounds.
When do you hunt? We hunt approximately September through March, every weekend and some weekdays. The dates, times and locations can be found on the fixture card.
How long do you ride? A typical hunt is 2 to 3 hours long.
Do you really hunt in winter? Doesn't it get cold? In the winter it can get cold, but wearing layers helps. People figure out and share little tricks to keep warm, and the horses do very well in the cold with mindful care by their people. Canceling a hunt is unusual.
Don't the horses slip and fall? Horses are the original All Terrain Vehicles and if left barefoot can do quite well in most conditions. Even in deep snow, a fall is unusual. For those horses who require shoes, borium can be added by a farrier for extra grip.
I'm a man and men don't wear sissy breeches. Is it required to be a participating member of the hunt? Many modern day men have voiced a similar concern, until they remember that breeches were originally dashing and daring attire for men, and the women wore skirts and rode sidesaddle. There is a logical reason for wearing breeches--it is much nicer to ride in breeches than jeans, as breeches have no raised seams to wear on skin.
Is this another horse sport where women vastly outnumber men? Nope. It is about 50/50, so it is occasionally all about truck envy, with enough fabulous women around to make it interesting and smell nice. Both women and men hold leadership roles in the hunt.
Do I and my horse have to jump to join the hunt? No, there is always a gate group and a way to get around the jumps.
How much does it cost to join and what are the benefits? The rate card shows how affordable it is to join us. We are one of the most affordable hunts in the country and one of the best equestrian values for the dollar anywhere. We hunt over 100 times a year between our fall hunting in Iowa and our winter hunting in Kansas. We have a wonderful formal hunt ball opening hunt weekend, hunter paces, a horse show and so much more.
What is the best way to get started? The Invitational Hunts are the easiest times to get your feet wet. Those days are set up for people to learn about foxhunting. Dress is informal and western or english tack is equally acceptable. If you are interested in trying hunting at a different time of year than the Mock or Invitational Hunts, you can contact the Master and request permission to cap, which is to hunt as a guest. Correct attire is required to cap, though some leeway is allowed. Capping requires a $30 donation per outing ($50 for members of other hunts, juniors under 18 ride free) and there is a lifetime limit of three caps per person.
Aren't there a bunch of really arcane rules with foxhunting? If I break them will I be publicly humiliated? The etiquette of foxhunting is very straightforward and mostly consists of thoughtfulness of riders for landowners, people, horses and hounds. The Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is the credo of foxhunting.
What breed of horse do I need? Any breed is welcome.
