Riding with Los Altos Hounds --- Guidelines for Members and Guests. Hunting

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1 Riding with Los Altos Hounds --- Guidelines for Members and Guests Hunting Goals Los Altos Hounds has three goals: preserving the land where we ride; promoting the safety of riders, horses and hounds; and providing an enjoyable day in the field. Learning and following the traditions, etiquette, behavior and attire of the sport promotes those goals. Risk Foxhunting and its related activities, like all equestrian pursuits, can be hazardous, and each person rides at his or her own risk. Before riding, each participant (or a parent of participants under 18) must sign LAH s Waiver and Release of Liability form. It is available from the Field Secretary at any riding activity. Foxhunting A misnomer. We emphasize the chase, not killing, and we do not pursue foxes. Our members enjoy nature and animals, riding over beautiful country and observing wildlife in its habitat. This is not a firearms sport. At several locations, we drag hunt, laying an artificial scent line for the hounds to follow. Punctuality For all activities, arrive early with sufficient time to handle paperwork and social interests. At mounted events, plan to saddle up early and walk horses around to warm up and relax. We will not delay hunting or other activities for latecomers. At some locations, landowners will not permit late arrivals to ride out independently in search of the group. Guests LAH welcomes guests and prospective new members at nearly all activities. For hunting, non-members pay a capping fee, a contribution toward the club s cost of providing an opportunity to hunt. Hosts Guests are invited by a member to ride. This person acts as the host for a guest. Hosts are responsible for their guests safety and conduct and will remain with them throughout the activity. At least one day ahead, a host will request permission from one of the Masters of Foxhounds, and notify the Honorary Secretary or Field Secretary a guest will attend. On the given day, and before riding, the host or guest will present the capping fee and signed release form to the Field Secretary. Without interfering in preparation for the day s sport, the host will introduce the guest to the MFHs and Field Masters. Alternatively, some people discover us and contact a member who refers them to a Master or Secretary or Membership Chair who provides the necessary information Attire Ideally, riders wear traditional English style hunting clothes and tack. During the formal hunt season (Mid- October to April) this includes formal attire on weekends and holidays, and ratcatcher or informal attire during autumn hound training and on weekdays. Formal attire consists of a dark coat; collarless shirt with white stock tie; plain gold pin; tan breeches and tall, plain, black dress boots. Gentlemen with colors may wear scarlet coats, white breeches and brown tops on their boots. All riders MUST wear some form of protective headgear; a helmet with chin harness is strongly encouraged on all days and is required for riders under 18. A black velvet cap or cover is preferred. Informal attire consists of a lighter colored, tweed or patterned jacket, shirt with necktie, choker or stock, in any pleasing color; tan or brick breeches, and black or brown dress or field boots. Riders may wear gloves and a vest on any day, for warmth and comfort. Formal attire is acceptable on informal days. See also the Attire Grid. We do not require guests to buy an entirely new wardrobe to try out the sport. If a person lacks any of the items above, they are still welcome to participate. Wear something comfortable, neat and conservative. Leave at home the flashy color-coordinated outfits popular in other sports. Long hair should be secured in a braid or hair net. Western style riders are welcome, too.

2 In extreme weather, the MFHs will adjust their expectations. Jackets may be optional on hot days, rain gear may be worn when advisable, and in colder temperatures, riders may be permitted to wear less traditional outer gear to remain comfortable. Come prepared for all conditions! Saddlery Plain leather tack is traditional and best suited for hunting. Few advances have improved upon the styles developed over 100 years ago. Use whatever bit will manage the horse, usually more than needed at home and in familiar settings. Martingales, flash nosebands and leg boots are fine, but the less hardware, the better. Polo wraps or bandages are not advisable. Breastplates or breast collars are recommended, especially in hilly country. A plain, white, contoured pad is preferred. Any additional supportive pads or equipment should be plain and simple. Again, we will not refuse participants because they lack the appropriate equipment. Come try hunting in gear familiar to horse and rider. Those who like it acquire what they need for long-term enjoyment of the sport. For safety, carry a pocketknife and wire cutters. Horses and Riding Ability Any breed of horse is welcome, but the horse must be fit, sure-footed on uneven terrain and well mannered in a group. This often requires more hardware than at home. Martingales are often helpful, and neck straps are not scorned. Practice at home with your equipment before using it in the field. Do not assume your horse will behave just because he is quiet on trail rides or in the ring. Fields Two or even three different groups will follow hounds at most meets. The Field or First Field will walk, trot, gallop and jump solid fences up to 3 6. The Hilltoppers, or Second Field, will generally keep pace with the First Field, but will pass through gates. A New Entry or Third Field will follow at a distance, when a leader is available, moving slowly to allow green riders and horses to settle into the sport. All horses and riders must be capable of crossing small ditches and water, climbing and descending hills. Courtesy to Hounds, Staff, and Members Followers must stay together as a group. Stay behind the Field Master, neither crowding nor lagging. Heed all instructions! Allow more experienced horses and riders to go first and give a lead. They know the territory and the way hounds work. Riders must ask permission to change fields, and notify each Field Master when departing or joining. Riders may go in early, but only with permission and directions from the Field Masters. And, at the day s end, be sure to thank them all. Avoid interfering with hounds; pay attention to where they are; stay back, stand aside and face the horse s head toward any hound that passes. Do not talk to the hounds. When stopped at a check, stand or walk around quietly, restricting conversation. Avoid unnecessary talking whenever hounds are working. Avoid wearing perfume or cologne that might distract hounds scenting. At jumps, take your turn with enough space to avoid jumping on a fallen rider ahead. If you have a refusal, circle back and jump last or retire to the Hilltopper Field. If you wish to take a slower approach, wait until the end of the queue. Horses that may kick should wear a red tail ribbon. This does not relieve the rider of responsibility. If a horse kicks, the rider should take it to the back of the Field, or out to the side. Runaways should go to the slowest Field or retire. It is nice to thank the huntsman, staff and landowners for a day in the field. Courtesy to Landowners Without the land, we would be just a group of riders with lots of pretty, friendly dogs. Treat the property even better than if it were your own. Ride quietly around cultivated or irrigated fields and past livestock. When possible, try to stay on ranch roads and cause as little damage to grass as possible. Your own dog is best left at home, although at some countries it may be welcome but only at the trailer area. Gates Leave gates as found, open or closed. Pass along the status of the gate to any behind, or if unable to communicate, close or put the gate into the condition it should remain. Anyone closing a gate is assisted by one other rider, to help with horses. All others continue on with the field. Land Conditions Report damaged jump panels or fences, broken water troughs or apparently distressed livestock to the Field Master. Larking Avoid jumping unnecessarily. When hounds are not hunting, use gateways.

3 Absolutely no smoking in the field, or anywhere on the landowner s property. Never use ranch equipment or tools, including hoses, without permission. Parking When arriving at a meet, check with the MFHs or landowner representative about where to park a truck and trailer. Avoid blocking driveways, doorways or access to corrals and other facilities on the property. Avoid blocking other vehicles, or parking close so horses are crowded. Check ground conditions carefully to ensure you can pull out when it s time to leave. Close all trailer doors when not in use. A barn cat or other creature might crawl inside. Hounds may get in and cause damage when hacking through the area. Cleaning up Unless a wash rack is made available, wash your horse with sponge and bucket rather than a hose. Bathing one horse is rarely a problem, but bathing twenty horses creates a muddy mess on someone else s land. Unless a dump spot is made available, rake up all manure and fallen hay from the ground, put it back in the trailer and take it home with you. Ask if you are unsure. Pick up all trash and take it home. Other LAH Activities LAH Hunt Clinics Several inexpensive, geographically diverse opportunities to school your horse and yourself so hunting will be enjoyable. Work on hills, riding in groups, jumping, conditioning. Classes for all levels of horse and rider. Fun as well as informative. Come surprise yourself! Hound Exercises Walking out hounds helps them get and stay fit and trains puppies to follow the huntsman. It is done on foot, on bicycles or on horseback. This is an ideal opportunity for those who enjoy the hounds to help the huntsman exercise them and train them to stay in a pack by going on walks with them, as well as an excellent way to introduce horses to hounds. There is no charge for this activity, which occurs at the kennels all year round. Autumn Hound Training Pre-season training hunts, to introduce or enter young hounds and tune up the rest of the pack. These meets at various locations must start early in the morning, as the scenting conditions decline with high temperatures. Local overnight arrangements are available near most countries. They offer an ideal opportunity for interested people, new members, members with new horses, or those who enjoy the hounds to get comfortable riding in a group over open country with hounds. Such training rides will be held at varying paces, starting slow early on, increasing as the weeks unfold and hounds get more fit. Several groups or fields, based on skill and experience level, will follow the hounds as they get in shape for the season. Casual attire. Contact the MFHs Katie Graham, , katiegrah117@yahoo.com, or Mindi Baxter, , Mindimb@aol.com. Capping fee, $30 all non-members (anyone who has not paid dues for the current season). Mock Hunts A Mock Hunt does not include hounds but does simulate the process of foxhunting. These are held prior to and during the formal hunting season. We encourage riders of all ages and experience. This is a good opportunity to learn about the traditions and activities of foxhunting and to introduce your horse to open country riding with other horses. We will have a jumping and a non-jumping group. Capping fees are lower than regular hunts.

4 Suggested Equipment Checklist Following are some ideas for things to pack when coming to hunt. The list may seem excessive, but many ranches are remote and all kinds of situations can arise. Tack Bridle Breastplate/collar Martingale (if needed) Stirrup bar dees, to attach martingales, etc. (much stronger and safer than saddle dee rings) Saddle and girth Shaped (not square) white pad/therapeutic pad Extra girth, stirrup and leather Alternate bit Stable Gear Extra halter, lead rope Leather punch Screwdriver, crescent wrench, hammer Water bucket and minimum 5 gallons water per horse (camping water jugs work well) Sponge, sweat scraper, wash bucket (separate from drinking bucket--liniment isn t very tasty) Sweat sheet or cooler Hay net or bag, extra hay Trash bags, clean rags, towels Grooming tools Flashlight Manure fork, shovel, muck bucket Baling twine or wire Equine First Aid items Spare set of horseshoes Rasp, nippers, clincher, nails, hammer Clothing Hunt coat Vest Stock tie, pin Boots Spurs Gloves Rain gloves (cotton or synthetic) Hard hat (chin strap encouraged) Spare change of clothes Rain jacket Personal Human first aid kit Paper towels, TP Baby wipe cloths Folding chair Ice chest with drinks Extra hair nets, gloves, stock, pin Boot jack, boot pulls, baby powder Emergency information (name, emergency contact, health insurance info, medical conditions, allergies, etc. Put on card in your pocket and in your vehicle) Wire cutters (Leatherman) in leather saddle case or on belt Vehicle AAA Plus Service (tow trailer/truck or 100 miles) or roadside assistance Extra fuses Jumper cables or battery starter Diagram of trailer plug wiring Spare tire, lug wrench Jack (strong enough to lift trailer with horses inside) Trailer blocks Extra quart oil, transmission fluid Extra set of belts, hoses for truck Fire extinguisher Tow rope Miscellaneous Copy of LAH roster Area maps, directions Cell phone (ring turned off while riding!) Snacks to carry in your (pocket: energy bars, granola bar, candy, etc. Bungee cords, plastic cable ties

5 Suggested Reading List Books Riding to Hounds in America An Introduction for Foxhunters By William P. Wadsworth, MFH Published by The Chronicle of the Horse, Inc. P.O. Box 46 Middleburg, VA Foxhunting in North America A Comprehensive Guide for Organized Foxhunting in the United States and Canada, 1985 By Alexander Mackay Smith, MFH American Foxhunting Stories By Alexander Mackay Smith, MFH Published by Millwood House, Ltd. P.O. Box 38 Millwood, VA ISBN Periodicals: Covertside Published by the MFHA Morven Park, P.O. Box 2420 Leesburg, VA fax The Chronicle of the Horse (540) (540) P.O. Box 46 Middleburg, VA The Manual of Horsemanship, Book 2 pp. 244, 245, Conditioning for Foxhunting The Official Manual for the United States Pony Club On Hunting By Roger Scruton Yellow Jersey Press Trafalgar Square Publishing Box 257H North Pomfret, VT ISBN Foxhunting How to Watch and Listen By Hugh J. Robards, MFH The Derrydale Press, Foxhunter s Library 2006 ISBN-13:

6 Attire Grid When? Casual Informal- Ratcatcher Formal - Everyone Formal- with Colors Hound Training, Weekday Meets, Local Trail rides, Hound Exercises Weekend, Holiday Meets, Away Race Meets Hunter Pace Meets, some Saturday meets Headgear Type Headgear Appearance Shirt Neckwear Helmet (ASTM approved, with permanent safety harness recommended for adults, required for those under 18 years old) Any color or material Brown, navy or black velvet covered Black or navy velvet (preferred) Polo or casual shirt, sweater Shirt White or yellow shirt Bandana or none Stock, choker or neck tie (color ok) White stock tie with plain gold pin Jacket Windbreaker or none Tweed or any color hunt style coat (not black) Black frock or show coat Buttons on jacket Anything Plain, compliment coat color Plain black Gloves Men-scarlet frock Women-black or navy Men-engraved brass Women-engraved black Any plain, simple color Tan or light brown Tan or light brown Tan or light brown or, for men, white Lower Body/Legwear Breeches, jeans, tights; Chaps, half-chaps ok Tan, rust breeches or jodhpurs Foot gear Footwear with heels, firm sole Brown or black tall boots, dress or field boots Appointments Raingear Whip or crop, spurs as needed. Hunting whip with colors. Tan, canary breeches Tall black dress boots (no laces) As needed. Avoid materials that upset horses or designs that may snag in covert. String or synthetic gloves. Rubber boots OK. Men-white breeches Women-tan or canary breeches Boot tops: Men tan on black dress boots Women - black patent on black dress boots Note: Formal attire is ALWAYS acceptable. Children may wear informal or casual attire at any time. Colors are special adornment awarded to members for service and skill in the field: engraved buttons, collar colors and, for men, scarlet coats, worn only as formal attire. Clipping horses is recommended to prevent their overheating and to facilitate cleanup. Manes should be pulled or roached. Braided manes are encouraged at Opening and Closing Meets. Revised 3/07