“Riding to Hounds in America, An Introduction for Foxhunters” by William P. Wadsworth, MFH

(excerpts reprinted by permission of Chronicle of the Horse)

The Horse

…the most important thing is control. You must be able to rate him without a battle to any speed desired, at any gait, alone or in company. He should be used to going in the company of other horses without excitement, and should leave them or be left by them at your command and without argument….the most important gait in a hunter is the halt. …

Tack

…in general, the less tack you need to ride your horse comfortably, the less you should put on him….it should be cleaned and cared for like a Marine’s rifle. …regarding a hunting bridle. …the brow band is always plain… the bridle always has a noseband…the running martingale can be most dangerous and some hunts frown on its use. The standing martingale, properly adjusted is considerably less dangerous and the Irish martingale is practically as safe as no martingale at all. Breastplates are for use on herring-gutted horses to keep the saddle from slipping back. They are also a potential hand hold…but a mane just long enough to get a grip on is a much more secure hold...Sandwich cases or flasks (never both) may be carried …

Clothing and Equipment

Proper hunting attire is rigidly conventional for two reasons. In the first place, over the years that people have been hunting, a form of clothing has been developed that comes closest to the most practical under the average conditions of weather and terrain….in the second place, some of the pleasure derived by those who hunt…and much of the pleasure derived by those who watch…comes from the feeling of tradition, and from the spectacle …

…like your tack, your clothing…must be well fitting, workmanlike and spotlessly clean and neat…

A hard hat should always be worn. …a word to the ladies about hair. Unless very close-cut, your hair should be done up ina tight and inconspicuous do….that will keep it out of trouble; once done up, it should be imprisoned in a hair net or other inconspicuous device to keep it that way.

cubbing season. At this time, the proper dress is what is known as ‘ratcatcher.’..

Coat: brown or gray tweed or white linen…cut as a short riding coat (no belt or pleats), cut in center rear to avoid bunching up on saddle.”

Breeches: tan, buff or brown… “

Boots: black or brown plain, without tops or lacings. Brown worn only for cubbing…)

Hat: Black or brown (the latter not acceptable except for cubbing) …

Shirt: Soft, with necktie or white or colored stock. …white is always correct. Colors never worn except in cubbing. The stock whenever worn should be fastened with a plain gold safety pin.

Gloves: Optional…white string, brown leather or yellow chamois.”

Spurs: Optional.

Hunting Whip: Crop with thong and lash should be carried.

Beginning with opening meet, masters prefer that their fields dress more formally than in cubbing…in most cases, the novice would be comfortable in ….White stock, canary waistcoat, tan breeches, black boots without tops, spurs (black straps) black or oxford grey short riding coat with plain black buttons, black hunting bowler (cap).

Gentlemen have a more formal costume, which is correct on any occasion until they have received the right to wear the colors and hunt button. It is as follows:White stock, canary waistcoat, white breeches …black boots with brown tops and white boot garters, spurs (black straps), black melton frock coat cut with slightly rounded fronts on skirts, no outside pockets and reinforced hunting top hat. …brass hunt buttons ordinarily are never worn with a black coat.

As a mark of distinction, regular followers and supporters may be given the right by the master to wear the hunt button, which means that the buttons on their coat and waistcoat will bear the hunt insignia. In the United States….those wearing this hunt button usually also wear the colors of the hunt on their coat collars.

…ladies…do not (unless an MFH) wear scarlet nor do they wear brass buttons on their coats. When ladies receive the button, they continue in the same uniform, but wear the distinctive hunt colors on their collar and may wear brass hunt buttons on the waistcoats, and in the back of their hats as an attachment for the cord. ..

Gentlemen with the button turn out dresses as the staff except that the cap is replaced by a hunting top hat and the skirts of the coats are rounded in front (not square).

The Day Before

…it is not only bad form but bad judgment to be late at a meet. ..

Hounds

Organization in the Field ….the Master or MFH is in overall command of the hunt and his wod is final in field and in kennels. ….he is responsible that hounds show the best possible sport under existing conditions, and he is responsible that the hounds, the staff, and the field neither damage nor annoy the landowners who make the sport possible. …the huntsman controls the hounds..attempts to be sure that hounds work together as a pack by encouraging the tail hounds and steadying the lead hounds and in case of a check must be prepared to assist hounds to recover the line by use of a cast if necessary. …the huntsman is assisted in the control of hounds by one or more whippers-in, frequently , but improperly referred to as “whips.” A whipper-in assists the huntsman in controlling the hounds by turning them back to the huntsman or by encouraging them forward to him as necessary. He is also used by the huntsman as a scout … The field…. is controlled by the fieldmaster who may ride at the head of it. He is responsible that the field does not interfere with hounds in their work and also that the field avoids damage to landowners.

The Hunting Day

The Meet

Keep your eyes and ears open, your voice down and your mouth usually shut. ..locate and placate the secretary..and pay your respects to the master. Conversation with him ..at this time to a “ good morning, master’ accompanied by tipping the hat, if a gentleman or a nod if a lady.

Keep your horse away from the heels of other horses and do not aim his heels at them. ..Keep at least ten yards away from hounds at all times, much further when they are at work…if they are about to pass you, pull your horse into the ditch and turn him so that his heels are aimed toward the fence with his head facing hounds. ..If your horse kicks a hound, even if you are lucky and no permanent damage is done, all concerned will be put into such a state of trauma that the chances of sport will be reduced for hours…..finally the master nods to the huntsman…the first whipper-in (says) hounds, please to clear the way

Hunting Etiquette

…in a hunting country, your actions while mounted reflect for good or for ill on the hunt. The hunt…is the guest of the farmer (landowner)…greet the farmer (landowner)…politely and pleasantly if you meet them.

Courtesy to Other Riders

If you cannot control your horse train him or sell him…If he kicks occasionally, braid a red ribbon in his tail as a warning. ..do not crowd against other horses..if you see a ..hole.turn your head to the rear and say “’ware hole” in a tone just loud enough to reach the rider next behind. .. and point at the hole with your hunting whip…if you go to a gate the last man through is expected to close it.