Down Bloodhounds

Clothing:

The Down Bloodhounds colours are black jackets with a red collar to be worn with cream jodhpurs and black boots. Please note this is only intended as a guide – not a fixed set of rules. Don’t let it put you off hunting if you haven’t got exactly the correct kit.

General Information:

Please park horseboxes and trailers sensibly.

On arrival at the meet it is customary to say “Good Morning”, find The Secretary and offer your Field Money for the day. Don’t wait for the Secretary to find you.

Always make way for the Hunt staff and Hounds. Always turn your horses head towards Hounds. If you hear someone behind you call “Hounds please” keep well out of the way, into the side to allow them to pass.

Always keep with the Field Master, do not over take them. Listen to and act on his or her instructions which may be given out at the meet or throughout the day. Followers have no right to cross private land unless in the company of the Field Master or their appointed representatives. This applies during hunting and also when hacking home.

If your horse is not behaving please take it to the back of the field so that it cannot endanger others. If your horse is likely to kick, tie a red ribbon in its tail to warn others. If your horse is new to hunting then tie a green ribbon in its tail. In both these cases it is better to keep towards the back of the field. Putting a ribbon in your horses tail does not mean you can forget about his manners, it is still your responsibility to avoid accidents to people, horses and hounds.

When going through a gateway wait your turn, do not crowd in. Every follower is responsible for making sure that gates are closed. Never leave a gate open - if in doubt SHUT IT! If you are unable to close it yourself please don’t leave until you are certain someone else has closed it. Always thank anyone who deals with a gate for you. If you are the next to last to pass through the gateway do not ride off and leave the last person to close it alone.

If your horse stops at a jump, clear the way for following riders immediately.

We must use our common sense to avoid causing any damage to growing crops. Keep to the headland (an uncultivated strip at the edge of a field), sometimes fairly wide but often a very narrowband necessitating that you proceed in single file - which really does mean one behind the other!

If you come across livestock be they penned, grazing or surrounded by electric fencing, always walk your horse past them.

If waiting in the road always be aware of and allow vehicles to pass and thank them with a smile for slowing down or waiting.

Neither the Hunt nor any farmer or landowner can be held responsible for any accident or injury to horse or rider or anyone else who follows the hunt. Hunting can be dangerous and it is your responsibility to take all reasonable care and caution for the sake of yourself and other in the Field. Above all we wish to encourage everyone to have a safe and enjoyable day.