by Merri Musso, MFH

HUNT SEASON PREPARATION

Now is the time to get both you and your horse prepared for the upcoming hunt season that is right around the corner. Waiting for the leaves to fall is too late!

Rider

    Time to cut down on those summer sweats and umbrella drinks and get some cardio-vascular exercise. If we expect our horses to be fit, so should we. Biking, yoga, jogging, walking out hounds at kennels are all a wake-up call to those muscles in summer mode. Check your hunt clothes and make sure they are clean; buttons and stitching are good and appropriate (check PAH website for attire) to fit your fabulous figure.

Horse

   Time to get those marvelous steeds out of the field and back to work. Think of what problems you may have had last season and address them. Call the vet and get a checkup (teeth, shots, coggins, worming) and a lameness evaluation. Often, those attitude problems can be attributed to pain. Clean them up by pulling mane, trim, and get shoes. You should be riding AT LEAST 2x a week. Best fitness for horse and rider is trotting. Incorporate hills, ditches, water crossings, and jumping gymnastics. Break up your riding routine (whether on trails or ring) into 3 equal portions of warm-up, training and cool down. Doing these suggestions will make for a more enjoyable hunt season for both horse and rider. Remember. The outside of the horse is good for the inside of the person!

Tack

   Time to get that green mold off the tack and check for weak points and stitching. Make sure your saddle and girth fit your horse correctly making adjustments due to weigh changes. Correctly adjust your bridle and bit to your horses needs. Thoroughly give your tack a good cleaning and oiling before the season starts. Cleaning your tack well now, makes for easier regular cleaning after each hunt.

Remember, being properly appointed shows respect for yourself and the traditions of foxhunting

CHECK LIST

Rider:

   -exercise-bike, yoga, jog, walk out hounds

   -hunt clothes-clean, buttons, stitching and fit

Horse:

  -vet checkup-teeth, shots, coggins, worming, lameness

  -clean up-mane, trim, shoes

  -exercise-AT LEAST 2x a week trotting hills, water, ditches, jumps

Tack:

check weak points, stitching                                                                                   

adjust bridle, bit and saddle

thoroughly clean and oil