Meet the two mules who went bloodhounding on the two biggest meets of the year, behaved impeccably and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Miley and Willow, owned by Joanna Lowes, turned some heads at the Three Counties Bloodhounds Boxing Day meet, and again on New Year’s Day, with Joanna and her partner Joey Pryce on board.

Joanna told H&H the two molly mules had been on fun rides and in busy atmospheres, but nothing like the town and city centres where the meets were held, after which they enjoyed cantering on the beach and jumping the fences.

“They just lapped it up,” she said. “They were so calm with all that environment; other horses were dancing and prancing around, and they just sort of stood still, quite happily accepted kids coming up to stroke them, and just stood there and absorbed it.

“They did cause a bit of a stir; one horse in particular didn’t like them and wanted to keep quite a distance but on the whole, they were so well received. I did email the master in advance, to say ‘Would it be ok if we bring two mules?’ They said as long as they were well behaved, that was fine. And a few people commented afterwards that they were the best behaved out of everybody out on the day.”

Joanna said she worked with mules while she was an assistant to Monty Roberts, and there was something about their character she “fell in love with”.

“So when I saw one going cheap on Facebook marketplace, I went to have a look, picked her up and brought her home,” she said. “I backed her and got her riding, she started going out to do a few little showjumping competitions, then somebody on Facebook saw this and contacted me. They said they had a mule that was fairly troublesome, a bit bigger. She hadn’t really settled and due to personal circumstances, they couldn’t take her where they were going, and would I have her. So I ended up being gifted a second mule.”

So Willow, who stands about 15hh, came to join 14.2hh Miley, and was clearly the perfect mount for Joey.

“He’d never ridden a mule before he met me,” Joanna said. “And never thought he would!

“But he saw me riding her a few times, and I think by the time we’d gone through a bit of training and she was trotting and cantering quite nicely, he was actually itching to get on board. People laugh now that we’ve got a his and hers mule pack!”

Joanna said she likes the way mules’ brains work in general in a different way to horses’; they do not have the same flight instinct.

“They think through things a lot more; they internalise their feelings a lot more,” she said. “I think they’re harder to work with and harder to train, but that makes it so much more rewarding when they are on your side, and they do perform, and do well.

“If you grow up on the side of a mountain and get chased by something, there’s no benefit to running, as I understand it, they’re much better to stand still and just deliver a well-timed kick. In regards to training them, it’s got to be obvious there’s something in it for them. Training them with force or any overuse of pressure just doesn’t work, you end up with a resistant animal. But when you overdo the positive side and really make it clear that they’ll get a reward for compliance, they try to move mountains for you.”

More bloodhounding mules?

Joanna said she would love to see mules ridden more in this country; in the US this is much more common but in this country, “they’re often just here by accident”.

Asked what she would say to anyone who had not considered a mule, she added: “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

“Their movement is a bit different to horses; it takes a bit of getting used to. Imagine riding a cow, a very opinionated cow! And they honk; they do sort of a cross between a neigh and a bray with a sort of a honk in the middle. So when they do start going, they make quite a noise.

“It’s very obvious when they’re not enjoying something; those huge ears are like satellites, so when they do put them back, you do notice it. Willow, for certain, is very clear. If she doesn’t like something, the tail starts swishing, the ears go back and she’ll shut down and just say no, so you change the question and she says ‘All right’.”

Joanna said the ground is a bit too deep for the eight-year-olds’ tiny hooves at the moment so the plan is some unaffiliated dressage and jumping. And she joked that if a mammoth donkey stallion could be put to a thoroughbred mare, “I could breed an eventing mule”.

“Imagine that in six years’ time, going round Badminton grassroots on a mule, that would be the dream,” she said. “But don’t put that in Horse & Hound, someone will hold me to it!”

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The unique appeal of the bloodhound dog breed lies in its extraordinary scenting abilities and distinctive physical characteristics. Nicknamed the “sleuth hound”, they are renowned for possessing the keenest sense of smell among all dog breeds. Bloodhounds are often employed in tracking and search-and-rescue operations. It is the only breed whose evidence is admissible in court to match crime scene findings to criminals. They’re also used in drag hunting or “hunting the clean boot”.

Their long, droopy ears and loose, wrinkled skin give them a striking appearance, while their soulful, expressive eyes add to their charm. Despite their somewhat solemn demeanour, bloodhounds are known for their gentle and friendly nature. They have a naturally docile, patient and loyal temperament.

The historical and cultural significance of the bloodhound adds to its allure. The breed’s lineage can be traced back centuries, and its use in tracking and trailing has been well-documented throughout history. This rich heritage, combined with the bloodhound’s versatility whether as a working dog or a devoted companion, attracts those who appreciate a breed with a storied past, unwavering loyalty, and an exceptional aptitude for scent detection. While most of us aren’t involved in gathering crime scene evidence or search-and-rescue, for those who have these marvellous hounds in their home, you can join in with bloodhound working trials for those who enjoy a challenge and want to let their bloodhound’s talent shine.

Bloodhound dog breed: fact file

Size: large

Daily exercise: more than two hours a day

Coat: short, shedding

Colours: black and tan, liver, liver and tan, red. Dark brown or hazel eyes.

Lifespan: less than 10 years

Bark: loud and vocal

History: the breed has been developed in Britain since the 12th century, and its origins may go back even earlier to the St Hubert monastery in Belgium. The bloodhound was originally used to hunt deer and wild boar, but also in tracking humans, to chase thieves and raiders in the middle ages. Bloodhounds were used to prevent the St Hubert breed on the Continent from going extinct, and they are now considered to be the same breed.

Distinctive features: long, substantial, yet narrow, the bloodhound has a noble and dignified appearance, with a long, narrow head and a solemn, wise and powerful expression. Loose skin, powerful and strong physique with swinging movement. Long, soft ears falling in elegant folds.

Temperament: affectionate, reserved and sensitive, never aggressive either to humans or other dogs. They may look lazy with their droopy ears and saggy skin, but they are full of energy and stamina and love the outdoors.

Things to consider: in common with other large, deep-chested dogs, bloodhounds can experience the potentially fatal condition of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), when the stomach twists.

Their long ears need to be checked frequently for any signs of infection, as well as the wrinkles on their body daily.

They are indiscriminate eaters, so find out what foods are harmful to dogs and be careful to hide away anything that is inappropriate or toxic. Remember how tall they are, and therefore their reach once on their hindlegs.

They tend to drool, which is off-putting for some potential dog owners.

As they are a substantial dog, one of the best large breed puppy foods is advisable, and – of course – they’ll need one of the best beds for large dogs.

Training: as a brilliant, independent and determined working scent hound, bloodhounds need professional and consistent training to bring out the best in them. Remember that they have been bred to be a working dog, and need plenty of exercise and stimulation or they can develop destructive habits and love to help themselves to things to eat.

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Hounds are a specific sub-set of the canine species – and there is a difference between dogs and hounds. Hound breeds are distinct from other groups of dogs, and share an exceptional ability to hunt and track live prey. But within this group is a wonderful variety of different breeds. Hound dog breeds mostly fall into two main categories, scent hounds and sighthounds. Broadly speaking, the scent hounds hunt low to the ground, using their noses to track their prey. They tend to have large nostrils, droopy ears (to waft the scent towards their nose) and are usually stockier than the sight hounds, who spot their prey with their eyes and use their agility and speed to pursue it.

And even within these two categories there is plenty of variety, from the silky flowing locks of the Afghan hound to the sleek greyhound (both sighthounds) – or from the sausage-shaped Dachshund to the tall and lean English foxhound (both scent hounds). What all of them have in common is a strong prey drive, whether they follow their nose or their eyes.

7 contrasting hound breeds

Saluki

A sighthound that originates from the Middle East. It is an elegant and light-footed hound, bred to hunt hare, fox and gazelle from horseback. This hound is characterised by grace, speed and endurance, and a gentle demeanour. Their coat is typically soft and silky and many have slight feathering.

Dachshund

This scent hound originates in Germany, where they are still used for tracking wounded game such as deer, and for hunting down badger and rabbits. They have a superb hunting spirit with a good nose and are well-suited for work below ground and beating the bush. As seen above, there are three coat types: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired, and there are two sizes: miniature (which is one of the smallest dog breeds) and standard.

Beagle

Of the British pack hound breeds, the Beagle is the smallest. It is a scent hound bred to hunt primarily hare, from foot rather than horse. They are typically an amiable, upbeat and determined hound, alert, intelligent and amenable.

Irish Wolfhound

With origins in both the Middle East and Ireland, this is the tallest of all hound breeds. It is a sighthound bred for speed and strength to protect livestock from wolf packs, which were a threat on the Emerald Isle until they became extinct at the end of the 18th century. A gentle giant, they made our round-up of the largest dog breeds.

Bloodhound

A brilliant scent hound breed that has been developed in Britain since the 12th century at least. These large hounds, with their characteristic folds of skin, have been used for hunting deer and wild boar, but bloodhounds are particularly famous for being able to track humans. They are known to have best scenting ability of all breeds, being able to follow a five-day-old scent for 50 miles. A trained bloodhound’s “evidence” can be used as testimony in court.

Basset

A scent hound built low to the ground, believed to be bred for hunting hare by French monks (bas meaning low) in medieval times. They have fabulous scenting ability, second only to the bloodhound, and like the larger breed, their droopy, trailing ears help to capture the scent of whatever they are tracking. Short-legged breeds, such as the basset, were used by those hunting on foot, while longer-legged breeds were used for hunting on horseback, which was the preserve of the aristocracy and royalty.

Borzoi

Known as the wolfhound of the Russian aristocracy, this elegant sight hound is large, athletic and very fast – the word borzói means swift in archaic Russian. Dating back to the 16th century, the borzoi is probably a cross between Saluki and European sighthounds with local sheepdogs. Originally they would hunt and pursue wolves in pairs, and pin down their quarry until the human hunters arrived, but have also been used to hunt foxes, boars and hares.

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By Katrina Arnold

Nic Wheeler died on 3 April, while out with the Coakham Bloodhounds of which he was senior master and huntsman, aged 69.

As a child, Mr Wheeler learnt to ride at Beauport Park Riding School in Hastings before getting his first pony Magpie. Magpie lived in the garage and Mr Wheeler and his sister Jane used to ride on the beach and while he was at school, he hunted with the Blean Beagles. He went to the East Essex Hunt in 1973, then the West Kent in 1976, where he was in hunt service.

He became a member of the Coakham in 1989 and took over as huntsman in 1990, remaining so until he died. That year was the beginning of his greatest achievement, the breeding and schooling of the most magnificent pack of bloodhounds.

Mr Wheeler was a consummate horseman. He competed successfully at Burghley Horse Trials and was a leading point-to-point jockey in his day. He would often boast that the most he had ever paid for a huntsman’s horse was lunch for four in the local pub, and he once bought a horse for a pound. Exceptionally elegant on his horse, his picture was featured in Horse & Hound as an exemplar for the perfect position over a jump. That said, he was never heard to demean anyone else’s ability and he was fond of saying, “Remember you hunt for your own enjoyment and not for the astonishment of others.”

It was not always sunshine and laughter; when the pressure of hunting bloodhounds through a wood bristling with deer fell heavy on his shoulders, he could let loose a stream of colourful invective in order to galvanise action. However, the day always ended with his familiar catchphrase, “Well done, everybody, well done!” directed to his adoring hounds.

In later years, Mr Wheeler mellowed considerably. He had a wicked sense of humour, a twinkly eye, and a penchant for slightly dubious jokes.

It is pleasing to know he died doing what he loved and, by all accounts, he probably never even knew the end had come. There are some wonderful pictures of him laughing and smiling minutes before it happened so although those who knew him are sad, he died a happy man.

The thoughts of all of the hunt’s followers, past and present, are with his stalwart wife, Sue, who supported him in everything he did.

Rest in peace, Nic Wheeler. “Well done, everybody, well done!”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

These characterful bloodhounds put on a fast-paced day for the enthusiastic field, with plenty of jumping and fun to be had by everyone reports Will Cursham following the meet at Temple House in Lincolnshire

It may seem unlikely, but the Cranwell Bloodhounds were founded by the late Phil Broughton and his wife Wendy as a result of a children’s television programme.

“One day Phil was at a friend’s house and a Channel 4 kids’ programme called It’s a Dog’s Life was on the TV,” recounted Wendy. “Each week they featured different dogs and that week they featured the Coakham Bloodhounds.

When Phil saw the bloodhounds baying and the horses jumping, he just loved it.”

Phil and Wendy immediately went about setting up their own pack of bloodhounds: “It was 1992 and we went to visit every pack of bloodhounds we could, to get an idea of what would be involved,” recalled Wendy.

Eventually, they got drafts from the Windsor Forest Bloodhounds and the Farmers Bloodhounds, and kennelled them at their home in Cranwell in Lincolnshire. The new pack quickly established itself and Phil came to be a prominent member of the Masters of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association, acting as its vice-chairman before serving as chairman for six years. As well as being joint-master, Phil hunted hounds, with the assistance of Wendy and kennel-huntsman Frank Goddard.

The Cranwell Bloodhounds were regular entrants in the bloodhound classes at Peterborough, their crowning glories being reserve champion with Midnight in 2017 and champion with Marmite in 2018. It was only a few months after their last Peterborough success that tragedy struck.

“We lost Phil two years ago in September 2018, out hunting.

You go out with them, but come back without them. It was horrible,” said Wendy.

“It was a difficult decision to carry on without him. For a while we limped on, because people just wanted us to carry on and then I had a moment of inspiration. I asked neighbour Ben Wills if he could join me as a master. Luckily, he said he’d be delighted to. He and his wife Claire have been fantastic; there is no way I could have carried on without them.”

Meticulous planning

Ten years ago, Phil and Wendy moved to their magnificent house at Temple House, near Temple Bruer in Lincolnshire. Hounds moved with them and are kept in kennels next to the horses. Every year, they hold their opening meet here and 2020 was to be no exception – until Covid hit.

My visit was supposed to be at the usual time in November, but of course the second lockdown put paid to that, so it wasn’t until late December that I eventually found myself at Temple House to attend the rescheduled opening meet.

One of the benefits of being early to a meet is the opportunity to see behind the scenes first, and Wendy introduced me to huntsman Frank Goddard and the hounds. Frank has been with Cranwell since the beginning.

“I started in 1992. I did a youth training scheme from college, then the Cranwell took me on as kennel-huntsman,” he explained. “Apart from a one-year break when I went to a foxhound pack in Worcestershire, I have been with the Cranwell ever since. I was kennel-huntsman until Phil died, then I was appointed huntsman.”

Despite his longevity of service, Frank has the enthusiasm of a new recruit. Not only does he perform his duties as huntsman, he also organises the day’s hunting. The Cranwell invest a huge amount of effort setting up for a day, meticulously planning the “lines” and constructing fences. For today,

Frank had built 40 fences, photos of which he posted on the Cranwell’s Facebook page, to whip up excitement among its 2,500 Facebook followers.

Frank may be busy, but he was immaculately turned out, with buttons and boots shining and red coat with yellow collar spotless.

His whippers-in, who include his wife Lisa, Chris Lightfoot and Wendy, were similarly turned-out to the highest order.

“We have 16 couple here, a lot of old ones – we haven’t bred for a while, since Phil died. I normally try to take 10 couple out, but today I will struggle for seven, because ironically we now have several bitches coming into season,” Frank told me. “Bloodhounds are a lot harder to handle than foxhounds. Foxhounds are pack animals. Bloodhounds are all their own individual characters, and the odd one will just wander off. You have to have eyes at the back of your head or they will just disappear!”

A booming crescendo

Hounds could tell when they were about to be let out, because a great booming crescendo arose that put my hunter, Harold, on his toes as we hacked around the corner to the “meet”, where around 50 mounted followers had gathered despite being battered by sheets of heavy rain and gusty winds. Temple House is the ideal venue for a Covid-compliant opening meet, because followers can spread themselves out over the huge open field in which Temple House sits.

With no stirrup cup, it was left to joint-master Ben Wills to give a brief speech thanking the farmers and reminding us of Covid restrictions. We also observed a minute’s silence, in memory of the Cranwell’s amateur whipper-in, Terry Fletcher, who died recently.

“He was out hunting with us at Digby on the Sunday, on his grey Hugo, with his usual beaming smiley face, then on Wednesday he was gone. It is so sad,” said Wendy as we moved off.

The Cranwell are a little more measured than some bloodhound and draghound packs. Instead of tearing off straight from the meet, they “warm-up” with a hack to the first line. This gave me the opportunity to catch up with Ben, now in his second season as joint-master. He farms locally and knows the area inside out.

“This area is known as ‘the Heath’ and it is limestone, which means that the land is very light. It drains well and when it is too wet everywhere else, it is perfect here. The farmers around here are brilliant, too,” he said.

It is also an area where the Cranwell have been able to put in countless fences.

“There is lots of jumping today, but not all days are like this. When we go out on the Fens, it is mostly ditches; on other days, we don’t jump at all. There is something for everyone,” he added.

Soon it was time for the action to begin and Frank laid hounds on to the scent of the “quarry”, Jordan Williams. After casting about for a little while, they struck up beautifully. The field split into two parts, the jumping field following field master Danielle Longotano-Rain and the non-jumpers following Lena Carter.

The hounds had kicked into gear now and Danielle led us at a strong pace, with fences coming thick and fast. The obstacles alternated between logs and artificial fences, which were situated in the middle of the fields, and neatly trimmed – and sometimes quite tall – hedges in the fence-lines. All had been prepared by Frank and his team.

The first hedge caused the type of mayhem that you would expect to see on a particularly hectic Shires opening meet, with horses refusing and running out left, right and centre. Luckily, Tessa Ridings and Rianna Dunn managed to steer through the chaos and jump it in style, giving the rest of us a lead.

Such was the fast pace, the first line became a blur of galloping, jumping and the occasional snatched conversation. It was hard to keep track of where we were, but I was aided by the presence of the ancient Knights’ Templar tower, which was once part of a great Knights’ Templar preceptory (monastery) and

which now dominates the surrounding countryside.

Hounds racing on

There were four lines in total, which took us in a broad arc to the north of Temple Bruer, then swinging southwards to Brauncewell and back again. We could always see hounds hunting just in front of us, sometimes racing on, and sometimes faltering and casting.

“Our quarry Jordan is a bit unpredictable. He doesn’t always go exactly where he is supposed to, and he also puts in a few right-angle turns, which the lead hounds tend to overshoot, until they are corrected by the steadier ones. But this makes it more fun,” observed joint-master Ben.

There was little time to chat to fellow members of the field while hounds were hunting, but fortunately the Cranwell have short hacks between each line, which gave me the opportunity to catch up with a few followers. Among them were Helena Robertson, who has been hunting with the Cranwell since she was nine, Libby Faulkner, who was riding her marvellous Highland pony Rory, and Pony Clubbers Zara Lovelock, Grace Thompson, Phoebe Lyle and Freya Warren.

By the end of the day, we had jumped more than 40 fences and it was something of a miracle that there were only two fallers – Emma Message and Gracie de la Haye, whose horse Jackson took what Gracie described as a “self-guided tour of Lincolnshire”. Mercifully, no harm was done.

With the rain still lashing down over the Heath, Frank blew for home and we hacked back to Temple House.

“Light-hearted fun in the countryside on Sunday afternoon, that’s how I’d describe hunting with the Cranwell,” said Wendy as we washed our horses off.

That certainly summarised my day, although Harold will probably have to go and lie down in a darkened stable for a while, so exciting did he find it.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 31 December 2020

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Covid precautions are to the fore on a day with this popular, well-organised pack of bloodhounds, but so are big hedges and a great deal of fun, reports William Cursham

Forty years ago, a north Nottinghamshire farmer named Peter Boddy set up a pack of bloodhounds. At the time, the concept of “hunting the clean boot” was relatively new. Only a few packs existed, including the North Warwickshire and the Isle of Man, from which Peter obtained draft hounds.

The new pack was kennelled at his farm, located near the village of Caunton about 10 miles to the north-west of Newark. The hunt took its name from the farm, Readyfield Farm, and over the next few years established a reputation as a real “kick-on” pack, tackling the biggest of country across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire

During one of his first seasons, Peter Boddy paid a visit to John Bealby, who farmed at Broomhill Grange, near Edwinstowe, a few miles from Caunton.

“I remember Peter came to see us and asked to cross one of our farms. We said ‘yes’ and as usual as he was leaving, he said, ‘Oh, you will come with us won’t you?’ recounted Robert Bealby, John’s son. “Father had just bought a new horse and he rode that and I had his old one. It was the best day’s hunting of my life and I kept going after that.”

From that moment, Robert was hooked and Broomhill Grange became a staple of the Readyfield’s meet card. The kennels have since moved and are now at joint-master and huntsman Graham Smith’s Fox Covert Farm, but Broomhill Grange remains a favourite fixture. This isn’t just due to the generous hospitality of Robert, his wife Jane and their daughter Helen, but also the wonderful sandy ground.

“It’s a fantastic place, we come here two or three times a year; when everywhere else is hock-deep in mud, we can still come here,” explained Graham.

It was therefore appropriate that the Readyfield’s last meet before the second national Covid lockdown was at Broomhill Grange. Covid protocols were very much in evidence at the meet, with Stuart Young and his daughter Claire on the gates handing out track-and-trace forms. Both Stuart and Claire are stalwarts of the Readyfield, their farm being a second kennels, housing up to 15 couple of puppies.

It’s always a bit of a lottery hunting a horse that you have never ridden before, but with Graham Smith you are guaranteed a quality horse that can jump for England – maybe because it comes from a stable where some horses literally do jump for England (or more precisely, for Great Britain, with his wife Holly).

Graham has a real eye for a horse, having bought Dougie Douglas (Holly’s former top ride), Quarrycrest Echo (Piggy March’s mount at the World Equestrian Games in 2018) and the late Hearts Destiny as youngsters.

Seven high-quality horses piled out of Graham’s box, including Holly’s ride for the day, Daphne Douglas, a full sister to Dougie Douglas. Among them was my ride, a very smart six-year-old chestnut gelding, imaginatively named Barry.

“I used to ride that horse, but when Graham saw me jump a six-foot hedge and ditch, he decided he would ride it,” commented Nicole Lockhead Anderson (pictured), who rides for Holly.

Covid protocols

Fifty-five mounted followers had assembled, but social distancing was easily maintained as we were spread out across a large field. Joint-master and field master Andy Brown gave a stern speech, advising us of the Covid measures in place.

Andy was to lead the jumping field, while his partner Emma was leading the “optional jumping” field on the very smart Reginald, the former ride of the late and much-missed Gems McCormick.

Emma was deputising for Jo Bird as “optional jumping” field master: “I’m riding a new horse today so I thought it better not to try to field master!” explained Jo, whose husband Pete also helps out with the hunt.

One of the hallmarks of the Readyfield is its hospitality, so it must have been a wrench for them not to allow the customary stirrup cups, sausage rolls and cakes. Graham and first whipper-in Oscar Wood didn’t hang about and quickly laid hounds on, and off the pack went with their distinctive, spine-tingling “boom”.

Off we galloped into the sweeping arable country of north Nottinghamshire. The picturesque landscape of wide-open spaces dipping into small river valleys, flanked to the north by the mass of Sherwood Forest, belies an industrial past, as the area used to be home to a thriving coal-mining industry.

Indeed, Edwinstowe lies between two former collieries – Thoresby to the north, Clipstone to the south. Both are now disused, but the two Clipstone pit-heads still stand sentinel over their surroundings and provided a constant backdrop to our day.

The area is also known as “the Dukeries”, due to the fact four ducal families owned land here. It is perhaps this aristocratic connection that meant hounds have been hunting this area since the late 17th century. Today, it is hunted by the Grove and Rufford.

It is not a “classic” hunting country but it is very open and the Bealby family have put in countless fences. As hounds hunted in a big loop southwards, we flew across the light ground, popping fence after fence.

After a few minutes, we forded the River Maun, then swung up through the woods towards Edwinstowe. This involved ducking through the trees, but several members of the field, including Mark Shaw and Helen Bealby, emerged with bruises and cuts across their faces.

It is a bit of a myth that bloodhounds go hell for leather. Since they hunt the natural scent of a man (or woman), they are prone to the vagaries of scent in the same way as with traditional hunting. After a quick start, hounds had to work very hard as the scent took them towards the A607 and then left-handed past New Lodge Plantation.

“This sandy ground is great for the horses, but it doesn’t hold scent at all well,” explained Graham as he nudged them on.

We eventually caught up with the quarry, Stephen Byram, just behind Broomhill Grange, where we took our first “check”. Stephen has just taken over quarry duties from the Readyfield’s long-standing quarry, Darren Ridout. He is clearly enjoying the new experience.

“I’m training to be a Royal Marine Reserve, so running across the muddy countryside mirrors what we do in training. Being hunted by a pack of hounds adds extra adrenaline – there’s pressure not to be caught!” he explained.

Sense of excitement

Stephen wasn’t given much time to rest and after a few minutes, we were off again.

“Good hedge coming up!” shouted Graham as hounds struck off the line once again. I was a bit surprised by this because this part of the world is not hedge country – although Graham would probably find a hedge to jump on the moon.

Joking aside, the Readyfield put a tremendous amount of time into improving their country.

“Every Thursday a group of us including Graham, Marcus Hunt, Mark Shaw, the Bealbys and me go out, walking the country, fencing and making it safe,” said Andy Brown.

The Readyfield make an event of this, posting pictures of the team trimming hedges and building fences on Facebook and calling it “Readyfield Thursday”, creating a real sense of excitement about the upcoming day.

Having flown over the beautifully trimmed hedge, we hunted quickly up to the Kings Clipstone road, which we crossed with the assistance of Pete Bird – the Readyfield are very conscious of other road users and always have a steward at crossing points.

There was plenty more to jump as we headed past Lamb Pens Farm and down across the River Maun again. Up front with me was Nicole Lockhead Anderson and Graham’s nine-year-old daughter, Rosie. This was exalted company indeed, as Nicole won a team gold medal at the pony European Championships in 2018 and was part of the junior Nations Cup team last year. But the star of the show was Rosie, who was showing us all how it should be done aboard her lovely grey, Flynn.

We now found ourselves in the thick woodlands above the River Maun. Centuries ago, this was part of the vast Sherwood Forest, but no Robin Hood jumped out of the undergrowth today and on we went, weaving our way at top speed through the trees and careering up and down vertiginous slopes.

After fording the River Maun, hounds broke out into the open once more, hunting northwards in the lea of the forest.

The Readyfield like to end their day with a bang and our last excitement was jumping a hairy-looking hedge. Graham likes the big obstacles to be at the end of a line, so he can stop and watch the thrills and spills that ensue, and so we watched as Andy Brown led the field over this one.

Mark Shaw, Angie James, Sally Aldershaw and Martin Wells tackled it in style, but there was no doubt that Rosie and Flynn received the top mark.

It had been a truly fun day, made even sweeter by the fact that it felt as if we had stolen it from the jaws of the impending second lockdown. The Readyfield’s motto is “kick on” and we had certainly done that today – and no doubt they will be ready to do so again now the restrictions are lifted. Peter Boddy would doubtless have approved.

In Kennels

Joint-masters: Graham Smith, Andy Brown, Mike Atkinson

Huntsman: Graham Smith

Whippers-in: Oscar Wood, Jess Walker, Rosie Smith, Nicole Lockhead Anderson

Kennelman: Stuart Young (and family)

Quarry: Stephen Byrham and Jack Fetherston

Secretary: Marcus and

Julie Hunt

Meets: Sundays

Visitors: contact joint-master Graham Smith on 07831 531765

Website: thereadyfieldbloodhounds.co.uk

Ref: Horse & Hound; 3 December 2020

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A hunt is appealing for information after one of its bloodhounds went missing at the weekend.

Alison and Russet went missing from a meet of the Coakham Bloodhounds, who hunt “the cleanboot” by following a human scent laid by a man or woman who runs ahead of the pack, on Sunday (3 March) around 3pm in the Cowden area of Kent.

Russet has been found but two-year-old Alison, who is black and tan, is still missing.

Paul Hollis, one of the joint masters, told H&H the last confirmed sighting was Tuesday (5 March) around 5pm in Chiddingstone Causeway, Kent.

“Someone we know tried to approach her but she ran off. [When lost] hounds go into survival mode and basically go feral because they don’t know where they are or who to trust,” said Paul.

“A lot of the time they spend sleeping, as dogs do, but they have to go out to the toilet at some point so we just have to keep driving round and hope someone is lucky enough to see her out in the open – if she stays in the woods the whole time it’s going to be very difficult to find her.”

Paul said it’s “very unusual” for a hound to go missing.

“I’ve hunted with the Coakham Bloodhounds for seven years and we’ve never come home without one hound, nevermind two. At the end of a day you might occasionally have to find a hound that’s got tired, but this has never happened before,” he said.

“The first place I check every morning is where the meet was, which is 25 miles from the kennels, and the farmer there is very good and keeps an eye out for us. I’ve been into all of the local businesses and pubs in the area and speak to anyone I see working or walking.

“We’ve made up posters to put around the area and the idea is as soon as someone sees her, the huntsman Nic Wheeler, or myself who she knows very well will get straight up there. Nic will take another hound and his horn with him and try and get her to come over.”

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“We’re touched by the amount of effort people have gone to. People have been searching all over the place and even been out with thermal imaging cameras. Facebook has been amazing and people have been sharing it for us.”

Huntsman Nic Wheeler told H&H: “We‘ve contacted all of the relevant authorities and numerous supporters have been out every day looking. The supporters have been tremendous giving up their time driving round the countryside and walking round woods looking for her, there’s nothing more we can do until someone spots her.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the hunt via their website www.coakhambloodhounds.org.uk.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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“I freely admit that the best of my fun, I owe it to horse and hound,” is the famous Whyte-Melville quote that sits at the front of each copy of Horse & Hound.

Those who hunt will know that hounds have priority at all times and the words “hounds please” can often be heard on a hunting day.

Although jumping big hedges, camaraderie with friends and crossing country that you wouldn’t usually have access to can be some of the things that excite people about hunting, watching hounds work brings the day alive for many too.

From foxhounds to bloodhounds, puppies through to retirement, we celebrate the hound by taking a look at some pictures on and off the hunting field.

 Hounds in pictures

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Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (26 November 2015), where we head out with the South Shropshire and the Dulverton Farmers

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A pack of bloodhounds no longer faces an uncertain future — after their plight was highlighted in H&H.

The Southern Shires Bloodhounds received several offers of new kennels after H&H reported that they were about to be made homeless (news, 31 August).

Hounds moved into their new home, with the Ashman family of New Barn Farm, Bucklebury, Berks, at the end of last month. The Ashmans, who run a pig farm and livery yard have provided the hunt with four lodges and runs.

Joint-master Charles Rogers said: “After an uncertain few months we can now look forward to starting our season.”

The first meet is at Wonston Manor Farm, Sutton Scotney, Hants, on 6 October. Visit www.southernshiresbloodhounds.co.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (3 October 2013)

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The Southern Shires Bloodhounds are appealing to H&H readers to try to find new kennels — to keep the pack together.

Their lease, with the Wherwell Estate near Andover, Hants, is not being renewed

at the end of September due to the estate’s greater commitment to its shoot.

Huntsman Marc Winchester has been looking for a new home for the 13½ couple of bloodhounds since May, but has not been able to find a permanent solution.

“The kennels we rent at the moment used to be a piggery, so a barn or old outbuildings would be fine,” said joint-master Charles Rogers.

“I think people are worried about the howling, but they really aren’t that noisy in kennels.”

The Southern Shires Bloodhounds were founded in 1994 and their country takes in parts of Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. This will be their 20th season — but there is a real risk that it may not get under way, unless new premises can be found.

“If we cannot find another kennels then we will have to disband the pack, which would be a great shame,” said Mr Rogers.

If you can offer the Southern Shires a home, contact Charles Rogers, tel: 07768 522855

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (29 August, 2013)

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The East Anglian Bloodhounds (EABH) will continue hunting, after the reaction of their followers prompted the pack’s owners to put their retirement plans on hold.

“Other people’s enthusiasm has changed our minds — some drive 2hr to hunt with us,” said master Roger Clark. “We might not do as many days, but we’re definitely continuing in 2013-14.”

Fiona Gordon-Clarke, who hunts with the EABH most Sundays, said that she was “very relieved” to hear the news.

“It’s the most wonderful way to spend an afternoon,” she said.

“We’ve just had one of those great days, in fantastic country, galloping right behind hounds on the scent — and all told Roger that he couldn’t give up.”

Field master Caroline Jiggins was “devastated” when she heard the pack was disbanding.

“We get the chance to hunt in fabulous bits of countryside,” she said. “The Clarks do a brilliant job and work so hard.”

Roger, 65, plans to issue monthly meet cards rather than two a season, to allow more flexibility. He and his wife Fiona run the private pack themselves, alongside Roger’s job as a farrier and showing heavy horses.

“Last Sunday we got up at 5am and came in at quarter to midnight,” said Roger. “As we’re getting older, we want to take the odd Sunday off.”

The hunt are setting up specific fundraising initiatives, such as sponsoring a hound for a year, to help ease the Clarks’ workload. People have offered physical help, but financial support is particularly appreciated as staff trained to look after hounds are required.

Contact hon sec Ann Hogsbjerg, tel: 01787 269349 or email mail@eabh.co.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (21 March 2013)

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The Four Shires Bloodhounds will be at Crufts — the world’s largest dog show — tomorrow (Thursday 7 March 2013).

Thursday is the hound and terrier day at the show, which is held at the NEC in Birmingham, and the pack will be at dog feed company Gilbertson & Page’s stand in hall three. They will also be in the dog activities ring at 11am and 1.30pm.

“Crufts will be a vital opportunity to raise the profile of bloodhounds,” said Maggie Pearlstine, master of the Four Shires.

“Never has the breed been in more difficulty and people will realise what gorgeous hunting hounds these are — they are real athletes.”

The Four Shires kennel huntsman Heidi Critchlow — who has been at the forefront of a breeding programme for bloodhounds — will be at the show to answer the public’s questions about the breed.

Crufts takes place from 7-10 March.

For more information visit www.crufts.org.uk

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A pack of bloodhounds may have to disband at the end of the season when the owners retire — unless sufficient help can be found to run the hunt.

Roger Clark, who is a farrier, founded the East Anglian Bloodhounds in 1992, kennelling hounds at his farm on the Essex-Suffolk border. His wife Fiona joined the mastership in 2002.

But Mr Clark, who is 65, says he and his wife would now like the time to “do other things”.

“We’ve had overwhelming support calling for us not to retire, but it’s just the two of us [running the hunt],” he said.

Mrs Clark told H&H: “There was such uproar that we are trying to see if we can keep anything going.

“It is very much a private pack; the hounds are ours and even to go away for a day involves military planning,” she added.

But the Clarks are struggling to find the right people to help with their hounds.

“There have been offers, but people either don’t have enough free time or are too far away,” said Mrs Clark.

Phil Broughton, chairman of the Masters of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association, told H&H there would “be a big hole” if the pack was to disband.

Hunt supporter Tegen Dovey, 14,said she had enjoyed “many fabulous days out” thanks to the Clarks.

“It is so sad that it might be their last season,” she added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (6 December 2012)

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A new pack of bloodhounds has been started in North Yorkshire.

Former Bilsdale joint-masters Harry Stephenson and Judith Skilbeck have set up the Highmoor Bloodhounds.

Kennels have been built on Mr Stephenson’s farm near York and they have drafted hounds from the Readyfield, the Coakham and the Southdown and Eridge. Mr Stephenson will hunt hounds.

Mrs Skilbeck said they would hunt one day a week from next season, but plan to take it “as it comes” this year.

Anyone wanting to get involved should contact Mrs Skilbeck, tel: 01845 537235.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (4 October 2012)

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An outbreak of kennel cough has forced the Coakham bloodhounds to cancel all autumn hunting.

There is also a risk that the opening meet (23 October) will be postponed.

The Southdown and Eridge and the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent hounds have recently recovered from the respiratory disease.

Vets say a wet summer and warm autumn has allowed the bug to flourish.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (13 October, 2011)

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Members of Buckingham Rugby Club had an unusual fitness session when they took part in a charity hound exercise with The Farmers Bloodhounds.

The Bloodhounds raised more than double the amount they hoped to collect for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire air ambulance making £2,085 so far.

Rugby players, including Jamie Temple — who is also second whip with the Bloodhounds — attempted to out-run the bloodhounds over a four-mile line near Stowe on Wednesday 31 August.

The caps from 74 riders, along with sponsorship and donations made via their Justgiving page all went to the charity.

Jamie Temple said: “At the end of the day you never know when you will need the air ambulance’s services, it could be out hunting or on the rugby field.”

Bloodhounds secretary Ginny Oakley said: “The rugby club fared well although some were a little alarmed by the size of the hounds!

“Jamie, who is also captain of the rugby club’s first team, ran with the rugby club — he certainly looked a little hotter than he normally does when riding with the hounds at the end.”

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The Farmers’ Bloodhounds will not only be exercising their hounds on 31 August , but also members of the local rugby club.

Squad members from Buckingham Rugby Club, which includes Bloodhounds’ second whip Jamie Temple, will attempt to outrun the bloodhounds over a four-mile line at Stowe, Buckingham, to raise money for the air ambulance service.

Jamie Temple said: “We’ve had a lot of interest from the lads at the rugby club and should get a full squad running.

“At the end of the day you never know when you will need the air ambulance’s services, it could be out hunting or on the rugby field.

“Some of the lads are getting their own sponsorship and the caps from the day will all be donated as well.

“People can also donate online via our Justgiving page — I would really hope to raise about £1,000.

“This will also help to raise the profile of both clubs.”

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Two bloodhounds from Nottinghamshire charged with protecting endangered black rhinos in Kenya have arrived safely in Africa.

Drastic and Pension from the Readyfield bloodhounds set off last Thursday (27 August) to fly to Nairobi to start their new careers.

The pair will be helping to save endangered black rhinos in the Chyulu Hills by tracking poachers, who are terrified of bloodhounds.

The bloodhounds arrived safely and were met by Richard Bonham, chairman of Maasailand Preservation Trust, who said they arrived “seemingly unperplexed” by their eight-hour flight.

But the airport clearing proved problematic when customs tried to charge $2,000 worth of duty on each dog.

After five hours of “negotiations” Richard then took one to the Chyuus while the other was taken to Lewa.

“The drive down to the Chyulus went well. A very different dog appeared out of the crate, covered by a coat of red dust, which he shook off with great dignity as he was greeted with enthusiasm by his new handlers,” said Richard.

“The meeting with our dog Bosko also went smoothly and there were no signs of aggression from either side. We then took him for a walk to stretch his legs which turned into a marathon as charged around gathering all the foreign smells.”

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Two bloodhounds are on their way to a new life in Kenya — to help save endangered black rhinos.

Drastic and Pension from the Readyfield Bloodhounds left Heathrow today (Thursday) bound for Nairobi.

The hounds will be met by Richard Bonham, chairman of the Maasailand Preservation Trust, and taken to start their new life tracking rhino poachers at Chyulu Hills — thanks to former East Essex master Giles Sim.

“There are around 15 black rhinos left in Chyulu Hills, a few years ago there were several hundred. It is the last wild population left in Kenya,” said Mr Sim, who went on a riding safari in the area last June.

“The game wardens use bloodhounds to protect the rhinos because the poachers are terrified of them. They had two, but one died, so I offered to find and send out two more.”

On his return to England, Mr Sim made contact with David Boddy, master of the Readyfield, who had two six-year-old doghounds he was willing to donate.

“They are experienced hounds who have hunted five seasons and are quite capable of tracking a poacher without ripping him to bits,” said Mr Boddy.

“I normally draft them out to slower packs at this age, and we do a lot for charities, so I was happy to donate them — fingers crossed they do the job.”

Mr Sim approached Save the Rhino, the Tusk Trust and several private investors to help fund the hounds’ transit to Nairobi. Kenyan Airways offered to halve the cost of their flight to £2,000.

Ride World Wide, with whom Giles Sim and his family travelled to Kenya last June, has also assisted.

Richard Bonham is joint-owner of Ol Donyo Wuas lodge in the Chyulu Hills, where the hounds will be kennelled.

His sister and business partner Patricia Luke told H&H: “We are looking forward to their arrival immensely — they will patrol with the wardens on foot to track both black rhino poachers and bushmeat poachers. We’re very grateful to Giles Sim.”

For more information visit: www.oldonyowuas.com

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (27 August, ’09)

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Changes at the Farmers Bloodhounds mean new masters, new kennels and an entire new pack for next season, returning master Brian Temple has told H&H.

All 12½ couple of hounds in the Northamptonshire pack were sold to an Irish hunt through an advert in H&H (12 March).

Long-standing masters Andy Tutton and Susan Busby retired this season, as did the huntsman, Andy Tutton’s son Graham.

Remaining joint-masters Gregor Kerr and Mike Spencer will be joined by Mr Temple and Penny Dowdeswell.

“We’ll be a more consumer-friendly hunt, with differentiation between our big and smaller days,” said Mr Temple.

Mr Temple was previously master for two seasons, but left three seasons ago. He is drafting in new hounds from packs across the country to create a more traditional bloodhound.

The retirement of Andy and Graham Tutton marks the end of an era. Hounds have been kennelled with the Tuttons in Woodford Hulse since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in 2001.

The new pack will live at Mr Temple’s property near Towcester.

Graham Tutton, who hunted the pack for 12 seasons, told H&H: “The new masters want to do things a bit differently.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (9 April, ’09)

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A rider fell from a high stone bridge into a river after her horse died from a suspected heart attack while out hound exercising with the Four Shires Bloodhounds.

The unnamed woman fell from the bridge on Sunday, 19 October close to Chatsworth House, near Bakewell, Derbyshire, where the hunt was meeting courtesy of their president the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire.

A member of the field, who preferred not to be named, told H&H: “We all thought she was dead, but the river was full and she got up pretty much unscathed.”

A hunt spokesman added: “Thankfully the rider was not seriously injured. Other riders at the scene did all they could to assist in the upsetting circumstances.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (30 October, ’08)

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A two-year-old black and tan bloodhound called Humbug is still missing after taking fright during the Ashford Valley Hunt Country Fair at Charing Racecourse, Kent, on May 26.

Sue Wheeler, whose husband Nicholas is huntsman and joint-master of the hunt, said when he was let out of the pen with the other hounds he took off in fright at the sound of the public address system.

She said: “He panicked when the loudspeaker system came on and disappeared up the racecourse and over the A20.”

Now missing for six weeks, Humbug was lasted sighted, on three occasions, by a Tickham huntsman near Faversham, Kent on Saturday June 21, around 6.30am.

Sue said: “He’s hunted very well for one season but has now got very nervous.”

The Coakham hunt “the clean boot” or the scent of a human runner.

The Wheelers who own Coakham Bloodhounds at Ashburnham in East Sussex are appealing for any news of Humbug.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now