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Useful tips on how to give children a happy introduction to the hunting field.
- Find the right pony– one that will stop when everyone else stops and won’t go wild at the first sight of a hound
- Buy the right kit – lots of thermals or jumpers under coats, good gloves and plenty of pairs of socks
- Choose the right day – the cream of the country will not necessarily suit a novice
- Get them out autumn hunting as much as possible when there’s more of a chance to see what’s going on
On the day
- Hack to the meet if possible to steady everyone’s nerves
- Put snacks in your young charges’ pockets and, if possible, a grandparent in a car with extra supplies
- Stay at the back, away from the fray
- Keep them interested – explain what’s happening, what to do and when, and try to make it fun
- Stay calm. Children sense fear as sharply as they can smell chocolate
- If possible, try to let them hook up with some friends their age out hunting
- Take care to leave before they get tired. Leave them wanting more
- Always carry a mobile phone
For the full article on taking children hunting, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (27 October 2011)
Find out more about hunting for beginners
