Tack:
All tack must be plain, serviceable and clean. Use bitting suitable to control your horse; under the exciting conditions of hunting, control is essential. Saddle pads should be white. String girths are acceptable, but they must be clean. Avoid colored browbands. Rubber reins are acceptable, but they must be brown. A copy of a valid negative Coggins and Hunting License must be brought to each meet.
Horse:
Foxhunting is a demanding endeavor. Be sure your horse is fit and able to handle the excitement of the hunt. Farmington offers summer “walk and talk” trail rides that will introduce riders and horses to riding in large groups at a controlled pace. Experienced hunt riders are available to help train you and your horse to handle all conditions of the hunt: riders should be able to keep their horses a minimum of one horse length distance from the horse ahead; horses should be able to stand quietly in a group if there is a “hold” or “check” and to move quickly out of the way and not get nervous if there is a “reverse field”, horses should be used to hounds and not kick if a hound gets underfoot.
Horses should be clean and have their manes pulled. If your horse might kick, put a red ribbon in its tail and ride at the end of your field. If your horse is new to the sport, put a green ribbon in its tail and ride at the end of your Field. Try riding in the third flight prior to moving up to the second and then first flight. Those in first flight should be able to jump obstacles while maintaining a safe distance between horses. Most fences in the FHC territory are 3′ or under.
