A Guide to Safety and Hunting Etiquette: please read carefully

The aim of this “Guide to Safety and Hunting Etiquette” is hopefully to ensure everybody hunting with The Banwen Miners has an enjoyable day, is made to feel a part of the days sport and most of all returns home at the end of the day safe and sound. We would also like to ensure that the highest standards and traditions of the hunting day are upheld so future generations will be able to enjoy the same sport and spectacle that is associated with modern day hunting.

Riding to hounds is a fast and potentially dangerous sport; we must do as much as is possible to reduce the risk of injury to all those taking part, not only for riders, but for foot and car followers, and for cyclists and other pedestrians in the countryside. Riders are advised to become members of the Countryside Alliance and to have adequate insurance cover for themselves and their horse, more information can be found at www.countryside-alliance.org

First and foremost please show the utmost respect for the farmers and landowners whose land you are crossing. A farmer depends on his land for his living and it is only by his generosity that you are able to hunt. This privilege must never be abused and is only given to the Masters on pre-arranged hunting days; it must never be construed as a public bridleway or footpath outside hunting days.

Always thank people for holding a gate open, and thank traffic for waiting on the road for you to pass. All gates must be shut by the last one coming through it; the person who is “next to last” must remain with the gate shutter until they are safely re-mounted.

The Field Master will try to keep you close enough to hounds to watch them work, but far enough away that you do not interfere with them working. Please be quiet when asked, keeping noise level to a minimum when the hounds are on the scent.

Foxhounds follow a scent with their nose on the floor, if you make a noise the hounds will look up to see what all the noise is about and probably loose the scent!

Stay with your Field Master at all times, do try not to pass his lead unless given permission to “take your own line”. Always listen for his instructions and keep with the flow of the field. When jumping, again follow the Field Masters lead; fences should be jumped leaving plenty of room between yourself and the rider in front, if your horse refuses, join the back of the queue and have another go.

When at the meet or on the hunting field, please keep your horse facing hounds at all times to avoid kicking. Always make way for oncoming hunt staff, listen for the cry “Whips Please!” and get out of the way. Remember while you are having fun the Huntsman and his Whips are working. Be aware of the hounds at all times and never be so close that you risk galloping on to them.


RIDERS
The Banwen Miners Hunt has a strict dress code and the correct Hunting uniform should be worn on every occasion.
All riders should wear black hunting jackets or ratcatchers (tweed) with white stocks or collar and tie. Breeches or jodphurs should be white or beige.
Wax coats are acceptable only in extreme weather conditions - bright coloured riding jackets of any description are not acceptable at any time.

Approved riding hats are essential and compulsory; body protectors are advisable, especially for children. No safety equipment compensates for a lack of common sense.

Parents of small children and inexperienced riders should satisfy themselves that they are competent enough to participate in the days’ sport, to keep out of trouble and follow at a steady pace.


HORSES
Horses should be turned out to your best ability, traditionally horses are un-plaited for Autumn Hunting and plaited for opening meet, and thereafter.

Tack should be clean, safe and of good condition.

Inexperienced horses should wear a “green ribbon” in the tail and horses known to kick should wear a “red ribbon” in the tail; both types should be kept to the back of the field at all times.

Please notify your field master if you are riding a stallion.

Qualifying Point to Point horses is by arrangement with the joint masters, cards will be signed off at the correct time of day.