FAQ’s.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our members and people interested in our sport and organization.
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Do I need to be an experienced rider?
You need to have done enough riding to be comfortable at all gaits, and you will have taken your horse out of the arena into a natural environment. Your horse needs to be under your control when moving alongside other horses, and it should be familiar with dogs. Some horses who excel in the show ring have not had the experience of hacking with a group, which is essential preparation for our sport.
How do I know if my horse will do well?
We recommend you bring a sure-footed, reliable horse, in proper condition to hunt over varied terrain for up to three hours or so. If you would like to try a young or green horse, please do so during spring hunting or on summer hound exercises. Contact us if you would like to be introduced to hunting to see how your horse does with other horses and the hounds around.
What Does it Cost?
For a single hunt, there is a fee of $150 during the formal Fall season ($75 for juniors, meaning aged 18 or under). In the Spring and August the fee drops to $60 ($30 for juniors). Guests are limited to two hunts per year. Full membership, allowing you to attend as many hunts as you wish, costs $2,500 per year.
Is this a cruel sport?
Like fishing or shooting deer, this sport does involve pursuing game, but in our case the wild canines, coyotes or foxes, usually have no problem getting away safely. If hounds do happen to catch up with an individual that was unwell or weak, they kill it quickly, but in fact this is a rare event. Hounds are controlled by the mounted Huntsman, and other riders, called the Field, are kept well separated from him by the Master. Our main activity is watching the hounds as they search for a fresh scent, working out its line, and running if it is fresh. It is a challenge to keep up with hounds if they are on a run. Farmers welcome us on their land because our weekly activity helps keep coyotes away from livestock and pets.
Dress and Attire
While a newcomer does not have to dress every time, part of the allure of our sport is the smart, traditional dress. A properly turned-out field honours the history of our club and the landowners, showing that we take our sport seriously, and displays the appropriate respect as they watch us ride by. One of the highlights of the year is our participation in the Creemore Thanksgiving Day Parade where we are in full formal dress.
What about anti-hunting activists like in Britain? Is this a concern?
Canada has a long history of hunting. While live hunting has been banned in the United Kingdom, North America has a different view, perhaps because of our vast farmland and need to protect our livestock - again, against coyotes, rather than foxes. Part of our club’s mandate is to educate and we welcome opportunities to talk about what we do.