Myth-busting

"Hunting is really scary and you have to jump huge fences. Not so, says Gemma Redrup - it's a sport that welcomes everyone

- Gemma Redrup

IF you have never been hunting, the prospect can be a daunting one, given it is a sport steeped in tradition and that can seem intimidating from the outside looking in. But fear not; it is nowhere near as scary as it might seem. Hunting is a very welcoming pastime, with a huge range of characters involved, while also being a great way to meet people and make new friends.

To help put your mind at ease, if you are considering taking your horse for a day's hunting, we're here to debunk some misconceptions, and provide you with some great advice ahead of your hunting debut to help make it as fun and safe as possible.

Misconception: "I always feel like I need to know someone who is already hunting to go with. I know some hunts say just ring the secretary, but I'm convinced that's not enough and I can't just turn up."

Answer: If you can persuade a hunting friend with a well-behaved horse to accompany you, all the better, particularly if your horse hasn't been out before, but it's not essential.