Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Fox Hunting Page

Fox Hunting Overview

The sport of foxhunting has been practiced for centuries in Europe, Australia and the United States. United States President, George Washington, enjoyed foxhunting immensely. For the most part, in the US, equestrians and their hounds do not hunt foxes rather chase a “drag” which is a bundle of rags saturated with fox scent, although occasionally coyotes may serve as quarry. Led by the hunt master, assisted by the whippers-in, the hunt field horses gallop open meadows, leap over hay bales and other hurdles and race through the remaining wilderness. Finally, at hunt’s end, the group gathers at a scenic outpost or traditional hunt club for a recreational repast.

Fox hunting, with the brutal images of a fox being torn apart by hunt dogs has done little to help the image of fox hunting in the US. The fact is that fox hunting is the basis of the Hunter and Jumper riding styles as well as eventing. Non lethal fox hunting has become a family friendly sport and is helping to fill the gap between show competition and trail riding.

Fox Hunting Terms

Equestrian foxhunting holds centuries-old traditions for dress, equine grooming, etiquette and even language. Ever wonder what some of the traditional foxhunting terms actually mean?

Here’s a simple guide to 30 traditional foxhunting terms:

Babble – to bark (speak) out of turn (referring to hounds)

Brush – the tail of a fox

Capping fee – a fee paid by non-members who participate in a hunt

Casting – instructing hounds to spread out in search of the fox

Charlie – the fox (also Todd)

Colors – earned adornments for huntmen’s uniforms

Covert – any brush or woodsy area where a fox might seek to hide

Cub – a young fox

Drag – scent left by a fox

Drag hunt – a fox hunt in which hounds trace a man-made line of fox scent, rather than an actual animal

Drawing – urging hounds through a covert to follow a fox

Earth – a den or underground area where a fox might hide

Field – a group of mounted huntsmen

Field master – the head huntsman, who controls the course of the hunt

Foiling – spoiling of the fox’ scent by water, fertilizer or distracting scents.

Giving best – awarding the fox the victory, if he has evaded the hounds and hunters.

Heeling – racing away from the line of the hunt (referring to hounds)