Terminology

The early part of hunting from August until the Opening Meet on

the last Saturday in October

A daily charge for non-subscribers

Is shouted to tell the Field to keep to the left to let cars through on

the road.

When the hounds are looking for the line. The huntsman may cast

the hounds towards where he thinks the hounds will pick it up.

When the hounds lose the line.

Hounds are counted in couples. i.e. one hound, a couple, a couple

and a half, two couples, etc. Couples are also two collars linked on

a chain and can be seen hanging on the hunt staffs' saddles

Hounds are said to feather or be feathering when they have the

line but are unable to speak to it.

The mounted followers.

The person in charge of leading and controlling the Field.

Shouted backwards on going through a gate which should be

closed.

A person specially designated to shut gates and mend fences.

Sometimes wears a white armband.

The appropriate greeting at the meet.

The appropriate salutation for the end of the day even if it was an

Autumn Hunting morning which ended before midday.

A hound that was originally bred for hunting people

Hounds are said to be hunting heel when they hunt the reverse

Shouted by the Field Master to stop the field overtaking him/her.

All scent hunting dogs are referred to as hounds

The man who hunts the hounds. There is only one huntsman on

the hunting field per day, he may also be a Master, and he has

right of way at all times.

A hunting day usually consists of 3 - 5 hunts, each hunt being 2 - 5

miles long. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as "runs" or "lines".

Subscribers who, over a period of time, have gained knowledge

and been helpful to the hunt may be awarded the hunt button and

collars of the hunt.

The process of hunting human runners with no artificial scent

applied.

The people responsible for working the hounds. i.e. Huntsman and

Whippers-in. They may be Masters, amateurs or professionals

You may get this response when you make way for a Master or

Huntsman at a gate or jump. It means you don't have to wait for

him/her and should carry on.

The scent left by the trail.

Shouted when someone has fallen off and the horse is running

away.

Maybe a Joint Master. These are the people responsible for the

running of the hunt. They should have right of way at all times

second only to the hunt staff.

This means give way to these people as they have a job to do. If it

 is heard on a road or a track everyone should get to one

side, not line both sides, to reduce the chances of them being

kicked

This means the Master/Whip/Hound should be let through on the

side shouted. The side corresponding to the direction of travel of

the majority of the field.

A pack consisting of dogs and bitches

The start of formal hunting.

A hound which is new to hunting that season. It will appear fully

grown.

Term used to describe the official dress for mounted followers

during Autumn Hunting and consists of a Tweed jacket as opposed

to a black jacket. Rat Catcher is also an acceptable form of dress

after the Opening Meet.

When hounds hunt something other than that which they are

supposed to be hunting, they are rioting. In the case of

bloodhounds hunting the clean boot / Trail hunting, all wildlife is

known as riot.

The smell, indiscernible to the human nose, left by the runners.

The hounds also use the smell of the disturbed ground where the

runners have been to stay on the line.

Hounds do not bark, they speak or are speaking when they are "on

the line" (hunting a scent).

A hound's tail.

Hounds at walk, often known as Puppy Walking, is where whelps

are sent to private homes, in minimums of two's, from the age of

eight weeks until they get too big and boisterous for the walkers, at

which point they return to kennels to learn how to fit in to the pack.

Ware is often pronounced "War" and means beware. Therefore if

you hear "War Hole", or "Ware Hole" it actually means mind out

there is a hole in the ground coming up! Similarly any other hazard.

A new born hound is a whelp and remains so until it come back

from walk.

The person who helps the huntsman control the hounds. This

person has right of way at all times and will only give way to the

Huntsman.

Worn on the tail of a young horse

Means this horse might kick if you crowd it.

the gate should be shut. The response to which should be to hold

your hand in the air to show you have got the message and will

shut the gate.

 

Worn on the tail of a known kicker. These horses should be kept

at the back of the field until they become educated and no longer

need to wear a ribbon.

(usually by Field Master) This means stand still where you are, not

wait until you get level with the Field Master and then stop.

If the whip is in the huntsman's right hand he will be keeping the

hounds to his left. You should therefore let him pass so that his

horse is between you and the hounds.