Hunting with Waitemata

If you have never ridden to hounds before, those antique hunt prints that have adorned walls throughout history are about to take on a whole new meaning. For most people, a brisk morning, fresh horses, and baying hounds are indeed a life-changing experience. We hope it will be for you. Stand forewarned, however, no matter what your riding discipline, it can become addictive.

This means that because of an abscence of hare in the area hunted by Waitemata the practice of laying an artificial scent from horse back is used by our Hunt. The hounds and Huntsman then follow the laid scent up to 10 to 20 minutes later and as with a traditional hunt the field and Master follow the hounds as if they were pursuing live quarry. For Members of the Hunt this adds an enticing dimension as learning the technique of drag laying is very interesting one. For people being introduced to Hunting for the first time drag hunting has some advantages. The hunting is mostly over prepared jumps and mostly follows a planned route which simulates the movements of live quarry.

The History of Drag Hunting in England

Drag hunting has, in fact, been a part of foxhunting in England for centuries. Then, as well as today, drag lines were laid to insure sport on poor scenting or ceremonial hunt days when it would have been deemed somewhat of a disaster to have a blank day (a day in which no fox was found to run). Today, drag hunting has these same advantages, as well as several others. Since more control can be exercised over the terrain to be crossed, hunts tend to be safer and more controlled. This, however should not be confused with slower. Drag hunts often move at a faster pace than fox hunts. In areas where territory is limited, full advantage can be taken of the lay of the land. Natural and man-made obstacles can be utilized, and a safer run for hounds can be provided which guides them out of harms' way. In the end, nothing is killed.