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Hunt Etiquette & Attire

The Wateree Hounds Member Handbook Excerpt & Quick Reference

Before the Hunt

Essential preparation steps

Arrive Early

Plan your morning so you and your horse are at the meet a full half-hour early—enough time to tack up calmly, greet the Master, pay any cap, and be mounted before hounds move off

Check-in

At the meet, promptly find the hunt secretary (or steward) to sign the release, pay any capping fee, and have your name recorded on the day's list before hounds move off

Park with Care

Park only where directed—on firm, dry ground clear of gateways, crops, and traffic—leave ample turning space for other rigs, and be sure to remove every scrap of hay or manure before you drive off

Inspect Tack & Attire

The night before, feel and flex every billet, stirrup leather, girth and rein—replace any frayed stitch, cracked leather or loose buckle so a mouse-chewed billet or worn stirrup leather doesn't snap and spoil the day

Attire

Formal Season Attire

Opening Meet through Closing

  • Coat & Breeches
    Black or navy hunt coat; white, tan or canary breeches
  • Headgear
    ASTM/SEI–certified black helmet with harness; white stock tie & plain gold pin
  • Boots
    Polished black field boots (tops permitted for those awarded colors)
  • Accessories
    Dark leather gloves; sandwich case/flask optional
Man in tweed on horse.

Informal / Cubbing Attire

Early fall, laid-back fixtures
  • Coat & Breeches
    Tweed or other muted hacking jacket; tan or canary breeches
  • Headgear
    Same helmet rule; colored stock or conservative tie
  • Boots
    Brown or black boots
  • Accessories
    Brown gloves; hunt whip optional
Womam in black coat on grey horse.

Field Etiquette

During the Hunt

Essential Rules

  • Follow the Field Master. Ride in order, keep at least one horse-length behind the rider in front, and never outrun the Master
  • Spacing & Passing. If you must pass, do it politely in open ground; keep chatter low so hounds stay focused
  • Jumps. Wait your turn, allow room for refusals, and never jump if a hound is near the fence
  • Leaving early. Ask the Field Master's permission and take the route indicated so you don't cross the line of hunt
Four huntsman on horses in field with hounds.

Voice Commands

Use traditional warnings quietly—”Gate please”, “Ware hole”, “Hound on left”. Avoid calling hounds by name or rating them—that’s the Huntsman’s job.
  • Common Warnings
  • "Gate please"
  • "Hound on left"
  • "Ware hole"
  • "Hold hard"
Three hounds standing and one lying down in field behind horse.
Hunt field stopped on side of path.

Respect for Hounds

  • Keep a safe berth; do not pet, feed or interfere unless the Huntsman asks
  • If a hound brushes past your horse, stay calm and steady
  • Report any injured hound at once

Landowner Courtesy

Our sport survives only with generous permission:
  • Close gates, stick to field edges, and avoid crops or wet ground
  • Greet landowners and staff cheerfully and always say thank you
Three hunt riders on horses, walking dirt path.
Woman in formal hunt attire on horse.

Good Standing & Safety

Members must hold personal liability cover, current Coggins and a valid SC hunting licence. Failure to comply—or to observe etiquette—may lead to suspension.

Still Have Questions?

If you have questions about our equestrian waiver, fixture releases, or other documentation, please contact the Wateree Hounds.

Contact the Wateree Hounds