Please note this is only intended as a guide - not a fixed set of rules and there are a variety of alternatives which are acceptable. Absolutely do not let it put you off coming hunting if you haven't got the correct kit. As long as you and your horse are smart and tidy, you will be made welcome.
Adults... Hunting clothing for adults can be put into two categories; what we wear before the Opening Meet, known as "ratcatcher" and what we wear from that date onwards. If you can't wear full hunting clothes then go for ratcatcher.
• Ratcatcher is a tweed coat with a shirt and tie, and some people choose to wear a coloured stock in October. Technically, boots should be brown with a tweed coat and spurs should not be worn until the Opening Meet, but many people wear black boots nowadays. Breeches or jodhpurs should be fawn. Some people revert to ratcatcher in late March. • After the Opening Meet ladies wear navy coats whilst men and farmers wear black coats, all with a white stock. Scarlet coats and white breeches are only worn by those who have been asked. Boots should be black, clean and polished. Spurs are correct though not compulsory, as are black garter straps below the knee. All coat buttons should be done up, although the bottom buttons of waistcoats should be undone. The only decoration that should be worn on a hunt coat is a poppy before Remembrance Sunday.
Children... • Children are encouraged to wear tweed coats with buff, light brown, cream or yellow jodhpurs or breeches. Clean, polished jodhpur boots, chaps or riding boots can be. Back protectors may be worn inside or outside the jacket. Wax jackets or waterproofs can be worn in bad weather conditions.
Accessories... • Please avoid brightly coloured anoraks and if your hair is long hair is either plaited or contained in a hairnet. The correct headwear for most mounted followers is a bowler hat or hunting cap but now most people wear safety caps or helmets, which are absolutely fine. Silks should be in a dark colour such as black or navy.
• Hunting whips are extremely useful for opening gates and holding them open; as well as dangling in front of your horse to guide hounds around them, but are not essential. Horses and ponies should be plaited (or hogged) once the main season has started. Horses and ponies should be regularly clipped; although it is recommended to leave hair at least on the legs for protection.
