Foxhunting in Florida
About Palm Beach Hounds
Palm Beach Hounds has been hunting in South Florida since 1979. We are the Southern most hunt in the United States. Members of our group get to enjoy the unique experience of riding in Southern Florida's pristine country with a group of friends.
For those who are more experienced with the hunt, they will find plenty of adventure that comes with the "thrill of the chase." It's a rare day not to strike on the scent of coyote or bobcat in our territories and occasionally the hounds hit on a red or grey fox. Every hunt is a new adventure!
Our territories are primarily in Palm Beach and Martin counties and are mostly level with open fields, pinewoods, oak and cypress hammocks, freshwater marshes, low-growing palmetto, streams, and reed-fringed lakes. Any level of rider can enjoy traversing these beautiful areas with us.
It's a whole different kind of world!
Foxhunting History
Foxhunting has fascinated sportsmen for centuries with the earliest accounts dating to the 1400s in England. In 1650, English foxhounds found their way to North America when Robert Brooke sailed for the Crown Colony with his loyal pack, landing in Charles County, Maryland. This began a long and storied history in the United States.
George Washington was an avid foxhunting enthusiast who had an outsized impact on hound lineage. In 1785, Washington received French hounds as a gift from Lafayette; dogs he described as having voices "like the bells of Moscow." These dogs were crossed with "Brooke hounds" which helped create the modern foxhounds of today.
Hunt culture is embedded with ceremony and tradition which ties us to history and bonds us with each other. Events such as the Blessing of the Hounds, Boxing Day Hunt, and hunt breakfasts, give us opportunities to celebrate the long-standing traditions relevant to Equestrian Foxhunting.
As part of preserving the legacy of the sport, Palm Beach Hounds is recognized by, and adopts the rules of, the Masters of Fox Hounds Association (MFHA) of North America.
Our Community
Foxhunting has always emphasized hospitality amongst members and the community. In the spirit of encouraging our community and the younger generation to experience this tradition, Palm Beach Hounds offers an annual "Free Day" to anyone who would like to try hunting for the first time. Juniors always have a discounted rate, and Pony Club members may always hunt with us for free.
Our club continues the foxhunting tradition of community by hosting an active social calendar as well as educational and fundraising events. Our social and educational activities include holiday parties, horseshoes and bbq, croquet luncheons, the Parade of Hounds at Wellington show grounds, and an annual Hunt Clinic.
We work to inform the public about the benefits of land preservation and the history and tradition of foxhunting in Florida.
If you would like to join us for a hunt, you may bring your horse or make arrangements with one of our members to lease theirs.
What Makes A Great Hunt Horse???
A horse who is comfortable riding in different spots in a group - in front of, and behind, other horses and who can stay at a safe distance from others.
A horse who can stand quietly at checks and be ready to join the rest of the group when the hounds start to run.
A horse who is comfortable riding through water and up and down banks.
A horse who has experience on different terrain.
Hunting requires a lot from a horse. They must navigate differing terrain, be able to stay in place with a large group, be ready to go when the hounds run, and be ready to stand quietly when there's a check. There is a special bond between horse and rider in the hunt field as it requires trust and communication both ways.
History and Lineage
Hunting with Hounds
There is no hunt without hounds, and Palm Beach Hounds has the honor of hunting with some of the best in North America.
Watching the hounds work is an amazing experience; they are impeccably trained and extremely talented at picking up a scent and staying on a trail.
Today's American Foxhound is the product of hundreds of years of breeding hounds that were brought to North America from England, Ireland, and France. Hounds have always been bred for nose (the ability to detect and interpret the scent of the quarry), cry (volume and quality of voice while giving tongue), drive (the urge to go forward on the line), stamina, speed, and independence/biddability. Depending on what quarry is being hunted and what countryside is being ridden, hound lines have been refined to emphasize certain traits.
History of the Hounds
Hounds make excellent pets!
They are friendly and loyal.
The Palm Beach hounds are predominately modern English foxhounds with bloodlines running back over 250 years. They are mixed with Fell blood (a steep and rugged county in England) to give them a "ranginess" and Penn-Marydel blood to embody them with voice and perseverance. This makes them especially capable of finding a host of quarry in rugged terrain with large swamps and dense brush. They have a strong nose and a loud, deep voice that carries many miles.
Training new hounds start before the pup has turned a year old. To aid in their education, their collars are linked (or "coupled") with an older, experienced hound. Hence, foxhounds are usually counted by the number of "couples;" i.e. 12 couple equals 24 hounds. This system not only teaches them how to hunt but, more importantly, how to hunt as a pack. The goal is to establish a pack of hounds that will run uniformly, give great voice, show stamina, develop a keen nose, and be obedient to the huntsman.
Hounds become a reflection of the man, and the man a reflection of his hounds.
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