Let me say first that things may have changed since my day, but this is what I used to do.

Hunter pace: Usually a team of two riders goes out into a cross country type of course. But the jumps start out easy, and as they get more difficult, the way around them gets bigger. I'm told that at most, you can go out and ride the pace but never have to jump anything. Time is kept and you can be awarded ribbons based on the time. I'm told that the master of hounds goes out first, is timed, and closest to him/her pins. Not sure if that's always the case.

Fox hunting: my friend did it and was scared for life as she was the newest rider and was "blooded" with the blood of the fox. Being a vegetarian, it really upset her. I don't know if she didn't expect them to catch a fox or if she thought it was a mock hunt and it wasn't...don't know.

Mock hunt/drag scent hunt: In a drag scent hunt, before the huntsmen go out, someone rides out over the course dragging the scent bag that the beagles will follow. I've done this, it was fun, but I kept panicking and hoping the beagles wouldn't find the trail of a real fox. Mock/drag hunting with the dogs really feels amazing with the beagles braying and the horses all tuned up.

Mock hunt without drag and without dogs: Less stress for me and more like going on a hunter pace with lots of huntsmen with you. Can be great fun with camaraderie. Some hunts can be a little crazy and dangerous with flat out galloping, so you need to check into the hunt's reputation first.

If you've never done any, a hunter pace is the first to try to get your feet wet.