FLINT ROADS. 191 



structed and repaired with flints. They can do so, 

 however, and with more ease and comfort than shod 

 ones. If they could not, there would be an end of 

 the thing, for evidently the horse should be able to 

 go anywhere and everywhere, and at a moment's 

 notice. This is just what shod horses cannot do, as 

 they are continually being sent to the forge to have 

 alterations made when a frost sets in, or for some 

 other reason. His statement that his horses are 

 found very much lamed and cut when they go only 

 half a journey over such roads, after losing a shoe, 

 everyone (including the writer) will most readily 

 accept. As regards the deer that could not stand 

 upon its feet for three weeks after a run, we have 

 no evidence that he ran upon macadamised roads, or 

 even that he suffered in his feet. He most likely 

 had too much of either the pace or the distance, 

 and so had given out, as many a good horse has 

 frequently had to do, and even die in the field upon 

 occasions, notwithstanding his being blessed with 

 shoes. This accident to a solitary deer does not 

 seem to have led to the practice of shoeing deer 

 that have to be hunted. It is generally accepted 

 amongst sportsmen (those who ride, at least) that 

 their chase should have fair play. The deer which we 

 hunt in England are captive animals (except those on 

 Exmoor), and if shoeing would give them fairer 

 play they certainly ought to get the benefit of it ; 

 not only on account of the fair play, but also on the 

 score of speed, activity, confidence, and staying 

 powers, of which they might (theoretically) take 



