CAimiAGE HORSES AS HUNTERS 177 



could always see hounds hunt better when mounted on 

 a pony than when mounted on the best hunter in his 

 stable, and such must be the experience of most men 

 who ride to hunt, not hunt to ride. A very little 

 trouble will enable the possessor of a trapper, or 

 even a brougham horse, to enjoy a quiet day with 

 hounds. Nor, on the other hand, is there any reason 

 why a horse, ostensibly kept for hunting purposes, 

 should not work between the shafts. Needless to say, 

 the following hints are not intended to apply to 

 first - class hunters, or first - class performers in 

 harness. 



In this chapter we must reverse the dictum of 

 Gambado, and add to the theory as much practice as 

 it has been our experience to have. On several 

 occasions it has been our lot to be mounted on 

 harness-horses which had never seen hounds before, 

 and the fact that we have lived to tell the tale is 

 sufficient evidence that harness horses can be made 

 serviceable in the hunting-field without any undue 

 risk to the neck of the rider. 



To a certain extent, a horse constantly used 

 between the shafts is always in hard condition, but 

 the condition is not that of a hunter. He may be able 

 to trot all day without turning a hair, but he would 

 not be able to gallop across half-a-dozen fields without 

 its being a case of " bellows to mend.'' He is like a 

 man who will walk forty miles in a day easily, but 

 cannot sprint a hundred yards without feeling his 

 heart beat against his ribs. It is necessary, therefore, 

 that the carriage-horse at exercise should be indulged 



M 



