31 



had the benefit of long exercise, and the resources 

 of the stable were not imduly strained. 



Twice a week is enough for long exercise, and fifty 

 miles is not too much wben the pace is slow. In 

 those counties where bridle-roads exist, it is usually 

 possible to keep the hounds on the grass, but a certain 

 amount of exercise on the hard road is good for the 

 feet. It should, however, be remembered that 

 although slow road work hardens the pad, fast work 

 wears it down. 



A huntsman, in exercising, would do well to make 

 a round of all the distant places where he is likely to 

 be in the season, so that young hounds will acquire 

 a knowledge of the country. At the same time, he 

 can take the opportunity of visiting " walks " to see 

 how the puppies sent out are progressing. 



In advising long exercise, it should be distinctly 

 understood that the longer the distance it is intended 

 to go, the slower the pace should be. Even when 

 horses are merely walking, hounds will be dropping 

 back, forging ahead, and playing about, so that the 

 distance covered will be as much again. 



In the last fortnight before cub-hunting begins,. 

 it is a good plan to give the pack several smart spins 

 on the grass, gradually increasing the pace, but 

 always regulating it to the pace of the slowest hound. 

 Unless some fast work is done, the lungs do not get 

 the practice required for the stiff ordeal they will have 

 to undergo later on. 



There are some masters and huntsmen who look 

 on cub-hunting as a means of getting their packs 

 in condition, and are satisfied to commence with their 

 hounds as fat as bulls. In my humble opinion, a 

 pack ought to be as fit on the day it starts with the 



