115 



districts seem to think these fowls are kept for their 

 benefit, and help themselves Hberally, with the result 

 that hunt secretaries are faced with heavy bills, in some 

 cases more than double what they were fifteen or twenty 

 years ago. Repairing fences makes a serious inroad on 

 available funds, as both material and labour have risen 

 in price. Compensation for damage, covert rents, and a 

 host of other claims have to be settled before hunting 

 can proceed smoothly. Masters and secretaries must 

 work hard to fulfil these obhgations with the necessary 

 tact, and the field being reheved of all responsibiUty, 

 should respond hberally in the matter of subscriptions. 



Kicking horses are a very serious danger out hunting, 

 and those riding them must not imagine that a red 

 ribbon on the tail absolves them from taking ordinary 

 precautions. There are very few horses that cannot be 

 cured of the habit by judicious punishment and the use 

 of the voice. Some horses kick from nervousness and 

 others from vice. A really bad kicker should never be 

 the mount of an indifferent horseman. A gentle and 

 continuous manipulation of the bridle is advisable when 

 a horse, not above reproach, is in a crowded gateway. 

 The rider, however, too intent on conversation to take 

 notice, must not be surprised if the horse in front 

 retahates by kicking, because he has had his tail or 

 quarters nibbled by the one behind. 



In riding to hounds, the most important rule to 

 observe is to keep a straight line, and should the fence 

 immediately in front be unjumpable, it is only excusable 

 to deviate from the straight path if at least ten good 

 lengths ahead of the nearest man, so that your action 

 does not obhge him to check his horse. Those to whom 

 jumping a fence first and selecting a place is more than 

 half the fun would generally do better not to change 



