THE HOPcSE ON WITICIl TO HUNT 13 



horses are leg-weary that they are most likely to 

 lame themselves. Another thing to be considered 

 is that, more often than not, the best sport is 

 reserved for the afternoon, when the field has 

 diminished considerably. 



With six horses, having two out each day, you 

 will be able to do four days' hunting a week, with- 

 out making allowance for accidents, which you 

 cannot expect to avoid. I am not referring to 

 sprains and serious mishaps, which may necessitate 

 lajdng the horse up for the season - -these are 

 frequent enough, goodness knows, and annoying 

 enough ; but to those minor accidents caused by 

 blows, thorns, &c., which often make it necessary, 

 or, at any rate, prudent, to leave an animal in when 

 his turn comes round. Never be induced, if an 

 animal is suffering from a blow or slight strain, to 

 bring him out as long as there is any heat in the 

 part affected, however sound he may appear to be. 

 Whilst there is heat there is mischief, and if 3^ou 

 value your horse you will find it better policy to 

 leave him in until his legs are perfectly cool again. 

 I have often, especially at the end of the season, 

 pursued a different course, and have always had 

 reason to regret doing so. 



To allow, then, for these contingencies, if you 

 mean to hunt for any period over a month, you 

 should have two extra horses, making eight in all. 



