50 NOTES FOE HUNTING-MEN 



A set of shoes should last three weeks to a 

 month, and even if not worn out should always be 

 removed and refitted at the end of the latter period. 

 I pay my man four shillings a set, which includes 

 nailing up and rounding off edges ; and should I 

 cast a shoe, which very rarely happens, he has to 

 replace it free of charge. For further details 

 concerning shoeing you cannot do better than 

 consult Fitz-Wygram. 



On the morning of hunting endeavour, if you 

 can, not to let the horse know that he is going out. 

 Morning of ^ome horses are very quick at finding 

 hunting ^^-g ^^^^ .f ^Yie stable routine is altered 

 in their case, and will not feed in consequence. I 

 like to get a horse to take one, and if possible two, 

 small feeds before he starts. He can only manage 

 the latter when the meet is near, and the start late 

 in consequence. 



Some grooms have a mania for ' docking ' their 

 horses of their water previous to hunting. I am 

 sure it is a great mistake and cruel. If a 

 horse has water constantly before him, as 

 a hunter should have, he will not drink too much 

 overnight, and he can safely have half a bucket 

 the first thing in the morning, besides a few go- 

 downs an hour before he starts. Eemember he 

 has a long day before him, and has no second 

 horseman out with a flask. 



