The Bedale Hounds, 1832-1908 191 



RULES FOR RIDERS TO HOUNDS. 



A correspondent of evidently a humorous turn of 

 mind writes to the Western Morning News to say that 

 he has come across the following " Rudimentary 

 Rules ' ' for riders to hounds, and thought their perusal 

 might amuse, and possibly instruct, followers to 

 hounds, beginners and otherwise : — 



Rudimentary Rules Religiously Respected 

 BY Riders, and Reasons Respecting Them. 



1. — When riding on the road always press past the 

 second whipper-in and other hunt servants to the 

 tail of the huntsman's horse. It will drive the hounds 

 in front of the huntsman, and so enable him to see how 

 many have followed him from the Kennel ■ it will, too, 

 teach the hounds to follow the whipper-in, and not 

 the huntsman, and so prevent them bestowing any 

 undue preference on the latter. 



2. — Should a hound linger behind for a minute, on 

 no account stop your horse, but ride at him and flick 

 him with your whip. It will teach him better manners 

 for the future. 



3. When you have ascertained by enquiry, or your 

 own superior intelligence, which covert is to be drawn, 

 do not follow the hounds thereto if you think you 

 know a shorter way; go your own route, and post 

 yourself where you think they will eventually come. 

 You will thus show your knowledge of the country, 

 and be able to tell the huntsman if you have seen a fox 

 come out and return into the covert. If you take 

 seven friends with you your success will be all the 

 more certain. 



4. — If you are constrained to stay with the rest of 

 the field when hounds are drawing, get up wind and 

 talk as loud as you can. It will prevent people who 

 come out to hunt listening to what is going on in covert, 

 and so, maybe, obtaining an unfair start. 



5. — At all times, but particularly if hounds are 

 running, take care to let every gate slam behind you. 



