102 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



over it a few times, and then it is questionable 

 whether he will drink at all. 



But beware of making a long call when you 

 give your horse his drink of gruel. The lights 

 in the Hall and the rattle of the teaspoons may 

 be very alluring but do not listen to them. Said 

 Goethe " At evening home's the best place for 

 a man *' and it is indisputable that when hunting 

 is over the fittest place for a hunter is his own 

 stable. So your horse having drunk his gruel, 

 get under way again at once. Five minutes 

 is quite long enough to stay under ordinary 

 circumstances. 



Both horse and rider stiffen if they stay 

 long, and it is needless to say that that makes 

 the homeward journey more painful. 



Unless you know the country very well 

 indeed, keep to the main roads when returning 

 from hunting, if, as is very likely, your journey 

 will not be finished till a considerable time after 

 it is dark. Intricate bye-ways are easily missed 

 in the dark, and, after dark especially, a tired 

 horse likes to hear the rattle of his feet on the 

 high road. The best pace to travel is the hound 

 jog. It is the easiest for both horse and rider. 

 And though it does not seem a very fast pace it 

 is astonishing how the miles tell off if you keep 

 persevering at it. 



Another hint may be given to the returning 

 sportsman. As soon as the homeward journey 

 is commenced let the stirrups out a hole or two. 

 It will add to the comfort of the horse — and 



