120 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



of fox-hounds as he should of harriers. He is sure to incur 

 the anger of the master and the huntsman, and probably the 

 majority of the field, if he rides over the hounds at every little 

 check. 



It is not good policy for a beginner to take a line of his 

 own; but as he gains confidence in his knowledge of the sport, 

 and in his own judgment as to the character of the country and 

 capabilities of his horse to carry him, it is perhaps better to 

 do so. 



We will now presume that the young sportsman is fairly 

 settled in the run. Now one of the most important things to 

 bear in mind is to economise the horse's strength by easing 

 him over heavy ground as much as possible. This he can 

 generally do without giving up his place for more than a 

 moment ; for he who allows his horse to go at top speed over 

 heavy plough, deep grass, or up a steep hill, will most surely 

 pay the penalty before he gets to the end of it : that is, if 

 there is any bad ground worth speaking of, for his horse must 

 take more out of himself by far than if he had been saved till 

 the sound going is reached again. 



In some countries a great deal depends on a man's judg- 

 ment and management to get through a day's hunting well. 

 Where, for instance, the most part of the ground is ploughed 

 land, the headlands or furrows are the places to choose, and 

 even then the pace should be slackened somewhat, as nothing 

 is so likely to bring a horse to harm as permitting him to 

 become blown; which condition is very easily reached, if 

 the rider is not careful, in a heavy country, and unless the 

 precautions alluded to are taken. If a horse falls when blown 

 or tired, he does so awkwardly and heavily. In some parts of 

 Ireland (Kildare, for instance) the ditches are very wide and 

 deep, and when a horse gets into them, especially if tired, he 

 requires a great deal of pulling out. 



Elsewhere an opinion has been givea about the pace that 



