224 HARE-HUNTING AND HARRIERS 



can scarcely live with them. But for average hare- 

 hunting, a sound, handy, easy-mouthed horse, a good 

 and temperate fencer, and a fair galloper is all that is 

 needed. Still, it must be remembered that if the 

 Master, who acts as huntsman, means to follow his 

 hounds, he must have a horse that can jump ; and in 

 the course of his career he may have to face some very 

 queer and awkward places indeed. 



At the same time, it is to be said that some packs of 

 harriers are hunted, and hunted respectably, by Masters 

 getting well on in years, who perform but little fencing, 

 and yet, by their knowledge of the country and of the 

 hare's habits, and by the use of gates, are usually there, 

 or thereabouts, when the kill happens. As for the whip, 

 he may be adequately but not expensively mounted. 

 In Hunts where economy is the vogue, a lad, mounted 

 on a useful cob that can gaUop and jump, is often 

 found performing the duties of his ofhce quite reason- 

 ably well. Some Masters provide themselves and their 

 whip with second horses, but this is a distinctly 

 uncommon practice in hare-hunting. 



In the case of the more affluent of harrier packs, the 

 men are turned out, save that the colour of their coats 

 is green instead of scarlet, in almost exactly the same 

 style as are their brethren with foxhounds. In quieter 

 establishments, the rules of costume are not adhered 

 to with quite such nicety. But with the majority of 

 packs the kit and turn-out are usually smart and 

 workmanlike. Britons, wherever their sport is con- 

 cerned, love to have things done decently and in order ; 

 and, even in the case of establishments where one 

 knows that the Hunt is run on economical lines, it is 

 often noticeable how smartly, yet neatly, the whole 

 thing — men, pack, and horses — is turned out. 



With foot-harrier packs, and, very often, even in 



