426 The Hunting Countries of England. 



safe conveyance over it at any time, your horse should 

 be steady, cautious and clever — one that will stop for 

 some seconds well away from the brink of the half- 

 hidden ditch, examine it carefully with eye and nostril 

 full-extended, and be ready at the word '^Come Up !" 

 to spring far enough to light in the middle of the 

 hedge, and finally to bore his way through. It is, 

 perhaps, advisable to give a friend a mount before 

 committing yourself to a late-purchase, of whose 

 capacities, as above defined, you are not quite certain. 

 In most Hunts you will find some unsuspecting man, 

 who is fond of a ride and thinks he is being mounted 

 for charity's sake. Failing such a personage ready to 

 hand, it will be as well to send your groom (who has 

 already learned a little too much to volunteer for the 

 saddle) with a lungeing rein and an assistant, to lead 

 the new acquisition over some trappy places. 



As regards other requisites for the horse for Here- 

 fordshire, it must be borne in mind that he has to be 

 a good deal in stiff clay that is always tiring and 

 often deep. He may not be required to go a great 

 pace over, or through, it ; but he has got his journey 

 home to perform afterwards ; and it is just as well for 

 your sake that he should not be tired before he sets 

 about it. So let him have strength enough for the 

 day^s work : and to bring you back without 

 endangering your joint safety. For the rest — if you 

 want " appearance " you must of course pay for it. 

 Appearances are, no doubt, as much a matter of 

 moment in Herefordshire as elsewhere : but if you 

 can afford to set them at naught, you can further 

 afford to mount yourself with tolerable economy to 



