53 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



every fence, if the clioice is given, at a part that 

 calls for the least exertion to him, by stopping 

 and turning his face to the air the instant a 

 check enables you to do so, by being on the 

 alert to go the moment hounds " hit it off again,^^ 

 so as not to have ground to make up, which 

 will often beat a horse in three or four fields^ 

 length. Never mind a good-humoured quiz from 

 a more wealthy brother sportsman, but in " slow 

 going " way, if you see a check is likely to last 

 five minutes, jump off your horse's back, but be 

 ready to as quickly jump on again. Take it as a 

 true fox-hunting maxim, though one of my own, 

 "never lose a second of time;'' it is the true spirit 

 of fox-hunting in all its appliances in the field. 

 Above all things, nothing should be more avoided 

 than larking in going to hounds, in the field, or 

 on coming home ; men with large studs may do 

 it, but it takes a great deal out of horses. Have 

 a shy across country if you like it, if your horses, 

 from some circumstance, are short of work ; it will 

 then do them good : but a small stud cannot stand 

 larking on hunting days. Ride with hounds like 

 a sportsman ; ride to keep with hounds, but 

 never ride when hunting to keep with men. 



There are men who are not very particular as 

 to their horse's looks as regards condition, or their 

 being quite equal to, or a little above their work ; 

 and horses in such state will go through runs 



