24 PRACTICAL HINTS FOR HUNTING NOVICES. 



are more difficult to make than they are with regard 

 to any other matter connected with hunting. To 

 presume, then, that the aspirant to the hunting field, 

 of either sex, has never learnt to ride until he or she 

 is well advanced in his or her teens. The thousand 

 and one books which have been written on the subject 

 will for the most part suggest the riding school, and 

 though much has been taught in the schools in the past 

 that is of little value in the hunting field, it cannot be 

 denied that the schools have turned out many good 

 riders. 



The fact is, there are apt and inapt pupils, 

 whether they learn in the schools or out of doors, and the 

 former class soon pick up a good deal of knowledge, 

 while the stupid beginners muddle on for long enough, 

 and seldom become even moderate horsemen. Broadly 

 speaking, the schools may be recommended for townsmen, 

 and the open country system for those who live in the 

 country. The average townsman has, indeed, little 

 chance of learning to ride except in a school. He cannot 

 well take his first lesson on horseback in a public street, 

 and, moreover, most grown-up men do not like being 

 laughed at when they attempt anything new, and there 

 is less chance of this occurring in the privacy of a 

 riding school than there is on a public road. If the 

 would-be himting man lives in the country, his best plan 

 is to buy a thoroughly steady, qui-^t horse, who does 

 not pull or shy, and who may be trusted to do exactly 

 what is wanted ; or, if he knows of such a horse, he 

 might borrow or hire him before he buys for himself ; 

 but under any circumstances he must not attempt 

 to ride until he has secured the services of someone 



