186 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



the cry of hounds exercises the same influence over 

 the horse as it does over his rider, the difficulty 

 being rather to keep him within bounds, and check 

 his ardour. Having ridden for the greater part of 

 our hunting career without spurs, we have come 

 to the conclusion that they are not necessaries, 

 although they may be used as auxiliaries. A slug 

 may require a little pricking, but a free-going 

 hunter should never be spurred at any time ; and 

 we have, moreover, seen serious accidents from 

 their unintentional application when going through 

 fences and coppices, by the foot being caught by 

 a stiff bough, and the spur pressed against the 

 horse's side. The heel of the boot or the voice 

 are quite sufficient to answer the purpose of adding 

 a little more energy to your horse, if required, and 

 with a lift of the hand and clip of the leg, his 

 spring may be assisted, and speed accelerated with- 

 out drawing blood. 



As to the costume of a foxhunter, nothing can 

 be more appropriate or artistic than the leathers 

 and tops in use for so many years ; and although 

 the fashion in these times, the French jack-boot 

 is not less unsportsmanlike in appearance. It may 

 be more comfortable to the wearer, and possibly 

 turn aside a thorn from your knee, yet it cannot 

 equal the neatness of the old top-boot, so identified 

 with all our sporting reminiscences. Caps were 

 worn formerly chiefly by huntsmen and wliippurs- 

 in, being rather regarded as that distinguishing 

 headpiece or badge of office ; now they are adopted 

 by every sporting man who would be thought 



