The Poor Maris Hunter 



may remember that a hunter's powers in the way 

 of leaping are bounded much more by our fears 

 than by his strength. I am always being astonished 

 at what horses can do, ridden boldly and well. 

 Nevertheless, the old maxim that a fence takes 

 more out of a horse than a gallop over a forty-acre 

 field is worth remembering. But a crowd, pushing 

 and swaying in a gateway, also takes a good deal 

 out of a horse, and it is better to jump the first two 

 or three fences until you have a lead at the gates. 

 As to the best way to cross a country, I have so 

 recently written of that in '■'■ Foxhunting in the 

 Shires," that I will not repeat it here. Besides, it 

 would take up too much space. 



But there are other ways of saving your horse, 

 especially if you hack on to the meet, and in riding 

 home. For example, I walk up steep and lonely 

 hills, regardless of my boots. This relieves a 

 horse very much. I start early and go on very 

 steadily, and like, if possible, to put the horse into 

 a stable for a short time before the hunt begins. 

 On a hunting morning I feed and water exactly as 

 usual, only being careful that all is finished an 

 hour before I start, however early that may be. 

 After the sport is over, I always give gruel or 

 chilled water and trot steadily home, getting off to 

 ease the horse at steep hills. Before starting for 

 home I shift the saddle an inch or two further 

 forward or backward, as I have a fancy this eases 

 the horse. If the way is long, I get down to walk 



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