270 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



year when they are still naturally soft and out 

 of condition and it is the nursing of a good 

 horse through a great run that is the best 

 test of the judgment of a practised rider on 

 the moor. The stamp of horses employed is 

 improving from year to year, greatly owing no 

 doubt to the agency of the annual horse show 

 at Exford instituted by Viscount Ebrington, 

 and there is also a growing tendency amongst 

 hunting visitors to bring their own horses to 

 Exmoor instead of relying entirely upon the 

 efforts of the local job masters. These latter 

 too have improved enormously their class of 

 animal and pay far more attention than for- 

 merly to the great question of condition, 

 without careful attention to which no horse 

 can follow the staghounds regularly throughout 

 the busy time. Manv heavv weights are carried 

 well through the longest and fastest runs, but 

 it is on the vielding surface of the moor that 

 the welter weight is most at a disadvantage, 

 and it is here that knowledge of country avails 

 least, although of course it is still a great 

 advantage. For here the hounds get quicker 

 from point to point than thev do amongst 

 enclosures and frequent woodlands, here the 

 scent is generally more burning, except in wet 

 or threatening weather, when the heavy moisture 

 on the long moor grass and heather is apt to 

 hinder hounds from doing their best. On the 



