AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. 223 



years, the riding institute contributing also a certain number 

 of liorses. The domain keeps 80 deerhounds bought in Eng- 

 hind. The object sought is not only to practice the officers 

 in riding at the gallop, in order to render them energetic 

 goers, but to acquaint cavalry officers with the amount of 

 effort they can demand of a horse, and of the strength of the 

 latter. The horses are highly trained for the hunt, the train- 

 ing including the jumping of ditches, hedges, etc. The hunt 

 consists of letting loose, in a very much cut up but untim- 

 bered country, a deer caught in the forest on the opposite 

 bank of the March. The animal being out of his country is. 

 hunted, often in sight of the dogs. The horsemen follow the 

 dogs, crossing behind them all the obstacles which they 

 encounter. These latter consist principally of ditches, slopes, 

 etc., the most difficult being a ravine from 11 to 13 j^ards 

 wide, with 2 yards of water at the bottom. The officers ride 

 well at obstacles, are well seated, but yield little to their 

 horses, who jump pressing on the bridoon. The pace is 

 severe, and to follow it good horses are required. These 

 hunts are a military sport, and afford an excelleut method of 

 practicing riding in the open. 



