HUNTS AND THEIR HISTORY 149 



In spite of its advantages, however, Mr. Fernie's 

 fixtures are not overcrowded, for the truth is that to 

 ride to hounds fairly straight is beyond the power 

 of all save a few. Those who would do so must have 

 nerve unshaken and big bold blood horses, for the 

 fences are serious obstacles, and it might well happen 

 that during a run many, possibly most, of the fences 

 will be such that they can just be jumped and no 

 more. This is not only a test of nerve in the rider 

 but of staying power in the horse, since big fences take 

 more out of them than galloping. Inasmuch, then, 

 as the reason for choosing such a country is that you 

 wish to ride hard (for, as I have previously pointed out, 

 if you do not desire this there are other countries than 

 Leicestershire which would suit you better), two horses 

 a day are a necessity or you must make up your mind 

 to forego a great deal of the best sport. There are 

 seasons (1901-2 was one) during which hounds will 

 often run better in the evening than in the morning, 

 and it is certain that there are many days in each season 

 when they will do so. But before these afternoon 

 runs begin the man with one horse ought to be well 

 on his way home. 



There is, however, one consideration on the other side 

 of the account. I know no country where horses 

 come again so quickly as they do here, and I think the 

 percentage of injuries to horses is small. They are 

 always galloping on sound turf which, if sometimes 

 hard, is nearly always springy and elastic. Thus, 

 the strains which happen in deep and sticky ground 

 are avoided. I think, too, that while it is always a 

 luxury to have a horse a stone over one's riding weight, 

 yet that a lighter horse can be more safely ridden in 

 this country than elsewhere. Horses come out more 

 often, and if two horses a day are provided, there is 



