150 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



no reason why they should not, if sound and fairly 

 stout in constitution, be hunted twice in the week. 

 Indeed, condition is so important a matter in these 

 grass countries that if a horse is able to come out often 

 he will be all the better and pleasanter to ride. Speak- 

 ing of the hard work done by the hunt horses in his 

 earlier days, Frank Gillard says, " It is astonishing 

 what a well-bred one can do, and we liked it better " 

 {i.e. riding horses in hard work) " than did Lord Henry 

 Bentinck's servants who were over-horsed." 



It is well perhaps for men of moderate means who 

 may be contemplating a season on the grass to be 

 reminded that the big studs we read of are the ex- 

 ception, since wealthy men are comparatively few. 

 Indeed, even rich men do not only spend their money 

 on horse flesh. Probably from four to six horses and 

 a hack is the average number in most stables. If, 

 once more, I may refer to " Market Harborough," 

 we shall find that Mr. Sawyer saw much sport with 

 four and a horse of all work. But to enjoy hunting in 

 Mr. Fernie's country a man must, as I have said, 

 come prepared to ride and he cannot be too well 

 mounted. The country is undulating, with ascents 

 often steep ; therefore a horse must be stout ; he 

 must have good shoulders to gallop down hill ; he 

 must go fast or he will be left behind or become so 

 blown that he will fall ; he must be fairly handy and 

 temperate, because there are times when the rider will 

 have to open gates or take his turn at a gap. Then 

 the horse should be a bold clean fencer, able to crash 

 through a thick hedge, to clear a stout top binder, 

 to gallop over his fences at a fair pace or to pull back 

 to a trot, to hop over a stout rail in a corner, or a 

 High Leicestershire stile which is simply four rails 

 stout and high, with a footboard to help the pedestrian. 



