238 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



self if he lives in the country and in endeavouring 

 to prevent the horses being taken the same round 

 and on the dullest roads every day. I have known 

 several men who drove their horses in harness, and 

 I can see no objection in practice, though in theory 

 of course it is objectionable. One friend takes them 

 in the coach as leaders, and this is to my mind an 

 ideal way for a hunter to spend his summer, provided 

 his legs and feet are sound and healthy. If he has 

 these, I am sure that by moderate work he is much 

 more likely to keep them so than in a grass park or a 

 moss-littered box. But even if I had to put the 

 hunters in a brougham or a four-wheeled dogcart — 

 I confess I do not like two-wheeled vehicles for riding 

 horses — I would rather face the disadvantages of 

 this than allow the horse to become dull and stupid 

 in his box. To give as much change and variety, 

 to let the horse see as many different sights and sounds 

 as possible, is more important than almost anything 

 else. 



The point which comes next is to consider what 

 kind of horse ought to be found in our studs in the 

 grass countries. Here I shrink from laying down 

 any rules. Not only do horses defy the dogmatist 

 by showing most unexpected qualities, but so much 

 depends on the man. It is well, then, to take counsel 

 with ourselves in solitude when we can afford to be 

 quite honest and perfectly frank, and to consider 

 what sort of horse we are really able to ride with 

 pleasure and comfort. That is the first point to 

 consider. We may not, very likely we shall not, be 

 able to find exactly what we want, but at any rate 

 we are more likely to do so if we have the Type clearly 

 before our minds. 



The next points to consider are what we can afford 



