CHAPTER VII 



Riding to Hounds, and Riding afler them. — The proper use of Reins 

 and Stirrups. — When the Hounds speak, the Hunters should be 

 silent. — The Momentous Moment. — How to Steer across Country. — 

 Men who try to catch the Fox by themselves. — Reason for Riding 

 on the Down-wind side of the Hounds. — Horses' Heads not made to 

 hold on by. — Fair and foolish ways of taking Fences. — Head and 

 Heart required in Riding to Hounds. — Craners and Funkers. — 

 Relation between the Master of Hounds and the Members of a Hunt. 



Riding to hounds, and riding after them, are very far 

 from being one and the same thing ; and of the former 

 class of sportsmen the number is extremely small, in 

 comparison with the large body of fox-hunters who 

 assemble at the place of meeting. Neither is the art or 

 knowledge of riding to hounds so easily attained as at 

 first may appear likely. Hunting men may be divided 

 into three classes — those who already know their business 

 in the field when following a pack of fox-hounds ; those 

 who are wilhng and endeavouring to learn it ; and those 

 (the great majority) who don't care a rap about it. To 

 the first, no observations of mine need be addressed ; 

 to the second, a few hints may not be deemed intrusive ; 

 and to the third, remonstrances and reproof are necessary, 

 to prevent them spoiling the sport of others. 



In these days of universal knowledge, when everybody 

 knows everything, and men are supposed to ride better 

 than men ever have ridden before, it might be considered 

 the height of presumption in my attempting to throw 

 out a few preliminary hints on mounting and managing 



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