CHAPTER XVI.

HUNTING.

When ladies began to hunt--Hunt subscriptions--In the field--

Cub-hunting--Blood--Coming home--Rider's Physical Condition--Tips

and thanks--The Horn--Hirelings--Farmers and Wire--Pilots--

Propriety--Falls.

WHEN LADIES BEGAN TO HUNT.

Although the hunting field is nowadays graced by the presence of many

good horsewomen who ride well to hounds and are capable of taking care

of themselves and their mounts, it is only within about the last seventy

years that ladies have ridden across country. Mr. Elliott in his book

_Fifty years of Fox-hunting_ tells us that in 1838 "Mrs. Lorraine Smith

and her two daughters, with Miss Stone from Blisworth, were the only

ladies who hunted then. The Misses Lorraine Smith rode in scarlet

bodices and grey skirts. The improved side-saddle was not then invented

to enable a lady to ride over fences." We learn from the same writer

that in 1841 "a lady named Miss Nellie Holmes was out, topping the

fences like a bird to the admiration of all; and when she came to the

brook, over she went.... That was the first lady whom I saw go over a

country. There is one certainty about ladies, what one does another will

do, if it be worth the doing. Very soon others were at the game, and

many have played it well since." In a pleasant little book entitled _The

Young Ladies' Equestrian Manual_, written by a lady and published in

1838, we read, "No lady of taste ever gallops on the road. Into this

pace the lady's horse is never urged, or permitted to break, except in

the field; and not above one among a thousand of our fair readers, it

may be surmised, is likely to be endowed with sufficient ambition and

boldness, to attempt the following of hounds." The saddle given in a

drawing in this book has no leaping head, but the writer mentions, as I

have previously noted, that movable crutches were being introduced to

enable a lady to ride on either side of her horse. The leaping head (p.

33), third crutch, or third pommel, as it was first called in England,

came into use in this country in the forties, and with its aid ladies

felt themselves endowed with sufficient ambition and boldness to follow

hounds. Captain Elmhirst, writing in 1877, says: "It will, I think, be

admitted by everyone that the number of ladies who hunt now is at least

tenfold as compared with a dozen years ago," and every year since that

was written, has seen a steady increase in the ranks of hunting women.

HUNT SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Perhaps it may not be out of place to say something about what a lady

should do if she desires to join a hunt and has no menkind to arrange

such business matters for her. Every woman who hunts should (and usually

does, I believe,) contribute her share of payment towards the sport in

which she participates. If a lady is well off, and intends to hunt

regularly, she would probably not give less than L25; but the Quorn and

some other fashionable hunts lay down no hard and fast rule concerning

the amount to be subscribed, which varies according to individual

circumstances. The minimum subscription to the Pytchley is L25 for a man

and L10 for a lady. Lord North, who is Chairman of the Committee of the

Warwickshire Hunt, states (_The Field_, 20th December, 1902), in a very

generous manner, that "fox-hunting must never be allowed to become the

sport of the rich alone. It is a national sport, and must be open to

all--to rich and poor alike." There is, however, a recognised sum which

qualifies the donor for hunt membership; for instance: the Craven

minimum subscription, with membership, is L10; the Crawley and Horsham,

15 guineas; while subscribers of L25 to the Meynell hunt are privileged

to wear the hunt button. In several hunts--Lord Fitzwilliam's, Mr.

Bathurst's, the Belvoir, when hunted by the Duke of Rutland, and

others--the Master hunts the country at his own expense, subscriptions

being accepted only for Covert, Wire, Poultry, or Damage Funds, as the

case may be. The Vale of White Horse (Cirencester) requires a

subscription from ladies of "L5 per day, per week." Strangers who hunt

occasionally with a subscription pack where capping is not practised,

are expected to contribute towards the Poultry or Damage Fund. In some

hunts a cap is taken from non-subscribers, from whom a certain fixed sum

is expected; the Essex and Suffolk requires five shillings a day, the

Burstow a sovereign, and the Pytchley and Warwickshire two pounds. The

usual "field money" in Ireland is half-a-crown. The Blackmore Vale,

although a subscription pack, does not fix any sum, but sensibly expects

people to subscribe according to the number of horses they keep, and the

amount of hunting they do. An old and sound rule is L5 for each horse.

As subscriptions vary in different hunts, the best plan for a lady who

has to arrange her own business matters, is to write to the secretary of

the hunt which she desires to join, and obtain from him the required

information. She will find _Bailey's Hunting Directory_ a most useful

book of reference.

IN THE FIELD.

Under this heading, I shall try to give practical advice to those who

are commencing their hunting career, and explain several things that I

would have liked to have known myself when I first rode to hounds. As we

may learn something from the failings of others before entering the

expensive school of experience, it would be wise, before we hunt, to

study certain complaints which experienced hunting men have published

anent our sisters in the field. Mr. Otho Paget says: "I am not one of

those who think that women are in the way out hunting, and in my

experience I have always considered they do much less harm than the men,

but the time when they do sin is at a check. They not only talk

themselves, but they encourage men to talk as well, and I have

repeatedly seen a woman lead a whole field over ground where the pack

intended to cast themselves. The woman, instead of attending to what

hounds are doing, enters into a conversation with a man and together

they talk on without paying heed to the damage they may do. My dear

sisters, forgive me for calling you to order, but if you would only keep

silent when hounds are at fault, and stand quite still, you perhaps

might shame your admirers into better behaviour, and thereby be the

means of furthering the interests of sport." This rebuke means that when

a gallop is suddenly stopped by hounds losing the scent of their fox and

being obliged to puzzle out the line, the ladies of the hunt should

remain silent, should pull up and not impede the huntsman who will do

his best to aid his hounds in recovering the lost scent. Mr. Paget's

remark about the lady who led the field over ground where the pack

intended to cast themselves, means that the hounds were trying to

recover the lost scent without the assistance of the huntsman, but

their efforts had been spoiled by the people who rode over the ground

and thus foiled the line. It is obvious that to spoil the sport of

others in this negligent manner is to cover ourselves with humiliation,

and other unbecoming wraps.

It must be remembered that hunting, unlike other forms of sport, has no

written rules of its own for the guidance of the uninitiated. Every

indulgence should therefore be shown to the hunting tyro who innocently

commits errors; for in nine cases out of ten it is probable she does so,

from ignorance of the unwritten laws which govern the conduct of the

experienced hunting man and woman. On this subject Mr. Otho Paget

writes: "The lady novice comes in for her share of blame, and though she

may not get sworn at, black looks will soon explain the situation. For

her I would also crave indulgence, and if she becomes a regular

offender, you can ask her male friends to tell her in what way she is

doing wrong. In whatever way we may treat them, there is no excuse for

the novice, male or female, embarking on a hunting career, without

having ascertained the customs and observances which are considered

necessary by those who have had considerable experience.... Anyone who

comes out hunting without knowing the rules of the game, is a constant

source of danger to those who are near." This is all very true of

course; but the aspiring Diana may well ask "what are these said rules,

and where can I obtain them?" I feel sure that all hunting novices

would greatly appreciate and study an orthodox code of hunting laws, as

it would be far pleasanter for a lady to avoid mistakes by their

guidance, than to have "her male friends to tell her in what way she is

doing wrong," possibly _after_ she has received "black looks" from the

whole of the field. Hunting is a science which has to be learnt, and

every game of science should have its published code of regulations, or

it cannot be played without grave blunders by those who have to pick it

up at haphazard.

In justice to my sex it must be allowed that they do not holloa on

viewing a fox, a fault that is often committed by men, especially in the

Provinces. Colonel Alderson quoting from an old pamphlet on hunting

which was reprinted in 1880 by Messrs. William Pollard and Co., Exeter,

says: "Gentlemen, keep your mouths shut and your ears open. The fox has

broken cover, you see him--gentlemen, gentlemen, do not roar out

'Tally-ho'! do not screech horribly. If you do, he will turn back, even

under your horses' feet, in spite of the sad and disappointed look on

your handsome or ugly faces. Do not crack your infernal whips, be

silent."

Whyte Melville says: "I do not say you are never to open your mouth, but

I think that if the inmates of our deaf and dumb asylums kept hounds,

these would show sport above the average and would seldom go home

without blood. Noise is by no means a necessary concomitant of the

chase, and a hat held up, or a quiet whisper to the huntsman, is of

more help to him than the loudest and clearest view holloa that ever

wakened the dead, 'from the lungs of John Peel in the morning.'"

As this chapter is written with the desire to help the inexperienced

huntress, she will, I feel sure, be grateful to the writers who have

advised her what not to do, so we will study the next complaint which

comes from that experienced sportsman Captain Elmhirst, who describes a

hunting run better, I think, than any other writer on the subject. He

says: "When ladies cast in their lot with the rougher sex, lay

themselves out to share in all the dangers and discomforts incidental to

the chase, and even compete for honours in the school of fox-hunting,

they should in common fairness be prepared to accept their position on

even terms, nor neglect to render in some degree mutual the assistance

so freely at their command, and that men in a Leicestershire field so

punctiliously afford to each other. The point on which they so

prominently fail in this particular is, to speak plainly, their

habitual, neglect--or incapacity--at gateways. Given the rush and crush

of three hundred people starting for a run and pressing eagerly through

a single way of exit--to wit, an ordinary gate swinging easily and

lightly, and requiring only that each passer through should by a touch

hinder its closing after him or her. Of these three hundred, in all

probability thirty are ladies; and I commit myself to the statement that

not more than five of that number will do their share towards

preserving the passage for those who follow them. The bulk of them will

vaguely wave what they, forsooth, term their hunting-whips towards the

returning gate; while others merely give their mounts a kick in the ribs

and gallop onwards, with no look behind at the mischief and

mortification they have caused. The gate slams, the crowd press on to

it, a precious minute or two is lost and scores of people are robbed of

their chance in the forthcoming gallop. And yet these are our sisters

whose arms and nerves are strong enough to steer an impetuous horse over

a most difficult country and who turn away from nothing that we can dare

to face. The intense annoyance entailed by a gate being dropped into its

intricate fastenings through want of ability or of consideration on the

part of the fair Amazon immediately preceding him, has brought into the

mouth of many a chivalrous sportsman a muttered anathema of the feminine

taste for hunting that scarce any other provocation would have availed

to rouse. It is only quite of late that a certain number of ladies have

supplied themselves with whips at all capable of supporting a gate; and

not many of these can use them even now. I make bold to say that not

only every lady who hunts should be armed with a sufficient hunting-crop

(with of course a lash to guard against its loss in a gateway), but that

no lady ought to deem herself qualified to take her place in the field

until she has learned how to use it. Were such a rule adhered to, we

should hear none of the sweeping remarks indulged in by sufferers who

have over and over again writhed under disappointments, that if

inflicted by our own sex, would have quickly called forth direct charges

of inconsiderateness and want of courtesy."

From this admonition the tyro may learn two things which will be of

great service to her in hunting. First, the necessity of providing

herself with a strong hunting crop, which should be sufficiently long

and stiff to stop a gate easily, with a good handle to it capable of

opening or stopping a gate, and the orthodox thong and lash attached to

prevent the whip from falling on the ground if she loses her hold of it

at a gateway. Provided with this serviceable crop, a lady, before she

appears in the hunting field, should ride through as many different

varieties of gates as she can find, and should thoroughly master the art

of opening and shutting them herself, and of giving the necessary push

with her crop as she passes through for the assistance of imaginary

riders behind her. In Leicestershire there are so many bridle roads that

a lady may obtain any amount of this practice when hacking. It would be

well for her to ride the horses on which she intends to hunt, as she

will be teaching them to go steadily through gates while she is

perfecting herself in the art of opening and shutting them, and her

hunters will also learn the important accomplishment of being able to

push a gate when it opens from her. She should be careful to securely

shut every gate through which she may pass, because farm stock are apt

to stray through gates which are left open and cause great

inconvenience to their owners. If a lady is the last to pass through a

gate when hunting, she should always remember to shut it. Men are often

far greater culprits than women at gates, apart from their holloaing

propensities. Many men seem to regard the sport as provided for them

alone, and look upon my sex as being in the hunting field on sufferance.

Most of us have met the entirely selfish male who gallops up to a gate,

rushes through it and lets it bang behind him, well knowing that a lady

is making for the same means of exit, and is only a few lengths away.

Considering that women pay for their hunting and are not on the free

list, it seems rather superfluous for men to assure them that they do

not object to their presence in the hunting field, an announcement which

appears in print so often that it sounds like protesting too much. We

never hear of hunting women recording the fact that they do not object

to the presence of men: even ladies who carry the horn themselves are

free from prejudice in this respect. Hunting men, in assuring us of

their distinguished toleration, almost appear to copy each other in

their charming manner of expressing that fact. For instance, Whyte

Melville says: "Far be it from me to assert that the field is no place

for the fair; on the contrary, I hold that their presence adds in every

respect to its charms." Then why does he suggest such a thing? Captain

Elmhirst assures us that he is "one of those who, far from cavilling

selfishly at their presence, heartily admit the advantages direct and

indirect in their participating in a pursuit in which we men are too

often charged with allowing ourselves to be entirely absorbed." Mr. Otho

Paget says: "I am not one of those who think that women are in the way

out hunting, and in my experience I have always considered they do much

less harm than the men." Nice, truthful man, and great favourite as he

deserves to be. The celebrated Beckford appropriately gives as a

frontispiece, in his _Thoughts on Hunting_, a portrait of Diana, the

goddess of hunting, having her sandals girded on for the chase, and

explains the picture by saying: "You will rally me perhaps on the choice

of my frontispiece; but why should not hunting admit the patronage of a

lady? The ancients, you know, invoked Diana at setting out on the chase,

and sacrificed to her at their return; is not this enough to show the

propriety of my choice?" How much nicer the ancients must have been than

many moderns are! They often provoke poor Diana when setting out for the

chase, and sacrifice her to their bad tempers on their return! According

to Jorrocks, hunting men must be vainer than we are, for we do not wear

pink. That great sportsman found that "two-thirds of the men wot come

out and subscribe, wouldn't do so if they had to ride in black!"

Another admonition which should receive the serious attention of the

hunting tyro comes from Whyte Melville, who says: "Now I hope I am not

going to express a sentiment that will offend their prejudices and

cause young women to consider me an old one, but I do consider that in

these days ladies who go out hunting ride a turn too hard.... Let the

greatest care be taken in the selection of their horses; let their

saddles and bridles be fitted to such a nicety that sore backs and sore

mouths are equally impossible, and let trustworthy servants be told off

to attend them during the day. Then, with everything in their favour,

over a fair country fairly fenced, why should they not ride on and take

their pleasure?

"But even if their souls disdain to follow a regular pilot (and, I may

observe, this office requires no little nerve, as they are pretty quick

on a leader when he gets down), I would entreat them not to try 'cutting

out the work,' as it is called, but rather to wait and see at least one

rider over a leap before they attempt it themselves.... What said the

wisest of kings concerning a fair woman without discretion? We want no

Solomon to remind us that with her courage roused, her ambition excited,

all the rivalry of her nature called into play, she has nowhere more

need of this judicious quality than in the hunting field." Possibly the

writer was thinking of two rival Dianas who ride to cut each other down,

and who are a nuisance and danger to the entire field. One, if not both

of them, has generally to be picked up as the result of this jealous

riding.

[Illustration: Fig. 130.--Ridge and furrow.]

As it is in Leicestershire that many of our finest horsewomen may be

seen, I would strongly recommend the lady who has done some preliminary

hunting with harriers, can ride well, and who is supplied with

suitable hunters which she can thoroughly control, to learn to hunt in

that country. She will there get the best possible instruction in hunt

discipline and see the game correctly played, which is far better for

her than graduating in a country where people ride to holloas, where the

Master is unable to control his field, and where hounds are interfered

with in their work by ignorant or careless sportsmen. Besides, if she

made her _debut_ in a country which is badly hunted, she would learn a

great deal that she would have to unlearn, if she should ever desire to

hunt in Leicestershire. A Leicestershire field may be divided into four

classes: the first flight people who show the way, ride comparatively

straight and require no lead; the second flighters, who use the first

flighters as their skirmishers and follow them as straight as they can;

the third flighters (to which class the hunting tyro ought to belong

while getting to know the country), who ride through gates and gaps and

over small fences; and the fourth flighters, or macadamisers, who, like

Jorrocks, "are 'ard riders, because they never leave the 'ard road."

The lady who is a capable horsewoman, which I need hardly say she ought

to be before she attempts to hunt in any country, should, if she wishes

to ride in Leicestershire, get as much practice as possible over ridge

and furrow (Fig. 130), in order that she may be able to gallop easily

and comfortably over it when hunting; for those who are unaccustomed to

deep ridge and furrow are apt to tire themselves and their horses

unnecessarily. The lines of snow in Fig. 131 show the presence of ridge

and furrow in the distance. As it is requisite for a lady to know how to

ride on the flat and over fences, it is equally important that she

should obtain all the practice she can in negotiating difficult ground,

so that the hunting field may have no unpleasant surprises in store for

her. A very steep incline will stop many people. There is one in the

North Cheshire country, near Church Minshull I think, which is like

riding down the side of a house to get to the valley below. The passage

from the high ground to the Belvoir Vale is also quite steep, enough to

give us pause. The best and safest way to ride down such places is for

the rider to lean back and take her horse very slowly and perfectly

straight down the incline. He should never be taken sideways; because if

he makes a mistake and his hind quarters are not under him, he will be

very liable to roll over on his rider. If he is kept perfectly straight

and misses his footing, he will try to save himself by putting his

weight on his hind quarters, and will probably find himself sitting on

his haunches until he recovers his balance. The rider, by leaning back,

removes weight from his forehand and is prepared for any mistake he may

make. She should remember to lower her head in passing under trees and

not hurry her mount in the least, even though she may see the whole

field streaming away from her in the valley below. In going up hill, if

the ascent be very steep, the rider would do well to lean forward and

catch hold of her horse's mane, if he has one, or of the breastplate, so

as to avoid letting her weight make the saddle slip, and also to put her

weight well forward and thus assist the horse. She should let him take a

zigzag course, and should on no account interfere with his head by

pulling on the reins. We may notice that a waggoner with a heavy load

always takes his horse in a zigzag direction up a steep hill, as it is

easier for the animal, and allows him occasional intervals for rest, if

necessary. We should ride slowly and save our mount as much as possible

on such occasions.

[Illustration: Fig. 131.--Ridge and furrow in the distance.]

When we go a-hunting we should not forget to provide ourselves with a

pocket-handkerchief of a useful size; for a dab of mud on the face is a

common occurrence. Our noses and often our eyes require "mopping" on a

cold day, and as the small square of lace bedecked or embroidered

cambric which usually does duty as a handkerchief, is totally unable to

meet the various calls made upon it, it is ridiculously out of place. If

a watch is needed, it is most conveniently carried in a leather wristlet

made for the purpose, as it can then be consulted at any moment, by

merely raising the hand, without having to fumble for a watch-pocket.

I must not omit mention of the necessary flask and sandwich case, which

are generally given into the charge of the second horseman; but if a

one-horse lady goes home at the change of horses, she will not require a

"snack."

As one of the first principles of hunting is to spare both ourselves and

our horses any unnecessary fatigue, a lady should, if possible, always

drive to the meet, or go by rail. If she has to ride, she should

undertake no distance beyond ten miles. I have ridden twelve, but I

think that is too far. If she rides her hunter, she should take him

quietly, alternating the pace between a walk and a slow canter on the

soft side of the road, the orthodox pace being six miles an hour. She

should trot as little as possible, in order to avoid the risk of giving

her mount a sore back; for trotting, if she rises in the saddle, is the

pace most likely to cause trouble in this respect. On arriving at the

meet, she should never neglect the precaution of having her girths

tightened as may be required, for her horse will have thinned down

somewhat from exercise, and the girths will allow of another hole or two

being taken up. One of the most fruitful causes of sore back is

occasioned by thoughtlessly hunting on a horse which is slackly girthed

up, as the friction of the saddle will soon irritate the back, with the

result, generally, of a swelling on the off side of the withers, and on

the off side of the back, near the cantle. I wish to draw particular

attention to the necessity of tightening the girths of a side-saddle,

even when a horse has been led to a meet; because I have found from long

experience of riding young horses with tender backs, as well as hunters

in hard condition, that, given the most perfectly-fitting saddle,

trouble will arise sooner or later if this precaution is neglected. Some

ladies are so careful about the fit of their saddles, that they have a

separate saddle for each of their hunters. I know of a lady who has

fourteen hunters so equipped.

When hounds move off to covert, a lady should be sufficiently watchful

to secure a good place in the procession, as it sometimes happens that a

field is kept waiting in a road or lane while a covert is being drawn,

and, if she be at the tail end of it, she will get a bad start. In

taking up her position she should, of course, be careful not to

interfere with others. Mr. Otho Paget gives the following good advice,

which we should all endeavour to follow: "When we go a-hunting, I think

we should forget all the petty squabbles with our neighbours, and meet

for the time on terms of cordiality. Anything approaching a quarrel will

spoil the day's sport for you. Everyone should try to be genial and

good-tempered, so that, even if there is only a moderate run, you return

home feeling happier for the exercise and the good fellowship. There are

many things to try one's temper in the hunting field, when everybody is

excited, but one should control one's feelings and be invariably

courteous in speech. You should apologise, even when you think you are

in the right, for the other man may be equally certain he is in the

right, and it would be difficult to say who was in the wrong. At the

same time, when a man apologises and is evidently sorry, you ought to

accept his apologies in a kindly spirit, even though he has jumped on

the small of your back." It is almost superfluous, perhaps, to tender

advice of this kind to my gentle sex, but still, sometimes--very

rarely, of course--we find ourselves uttering impatient remarks in the

excitement of the chase, which we feel, on mature reflection, that we

would have preferred to have left unsaid.

A lady will require to keep a very clear head when the fox breaks covert

and the huntsman sounds the well-known "Gone away," which is the signal

to start. In a field of three or four hundred horsemen and women all

galloping off at once with a whiz like the sound of a flock of startled

birds, there must be neither hesitation nor recklessness on the part of

the young Diana, who should ride with discretion and judgment in order

to steer clear of danger, especially at the first fence. There are

generally a few left on the wrong side of it, and the chances are that

there will not be so great a crowd at the next one. At the start, a

judicious use of the curb will doubtless be necessary for keeping an

excited hunter under control, and allowing the rider in front plenty of

room to jump and get clear away from his fence. When horses have settled

down to the required pace, which will be regulated by the hounds and

according to scent, a lady should ride on the snaffle, keep her hands in

a steady fixed position, as low down as comfortable, and should maintain

a good look out in front of her, so that she may, after jumping into one

field, see the shortest and best way into the next. Jorrocks speaks

truly in saying "to 'unt pleasantly two things are necessary--to know

your 'oss and know your own mind.... Howsomever, if you know your horse

and can depend upon him, so as to be sure he will carry you over

whatever you put him at, 'ave a good understanding with yourself before

you ever come to a leap, whether you intend to go over it or not, for

nothing looks so pusillanimous as to see a chap ride bang at a fence as

though he would eat it, and then swerve off for a gate or a gap." If

there is a crowd at the only practicable place in a fence, a lady must

wait her turn, and should her horse refuse, she must at once give place

to any rider who may be behind her, and wait until her turn comes again

before having a second attempt to clear the obstacle. As precious time

is lost by refusing horses, it is generally wiser if possible to find

some other means of exit than to argue with a refuser. Remember that

there is always a gate which can be opened, near a haystack, as the

farmer places his hay where he can easily get at it (Fig. 132). A lady

should save her horse as much as possible, jump only when she is

obliged, for hunting is not steeplechasing, and try to keep within sight

of hounds. She should remember to shut any gate she may use, and to

carefully avoid riding over winter beans, wheat, clover, roots, turnips,

or any crops, or ground newly sown with seed.

A lady should take a pull at her horse when going over ploughed land or

down-hill in order to keep him well collected, and should always ride

slowly over ground that is deep and holding, if she values her hunter's

soundness.

Ladies who know every fence and covert in a country have a great

advantage over strangers, because foxes frequently make a point from

one covert to another, and experienced hunting women will generally have

a good idea where they are going. Like Surtees' Michael Hardy, they know

their country and the runs of its foxes. There are people that have

hunted in Leicestershire all their lives, who manage to keep

comparatively near hounds and see good sport without jumping a single

fence. They know the country, generally ride to points, and act as

admirable pilots to the uninitiated. I owe them a deep debt of gratitude

for showing me the way, when I rode young horses who were getting their

first lessons in hunting. Croppers never came to me under their wise

guidance, but only when tempted by the keenness and excitement of my

over-sanguine youngster, I essayed lepping experiments which were not

always successful.

[Illustration: Fig. 132.--Haystack and gate.]

A lady should never put her mount at a fence which she is not certain he

is able to jump, for it is better to be a coward than a corpse, and even

if she is pounded and loses a run, both she and her horse have plenty

more good hunting days in store. Some hunters will refuse a fence at

which they see the horse in front of them come to grief, and as it is

only natural that any horse with brains should feel more or less

frightened at such times, his rider should sympathise with him and

encourage him to make an effort, in much the same way as we would coax a

child to take a dose of medicine. Few horses like jumping. Whoever saw

animals at liberty larking over fences from sheer delight in leaping? It

takes a deal of time and patience to make a good fencer, although, of

course, some horses learn the art much more quickly than others.

Although few horses enjoy jumping, they, luckily for us, detest falling,

and I feel sure that if people would only leave their mouths alone and

regard the use of the curb at fences as a death-trap, we should hear of

far fewer falls in the hunting field. Captain Elmhirst truly says:

"Horses are very sage at saving themselves and consequently you. They

care little for the coward on their back; but for their own convenience

they won't fall if they can help it." To prove this I may relate the

following interesting and instructive fact: Some years ago I was giving,

at Ward's Riding School, Brompton Road, London, practical demonstrations

of riding over fences without reins, my husband driving on foot a horse

which he had taught to jump, with the long reins. When my part of the

show ended, a single pole was raised to a height of five feet, and

Gustave, which was the name of this amiable grey horse, was asked to go

and jump that fence by himself. He was allowed only a short run at it,

as the school is not a large one, but in his desire to obey orders he

would canter up to the pole, and if he considered that he had misjudged

his correct distance for taking off, he would go back of his own accord

and take another run at it. My husband was as much surprised as I was

when we first saw the horse do this, as we had not credited him with so

much intelligence. Therefore, when I hear people talking about

"lifting" and "assisting" horses over their fences, I cannot help

thinking that if they lifted themselves off their backs they would see

how much better horses are able to jump without their assistance. Many

of my readers doubtless saw the Grand National of 1900, and how poor

Hidden Mystery, who, after he had fallen and had unshipped his rider,

jumped the fences with safety to himself and the field. Such sights must

show how necessary it is for us to interfere as little as possible with

our horses when riding them over fences.

If most horses dislike jumping, it is certain that they love hunting and

will exert every effort to keep in touch with hounds. Those who doubt

this should ride a young horse, and note how anxious he is to try and

keep with hounds and how, with the fearlessness of ignorance he would

charge any fence and probably kill both himself and his rider, if he

were permitted to urge on his wild career. Blow a hunting horn near a

stable where there are hunters, and then listen to the snorting, kicking

and excitement which your action has aroused; but it is unwise to repeat

the experiment, for the chances are that the excited war horses inside

may do some damage in their frantic efforts to get out and follow the

music. Watch farmers' horses loose in a field when hounds are in the

vicinity, and you will see them careering madly up and down, as if they

too would like to join in hunting the fox, although their avocation in

life dooms them to the placid work of drawing a plough or heavy cart.

As in horses so in men, and those who possess the sporting instinct

will run many miles in the hope of catching a glimpse of a hunt, even

though they may never be able to follow hounds on horseback. These foot

people are not welcomed in any hunting field, but there is no denying

that they are keen on the sport, or they would not tire themselves as

they do, in their efforts to see something of it. Jorrocks says: "I

often thinks, could the keen foot-folks change places with the

fumigatin' yards o' leather and scarlet, wot a much better chance there

would be for the chase! They, at all events, come out from a genuine

inclination for the sport, and not for mere show sake, as too many do."

If a lady has the misfortune to own a hunter who, on refusing a fence,

shows an inclination to rear on being brought up to it again, my advice

would be to sell him, as rearing is of all equine vices the most

dangerous, and a woman in a side-saddle is unable to slip off over the

tail of a horse who is standing on his hind legs, a feat I have seen

accomplished by men. Besides, a horse who will try to rear at a fence

instead of jumping it, will be sure to revert to the same form of

defence, whenever the will of his rider does not coincide with that of

his own. It is very unwise to lend a hunter to anyone who is not a

thoroughly good rider. I had in Calcutta a clever Australian horse which

I used to ride in the paper-chases that are run over a "made" course. He

had never refused or made the slightest mistake with me until I lent

him to a friend. When I again rode the horse, he refused with me at the

first fence. I spoke to him, took him again at it and he jumped it, but

I had a similar difficulty at another obstacle, and was entirely out of

the chase. I was subsequently told by those who knew the horse that the

man to whom I had lent him was very noisy, had cut the animal about with

his whip, and had treated the surprised onlookers to scenes with him at

every fence. The horse had a light snaffle mouth, and would quickly

resent any undue interference with it. It is unwise, also, to lend a

hunter to even an expert rider, if he or she is afflicted with a bad

temper. I heard of a case of a brilliant hunter being lent to an

accomplished horsewoman who returned him after a day's hunting with

large wheals on his body, showing how cruelly she had used her whip on

him. The lady to whom the animal belonged was greatly distressed on

seeing the condition of her favourite hunter, who was one of the best

that ever crossed Leicestershire. A whip, as I have said, should never

be used with the object of inflicting pain, but as an "aid." It is a

good plan to always give a hunter a touch with the whip when sending him

at an exceptionally big fence, as a reminder that he must exert his best

efforts; but in order that the horse may thoroughly understand its

meaning, it should be used only at stiff fences; the touch should not be

so severe as to hurt him, and should be given on his off flank. A horse

must bring his quarters to the right before he can run out to the left,

and a touch on the off flank will help to keep him straight.

If a lady finds herself on dangerous or difficult ground, as for

instance, land intersected with rabbit holes, her best plan will be to

slacken the pace into a trot or walk, if necessary, and leave the rest

to her horse, who will do his best to keep a firm footing. Parts of the

South African veldt are dangerous to ride over because of meerkat holes,

but the horses in that country are marvellously clever in avoiding them,

if they are left alone. Rabbit holes are responsible for many bad

accidents in hunting. I was out one day with the Belvoir on a young mare

who put her foot into one while going at a smart pace over ridge and

furrow. She wrenched off a fore shoe and pecked so badly that I thought

she must fall, but I had the sense to lean back and leave her mouth

alone, and she appeared to save herself with a spare leg at the last

moment, recovering her balance by the aid of the ridge which she had

breasted. Minus a fore shoe, I had to take her home at a walk, and I

smiled to myself when I saw her make a vicious stamp at a rabbit who was

in the act of disappearing into another hole.

A lady should send her horse at a good pace at a brook (Fig. 133), but

not at top speed, as he will not be able to collect himself to take off

at a long jump if he is sent at it at full gallop. We may see in jumping

competitions, especially at the Agricultural Hall, that a clever horse

can clear a fair expanse of water when allowed a run of only a few

lengths. The water jump at the Richmond Show is placed in such a

position that a horse cannot be given a long run at it, and yet many

horses clear it easily. It measures, I believe, about 14 feet, and is so

narrow that a horse I once rode over it showed his sense by clearing the

width instead of the length, and landing near the stand. I do not think

that out hunting it is usual to expect a horse to negotiate a water jump

of say over 12 feet in width. Some horses, like some men, possess a

special aptitude for jumping width, although they would doubtless be

poor performers at height, the style of jumping being entirely

different. The hunter who is equally proficient at both styles of

fencing, is as rare as he is valuable. Captain Elmhirst records an

instance of "a whole Leicestershire field pounded by 12 feet of water,"

and how the difficulty was at last overcome by a shallow spot being

discovered, a rail broken down and the field "slink pitifully

through.... How we hug ourselves as we gallop under a railway arch, to

find we have bridged a bit of water that would frighten no one outside

the vaunted Midlands." I believe the reason why the majority of hunting

people dislike water is that they do not care to ride fast at it, for

fear of being crumpled in a fall. I do not agree with the statement that

a hard funker rushes at his fences. Ignorance and enthusiasm may lead

people into doing that, but funk oftener than not either pilots them

away from fences entirely, or incites them to pull their horses off

them, and then abuse the animals for refusing! When the funky rider

does make up his mind to take a jump, he generally lets everybody near

know it by the noise he makes, ostensibly to encourage his horse, but in

reality to keep his heart in the right place, and not in his mouth. The

ignorant horsewoman, as pointed out by the Duchess of Newcastle, rushes

her horse at difficult obstacles, because she is fearless of dangers

unknown to her; but a wholesome fall generally teaches her to temper

valour with discretion. If a lady finds herself on a horse which is

pulling too hard to be within perfect control, she should stop him as

soon as possible and take him home, for very obvious reasons. If there

is difficulty in stopping him, the best way is to try and keep him on

the turn until he obeys the rein.

[Illustration: Fig. 133.--Brook.]

The presence of a line of pollard willows in the distance (Fig. 134) is

a certain sign that a brook is flowing past their roots.

In going through woodland country, a lady should be careful to lower her

head in passing under trees and to ride slowly. It is essential for her

to decide at once the direction which she intends to take, to keep her

horse well collected, and not allow him to deviate from it by going the

wrong side of a tree or opening, or to take the initiative in any other

way. A good horsewoman is seen to great advantage in riding through

woodland country.

CUB-HUNTING.

A lady intending to hunt should obtain as much practice in the

cub-hunting season as she possibly can; for she will be helping to get

both herself and her hunters into condition, and, as the season goes on,

will gain experience of what fox-hunting will be like. In the early days

she must not look forward to having a gallop, for hounds are being

taught to hunt and kill a cub in covert, and the most useful service she

can render at such times is to stand by the covert side and prevent any

foxes from breaking away. I believe that only people who are really fond

of hunting take part in the morning and dress by candle, lamp, or

gas-light. When they are ready to ride perhaps a long distance to

covert, there is often only sufficient daylight to see with, rain

drizzling down steadily and everything looking cheerless. A light meal,

if it be only a cup of cocoatina and a slice of bread and butter, should

be taken before starting, and if it is wet or threatening, a good rain

coat should be worn. Towards the end of September and throughout October

there will be galloping and jumping, and often the pace will be fast

enough for the condition of both horse and rider, as we may see by

steaming animals and flushed faces at the end of a run. I have so

greatly enjoyed these cub-hunting runs with their freedom from crowding

and crush, that I can heartily endorse the opinion of Captain Elmhirst,

who says: "Call it cub-hunting, or call it what you like, there will be

few merrier mornings before Xmas than that of the Quorn on the last days

of September." It seems like the breaking up of a family party when the

cubbing ceases and all the pomp and circumstance of fox-hunting

commences. I often wonder if people who take no interest whatever in

cub-hunting, but who regularly appear on the opening day of the season,

really ride to hunt, or hunt to ride? Jorrocks tells us that, "Some come

to see, others to be seen; some for the ride out, others for the ride

'ome; some for happetites, some for 'ealth; some to get away from their

wives, and a few to 'unt." Our tyro who is enjoying her cubbing will be

wise to take a back place on the opening day of the season, and thus

avoid being jostled by the mighty crowd she will see on a Kirby Gate

day. She will doubtless find her mount far more excited and difficult to

manage than ever before, and will require to exert a good deal of tact

and patience in restraining his ambition to catch the fox. The opening

day is always the most trying one of the season. All the world and his

wife seem to be at the meet. There are people in vehicles of every kind,

on foot, on bicycles and tricycles, as well as about four hundred

horsemen, and many things happen on this day of crowding and discomfort

which must sorely tax the patience of the most angelic tempered Master.

[Illustration: Fig. 134.--Pollard willows in the next field.]

A lady who has had a good season at cub hunting, ought to be able to

take her place among the third-flight people, where she will gradually

gain experience and a knowledge of the country, which will enable her to

pass into the second rank, and finally into the first; but she must work

her way up by degrees, and remember that no one can ride safely over

Leicestershire in the first flight who is not mounted on an accomplished

performer, and is not thoroughly well acquainted with the country.

KICKERS AND RED BOWS.

Unless a lady is perfectly certain that her mount will not lash out at

hounds, she should keep well away from them, and should never ride into

a covert where they are. I once had a mare of this description who never

kicked horses, but who would try to get a sly kick at even our own

wow-wows during a hacking ride. We had some foxhound puppies at walk,

but I never allowed her to get near them, and our own dogs got so artful

that they always managed to evade her kicks. I do not believe that mare

would ever have been safe with hounds, so I took good care to give her

no opportunity of disgracing the pair of us in the hunting field. In

every other respect she was most amiable. As there are inconsiderate

people who ride kickers, a lady should carefully avoid getting near a

horse whose tail is adorned with a red bow. If this is impossible, and

it often is in crowds, she should try and keep to the left of the

kicker, so that if he lashes out he may not be able to break her legs.

Scrutator in his book on _Foxhunting_ points out that "the risks men

encounter in the chase are great enough without being subjected to the

chance of having their legs broken by a bad-tempered brute at the covert

side." I once had the misfortune to see a man's leg broken by a vicious

kicker in Leicestershire. Another case happened while I was in Cheshire,

and yet these dangerous be-ribboned animals can still be seen in almost

every hunting field.

We must here draw a sharp line of distinction between horses which kick

from vice, and those, especially young ones full of corn and short of

work, which throw up their heels from exuberance of spirits. Many mares,

particularly in springtime, are apt to kick from causes which I need not

discuss. Hence, geldings are more free from this baneful habit than

their female relations, and are consequently, as a rule, more reliable

mounts. Great care should be observed in gradually accustoming a young

horse to placidly bear the excitement of being surrounded by a large

number of his equine companions, and he should thoroughly learn this

part of his education before he is required to quit the outskirts of the

field, and take his place as a hunter. This preliminary training of

course comes under the heading of breaking and not of hunting. A young

horse "turned out" in the open, not unfrequently gives a companion a

playful kick, which very seldom inflicts any injury, because it has no

"venom" in it, and the hoof that administers the tap is unshod. I have

even seen mares with a foal at foot, give the young one a slight push

with the hind hoof, to make him get out of the way. The motives of such

taps are of course entirely different from the dangerous malevolence

that prompts a confirmed kicker to "lash out" at horse or man who comes

within striking distance. We should bear in mind that a touch behind is

very apt to provoke a kick, whether of the vicious, playful or

get-out-of-the-way kind. Hence a rider should always be careful never to

allow her horse's head to touch the hind quarters of an animal in front,

which is a precaution that is of special application in crowds of

pulled-up horses. Also, on such occasions, she should keep him straight

and should prevent him from reining back. Any man or woman who knowingly

rides a kicker in a large hunting field, is guilty of disgraceful

conduct; because it is impossible for everyone to get out of reach of

this bone-breaker's heels, during the frequent stoppages which occur out

hunting. Some persons have a red bow put on their animal's tail, or they

place a hand at the small of their back, with the palm turned to the

rear, as a sly device to get more elbow-room in crowds. It is evident

that such artful tricks are unworthy of imitation.

BLOOD.

With full consideration of the importance of blood for making hounds

keen, I must say that the digging out of foxes is a phase of hunting

that I greatly dislike to witness. I do not think that any writer has

put this question more fairly than Captain Elmhirst, who says:--"We must

grant that hounds are glad to get hold of their fox; but we cannot grant

that it is at all necessary that they should do so. In a well-stocked

country he must be a very bad huntsman who cannot find them blood enough

by fair killing; while in a badly stocked one it is very certain you

cannot afford wanton bloodshed. Moreover, it is almost an allowed fact

that hounds well blooded in the cub-hunting season do not require it to

any extent afterwards; and many authorities maintain that a good 'flare

up' of triumph and excitement over the mouth of an earth is just as

effectual and satisfactory to hounds as an actual worry.

"And what do the field think of it? They hate and abominate it, each and

every one of them. They neither sympathise with the feeling that prompts

the act, nor hold with the expediency of its commission. To them it

represents no pleasure, and certainly coincides with none of their

notions of sport. They would find much greater fun in seeing rats killed

in a barn, and derive from the sight a much higher sense of

satisfaction. Condemned, probably, to stand about in the cold, unwilling

witnesses of what they heartily detest, they spend the time in giving

vent to their annoyance and contempt.... Finally, fox-digging, in the

sense we refer to, is a crying enormity, a disgrace to a noble sport,

and should be put down as rigorously as vivisection."

Tearing a poor fox to pieces is a sight which very few women would care

to watch, except those manly ones who take a delight in killing wild

animals themselves. Such persons would be able to look unmoved at a

bullock being pole axed, without losing a particle of their appetite for

a cut off his sirloin.

COMING HOME.

We are accustomed to associate hunting with pleasant runs; but there are

days when covert after covert is drawn blank and a fox not found until

late. Sometimes, but very rarely, we have an entirely blank day. A lady

with only one hunter out should use her own judgment about participating

in a late run. A great deal would depend on the distance the animal has

travelled and the length of the journey home. Some people ignorantly

imagine that a hunter should be kept out until he has had a run, unless

the day proves entirely blank, however tired he may be. If it is

necessary for people who stay out all day to ride second horses, it is

equally important that the one-horse lady should know when her mount has

had enough. It is always a safe plan for her to retire at the "change of

horses"; for there is no pleasure in continuing to hunt on a tired

animal, and there is certainly danger in so doing. Old-time sportsmen

were content with one horse a day. "Scrutator" tells us that in the time

of Mr. Meynell "it was not the fashion to have second horses in the

field." If I may express an opinion, I think that many ladies are

inclined to regard horses as machines, and expect too much from them.

This is probably due to that unfortunate saying "as strong as a horse,"

estimating the standard of mechanical power as "horse power," and so

forth. I have no doubt that our domestic cat would dislike the person

who said that cats have nine lives. A horse is, in reality, by no means

as strong as many of us imagine, and his legs are a continual source of

anxiety. Ladies who hunt should get a veterinary book, preferably

_Veterinary Notes for Horse-owners_, and when they have read it through,

they will not be likely to overtax the powers of their hunters. I once

saw in an old _Graphic_ a picture of Lady Somebody's mare which that

worthy dame had ridden to death. The animal had, it was explained, gone

brilliantly with her ladyship that day and had fallen dead while passing

through a village. The artist had drawn the poor mare stretched out,

surrounded by an inquisitive field, and the owner posed as the heroine

of a great achievement, instead of one who had rendered herself liable

to prosecution for cruelty to animals. I feel sure that no woman would

knowingly commit such a heartless action. When a horse begins to show

signs of distress, his rider should instantly pull up, and, if

necessary, walk him quietly home. His "state of condition" should always

be taken into account at such times. The hurried and distressed state of

a horse's breathing, and his laboured action, are sure signs to the

experienced horsewoman that the animal has had enough. To persons who

know little or nothing about horses, the fact of their usually

free-going mount ceasing to go up to his bridle and to answer an

encouraging shake of the reins or touch of the whip, are valuable

indications that he should be pulled up, either into a trot or walk. If

he is in hard condition, a respite from exertion, for ten minutes or a

quarter of an hour, will make him all right for another gallop, which

should be given with due circumspection. If the horse is not in thorough

galloping condition he should be taken home at a quiet walk. Keeping a

horse standing, especially in a cold wind, after a fatiguing run, is not

an unfrequent means of giving the animal congestion of the lungs. A wise

woman will take care of a good hunter, for such animals are not easy to

replace, and, as Jorrocks says, "We know what we 'ave, but we don't know

what we may get." If a lady intends to ride her hunter home, it would

greatly conduce to his comfort, and possibly her own, especially if she

has been several hours in the saddle, to dismount for, say, a quarter of

an hour, have her horse quietly led about, and then ride him home at a

walk. If she is using a second horse, it is always wise to get her

second horseman to take the saddle off her first horse and rub his back

well with the hand, especially at the off side of the withers and of the

back, under the cantle, in order to restore the circulation of the part

before taking him home. The animal ought to be given an opportunity of

refreshing himself by drinking at a brook or trough on his homeward way.

No harm can arise from a horse drinking cold water when at work, however

hot he may be, if his exercise be continued at a slow pace for a short

time.

A lady's hunter should always be examined, if possible by his mistress,

or by one of the male members of her family, on his return from a day

with the hounds, and his back and legs should receive special attention.

The chief accidents which are liable to happen by such work, are sprains

of tendons and ligaments below the knees, over-reaches, cuts, punctures

from thorns, and injuries from the saddle. It is not within the province

of this book to deal with such subjects, and few ladies would go through

the bother of studying them. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions, as

we may see by the comparatively large number of lady doctors, and by the

fact that only the narrow-minded policy of the Royal College of

Veterinary Surgeons prevented Miss Custance, who had studied at the

Edinburgh New Veterinary College, from obtaining her diploma, to which

she was fully entitled by her scientific attainments and practical

experience. Those of my readers who wish to understand the treatment of

horses in health and disease, cannot do better, as far as books are

concerned, than to study my husband's _Stable Management and Exercise_,

and _Veterinary Notes for Horse-owners_.

One point about the examination of a hard-ridden hunter which is within

the comprehension of even an inexperienced girl, is the detection and

proper treatment of lumps on his back which have been produced during

the ride by hurtful pressure of the saddle, and which almost always

appear on the off side of the withers, and on the off side of the back,

near where the cantle rested. If these swellings be neglected, they will

probably become developed into abscesses, which will incapacitate the

animal from work for a month or longer. An admirable way of treating

them, as soon as the saddle is removed, is to pour some whiskey, brandy

or other spirit into the hollow of the hand, apply it to the lump, and

rub the swelling briskly with the palm of the hand for at least five

minutes. I have often seen a large swelling of this kind visibly

decrease in size during this process, which, in the many cases I have

witnessed, always caused the lump to disappear by the following morning.

In applying this form of massage, no delay should occur, after removing

the saddle, which should always be taken off the moment the animal

returns to his stable, and his back well rubbed with the hand or with a

dry whisp of straw or hay. When entrusting the carrying out of this

treatment to the groom, care should be taken that the spirit is

administered externally to the horse, and not internally to the man. If

spirit be not available, careful friction with the palm of the hand will

generally be sufficient to ensure the desired result. This treatment

should not be applied, if the skin over the part is broken, for in that

somewhat rare case the friction would irritate the wound.

RIDER'S PHYSICAL CONDITION.

The young or old Diana, especially if she is not in hard riding

condition, is very apt to get rubbed, generally by the cantle of the

saddle. If the skin is cut, a dry dressing of tannoform, which is a

powder that can be got from a chemist, will be found a good and speedy

remedy; and is also useful for cuts in horses. It would be injudicious

to ride again, or to have an injured hunter ridden again, until such an

abrasion has healed.

It is essential for a lady who intends to hunt, to be able to ride a

fast gallop without becoming "blown." Some hunting ladies do preparatory

work cubbing or with the Devon and Somerset Staghounds. Those who are

obliged to forego these pleasant methods of "getting fit," would do well

to get into fairly good condition by long walks or bicycle rides. I

would warn my young readers that all fast exercise should be taken

gradually and in moderation, and that they should never disregard

symptoms of fatigue; because when muscles are tired, they are unable to

act with strength and precision.

TIPS AND THANKS.

We should always remember to carry some small change in our pockets to

be given as tips to gate-openers and any poor persons whose services we

accept.

And now, gentle ladies, let me remind you never to forget to render

thanks to every person, gentle or simple, who may, by the performance of

some kindly act, have helped to contribute towards your day's enjoyment.

We should also try to be as useful as possible to each other; for we all

admire that "nice pleasant woman" who, instead of attempting to hold us

up to ridicule if our "back hair" is falling down, or anything has

happened which ruffles our appearance, rides up and quietly brings the

fact to our notice. I have heard female voices audibly "picking holes"

in a lady's mount, which is very unkind; for their poorer sister was

doubtless riding the best horse she could get, and the hearing of such

rude remarks may entirely spoil her day's pleasure.

THE HORN.

Mr. J. Anstruther Thompson in his most instructive book, _Hints to

Huntsmen_, gives the following horn notes and explanation of their

meaning. Ladies who intend to hunt should study the music of the horn in

order that they may understand what hounds are doing in covert (Fig.

135), and be ready to start off as soon as they hear the recognised

signal.

"To call hounds on when drawing a covert."

[Illustration: Music]

"A prolonged swelling note to call them away."

[Illustration: Music]

"A long single note when all are away."

[Illustration: Music]

"A double note when on a scent (called doubling the horn)."

[Illustration: Music]

"Two short notes and a long one for 'Gone away.'"

[Illustration: Music]

"'Tally-ho! back,' on horn and crack of whip."

[Illustration: Music]

"A rattle for 'Whoo, whoop.'"

[Illustration: Music]

From the foregoing it will be seen that it is necessary to be on the

alert for short notes, because they mean business, while the long ones

denote a covert drawn blank.

HIRELINGS.

The large majority of hunting women ride their own animals, or mounts

lent them by friends; but some less fortunate ones have to content

themselves with hirelings, many of which are unreliable conveyances,

because they pass through so many hands, that they run a great risk of

being spoiled by bad riders, and in that respect, horses have

unfortunately very retentive memories. From two to three guineas is the

usual charge for a day; and from L12 to L20 for a month. In both cases,

the job-master has to bear all reasonable risks. A person who hires a

horse for longer than a day, has to keep the animal and pay for his

shoeing. L15 a month is a reasonable charge for the loan of a good

hunter. When wishing to hire by the month, it is well to go to a

job-master who has a large collection of hirelings, like Mr. Sam Hames

of Leicester, so that the hirer may get a change of mounts, in the event

of the first not being suitable.

[Illustration: _Photo. from_ "_Country Life._"

Fig. 135.--The Cottesmore drawing a covert.]

I have ridden a few hirelings, but hunting on them gave me no pleasure;

because I was entirely ignorant of their capabilities, and it is not a

pleasant feeling to ride at a nasty fence with a big note of

interrogation sticking in one's heart. "Scrutator" in his interesting

book, _Foxhunting_, says he "never could find any pleasure in riding

strange horses. They neither understand your way of doing business, nor

you theirs, so there must of necessity be doubts and drawbacks until

both become more intimately acquainted." I have seen so many bad

accidents happen to men who were riding hired hunters, that I cannot too

strongly impress on my readers the necessity of letting caution mark the

guarded way, by testing a strange mount at small fences to see how he

shapes, before taking unwise risks. Last season, a young man who was

hunting with the Pytchley on a hireling came a cropper at the first

fence, staked his mount and got a kick in the head. He was greatly

distressed about the poor horse which the dealer had assured him could

"jump anything," a feat that no hunter in the world can perform. An

accident of this kind with a hired hunter is a most unpleasant

occurrence; because, if the bruised and mud-stained horseman happens to

be a stranger to the dealer, the latter will naturally blame his riding,

while the injured one who has to break the news as gently as possible,

will consider that he has been misled concerning the animal's jumping

capabilities. Jorrocks's advice, "know your horse," should be engraved

in capital letters on the heart of everyone who hunts, as its observance

would prevent many distressing accidents both to humans and equines.

FARMERS AND WIRE.

There is very little wire in Leicestershire, though it is far too common

in other parts of the Shires. Fences where the warning red board (Fig.

136) or red rag (Fig. 137) is seen, should be avoided, as these signals

denote the presence of wire. As these death-traps bear no warning notice

in some places (Fig. 138), it behoves people hunting in such countries

to keep a sharp look-out for unmarked wire and iron hurdles (Fig. 139).

[Illustration: Fig. 136.--Wire board.]

Some farmers appear to use wire in an unnecessary manner. For instance,

placing it on the top of a gate (Fig. 140) seems to have no _raison

d'etre_, except to hurt unfortunate hunters which in breasting such a

gate to push it open, are apt to get badly pricked and run suddenly back

to avoid it, with the possible result of injury to both horses and

riders behind them. Also, I have seen wire put up in fields in which

there were no cattle, and removed after the hunting season, to duly

appear again in the following one. Other tricks, such as sending

sheep-dogs to head foxes, and stationing farm hands to shout "wire!"

where there is none, have also come under my personal notice. Indeed it

is impossible to live in the country, without observing such acts of

hostility on the part of farmers towards "hunting people." I cannot help

thinking that much of this tension might be removed, if every hunt

secretary followed the example of Colonel Francis Henry, the Hon.

Secretary of the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, of whom we read in _Baily's

Magazine_ of March, 1902:--"Colonel Henry, who, in the opinion of his

numerous friends, seems to possess the secret of eternal youth,

contrives to enquire personally into every complaint that is sent to

him, whether relating to damaged fences, loss of poultry or, rarely,

'wire offences.' There is no better known figure in Gloucestershire than

that of Colonel Henry on his hack, one of his own breeding by the way,

which carries him on his long rides; he is wont to say that in dealing

with a grievance 'one visit is worth a dozen letters.' His geniality,

and the painstaking care with which he investigates every matter to

which his attention is called, dissipate at their beginning many

difficulties which, handled with less sympathetic diplomacy, would 'come

to a head' and produce the friction which tells against sport.

Landowners, farmers, and business men alike in the Badminton country are

keen supporters of fox-hunting, and their attitude towards the sport is

due in no small degree to the unremitting attention and care for their

interests displayed by the honorary secretary both in winter and

summer." The truth of Colonel Henry's remark that one visit is worth a

dozen letters, was exemplified to me the other day by an old lady, a

farmer's wife, who regretted the sad change in "hunting people" since

her young days, when they "used to come in and chat with me as affable

as could be." She mentioned the name of Mr. Wroughton, who partook of

some of her "cowslip wine," and so much was she impressed with the visit

that every small detail of it, even the year, month, day and hour, and

also where he sat in her parlour, remains a treasured memory. He made a

friend who will always speak of him in the highest terms, because he was

nice and civil to her, and it seems to be a matter for regret that this

friendly feeling is not more generally cultivated than it is in hunting

districts.

[Illustration: Fig. 137.--Red flag.]

Unfortunately, the old-fashioned motherly, hardworking farmer's wife is

a type of woman which is rapidly dying out, and the modern specimen

belongs to that large and useless brigade of "perfect ladies" who are

above their position and who regard work as undignified. I recently saw

an advertisement from a farmer's daughter who said in it that she had

offers of plenty of mounts, but wanted some lady to give her a riding

habit! Surely it would have been far better for her to have worked and

earned one, instead of cadging in such a manner for her amusement?

Proverbially bad as our fresh butter in the Midlands is, I fear the time

is approaching when butter making will entirely cease, for, with few

exceptions, farmers' daughters are not trained to do dairy work. A

modern "young lady" from a farm, who had been educated in a Board

school, applied to a well known lady of title for a situation as

governess; but her ladyship pointed out that her educational attainments

did not qualify her for such a post, and suggested that she should

obtain employment as a parlourmaid. Needless to say that the farmer's

daughter scorned the idea of thus "lowering" herself! Even the daughters

of farm labourers nowadays ride their bicycles, instead of going out to

service as their mothers and grandmothers did before them, and dress

themselves ridiculously out of keeping with their position and

surroundings. It seems very incongruous to see such girls living in

indolence in country villages, while the daughters of their parson,

as frequently happens in large families, turn out and earn their own

livelihood.

[Illustration: Fig. 138.--"'Ware wire."]

It would cost very little to give an annual ball, say, after the Hunt

ball and before the decorations were taken down, to farmers and their

wives and any local residents who help towards the support of hunting,

and I feel sure that an entertainment of this kind would be productive

of beneficial results. In order to make it a success, it would have to

be attended by some of the members of the local Hunt, and not in any way

bear the stamp of a charity ball; for untravelled middle-class people in

this country are, as a rule, very "select," and eaten up with social

ambition, and many who would not think of attending a subscription

dance, would be attracted by "an invitation Hunt ball." Besides, after

all, even if local residents and farmers pay their guinea to be present

at an annual Hunt ball, they feel themselves rather "out of it," if they

are not personally acquainted with anyone in the room, and wisely avoid

such dreary functions. It is recorded of Mr. Conyers that he once

presented every farmer's wife in his hunting district with a silk dress,

saying that the ladies must be propitiated if hunting is to flourish.

[Illustration: Fig. 139.--Iron hurdle.]

One of the reasons why hunting is unpopular among farmers is the selfish

and reckless manner in which many followers of a hunt ride over arable

land; the greatest sinners in this respect being those who reside in

towns, and who, knowing nothing about agriculture, err more from

ignorance than indifference. Unless vegetation stares them in the face,

they evidently think there is no harm in riding over ploughed land, no

matter how distinctly the smoothly-harrowed surface and carefully

prepared drains indicate the presence of seed underneath. In such a

case, our best plan would be to skirt along, as near as possible, the

hedge or other boundary, even if we have to go a little out of our way.

Riding over cultivated "heavy" (clay) land, especially if its surface is

wet, is particularly hurtful to the crop, because each imprint of a

horse's foot will form a small pool of water, which will rot the seed

inside it. In "light" (sandy) land, the water in such holes will

quickly drain off, and little or no injury will be done. While hoping

that young horsewomen will not allow their enthusiasm for hunting to

outweigh their sense of prudence when steering their horses over

farmers' land, I would entreat them to also "hold hard" when approaching

allotment ground, for this land is rented, as a rule, by the poorest of

the poor, who have no gardens in which to grow vegetables, etc., for

their use, and a small field of, say, a few acres may be cultivated by

several villagers and their children in their "spare time of evenings."

Each tenant has his own patch of allotment land on which he grows what

he requires for his use. In winter we may frequently see the entire

field under wheat cultivation, as many poor families grow their own

grain, which the local miller grinds into flour, and in this way they

save the baker's bill, as they make their own bread. To ride over and

destroy their small crops is a sin which I am sure no lady would

knowingly commit, and, therefore, it behoves us all to exercise due

circumspection when we find ourselves on arable land.

[Illustration: Fig. 140.--Wire on top of gate.]

Also, on pasture land we have need to temper valour with discretion, and

especially after Christmas, when ewes and cows are heavy with young, and

are not in a fit state to safely endure the dual evil of fright and

violent exercise. Later on, when lambs have appeared, it is cruel to

gallop so near these mothers and their young, as to cause suffering.

Sheep are such stupid animals that they appear to have no idea of

evading a crowd; and cattle, as a rule, lose their heads from fright,

and career madly about their fields, sometimes for two or three days

after the sudden passing of a hunt. When a gate is negligently left

open, and the terrified animals avail themselves of this method of

escape, the unfortunate farmer will generally have great trouble in

finding and bringing them back, because they often go long distances,

and he has seldom any means of knowing what route they have taken.

Horses give him far more trouble than cattle in this respect, because

they can travel faster and farther. I have seen ladies who have the

interests of hunting deeply at heart--Mrs. James Hornsby, for

instance--ride back and fasten gates which have been carelessly left

open.

One grievance which lies very near the heart of a farmer, because I

suppose it frequently touches his pocket, is the damage done to his

fences, especially during a check, by people who unnecessarily potter

through small gaps, which, after they have finished, resemble open

spaces. The farmer who has to get them mended speaks very bitterly about

fox-hunting, especially if he has to do the repairing at his own

expense, as he argues that if it was necessary to work a passage in this

manner through his hedge, the field might have been content with one

open door instead of making several. A farmer in the North Cheshire

country was so irate on this point that on one occasion when the hunt

wanted to cross his land, he and his men gave us a welcome with

pitchforks!

A kind of farmer whom I despise is the man that hunts on the free list

and pretends to support fox-hunting, while he keeps his land encompassed

by wire during the entire season! I have known some of these men enjoy

unmerited popularity with the Master, and even take charge of Hunt wire

boards. Their non-hunting neighbours who take down wire and over whose

land they ride with safety, are obviously the better supporters of

hunting, although they may not be able to afford a nag, even if they had

time to devote to the sport. The farmer who takes down his wire is

naturally displeased with a Hunt which favours an individual who keeps

it up; but I think if all Hunt secretaries were like Colonel Henry, such

delinquents would soon be brought to book, for no Master would care to

see with his hounds, a farmer who kept his land wired during the hunting

season. Some of the illustrations of wired fences in this book have been

photographed on the land of so-called "hunting farmers." An even worse

class of man than the double-dealing farmer is the wealthy landowner who

preserves his coverts, shoots foxes, lets his shooting at a big profit,

and then goes off to hunt in some fashionable centre, like Melton

Mowbray. In Leicestershire he would be regarded as a hunting man, while

in his own district he is known as a vulpicide, for Reynard is seldom,

if ever, found in his coverts. One has only to live in the country, and

pretend indifference about fox-hunting, to see the tricks which some

farmers perform in order to prevent people from riding over their land.

I remember in the North Cheshire country a big covert, which was always

considered a certain find, being drawn blank, much to the huntsman's

surprise. As he called off his hounds, after a thorough investigation, a

farmer said, with a smile: "I knew they wouldn't find a fox here, for

Mr. ----'s foxhound puppy, which he is walking, has been rummaging

about this covert all morning!" It appears that Mr. Blank was a farmer

whose land adjoined the said covert, and who had found his foxhound

puppy more useful in driving away foxes than his sheepdogs.

Instead of doling out compensation to farmers as a form of charity, it

would be much better for our hunting authorities to meet them on a level

footing, get them to appoint a committee of their own, and pay that

official body, every year, a certain proportion of the hunt

subscriptions, to be applied according to the wishes of the Farmers'

Committee.

PILOTS.

I have not enlarged on the subject of hunting pilotage, because, truth

to tell, I have never indulged in the luxury of a pilot, as I have

preferred to know the capabilities of my mount and to see and act for

myself. I believe that any woman who can ride and manage her horse with

intelligent forethought, has no more need of a paid pilot than has the

small boy who takes his chance on his pony. If a lady has no male

companion to remain with her during the day's hunting, she should

provide herself with a groom, whose services will be very useful to

her, in the event of anything going wrong, and in helping her in various

ways. It would be absurd for her to expect casual aid at every turn, in

a large field composed chiefly of strangers, especially when its giver

would be deprived of his place in a run.

Pilots seem to be going out of fashion, if we may judge by the large

number of women who hunt safely without their assistance. The

inexperienced huntress generally has her father, brother, husband, or

some male friend or servant to show her the way, which is the safest and

best method of learning to hunt, because they would know both the

capabilities of the young lady and her mount, and could be trusted to

keep her out of harm's way. If a paid pilot is engaged, his horse should

not be a better fencer than that of his charge. He should also know her

riding form, and over what kind of jumps she intends him to lead her.

I would strongly impress on an inexperienced lady the necessity of

learning to judge pace, that is to say, to know at what speed her horse

is going. The chief duty of a pilot is to set the pace for her, and to

select such fences as he knows her horse is capable of jumping, the

former being more important than the latter, as it is far more difficult

to learn. She should see that her pilot is safely over a fence before

sending her horse at it. Only practice and natural aptitude can teach a

lady to judge pace: it cannot be learnt from any book.

A lady should not deceive her pilot, any more than we should withhold

the truth from our doctor or lawyer. If she feels more in skirting trim

than in hard hunting nerve, she should not hesitate to say so; for we

all like to take things easy at times, whether it be in hunting or in

anything else, according as we feel fit or otherwise. There is no

gainsaying that the human barometer is regulated to a great extent by

the weather, as we may see by the big fields which greet the Master on a

fine hunting morning.

The unpleasant disclosures which have been recently made in our Law

Courts, concerning the free and easy conduct of a certain set of hunting

men and women, may prejudice many mothers against hunting as a fitting

pastime for their daughters; but the indiscretions of a few idle fast

people should not be taken as a sample of the behaviour of an entire

field. In the crowd and bustle of hunting, the large majority of the

people are seriously engaged in the business of the day, and have no

time to indulge in flirtations. Certainly no sane man would choose a

meet or covert side, where he is surrounded by a crowd of people, to do

his love-making. If the usual discretion is observed in the choice of a

companion for a young lady going to and returning from a hunt, she would

have far less opportunity for "frivol," than in any ordinary ball room

or theatre. We need only watch hunting men and women passing through a

crowded gateway, to see that each one goes in turn, and that there is

very little consideration for sex.

FALLS.

Although the subject of falling is not a pleasant one to discuss, still

we cannot ignore it, for even the best horsewoman occasionally gets hurt

by her horse falling with her. Accidents sometimes occur over the most

trivial obstacles, and when least expected; and are not confined to

jumping, for some of the worst falls have happened on the flat. I

remember Captain King-King breaking three ribs and a collar-bone--a

pretty good dose in one gulp--by his mount coming down with him on the

flat when hunting in Leicestershire. The late Whyte Melville met his

death by a similar accident; and poor Archbishop Wilberforce was killed

while quietly hacking, by his horse putting his foot in a hole and

throwing him on his head. Unfortunately, we are unable to learn the art

of falling correctly, because we have only one neck, and, if we break

that, our experiments must abruptly cease. We may, however, minimise the

danger of its fracture by leaning well back at our fences, and by

ducking our chins into our chests when we feel ourselves coming the

inevitable cropper. The worst kind of fall is when a horse breasts a

stiff fence and either turns a complete somersault, or falls violently

on to his head. In the former case, the accident generally means severe

internal injuries, to say the least of it; in the latter, a broken

collar-bone or concussion of the brain. Such bad accidents are happily

rare; for, if a horse can jump, he will certainly do his best to clear

an obstacle with his fore legs, and if he catches his hind ones and

comes down, our chances of either being killed, or crippled for life,

are far smaller. In Leicestershire I once saw a stranger send his mount

at a posts and rails fence about five feet high, which the animal

breasted and went over with a sickening fall; but I could not help

thinking that the man must have been either riding a hireling, or must

have imagined that his horse was a wonderful jumper to have sent him at

such a forbidding thing, especially as it had been avoided by the first

flight people, and what they can't jump, strangers may be perfectly

certain ought to be left alone. In this case, the animal, which may have

been easily able to take the jump, went at it unwillingly, for he saw it

was not the line taken by other horses, and he was doubtless annoyed at

being asked to incur what must have appeared to him an unnecessary risk.

A similar thing occurred when a well-known Leicestershire lady broke her

collar-bone. Horses were filing through the gate, and the lady, who was

anxious to get forward, put her horse at a stiff posts and rails by the

side of it. He apparently regarded the act as unnecessary, for he went

at it in a half-hearted fashion, struck the fence, fell, and hurt his

rider. It is the custom to say that the first flight people who ride

safely over Leicestershire are mounted on the best horses that money can

buy; but at the same time, we should remember that they seldom deceive

their mounts by asking them to jump anything which is either impossible

or unnecessary. Mr. Hedworth Barclay, who is one of the finest horsemen

in Leicestershire, always rides with great judgment. If he did not, he

would not have been safely carried for fourteen seasons by his brilliant

hunter Freeman, and for an almost equally long time by Lord Arthur and

Franciscan.

A great deal of ignorant nonsense has been written about people (and

even horses!) taking "their own line," but such scribes ought to go to

Leicestershire and show how that can be done! Ladies who try to follow

the teaching of such people, do so at great personal risk; for it is

absurd for a stranger, however well she may ride or be mounted, to think

that she can safely take her own line over an unknown country, and

especially such a one as Leicestershire, which is in many parts entirely

unjumpable. As it requires several seasons to learn the "lie of the

land," most people wisely prefer to hunt in a county they know. Some

ladies make a great boast of their numerous falls. One recently told me

that she had had fourteen croppers in a hunting season; but when I hear

such talk, I cannot help thinking that there is something radically

wrong with their riding, for our best horsewomen very seldom fall.

I have noticed that horses have been staked in hunting, through being

taken sideways instead of straight, at their fences. It is most

dangerous to ride an animal in this manner; because, if he makes a

mistake and falls, he will come down on his side and may roll over on to

his rider in his efforts to regain his feet. We may observe that when a

horse is lying on his side he invariably makes a preparatory half roll

in rising from that position.

The first thing to do when a horse comes down, is to try to get clear as

soon as possible, and to let go the reins, unless the rider can retain

them without any risk. She is so encumbered by her skirt, even if it is

only an apron, that she will probably get kicked or trodden on, if she

hangs on to the reins. "Scrutator" wisely remarks that "so long as there

is a chance of holding him together, the pigskin should not be

abandoned, but when that chance is gone, by your horse's fore-legs

getting into the ditch on the other side, throw yourself clear of him to

avoid a pommelling." In such times of difficulty and danger, a lady

should remember to leave her horse's mouth alone, and not frighten him,

at a moment when her life may depend on his remaining quiet. Whatever

happens, she should never utter a startled cry, for that will do no good

and may lead to disastrous results. Professor Sample, the American

"Horse Tamer," once found himself underneath a cart, while breaking a

horse to harness with the long reins. Enveloped as he was in his driving

reins, a bad accident might have resulted if he had not kept his

presence of mind, while his faithful "Jo," whom he called to his

assistance as if nothing had happened, came and helped him out of his

dangerous position. He then turned to the audience and calmly told them

that he was showing them "how not to do it!" When a lady gets a bad fall

out hunting, and we see her attended by men only, we should at once go

to her assistance, whether we know her or not; because it is always

better for a woman to have one of her own sex to help her and, if

necessary, unloosen any garments which are matters that men know nothing

about.