CHAP. X.
Of Hunting, or Hunting Horses.
HVnting is (or at least ought to be) a plea∣sing and profitable Exercise, intended to make us strong and active, and to recreate and de∣light the Mind: therefore a Horsman that is of a warlike nature, ought to choose such sorts of Hunting as are most capable to answer those ends; such as hunting the Stag, Buck, Fox, and the like, and in other Countries that of the Wild-Boar and Wolf. And as on the one side, I would not re∣commend to him deep mouthed Hounds, that sort of hunting being too lazy an Exercise for one that would keep himself in vigour; so on the other side, I would not advise him to such very fleet ones as some of the Northern, t•at the fol∣lowing them is more properly called runing than hunting; and my Reason is, because to follow those extraordinary fleet ones, a Man must have such light Horses, and keep them so finely and nicely, that they are not fit for any other Ser∣vice; not that I would have them put to any o∣ther, but when occasion requires: As if a Man were to go to the Army on a suddain, if his Hunters be a good strong sort of Horses, with firm Limbs, and not too tenderly kept, what a great convenience it is to him, I leave to any one to judge.
I shall not trouble you with any other directi∣ons for the choosing a Hunting Horse, than to be sure that he has good wind and speed, that he is naturally of a healthful and hardy Constitution, and withal that he has so much strength (that as I said before) you may, if you have a mind to it, make use of him at the Army for marching, and the like; and above all, keep him not too tenderly, lest when you take him from hunting for another use, you find his Body not hardy e∣nough to suffer a new method of keeping.
Some of our well-bred Twelve-stone Horses; that have been sent abroad, have proved extra∣ordinary good for the War.
It is very requisite to make a Hunting Horse acquainted with a Bit, and to teach him a little to stop and turn, which not only hinders him from galloping upon his shoulders, and makes him surer footed than otherwise perhaps he would be, but renders him more capable of being fitted for the War when ever you have a mind to it.
I need not say much in telling you how to ride a Hunting Horse, the great Saddle being the ground of all; in short, you must mount him as directed in the former Chapter, and sit in the same posture, only make your Stirrups shorter, and let your Legs fall nearer the Horses sides. In gal∣loping lean forwards to ease him, and if you have a Snaffle Bridle, in hard riding, lay your right hand upon the Rein of the same side, the better to feel your Horse, and because sometimes you can't turn him with one hand.
Page 8 In other Countries they hunt in light Bits, and though a Snaffle be very pleasant and easie, yet I am of the Opinion that a Bit is much more ad∣vantageous, in that it makes the Horse have a bet∣ter mouth, and the Rider a better hand.
I would not have any thing in this Chapter offend such Persons as are wholly Strangers to Military Affairs, and not at all inclined that way, keeping their Horses only for pleasure and ordi∣nary business, they may (if they please) go on [ 10] still in their own Road; what I have said will be no inconvenience to them, and may be of service to such as love the War, and warlike Exercises.
