THE COMPLETE
HORSEMAN

WILLIAM SCARTH DKON

^-y

JOHNA.SEAVERNS

%

/ ^/3

TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

3 9090 014 550 566

Family Library of Veterinary

Cummings School of Veterinary

Tufts University

200 Westboro Road

North Grafton. MA OlSie

THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

THE COMPLETE SERIES

Demy Zvo. Fully Illustrated

THE COMPLETE GOLFER. By Harry Vardon.
Twelfth Edition. los. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE MOTORIST. By A. B. Filson

Young. Seventh Edition. 12s. 6d, net.

THE COMPLETE SHOT. By G. T. Teasdalk-Buckell.

Third Edition. 12s. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE MOUNTAINEER. By Georgk D.

Abraham. Second Edition. 15s. net.

THE COMPLETE CRICKETER. By Albert E.
Knight. Second Edition. 7s. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE PHOTOGRAPHER. By R. Child
Bayley. Fourth Edition. los. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE RUGBY FOOTBALLER. By D.

Gallaher and W. J. Stead. Second Edition. los. 6d.
net.

THE COMPLETE COOK. By Lilian Whitling. 7s. 6d.

net.

THE COMPLETE LAWN TENNIS PLAYER. By

A. Wallis Myers. Third Edition. los. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE OARSMAN. By R. C. Lehmann,
M.P. 10s. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER. By Charles
Richardson. Second Edition. 12s. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE HOCKEY PLAYER. By Eustace
E. White. Second Edition. 5s. net.

THE COMPLETE YACHTSMAN. By B. Heckstall-

Smith and Captain Ernest du Boulay. 155. net.

THE COMPLETE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALLER.

By B. S. Evers and C. E. Hughes-Davies. 5s. net.

THE COMPLETE BILLIARD PLAYER. By Charle.^
Roberts, ids. 6d. net.

THE COMPLETE SWIMMER. By Frank Sachs.
7s. 6d. net.

METHUEN & CO., LTD., 36 ESSEX STREET, LONDON, W.G.

ify^ '■*

THE
COMPLETE HORSEMAN

BY

WILLIAM SGARTH DIXON

WITH NINETEEN ILLUSTRATIONS

METHUEN & GO. LTD.

36 ESSEX STREET W.G.

LONDON

First Published in igij

INTRODUCTION

TIMES have changed indeed since one of
those books so delightful to a child with
a love of country life — a book filled with
brilliantly coloured but altogether impossible
pictures of animals, and with exaggerated letter-
press— ^told us, in the words I have adopted as
a motto that '' the Horse is a noble animal and
the friend of man/' In early Railway days, and
for many years after the country became a net-
work of railways, the horse was economically of as
much importance as ever. The more work there
was for the railway to do, the more work there
was for its active partner, the horse. In the
nineteenth century and nearly down to the end
of it the horse — ^by which I mean more especially
the light horse — could not be done without. Now
we are told that he can be done without ; he is
less in evidence in our streets ; the motor omnibus
and the taxi-cab come more into use every year
and ' slay their slain ' with the cool indifference
of a twentieth-century Moloch, and the man who
forgets that the first requisite for a prophet is

vi THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

knowledge, tells us that the day of the horse
is over and busies himself in making mental
pictures of a new earth such as no sane man
would care to live in.

In spite of all this talk about the day of the
Horse being over I have taken for my motto
'' The Horse is a noble animal and the friend of
man '' ; and I have done so because I am of
opinion that the truth of the statem.ent will be-
come more apparent as Time rolls on, and that
the horse has yet a very important place to fill in
the economy of life. The Military use of horses
may be left out of the argument — at any rate as
regards its direct bearing on the question. It is,
I think, generally admitted by those who are
best qualified to give an opinion that the horse
will be more used in war than ever, but that we
will leave to the experts. There is however very
little doubt that the Military use of horses has an
indirect influence, and that a very strong one, on
the civilian taste for Horses and Horsemanship,
and that the love of horses which soldiers have
does not remain confined to their own class but
is spread widely throughout the community.

An instance of this may be given. A patri-
otic young man wished to join the auxiliary
forces and selected the mounted branch. It was
pointed out to him that in the mounted corps he
would have much more work to do when in

INTRODUCTION vii

camp, that his horse would have to be considered
before himself, and that altogether he would
have a very much easier lot and more leisure
if he joined the infantry. His reply was that
he knew that, but that some day he hoped he
should be able to afford to keep a horse himself
and he would like to be prepared for that day
if it ever came. He was evidently of the opinion
that the horse is the '' friend of man."

I think it will be generally admitted that
there is no means of travelling out of which
more pleasure can be got than with horses, either
in saddle or in harness. Only in one respect is
a motor-car superior — that of speed. And this
is a matter of very small importance unless a man
has to cover a certain distance in a very limited
time. When this is the case pleasure does not
enter into the argument.

It is self-evident that a man will see m.ore
of the country and know more of the country
and remember more of what he does see, if he
rides or drives a distance of from sixteen to
twenty miles than if he rushes away in a motor-
car some sixty or seventy miles to a more or less
fashionable hotel, eats a big dinner and then
hurries home again — a big hurry all the way.
And he will be healthier too, especially if he
rides, as when possible, all men under sixty should
do. Personally I have found motor-cars of great

viii THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

benefit in catching railway connexions and in
saving time^ but I can say that I never once
thought of riding in one for pleasure, and that
what I know of the country I know from riding
along by-lanes and bridle roads, sometimes in
very out-of-the-way places, where even a bicycle
would be an encumbrance, but where a horse
was necessary to complete the picture.

It has come to be an opinion, in these days of
hasty generalisation, that hunting is all well
enough for a young man, and of course if a man
hunts he gets fun out of his horses, but if he
does not hunt horses are no good to him. Nothing
can be farther from the fact, as I shall hope to
show in the following pages.

The horse appeals to man in a way which no
other animal does — not even the dog, for with
the dog it is a matter of personal affection. With
the horse it is admiration for his capacity and
for his courage and docility. For though many
men may have a strong affection for their horses
I am pretty certain, from a long experience
amongst horses, that the affection is not mutual,
and that a horse is not capable of affection in
the same way as a dog is.

There is something of self-esteem too in a
man's liking for a horse. He thinks the better
of himself for being capable of using so mxuch
strength and speed for his own purposes ; and.

INTRODUCTION ix

in a way, his self-esteem is justified, for horse-
manship goes to the making of a man. Perhaps
when a man is thoroughly acquainted with horses,
when he knows and appreciates their good pro-
perties and when he is capable of using their
services without nervousness or misgiving — when
he understands the management and the con-
ditioning of them, there is nothing in the world
out of which so much pleasure can be got as a
horse. And the more a man studies horses, the
more he learns about their ways and the manage-
ment of them, the greater his pleasure in them.
I have known men, capable horsemen too, v/ho
got off their horse at the stable door, and scarcely
saw him again till they required his services. In
a way perhaps these men get their pleasure out
of their horses, but the man who sees to his horse's
comforts himself, who understands what stable
management should be and sees that his horses
are properly attended to, who takes a personal
interest in the welfare of his horses beyond the
mere paying for it — ^that is the man who gets
the greatest satisfaction from owning and using
horses.

If is for men of this class that I am more
especially writing. I have been a horse owner
for many years, and during the period much has
been learnt about the management and the
conditioning of horses. In most matters con-

X THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

nected with horse management there is improve-
ment. Empiricism, which once held sway, is
dying, if not dead ; and the man who commences
to keep horses now has not to encounter so many
prejudices as were rife when I was a young man.
There are some folhes yet, and it is too much to
hope for their extinction so long as Fashion is
allowed to override Common Sense. But they
are trivial compared with what they used to be
and some of them at any rate may be regarded
as comparatively venial ; and in these days the
road is well cleared for the beginner.

WILLIAM SCARTH DIXON
Fairlight, Luton, Beds.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction ....... v

The Stable ....

I

Buying Horses ....

. 23

Feeding and Condition

• 39

Summering and Conditioning Hunters

. 52

The Hack and the Harness Horse

. 61

The General Purpose Horse

. 73

The Show Horse

. 80

Bringing the Hunter Home and the (

:are c

)F Hl^

AFTER Hunting

. 98

Stable Necessaries

. 106

Stable Vices ....

. 122

Minor Diseases ....

. 135

The Saddle Room

. 158

On Learning to Ride .

179

A Few Hints ....

189

Riding to Hounds

205

Riding after Hounds .

220

The Horsewoman

230

Race Riding and in the Show Ring

240

School Riding .....

266

Counting the Cost ....

278

Bibliography .....

285

Index ......

291

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Broadwood, Champion Hunter. The Property of

Mr. W. a. Simpson Hinchcliffe . . Frontispiece

From a Photograph by W. A. Rough & Co.

FACING PAGE

Hunter— Coquette. The Property of Mr. John Lett 8

From an Engraving in the Author's In the North Countree

Mr. F. B. Wilkinson's Stables at Cavendish Lodge,
Edwinstowe. . . . . . .14

From a Photograph by G. H. Parsons, Alsager
An Old-Fashioned Hack . . . . .62

From an Engi-aving in Horses and Hounds by NiMROD

Hackney in Harness— Gaythorn. The Property of

Mr. H. Lemarchant . . . . .70
Authority. The Property of Mr. Nigel Colman . 70

From Photographs by W. A. Rough & Co.

Children's Ponies— John Downton. Ridden by Miss

Mona Preece . . . . . . -7^

Miss Sylvia Kaye on Prince. . . . -76

From Photographs by W. A. Rough & Co.

Hunter— The Jester. The Property of Mr. Teasdale

H. Hutchinson . . . . . .80

From an Engraving in the Author's In the North Countree

Hackney Pony— Mel Valley's Flame. The Property

OF Mr. Wm. Foster . . . . .88

From a Photograph by W. A. Rough & Co.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xiii

FACING PAGF

Hunter— Alarm. The Property of Mr. J. Drage . 94

From a Photograph by W. A. RoucH & Co.

Hunter— Maria. The Property of the late Mr.
Watson Dixon. (Believed to be the first photograph ever
taken of a horse) , . . . , .124

Photo taken Christmas 1862

Hunter— Jimmy Shaw. The Property of the Author 124

From a Painting by A. M. Bryant

Schooling a Hunter— "The Correct Seat" . . 196

From a Photograph by W. A. RouCH & Co.

Ladies' Saddles .....
By permission of Messrs. Champion & Wilton

230

The "Correct Position" . . . . .232

By permission of Miss Eva Christy

Whiskey—Champion Hunter when owned by Mr. J.

Drage and Mr. J. H. Stokes . . . .260

From a Photograph by W. A. Rough & Co.

King's Proctor— Champion Hackney Stallion, 191 i-

1912. The Property of Mr. John Mackenzie . 264
From a Photograph by W. A. Rough & Co.

Bugle March. The Property of Mr. Walter Winans

Ridden by Mr. F. Vivian Gooch . . . .272

From a Photograph by W. A. Rough & Co.

" the horf.e is a noble animal, axd the friend of man."

Old Book

THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

THE STABLE

THERE is an old Yorkshire saying, which
every intending horse owner would do
well to bear in mind, '' Be careful to
provide your cage before buying your bird/' It
is a saying which is especially applicable to horse
owners, for it is an expensive, and not a very
satisfactory proceeding to make alterations in
stables to meet requirements which might have
been, and indeed which should have been, fore-
seen.

The stable therefore first comes in for con-
sideration, for on the stable and its management
the health of its occupants, and consequently
much of the pleasure of keeping horses depends.
And one fallacy apparently exists which it may
be as well to discuss here once for all. Judging
from what one sees in some small establishments
one would naturally suppose that it is the opinion
of their owners that anything will do where only
one horse or perhaps two are kept. Many of
the essentials for a horse's health are neglected
and perhaps the owner will say, apologetically,

2 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

'*We only have one horse and we take it near
the way." It cannot be too strongly impressed
upon the horse owner that the same broad rules
must be observed whether he possesses one horse
or twenty, if he would get the most out of his
horses, which is of course what all men seek
to do.

The hygiene of the stable is one of those
subjects in which we have made great progress
during the last fifty years. In the early and
middle years of the last century the stables in
which good horses were kept were insanitary to
a degree. Our ancestors were great economists
of space in their stables. The boxes in which
high-class racehorses were kept would make a
modern trainer's hair stand on end, and the
most fashionable sires were stabled in boxes
circumscribed in space, without light, and with
a vitiated atmosphere for want of sufficient
ventilation. I have in my mind's eye now a
little low hovel with a thatched roof to which the

occupier of the farm pointed with pride. ''

stood there for many years," said he, naming a
horse whose name is writ large in The General
Stud Booky '' and we won't have it pulled down."
I looked in, and found a sow with a litter of pigs
occupying the box which was erstwhile the home
of a classic horse ! In a way it was fitly tenanted.

At the tim.e I am writing about, grooms had
a craze for hot stuffy stables and a breath of
air was scarcely allowed to enter them. Every
''crannied chink" was carefully stopped up, for

THE STABLE 3

a hot stuffy stable makes a horse bright in his
coat and saves " elbow grease," a fact which
grooms were not slow to recognise ; but, though
they had plenty of plausible reasons to give for
their plans, they carefully kept this one out of
sight.

One of the prejudices of the old school which
took a great deal of conquering was their aversion
to light in a stable. As carefully as they filled
up each chink and crevice through which a
breath of air could enter, so carefully did they
cover up all the windows they could get at
without much trouble. '' Horses required rest "
they argued, totally oblivious of the fact that
hours spent in a dark stable must be sadly mono-
tonous and that being constantly in the dark
is injurious to the sight.

About the third quarter of the nineteenth
century, when the country was in a state of great
prosperity, the taste for building stables on a
scale of unprecedented magnificence began to
prevail, and wealthy men erected immense piles
of buildings, which in many instances erred as
much as the cramped dark insanitary stables
they replaced, though in the opposite direction.

I am not likely to forget the first stables of
this kind that came under my notice. There
was too much of everything, too much air, too
much light and too much space. Big corridors
sent an echo all over the building if anyone
but walked along them, thus effectually pre-
venting a tired horse getting the rest he

4 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

required ; the sun poured into the building without
hindrance, reflecting from the glazed tiles which
decorated (?) the walls, to the detriment of the
horses' eyes, and at every corner you met a
draught. Needless to say that the gentleman
who had these stables erected had frequent
necessity to be ' doctoring ' and that the numerous
horses he sheltered in these fine buildings — for
they were fine buildings if bad stables — ^were
seldom all right together.

It should not be necessary to insist that the
requisite conditions for a healthy stable are
space, light, air, and the absence of any noxious
fumes. All these conditions can be obtained as
well, or nearly as well, in stalls as in boxes.
Indeed though I personally prefer boxes I must
admit that I have known horses thrive quite
as well in stalls. Col. Meysey Thompson who
has had a wide experience of horses, in the army
and in the training stables as well as with hunters,
is of opinion that it is advisable to have stalls
as well as loose boxes. Perhaps this may be so
in a large establishment ; but the only advan-
tages which stalls possess is that they economise
space and labour. A greater number of horses
can be stabled in stalls than boxes as will be
readily seen when we come to discuss the question
of dimensions, and in some places that is a
serious consideration. The economy in labour
is obvious. A horse in a loose box is not only
apt but certain, to mess his litter about more
than he would if tied up in a stall.

THE STABLE 5

But against these advantages there are some
drawbacks to be placed. Not infrequently a
horse in a stall will get his leg over the tying up
chain or rope, and I have known some nasty
accidents happen from this. Then horses will
occasionally hang with all their weight on the head
collar, hanging back in the stall as far as they
can get. It is a trick which some horses speedily
acquire and it is a dangerous one ; for the next
trick to be acquired is one of '' lashing out ''
either at a horse in the neighbouring stall or at
some innocent passer-by. And it may be pointed
out that it is not a matter of interest to the un-
fortunate man who has horse lamed or who is
lamed himself, whether the horse kicks viciously
or his kicking is only '' a little harmless play.''
The effect is the same.

A horse develops more tricks when tied up
in a stall than he does when in a box and the
reason for this is at once apparent. He is kept
constantly in a more or less constrained and there-
fore unnatural position. If racked up, as is the
custom in many stables till evening stables, you
will see if you watch him closely that he is con-
stantly shifting his weight from one foot to the
other, and if you were to try standing in the same
position yourself you would soon find out why.
Then the tying up chain or rope is a source of
constant irritation to him and especially is it un-
comfortable when he is lying down. It also
teaches him to crib, and though it would be going
too far to say that horses do not learn to crib in

6 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

loose boxes I have seen in my time more cribbers
in stalls than ever I have seen in loose boxes.
It is however a subject which, in the absence of
reliable statistics, it is as well not to generalise
about ; but it may safely be said that the tempta-
tion to take up that pernicious habit must be
greater in a stall than in a box. This will be
readily admitted when it is recognised that in a
box a horse is, when not laid, constantly moving
about, amusing himself by picking up a straw or
two here and there out of his bedding or turn-
ing it over in the search for what may be under-
neath it.

In selecting a site for a new stable there are
two important points to consider — the ground
and the aspect. The ground should be dry.
Any moist soil or soil which holds the water
such as clay, should be avoided as much as pos-
sible. Gravel or sand are the best soils but they
are not always available, and when they are not
artificial means must be taken to secure a deep
and dry foundation. Then again the aspect
should be an open one clear of all lofty over-
hanging buildings if possible. The stables should
not be confined but should be open to the air on
every side, which of course does not mean that
they should be in a bleak and exposed position.
It is also of importance that they should get as
much sunshine as possible and for this purpose
a southerly or south-westerly aspect is to be pre-
ferred. Lieut. -General Sir F. Fitzwygram objects
to a southerly aspect as frequently too hot in

THE STABLE 7

summer and suggests that stables with windows
on both sides, standing east and west, will be
found most advantageous as the one side will
have the morning and the other the afternoon
sun ; but I think this is being too particular
and a south-westerly aspect \\nl\ be found to
answer all practical purposes well. There is of
course the question of a hot afternoon sun to be
considered but it is not difficult to find means
to prevent any annoyance to the horses from this
cause.

If it be decided to build stalls there is one
important consideration which is but too fre-
quently overlooked. The stalls in a stable should
be few in number, not more than four as a general
rule, especially in a hunting stable. And for
this reason. When a horse has had a hard day's
hunting, and indeed when he has had a day's
hunting at all, it is essential to his well-being
that his rest should be undisturbed on the fol-
lowing day, and it stands to reason that if he
shares a stable with several horses some of them
may be coming into or going out of the stables
at all hours of the day, and consequently upset-
ting him considerably.

The effect of a horse going out hunting has a
very disturbing effect on some horses and they
will not rest so long as their stable companion
is absent, but will fret after him the whole of
the day. This naturally has a prejudicial effect
on their condition and may mean a considerable
curtailment in the number of days they will be

8 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

able to hunt in a season. It has been stated
above that stables should be open to the air on
every side. It should not be necessary to insist
that stables and coach houses built on the four
sides of a square, with the stable yard confined
by them, are not open to the air on every side.
Some of the best stables I know are built on this
plan, and it would have been impossible to pro-
vide the accommodation required on any other.
But then the stable yards in these cases are very
large ones and many of the evils of having the
stables facing into a confined space are obviated
by this fact.

The size of the stalls is an important considera-
tion. General Sir F. Fitzwygram gives the
length of the stall as lo ft. or by preference lo ft.
6 in. and the width as 6 ft. I am inclined to
think this is too little. For one thing horses are
taller than they were when his book was written
eighteen years ago, and for that if for no other
reason I should prefer the length of the stall to
be II ft. and its width 7 ft. The height of the
partition should be about 7 ft. 6 in. at the head
sloping gradually down to the heel post which
should be of iron. In some of the partitions
we see in stables there is open ironwork at the
top. This enables the horses to see each other,
which as the horse is a gregarious animal may
help to relieve the monotony of his stable life
somewhat. But it answers a more important
purpose than this, in promoting, or to be strictly
accurate, in not impeding the current of air in

F#^

THE STABLE 9

the stable. Care should be taken that the par-
titions are high enough to prevent the horses
getting hold of them.

When economy of space is of urgent necessity,
and where the stables are so confined that sufficient
ventilation is difficult to obtain, for instance as in
the case of cavalry horses, swinging bails are
used instead of partitions to divide the stalls, and
of course when this is the case the stalls are much
narrower, sinking to 5 ft. 6 in. But in private
stables, where valuable horses are found, swinging
bails are practically never seen and they are
only mentioned incidentally.

Some horses, when they are tied up, develop
a nasty habit of kicking against the stalls, and
some will kick so persistently that they injure
themselves considerably. A sack stuffed with
hay or, better still, a thick mat nailed to the stall
some 3 ft. 6 in. from the ground will save him
from much of the consequences of his folly. I
have occasionally nailed bushes of furze to the
stalls, and that soon makes a horse drop kicking,
but when this is done care should be taken to
look for pricks.

I have seen stables in which the floors were
made of round cobble stones and the stalls had
a big slope down to the rear. Needless to insist
that these stables were built on a wrong principle,
and that horses regularly standing in that stable
wore out much sooner than they should have
done. The flooring of a stable and the slope of
the stalls are matters for serious consideration.

10 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

It is essential that the flooring should be non-
absorbent, water-tight, easily cleaned and not
slippery and it is desirable that it should be
durable. I have had experience of several kinds
of flooring. The square cut whinstone sets, such
as stable yards are frequently paved with are
very good, but when they are used a little cement
should be run between them to prevent dirt
lodging. Whinstone sets are very expensive but
they last a lifetime. Their fault is that they
are apt to get slippery with wear and then, if
they are not attended to at once they are danger-
ous. They can however easily be roughed up
with a chisel but it is necessary that the master
should see to this himself for my experience is
that it is one of those jobs in the stable which
are invariably put off '' till to-morrow.'' I have
also used hard burnt bricks, of which there are
several kinds. The Tees Scoria Bricks were what
I used, and they make an excellent stable floor at
first. The difficulty is that it is impossible to
bake any brick of equal hardness throughout
and for this reason there is a tendency for bricks
to wear into holes when the outer surface gets
chipped and broken with long use. I am bound
to say that the bricks I used wore well and if I
were making a stable floor again I should use
something of the same kind. They have the
advantage of looking, as well as being, clean.

Cement concrete makes an excellent flooring,
especially if the cement concrete is made into
slabs. It wears well and has the advantage of

THE STABLE ii

being reasonably cheap. The slabs are generally
grooved to prevent slipping, and they are as
clean but they are scarcely so " smart " as the-
bricks. When bricks are used the passage behind
the stalls may be paved with them, but with the
whinstone paving sets or cement concrete flag-
stones are better. The passage should be fully
6 ft. from the heel posts to the wall and will be
better if a little wider. It is a false economy to
be grudging of a little space behind the horses.
It should be borne in mind, especially in these
days of tall horses, that a confined space fre-
quently leads to an accident. It is essential
that all the joints of all stable flooring should be
grouted with cement. It is unfortunately neces-
sary for the purpose of surface drainage that the
stall should slope a little. But it is only necessary
for the slope to be very slight. It should indeed
be so gradual as to be imperceptible when the
horse is standing in the stall. A fall of one in
sixty is quite sufficient, and indeed it should never
be more. There should be, and there wall be, no
difficulty in getting the urine away with a fall
like that, if the stable is kept properly clean.

When speaking of drainage it should be said
that a wide channel going the length of a big
stable and emptying itself into a receptacle in
the stable or partly in the stable is very un-
healthy, and should be avoided at the cost of
even considerable trouble. One outlet for the
surface drainage may suflice for a stable with
four or six horses and then the outlet should be

12 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

in the middle of the stable, the channel sloping
towards it from each end. On no consideration
whatever should the material of which the channel
is made he of a porous nature. I have seen these
channels made of freestone and they looked well
and answered admirably — ^till the stables were
regularly used.

The channels should empty themselves into
a pipe which should be taken through the stable
wall and empty itself into a receptacle made
for the purpose. It is a good plan to have an
iron vessel placed in this, and emptied every day.
By this means waste is avoided as well as cleanli-
ness insured. And care should be taken to
flush the channels and drain every morning.
It should be stated that a well-known writer on
Horses and Stable Management, Mayhew, has
advocated a plan diametrically opposite to the
one I have just described. Instead of sloping
the stalls to the heel he would slope them to
the front and he claims that horses stand with
more ease to themselves on ground sloping to
the front than they do on level ground or on
ground sloping to the rear. That close observer
and great authority on all appertaining to the
horse, the late Capt. Horace M. Hayes states
that he has not been able to verify this state-
ment, and it is difficult to see how any reliable
decision can be arrived at on the subject. It
is certain that a horse standing in a stall with
a slope of one in sixty is neither inconvenienced
nor harmed though he certainly suffers con-

THE STABLE 13

siderably in a stall which has a big slope to the
heel. And there the matter may well be left.

Personally I am in favour of loose boxes,
w^hich are all the better for opening independently.
That is I would have no covered passage behind
the loose boxes as is frequently the case but let
each loose box be separate and entirely inde-
pendent of the others. A great advantage of
this plan is that when a horse is very tired, as
for instance after an exceptionally hard day's
hunting, he is entirely undisturbed by any of
the ordinary life of the stable. Another ad-
vantage is that the boxes are necessarily more
roomy. It is ad\dsable that there should be
communication betw^een the boxes so that when
necessary or convenient the horses can be visited
without going from under cover. This should
take the shape of a narrow door, in which care
should be taken that there are no projections.
An overhanging roof from the stables scarcely
answers the same purpose and though I have
occasionally seen the plan adopted I cannot
say that I like it as well as the one I have advo-
cated above. That gives all the advantages of
a passage behind the boxes, which are that
horses can be visited and fed without opening
the outer doors.

Where these small doors are used care must
be taken that they fasten securely and that
there is no risk of horses getting them open by
any means. It may be objected that horses
may be apt to kick at these doors or try to get

14 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

together through them. It is possible and if
such a thing were to take place much damage
might be done ; so of course means must be
taken to prevent mischief. I can however only
say that I have had boxes on this plan for many
years and have seen others and I have neither
seen myself nor heard of, any trouble from this
source.

For many reasons I like a big box. I think
horses are not so likely to go wrong in a big
box, nor is their life so monotonous as in a more
confined space. Then again big boxes are airy
and as a consequence the air is sweeter than
in small boxes, and especially is this the case
when they open '' independently " to the outside.
It may be said they are not so warm and that
in very severe weather horses may suffer from
cold. But horse clothing is cheap enough and
there is not much trouble involved in putting
on an extra rug.

In some loose boxes the slope for taking away
superfluous moisture is towards the centre of the
box in which there is a small trap placed, the slope
coming from each corner. It is a plan I do not like
and in my own boxes I had the slope of about one
in sixty in one direction as in the stalls ; and I had
them let into a drain outside the boxes which led
to a receptacle which was emptied every day.

Perhaps the best boxes I have seen are those
of Mr. F. B. Wilkinson at Edwinstowe. Roomy,
airy, and light, they fulfil all the requirements
of a loose box. Roughly they measure about

THE STABLE 15

15 ft. 6 in. X 13 ft. and are about 10 ft. high,
which gives the cubic contents of the boxes as
about 2000 ft.

Authorities differ considerably as to what the
cubical contents of a stable should be per horse.
Sir F. Fitzwygram suggests that as 600 cubic
feet is the minimum allowed per soldier in a
barrack room and as a horse's breathing capacity
is six times greater than a man's he should require
six times the cubical space. But he points out
that there are many circumstances which have a
modifying effect on this calculation, such for in-
stance, to mention one, as the fact that the horse
is not fed on animal food, and he comes to the
conclusion that about 1200 cubic feet is sufficient
for a horse. Capt. Horace M. Hayes thinks 1000
cubic feet sufficient in a stable with stalls and in
a loose box with only one door he considers 1500
cubic feet a reasonable average. This means a
box measuring 12 ft. x 12 ft. x loj ft. and he
states that he does not think 2500 cubic feet
need be exceeded under any circumstances This
would mean a box 14 ft. x 15 ft. x 12 ft. Col.
Meysey Thompson says the cubical space allowed
for each horse should be 1500 ft. unless the
arrangements for ventilation are especially good,
when 1200 ft. might be sufficient. So it seems
that he considers at least 200 ft. more cubical
space than Capt. Horace Hayes' estimate as
essential.

A few plain facts are, however, worth much
theorising and the following figures quoted from

i6

THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Sir F. Fitzwygram's book, and supplied to him
by Mr. Dollar, the eminent veterinary surgeon,
are interesting.

The Royal Mews, per horse .

Marlborough House Stables .

South-Eastern Railway Company

Messrs. Reed & Company, Liquor-
pond Street

London, Chatham, and Dover Rail-
way Company

Messrs. East, Curzon Street .

Great Western Railway Company .

London General Omnibus Company,
Ecclestone Place

Messrs. Wimbush, Gillingham Street

Mr. Birch's Omnibus .

Stables attached to gentlemen's houses
generally about

Portland Place Stables

Cab Horse Stables average about

2500 cubic

1700

1540

1250

1200

HOC

III6

820
980
700

720

950

550

feet

Though these figures were published eighteen
years ago a study of them is very instructive.
But notwithstanding the fact that some horses
undoubtedly do well in smaller cubical areas
I should, in building stables, insist, in the country
at any rate on a minimum of 1200 cubic feet per
horse in stalls and 1500 or 1600 in loose boxes.

The lighting of stables is an important matter
and one which is, or perhaps it would be more
accurate to say was, very much neglected. Light
is a great help to cleanliness. Dusty corners,
and the dirty debris which collect about a stable
even under the most careful management, are
ruthlessly exposed and their removal made com-
pulsory if the stables are light, and light stables

THE STABLE 17

also tend to promote the happiness, and as a
natural consequence the health of their inmates.
But light is one thing and glare is another, and
the latter it is necessary to avoid. It has an in-
jurious effect on a horse's eyes, if the reader does
not credit this statement let him try the effect
of glare on his own for half a day, and the sun
pouring into the stable interferes very consider-
ably with a horse's rest. So the windows should
be so placed that the sun can be kept out of the
stable and so that they can be darkened if neces-
sary, and glazed tiles or any glaring coloured
walls should be avoided. Glazed tiles look well
and are easily kept clean and some people like
whitened walls, to which certainly the same
remarks apply, but neither are desirable and a
soft neutral tint of paint is perhaps to be pre-
ferred to everything. If it should be decided to
use glazed tiles white ones should be avoided as
they reflect many points of light and consequently
are very trying to the eyes. It is essential that
the windows of all stables and loose boxes should
be placed high up so that the light shall not strike
directly upon the eyes. The windows should
open inwards. The kind of window to be pre-
ferred is one with hinges at the top, which can be
regulated by an iron bar and slots. It should
not be necessary to insist that the window fasten-
ings should be out of the reach of the horses.

A considerable amount of stable work has to
be done in the dark in the winter season, and the
artificial lighting of a stable is an important

i8 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

matter. In these days of luxury either gas or
the electric light are to be found in most large
establishments. Needless to say the Electric
light is to be preferred in the case of new stables
or where it is procurable. In putting in either
gas or the Electric light the greatest care must
be taken that the lights and everything con-
nected with them are so placed that it is impos-
sible for the horses, under any circumstances, to
get at them. This is as important in a stable
with stalls as it is with loose boxes, for horses
sometimes get loose. A hurricane lamp is safe
and will give all the light that is necessary for
the work that has to be done at night, but it is
not ^^sm.art.'^

More ventilation will be required than the
windows and doors will give. Stables should
never be stuffy ; as soon as they are you may be
sure your horse is suffering in some way, that he
is not at his best. Writing on this subject Capt.
Hayes says : '' To save our horses from chill a;nd
at the same time to give them a full supply of
fresh air, we should arrange the ventilation of the
stable in such a manner, that the force of the
incoming currents of air is broken and distri-
buted, while the entrance and exit of the air is
checked as little as possible. The danger arising
from the retention in the atmosphere of the
stable, of volatile and floating impurities (pro-
ducts of decomposition, bacteria, etc.) are too
well known to need my dwelling on the necessity
of their speedy removal by well-regulated ventila-

THE STABLE 19

tion.'* Capt. Hayes is perhaps more insistent
on ventilation than any other writer on the
subject and he supports the contention of Admiral
Rous, that a stable window should be open night
and day. I may add that I am a thorough
behever in the theory of the Admiral and Capt.
Hayes, my own experience having convinced me
of its soundness.

I had for many years some stables which were
considered models in their way. They were
warm and snug and no draught could enter them.
But they were insufficiently ventilated, and my
horses were always coughing. I next stabled my
horses in som.e loose boxes which opened to the
day. They were big boxes and well ventilated.
People who saw them said '' How cold " but it
was easy to put another sheet on when the
weather came in severe and I never had a cough-
ing horse in them.

Ventilating shafts should be placed in every
new stable, but in old stables they are not
easily adaptable. Air bricks can however be
inserted near the ground and near the top of the
stables, care being taken to prevent draught as
much as possible. Capt. Hayes recommends
the Tobin Tube to give a vertical direction to
the current of air but I have never seen it tried.
It seems however likely to answer a good purpose.
There are plenty of good ventilating shafts to be
got, the best of course being those which secure
the best current of air without draught.

Racks, mangers and watering accommodation

20 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

should be carefully seen to. In some new stables
water is ' laid on ' in each stall or box, but for
reasons which will be given later it is not desirable
to have water always before the horses. Never-
theless there seems no reason why there should
not be a place provided to set a pail in, as occa-
sionally horses drink better when left to them-
selves. The old-fashioned rack should never be
seen in a modern stable. The only use an over-
head rack has is to save an idle groom a little
trouble, whilst the hay seeds may drop into the
horse's eyes and do considerable mischief. I
would not have a rack in the stable at all but
would feed the hay from a deeper manger. At
the best a rack harbours a lot of dust and dirt
and serves no necessary purpose. More especi-
ally is it unnecessary in these days when the
quantity of long hay that is fed is comparatively
small.

A wooden manger should never be used
unless the owner wishes his horse to learn the
bad habit of cribbing. I have used mangers
of glazed earthenware, and they have the ad-
vantage of being clean and easily kept in good
condition. They should be built into the side
of the stable and the inner v/all attached to
them should slope outwards so that there is no
danger of the horse hitting his knee on the
bottom of the manger. I have known some
nasty accidents happen from this cause. Horses
are apt to stamp and paw in the stable and
they frequently hit their knees with more or

THE STABLE 21

less force against the bottom of the manger.
When this is made of iron a very nasty cut is
sometimes the result and I have a lively recollec-
tion of a valuable mare of my own being seriously
damaged by this means. After the accident I
of course took care to prevent one, on something
like the same principle as that on which a man
locks the stable door after the horse is stolen.
The mangers should be about 3 ft. 6 in. from
the floor. This is quite high enough. It is
natural for a horse to eat from a low level ^
and I have heard it said that the overhead rack
caused roaring and kindred diseases on account
of the undue strains put upon the muscles of
the larynx. I should scarcely like to subscribe
to that theory myself although it has been held
that diseases of the respiratory organs have been
caused by tight reining up. But then in tight
reining up the head is fixed as it were and con-
sequently the larynx becomes distorted.

All stables should have a wash house and a
house for provender conveniently placed. The
house for provender should be provided with a
winnowing machine, a mill for crushing oats and
a chopping machine. The winnowing machine
is very necessary if you get your oats in in large
quantities, for oats gather dirt and dust in a
remarkable manner, and it is essential that all
food for horses should be clean. Oats should

^ Some authorities would have the mangers still lower, insisting
that with a low manger the risk of cribbing is minimised. This may-
be the case but the manger is not the only thing the horse seizes hold
of when indulging in this vice.

22 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

be crushed when they are required and not
beforehand and hay and straw should be chopped
when needed and not left about in big heaps
to gather dust. If the establishment is a small
one hand machines can be obtained.

The wash house should be commodious and
there should be either a hot -water tap or a copper
in it and cold water should be handy. There
should also be a fireplace in it, to dry saddles
and harness, which should always be cleaned in
the wash house so that the saddle room may
be kept tidy.

All doorways through which a horse
has to be led must be wide and high.

BUYING HORSES

THE path of a would-be purchaser of horses
is much easier in these days than it was a
hundred, or even fifty years ago ; and if a
man does not find himself suited now-a-days,
when he is buying horses, he has no one but
himself to blame. The great improvement in
Veterinary Science has no doubt much to do
with this better state of things. Warranty is
no longer heard of, a veterinary surgeon's
certificate having taken the place of that constant
source of litigation.

Nevertheless there are men now who never
seem to be really suited with their horses, w^ho
are always chopping and changing and who
spend a great deal more money over their horses
than they have any necessity to do.

There is not the same excuse for these men
that there would have been a hundred years
ago. Not that there are no horse copers in the
present day for there are plenty of them. But
a hundred years ago it was difficult to avoid
them if you wanted a horse, and the very elastic
law of warranty was all in their favour if a deal
came off. Now there is not the slightest necessity
for any man to deal wdth these gentry and the

24 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

man who would part with his money on their
warranty, may, hke Dogberry, be written down
an ass.

The ways of the Horse trade were undoubtedly
peculiar in the good old days and a fairly innocent
and straightforward man had but a poor chance
if he fell in amongst the ' Jockeys ' of EHzabeth
and James, as the gentry who were known as horse
chaunters in the early days of the nineteenth
century were styled in the argot of the times.

The earliest Books about the mxanagement of
horses have details of the tricks of these Horse
Jockeys, and Gervase Markham devotes con-
siderable pains to explaining some of their
methods. One of them may be given as a
sample. *' First then, To make a dull Jade
both Kick, Wince and Fling without either
Whip or Spur, they use this Device ; in the fore
part of a Saddle made for that purpose, they
have an Iron Plate, through which is drilled
three Holes, through which with a Spring, come
three sharp Wyers, the which as long as the
Rider sits upright, do not prick the Horse ; but
when he leans forward, and presses the Bow of
the Saddle, they Torment him so that he Capers
and Dances, tho' never so dull, which the ignorant
Buyer often supposes to proceed from the highth
of his Mettle, which the Jocky spares not to
avouch with Oaths."

One is naturally inclined to take such a state-
ment cum grano salts if one did not know how
easily an ignorant man who is afraid of showing

BUYING HORSES 25

his ignorance, is imposed upon. Markham it
may be said in passing was absolutely void of
the saving grace of humour, for a couple of pages
before he discourses of the Tricks and Cheats
of Jockeys he gives elaborate instructions '* How
to stop the Glanders for a Day or two whilst
you have Sold or Swapped away your Horse
who is troubled with the Same " ! !

Yet Markham was a man who knew what
he was talking about when Horses formed the
subject of his discourse, notwithstanding the
empirical remedies he was constantly advocating
and of which the one just referred is a specimen,
and his preliminary remarks to the would-be
purchaser of horses are as applicable now as
they were when they were written nearly four
hundred years ago. So I make no apology for
quoting them in full.

'' But to begin, First, There are these Things
to be observed if you will chuse a Horse that
shall be for your Turn, and please you in every
Part and in all his Actions, Travels or other
Labours, as Hunting, Racing, War, drawing of a
Coach, Chariot, or any Rural Service whatsoever,
but take Notice that no one Horse can be capable
of all these.

*' Therefore you must chuse your Horse accord-
ing to what you design him for, and so manage
him accordingly."

The author of the Masterpiece has hit on the
cause of the many disappointments which the
tyro is so frequently encountering in his horse

26 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

transactions. He approaches the business of
Horse buying with vague ideas of perfection ;
he thinks he sees in the horse that he is looking
over possibihties which do not exist, his sense
of proportion is dulled by the pleasures of Hope
and he buys a horse, perhaps good enough in
himself but falling far short of the ideal horse
he thought he w^as purchasing. So when he has
had him a few days he is so thoroughly dis-
illusioned that he sells him at a big sacrifice
which is perhaps, though not necessarily, a more
foolish proceeding than buying him.

A remarkable instance of this occurred a
few years ago. A gentleman whom I knew well
bought a very good-looking and very good
hunter. We came home together on the second
day he had ridden him, and I remarked that
he was a good-looking horse. He replied that
if I liked him I could have him for £^o. I knew
he had cost more than a hundred more than
that and that he was sound and I should certainly
have bought him had not our conversation been
overheard. The gentleman who overheard it
called me aside, asked me if I wanted a horse,
which as a matter of fact I did not, and as he
wanted one I stood aside for him. Now the
faults the horse was alleged to have were lack
of pace and ' stickiness ' at his fences. As a
matter of fact he was fast and a fine performer
but he was a little raw with fresh handling.
It is true enough that, in the words of the old
Yorkshire proverb, it is always better ''to rue sell

BUYING HORSES 27

than to rue keep/' but all proverbs have their
limitations.

I may give another very annoying instance
of the limitations of the proverb in question
which I hope may be a lesson to my readers.
It was an experience of my own. I bred a very
useful mare and sold her well to a gentleman
who took a fancy to her, but she failed to satisfy
his veterinary surgeon. Time however proved
that the veterinary surgeon was wrong and the
slight blemish which was the result of hitting
herself when she fell hunting soon disappeared.
I liked the mare as well as I liked the money
and she made a clever hunter and carried me
well. About eighteen months later I sold her
again — unseen as it happened — and about a
week afterwards I was told that the mare w^as
wrong in her back, that she had probably been
injured in transit but that as my customer was
from home at the time of her arrival and for a
few days after there was no chance of getting
any recompense from the railway company. I
went to see her and she was slightly lame, only
very sHghtly though, but my friend and I both
thought she was lame in her back. So I agreed
to send her to the Repository to let her go for
what she would bring. I did not see her for
three weeks and when she ran out I remarked
to my friend that she ran sound and he agreed.
As we were talking a man we both knew came
up and asked me if that was not my mare and
on my replying in the affirmative he said he

28 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

should buy her. I advised him to leave her
alone and he followed my advice, and the mare
brought a trifle over twenty guineas. Within
two years £200 was refused for her ! And I
don't think I ever saw an angrier man than the
small dealer, to whom I thought I had been
rendering a service, when he told me the mare's
subsequent history.

In this instance my friend and I both did
wrong. The mare had probably either been
cast in the horse box or had got laid wrong in
the loose box and injured herself slightly in the
struggle to get up. She was undoubtedly lame
and had probably strained some of the muscles
of her back. But she was improving every day
and that without treatment and she was worth
more than double the price she brought as a
brood mare, for she was a well-bred one and a
good performer. But she had been unlucky
and both my friend and I '* wanted to see her
back." I should not act so hastily now.

There are three important matters for a man
to consider when he goes to buy a horse. The
first is what kind of horse he wants ; secondly
his own capabilities as a horseman ; and thirdly
the amount of money he can afford to give.

Without doubt a great many of the dis-
appointments which a horse owner experiences
are due to his not making up his mind definitely
as to what he really wants. If a man only
wants a horse to carry him short journeys on
pleasure or for an afternoon ride it is a waste

BUYING HORSES 29

of money to buy a high-class hunter and vice
versa, and Markham's advice to buy what you
want and keep him to his proper vocation is
sound.

In order however for a man to form a sound
idea of what he does want he should thoroughly
appreciate his own horsemanship at its proper
value. We all know of the man who '' after dinner
once took a forty feet brook" ; and I think it is
Sir Walter Scott who said there were many men
who would rather have aspersions cast on their
moral character than on their horsemanship.
But when a man goes to buy a horse there must
be no self-deception on this score, if he would
avoid disappointment.

Then comes the question of price. It will be
found cheapest in the long run to buy the very
best you can afford, which of course does not
mean that you are to give what anyone chooses
to ask you for a horse that takes your fancy.
Above all don't go out with the idea of buying
a hundred pounds' horse for forty ; if you do you
will surely come to grief.

The Horse market in these days is very different
from what it was in the last century. For more
than thirty years, at any rate, the fairs, which at
one time were the principal horse markets, have
been rapidly deteriorating and none of them
now have the importance which they once pos-
sessed. Indeed very few good horses now find
their way to a horse fair, and if one should find
his way there it is quite by accident.

30 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

To a very considerable extent the place of
the fairs is supplied by the modern Horse show
which is an excellent market for good horses of
a certain class. And the guinea hunter — as the
tout at a fair was named — is represented at the
shows by a smart gentleman who is a thorough
judge of a horse and a better judge of men, and
whose combined knowledge enables him to pick
up a nice little income.

These gentlemen indeed are of a different
class and hold a more assured position than
those whose place they have taken and most of
them are the accredited representatives of the
large dealers and have a district allotted to them.
I have known some of them do a little dealing on
their own account but the man who expects he
is going to buy a bargain from them will find
himself disappointed for the best of their horses
naturally go to the dealer whom they represent.

The tyro who goes about amongst breeders
in search of horses will generally find that the
best of them have gone into the hands of one or
other of the big dealers. Nor is this to be won-
dered at, for as a rule dealers are the best buyers.
An instance may be given. There was a certain
horse of very high quality that wanted ' moving.'
He was a trifle too much for the man who had
him, and 1 mentioned the fact to a friend of
mine who was a fine horseman and advised
him to buy. The owner asked 300 gs. for his
horse ; my friend bid him £160. Both prices
were out of course, the latter was absurd. A

BUYING HORSES 31

fortnight later my friend sprung ;^20 and then
left the horse. I then told a dealer about him
and all the circumstances connected with the
deal. The dealer bid ;f25o for his first and only
bid^ and he got him.

It may be asked how dealers make a living
if they are better buyers than gentlemen, but
really such a question almost answers itself. The
horse when he comes out of the dealer's hands is a
very different animal to what he was when he
went into it and many hunters would be of very
little use to some men if they went straight from
the breeder. '' You would call X a fine horse-
man wouldn't you ? " asked the late Harry
Custance one day, and on my replying in the
affirmative he replied '' Yet all the horses that
come from him want breaking over again before
they are fit to put into the hands of an ordinary
customer." The gentleman in question had good
seat and hands and an iron nerve yet somehow
his horses seldom went kindly with a stranger
until they had gone through a course of schooling.

And then it must be remembered again that
when gentlemen purchase of a dealer they are
relying on the judgment of that dealer, and that
the dealer's profit really represents the value of
his judgment. There is also the fact that most
dealers will change the horse if he does not suit,
which is a very great consideration.

The Horse Repositories are conducted on
very different lines to what they were when
*' Caveat Emptor " wrote, some eighty years

32 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

ago. There are plenty of opportunities of ex-
amining a horse thoroughly at all the leading
Emporiums, and the conditions are fair to the
buyer who has plenty of opportunities of return-
ing an unsound horse or one that has been falsely
described, if he avails himself of them. But for
all that I would not advise the reader to pur-
chase at Horse Repositories unless he is a very
good judge and a very good horseman. And for
these reasons. In the first place if horses are
well known and have a good reputation they
bring much more than their value. Here is an
instance from my own experience. Some hunt
horses were going up for sale, and I took a great
fancy to one that had carried the huntsman. He
was a good-looking horse, fast and a fine per-
former, but he made a slight noise. I could not
get to the sale but commissioned a friend to buy
him for me at ninety guineas. He brought a
hundred and sixty !

Another reason is that unless a man is a fine
horseman he may buy a horse and find when he
gets him home that he is practically of no use to
him. This of course entails the necessity of
parting with the horse, most likely at a con-
siderable sacrifice, and at the same time there is
the mortification of being without a horse, very
probably at the very time that you are wanting
one most.

There are some who hold that hunting men
should buy their horses direct from the farmer.
If the farmer has the horse that the hunting man

BUYING HORSES 33

wants there can be no better plan and I know
of several farmers who make their horses
thoroughly well. Few, however, unless they
combine the business of dealing in hunters with
farming, keep their horses till they are matured,
and a gentleman generally wants a horse ready
to go to work. So that the subject of buying
horses from farmers is one which does not lend
itself to generalisation, but I shall have some-
thing more to say on the subject later.

The wisest plan for the ordinary man to adopt
is to go to the dealer, tell him exactly what he
wants and how much money he is prepared to
give. I am sure that he will save money in the
long run by adopting this plan, for he will sooner
get suited. If the first horse he gets does not
suit him the dealer is not averse to changing
and having seen him in the saddle the dealer
soon finds out the kind of horse his customer
wants.

If a man is a fine horseman and has plenty of
time there is no more interesting way of spending
it than in ' making ' his own horses. Let him
then buy the likeliest four-year-olds he can find
amongst his farmer friends and put in his spare
time in riding them into his 'liking.' I can
speak from experience that no horse ever carries
a man so well as the one he has made himself.
There are some gentlemen who ' ride their horses
into money' or who try to do so, which is not
always the same thing. I have known many of
them, some of them very successful. For a man
3

34 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

to be successful it is necessary he should be a fine
judge as well as a fine horseman and such men
do not require much advice about the purchase
of horses.

There is one thing I should advise my reader
to avoid. Do not let your groom buy your
horses. You are not certain to be suited and
you are certain to pay dearly for what you buy.
And, strange though it may seem, this is not
entirely due to grooms having favourite dealers.
Considering how much they are amongst horses
grooms, as a class, are not good judges, though of
course there are many good judges amongst them,
and many upright trustworthy men. I know
of one man who bought all the horses for a large
hunt over a great number of years, and who
spent considerably over £100,000 of his master's
money on horseflesh. And I may say that I knew
of no hunt better or more economically mounted.
But this was a man of exceptional abihty.

And this brings me to the delicate question
of grooms' Commissions. Ever since I can re-
member if a fresh horse came into the stable
the groom expected his fee out of the price. In
the old days the dealers used when bargaining
v/ith each other, sometimes to stipulate that each
should give the other's groom a sovereign. Then
it became the custom for the vendor to give a
sovereign or two to the purchaser's groom, and
this custom grew till it became an abuse and a
scandal. In one instance that came to my notice
a few years ago a man had the assurance to ask

BUYING HORSES 35

for ;^ioo if a certain deal came off. He did not
get it, nor did his employer get the horse, the
owner immediately putting an end to all
negotiations.

At the same time, whilst deprecating the
exceptionally heavy ' Commissions ' I think a
groom should have a present given to him when
a new horse comes under his charge. A fresh
horse in a stable means a considerable amount
of extra trouble to the man who has to take care
of him and it encourages a man to take special
pains with the new inmate if he has a small
present given to him. Consequently the owner
of the horse will benefit.

A gentleman who owns a large stud told me
a few years ago that when he bought horses he
always bought them on the understanding that
his groom got ;^5 out of the deal. If more than
that was given and he came to know of it the
groom was discharged and no more business was
done with the vendor of the horse. I should
add that the horses this gentlemen bought were
high-priced ones and that for horses under £ioo
in price {^$ would be an excessive ' commission.*

Even if a man buys his horses from a dealer
and, so to speak, on the dealer's judgment, he
will have much more pleasure in his horses if his
own judgment is called into requisition at the
same time, and an observant man, who avails
himself of every opportunity of learning, should
soon be able to tell the horse that will suit him
when he sees him.

36 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

A few hints may be of service to him. The
first is, and to a certain extent it embraces all the
others, Never buy a horse which has a really
serious defect. No matter how good he may be
in other respects reject him, and reject him at
ONCE. The man who hesitates will almost cer-
tainly be persuaded to buy, and he will regret his
indiscretion ever after.

In buying saddle horses reject common or
coarse horses. A saddle horse should be well
bred, and he should show it ; otherwise he is
sure to be an unpleasant ride. Don't buy a horse
with a little eye, or with little ears, or with a big
coarse heavy head badly set on. The little ears
and eye denote temper and there is no pleasure in
' carrying ' your horse's head every time you go
for a ride. Never buy a horse that is a ' washy '
colour ; he is sure to be deficient in stamina and
to wear badly. Another bad fault is being ' split
up' behind, and still worse is being narrow
chested. A horse should be deep through his
heart and his ribs should be well sprung for him
to be a good worker.

A very important point is that a horse should
stand correctly, turning his toes neither in nor out.
If he does either it is a sign of weakness and takes
from the value of the horse. Do not let any
man who is trying to sell you a horse persuade
you that it is only a trivial matter. It is not
and he knows it. Far too many horses have their
toes in or out nowadays but that is quite another
thing. A horse that is ' drawn in ' and very

BUYING HORSES 37

light immediately below the knee should be re-
jected without hesitation. Long weak pasterns
or upright pasterns should of course be rejected
and the man who buys a horse with odd forefeet
is asking for trouble and generally gets it.

To see whether a horse stands correctly ex-
amine him from both sides and from in front and
behind him, and be careful to stand directly
behind him when he begins to move. You will
learn more about him then in a few minutes^ if
you keep your eyes open and your ears shut, than
in half a day's examination from any other stand-
point.

It is unnecessary to go into detail over the
more obvious faults which horses possess, but it
remains to say a word or two about unsoundness
and vice. No man now need experience the
troubles which attended his ancestors in their
horse buying. Most horses are sold subject to
a veterinary surgeon's examination and that of
course decides the question of soundness. Mis-
takes are seldom made in passing horses, and if
there is any mistake it is generally in rejecting a
workably sound horse.

The purchaser should always insist on a per-
sonal trial. Some horses that are by no means
vicious resent the handling of some men, and
when that is the case a pleasant ride is an impossi-
bility. But there is no difficulty about getting a
sufficient trial of a horse's manners nowadays, and
a man ought to be able to tell whether a horse
will suit him or not after riding him for an hour.

38 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

I have said nothing about the * spicy screw'
for I imagine my readers will want to see sound
horses in their stables. But there are many
excellent hunters which will not pass a veterin-
ary examination, but which will and do pass
many of their sound rivals in the hunting field.
I have had one or two of the sort and have never
regretted it. If any of my readers are smitten
with a horse of the kind I can only say to them
'' Insist on a day's hunting and judge from the
result. *'

In the above hints in horse buying I have said
nothing about the harness horse as such, but of
course the same remarks apply. '' A good saddle
horse is always a good harness horse '' is an old
proverb the truth of which has been proved over
and over again, though the reverse does not
apply ; and the best harness horse I ever sat
behind was bought out of a selling race. I should
however not look for harness horses amongst
the ranks of selling platers but go to the dealer in
harness horses, who is far likelier to have steady
horses in these days of motor vehicles and electric
trams than the private vendor.

FEEDING AND CONDITION

THE Vicar of a Yorkshire Parish was in a
Chemist's shop, asking for some alterative
Powders for his mare. He described her
staring coat and hidebound skin and the chemist
proceeded to prescribe for her. There was in
the shop at the time the Vicar was tehing his
story, a certain bluff Yorkshireman — a carrier
by trade. He knew the Vicar and some of his
pecuharities and he was not backward in tender-
ing his advice '' Give her some wots (oats) parson ;
give her some wots/' said he.

And the old carrier, who was speaking from
practical experience, was right, for the founda-
tion of all horse feeding in the house is good
sound oats. Other grain may be used but at
best it is but a makeshift ; and of course other
food has to be given such as hay, bran etc., but
the staple food for conditioning light horses is
oats.

Before going into particulars about the various
rations which it is desirable to give horses it
seems desirable to say a few words about stable
routine. This varies according to circumstances
and the minutiae of stable management are
affected by the whims of owners or their grooms.

40 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Take, for instance, the hours of feeding. In my
younger days horses were fed four times a day.
At six o'clock the horse got watered and a feed
of corn which he ate whilst the groom was cleaning
the stable and getting his own breakfast. Then
he was exercised and on his return from exercise
he was well dressed, and this over, given a lock
of hay. At noon he was fed again, and again
at four o'clock when he had a brisk rubbing
down. Then at half -past seven he was fed for
the last time and at each feeding he had a good
quartern of oats and some long hay. Twice a
week he got a bran mash, and if the work was
very severe a handful of split beans was added
to his corn. Carrots of course were always
given or if the carrots were a failure a small
quantity of swede turnips sliced.

For some reason — ^but for what reason I
cannot guess, except that it is a saving of trouble
— the old plan of feeding four times a day was
abandoned and horses were fed three times a
day, viz. about six in the morning, some time
before noon, and about six in the evening. This
plan of feeding seems now to be generally pre-
valent and it is on this plan that I shall ground
the routine of feeding and general stable manage-
ment.

Before doing so however I must point out
that there is still another method which I have
seen adopted and I am bound to say that, though
personally I do not approve of it, it seems to
have a thoroughly satisfactory result. In this

FEEDING AND CONDITION 41

plan the horses are only fed twice a day, at six
in the morning and at six in the evening and a
peck of corn (oats) per horse is allowed per day.
A little long hay is given at night but most of
the hay is given in the form of chop. It seems
to me that the only advantage to be derived
from this system is that there is a considerable
saving of time effected. But I think half a peck
is too large a quantity of oats to place before
a horse at one time. However I am bound to
say that the horses I saw were in excellent con-
dition and I saw no signs of oats being left in
the manger.

The horse when stabled, is living under very
artificial conditions ; and this must be taken
into consideration when any system of dieting
is being discussed. The natural food of the
horse is grass, of which something like 80% is
water. But the amount of water in the food
given a horse in the stable falls short of that
standard by at least some 55 %. Then the
amount of dressing he gets opens the pores of
the skin and causes him readily to throw off
a considerable amount of moisture. So it is
necessary that he should have a copious supply
of drinking water, in order that he should be
kept in a healthy state. Some authorities would
have water kept constantly before their horses.
This is a plan I do not approve. Horses are
sure to blow over it, and mess it about ; it will
collect dust and dirt and the natural result of
dust and dirt is disease. If a man is determined

42 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

that his horse should have water always before
him he must have a place made in which a pail
can be placed and insist that the pail be taken
out at least three times daily and refilled with
clean w^ater and thoroughly cleaned each time
it is moved. But even if he succeeds in getting
this attended to, which is by no means certain,
the plan is only a clumsy one at best. I adopted
it in some loose boxes but I dropped it when
I found one of my horses with the pail in his
mouth, knocking it about with no inconsiderable
risk of blemishing himself.

At one time it was thought advisable to stint
the supply of water to horses. This is wrong.
A horse should be given as much water as he
will drink and he should always be watered
before he is fed. There was a lot of prejudice
against a horse having much water before he
went out hunting when I was a young man.
A few swallows before he got his corn and perhaps
a few more if he would not clean his corn up
were all he got until his day's work was over.
No more absurd plan could have been adopted.
Of course no one would think of giving a horse
a bucket of water if he were going to race the
next minute. But hunting is a different matter
and a horse may drink a bucket of water — most
likely he won't drink more than half a one —
at six o'clock and be none the worse for it for
the fastest work that is likely to come in his
way by half -past ten or eleven. I always gave
my hunters as much water as they cared to

FEEDING AND CONDITION 43

drink and I never found them any the worse
for it.

When horses are given water freely and when
they know that they will not be stinted in the
supply they do not drink nearly so much as
they do when their supply is irregular. The
quantity they will drink ranges according to
Capt. Hayes from four to ten gallons per day
according to the weather and the work they
are doing. Long and severe work of course is
provocative of thirst as it increases evaporation.
The first thing a groom should do on entering
the stable at 6 o'clock in the morning is to give
his horses water. Some would only give a few^
mouthfuls then but this depends entirely upon
the length of time which ensues before they are
taken out to exercise. Horses should not be
given as much water as they will drink within
an hour of being taken out to exercise, but if,
as was the case with my horses, more than an
hour elapsed before they went out of the stable,
they will take no harm from having a hearty
drink. At any rate my horses never did. I
must however point out that their exercise was
always at a slow pace, which in my opinion
exercise ought always to be.

After the water a feed of oats should be
given and then by about half-past seven or a
quarter to eight the horses should be exercised.
This should occupy from two hours to two hours
and a half. Immediately on their return from
exercise they should be watered, and then they

44 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

should have a good dressing, some hay, which
may be given in the form of chop — ^personally
I prefer long hay — and at noon they should
have another feed of corn. But it will be ap-
proaching noon by the time the horses are
dressed and the stables are ' set fair/ and I see
no objection to giving the corn as soon as these
tasks are finished. After all it does not matter
so much at what times the horses are fed, pro-
vided that they are fed at proper intervals and
regularly.

The horses may now be left till late in the
afternoon. It is then advisable to take them
out for twenty minutes or half an hour. There
is no necessity to put saddles on or even to ride
them. They may be led about, care being taken
that they are warmly clothed and that they
are kept sufficiently far apart that no harm
may ensue if some light-hearted one should
begin to play up.

When led out for their afternoon walk the
horses should be allowed to nibble a little grass
and they will be found very greedy of earth
sometimes. This they should be allowed to eat,
for in some way that I have never heard satis-
factorily explained, it is very beneficial to their
health. Col. Meysey Thompson perhaps comes
nearest to the mark when he says that it has
some beneficial effect on the acid secretions of
the stomach. But there can be no doubt of
the craving being a natural one, and though
it is not noticed when a horse is at grass I have

FEEDING AND CONDITION 45

no doubt that he contrives to get all the earth
he wants when he is ' running out/

The first time afternoon exercise was brought
forcibly to my notice I was visiting a famous
trainer. Three or four of his horses were led
out into a paddock — one of them a horse which
was a favourite for an important handicap —
and they were allowed to nibble a bit of grass.
The favourite soon had a very dirty mouth and
I said as much. '' Yes " said the trainer,
''that does as much good as another feed of
corn.'' I may add that the favourite won
his race. The late George Mulcaster, than whom
no one knew much more about conditioning
hunters and steeplechase horses, always used
to have the horses that had been doing strong
work dismounted and allowed to eat a bit of
grass and of course earth, after their gallops
were finished, and he liked to get them a nibble
when the race was over where that was practicable.
His remark was that they enjoyed it, and I
am sure they do and that it is highly beneficial.

By the time the horses have got well dressed
over again it is nearly time for evening stables,
when water, corn, and some long hay will again
be given.

It is in many stables a custom to do nothing
more than rub the horses over with a rubber
at evening stables, but they are decidedly
better for a good dressing. Nothing tends to
the promotion of condition more than good
grooming ; and a horse that is regularly and

46 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

thoroughly groomed soon learns to appreciate
it, and to look for his periodical '' dressings."

A word remains to be said about the quality
of the water and the food. Well water is fre-
quently all that is available for stable use and
there is nothing to say against it provided that
it is not contaminated and that it does not con-
tain a greater proportion of minerals in solution
than 4| grains to a pint. It is sometimes objected
that well water is too cold, but I do not approve
of drawing the water and letting it stand in
the stable. Water standing in buckets in a
warm stable will attract all the microbes in
the place. Capt. Hayes is emphatic on this
point and his argument is borne out by the
experience of many close observers. Says he,
'* Throughout my long life, which has been spent
amongst horses in all kinds of climates, and
in many different parts of the world, I have
never known, heard or read of a case of injury
to a horse caused by the fact of the water he
drank being cold. On the other hand, I have
seen scores of cases of horses refusing to drink
because the water offered to them had been
artificially warmed. The employment of any
means that prevents a horse from quenching
his thirst, or at least renders water more or less
distasteful to him, can hardly fail to be pre-
judicial to his health — to say nothing of the
cruelty."

When on the subject of drink a word or two
may be said about gruel, which should always

FEEDING AND CONDITION 47

be given to a horse after a day's hunting or after
long and severe labour. This may be made
either of oatmeal or linseed. The oatmeal gruel
is made by scalding the oatmeal, which is
moistened first with cold water to prevent it
getting lumpy. The linseed gruel is made by
boiling the linseed till it forms a jelly. It is then
diluted to the required strength. I prefer linseed
gruel to oatmeal. I am told that in the hill
countries which are frequented by tourists the
horses which draw the coaches are given wheat
flour gruel and that it is very recuperative. I can
well believe it though I have had no experience
with it. Of course it is essential that wheat flour
should be carefully mixed with cold water first
— otherwise we should get a pasty mess.

Old oats and old hay of course should always
be used. They are not only best but cheapest in
the end. Be careful to get oats that weigh well,
and that are thin in the husk. There is nothing
to choose between black oats and white ones,
other things being equal, but the best Scottish
white oats are the heaviest grain. There is
however not much to choose in this respect be-
tween them and the best black ones off similar
land. Never buy kiln -dried oats under any
circumstances.

The hay should be upland hay, sweet and
well got. The coarse grasses of low-lying land
are all well enough for cattle or for draught horses
but they are injurious to horses that have to do
fast work. Under no circumstances should such

48 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

horses have hay that has been overheated in
the stack. Oat hay has been given and I see no
reason why oat straw cut rather rear and properly
won should not be a good food for horses but I
have had no experience with it except giving it
to young horses when good hay was very scarce.
They did well enough on it. But I knew a Dales
farmer whose cart horses were always in the
pink of condition, who, when asked what he fed
them on, replied, " Badly threshed oat straw."
He fed his horses on oat sheaf. Needless to say
a very extravagant and wasteful method.

Many very good horse masters use most of their
hay in the form of chop, and sometimes they mix
a little wheat straw in with the hay. I used to
give chop to the cart horses, but I never took
kindly to giving it to Hunters or harness horses.
I believe it is a very economical way of feeding
and if horses are given to bolting their corn it is
a good plan to mix it with chop. But chop should
never lie about for days; it should always be
fresh. Sometimes it is desirable that oats should
be crushed but here again they should be crushed
as they are wanted. And when they are crushed
they should only have the skin broken.

Bran mashes should be given twice a week.
They are made by well mixing a feed of oats
with dry bran in a bucket. This should be
scalded with linseed gruel which has been kept
on the simmer for a couple of hours and the
bucket should be closely covered so that the heat
may be kept in.

FEEDING AND CONDITION 49

Beans and peas are very useful, though they
should not form a staple article of food. But
when the work is heavy a handful of split beans
or peas added to each feed tempts a horse with
a delicate appetite and moreover helps to keep
him healthy and up to the mark.

Green food such as carrots, or if they are not
procurable swede turnips, should be given at least
two or three times a week amongst the corn.
When the work has been very hard and horses
have been inclined to be off their feed I have
given something of the sort every day just to
vary their food. Celery is an excellent thing
and horses are very fond of it and they also like
the outer leaves of cabbages and cauliflowers.
There is no fear of a horse that is fed on highly
concentrated dry food taking any harm for occa-
sional *' relishes'' of green food such as have
been indicated.

A little rock salt should always be kept in
the manger. Horses are very fond of it and it is
of great benefit to them. I know one large horse
owner who gives every horse on the place a couple
of handfuls of Cattle Salts (Epsom) in their mash
every Saturday night. He says they are much
benefited by it and I know that he rarely has a
sick horse.

There is one thing in connexion with the
feeding of horses which is of the greatest import-
ance both to the horses and to the pocket of their
owner ; but it is difficult to get a groom to see it.
It is that the individual character and constitu-

50 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

tion of each horse should be carefully studied
with regard to their feeding and that they should
be fed according to the work they have to do. It
is difficult to get a groom to do this ; and I can
look back to some nasty accidents and very
narrow escapes which I have seen owing to the
obstinacy of grooms on this subject of over-feed-
ing. " I could save £1000 a year if I could feed
all my stock myself/* said one of England's
greatest agriculturists to me one day, and I can
well believe it.

When a horse is resting — that is when he has
nothing more to do than the usual exercise at a
slow pace — he can do well with 30 % less corn
than when he is hard at work hunting three days
a fortnight. The groom may tell you that the
horse ought to have full allowance of corn with
occasional gallops to keep him in condition.
Don't believe him. I always insisted that I could
do all the galloping my horses required myself.
The wild vagaries of a horse that is above himself
are not only a waste of energy but they sometimes
incur a risk of a serious accident.

If horses are really in condition they do not
require many days' rest to make them above
themselves, and though one naturally likes to see
horses fresh and light-hearted there is a limit in
this direction which should not be passed. After
the second or third day's rest the quantity of oats
should be reduced. If the rest is likely to reach
three weeks two-thirds of the quantity usually
given will be quite plenty. That is provided

FEEDING AND CONDITION 51

the horse is in condition, about which I shall have
to say more later.

Then some horses require more corn, some
less than others. This is a matter in which no
directions can be given. The owner must make
his own observations and act accordingly.

Finally the right feeding of horses depends
on two great principles. Regularity and good
quality of food.

SUMMERING AND CONDITIONING
HUNTERS

THE conditioning of Hunters is an important
part of stable management, but after all it
only calls for the exercise of a little common
sense and judgment. It is not like training
a racehorse, which you have to get to his highest
pitch of perfection by a certain day. The Hunter
has to be in condition to take his turn through-
out the season and if he is capable of improve-
ment when the regular season commences so
much the better. Indeed in an ordinary season
he should do his three days a fortnight and
improve all the way up to the middle of December,
and if he should get a week's rest about Christmas
he should come out after it in as good condition
as he was in on the first of November, or even
better. The conditioning of hunters depends
to a considerable extent upon how they have
been summered, and, for that reason the summer-
ing of hunters will be first considered.

In my younger days the summering of Hunters
was generally a pretty simple matter. As soon
as the season ended the sheets were taken off
the horse, his coat was allowed to get rough

and his com was stopped. In the course of

52

SUMMERING HUNTERS 53

two or three weeks he was turned out for a
few hours in the middle of the day and some
mild night he was left out to take his chance.
Generally however there was a hovel in which
he could shelter if the weather was rough.

He was brought up from grass in the begin-
ning of August — generally about the twelfth,
and a curious looking object he frequently was,
all belly. The reduction of this encumbrance
was at once set about ; after the horse had been
in the stable about a week or perhaps a shorter
time, he was ' prepared ' for physic and given
a pretty stiff dose of aloes. If a horse had a
tendency to ' get his back up ' after a pro-
longed rest I have known nervous grooms take
advantage of the sickness caused by the physic,
to mount him.

Regular exercise now commenced. Two
hours' walking a day was the minimum and this
was continued for three weeks. Then a slow
trot of a couple of miles or sometimes more was
introduced into the work and by the middle of
September a second and lighter dose of physic
was given. After that had worked off, it was
the custom to give a sharp canter twice a week
and then an occasional sweating gallop was
given. The horse was heavily sheeted and given
a half -speed gallop of some four miles. Indeed
the conditioning of a hunter was pretty much
on the same lines as the directions given at an
earlier date by Blome, Markham, Fairfax and
other writers, for the training of racehorses.

54 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

The result was anything but satisfactory.
The constant physicking and sweating to get
rid of what should never have been there made
horses stale almost before the season was well
begun and the season was nearly over before
they were really at their best. And then as
soon as they were fit they were turned out to
grass again, for the whole process of losing con-
dition to be repeated. Notv^dthstanding that
Nimrod and Harry Hieover wrote strongly against
turning hunters out to grass and that many of
the leading hunting men in the best countries
summered their horses in the house, the practice
of turning out to grass has died hard and it is
still to be found in many places. The argu-
ments for and against it have been discussed
time without number and it is not necessary
to go over the same ground again, but it may
be pointed out that, with the exception of the
racehorse there is no animal which lives such
an artificial life as the hunter, and that the
sudden changes of the English climate cannot
but affect injuriously a horse that is, or should
be, kept always in an equable temperature.
The argument that it is cheaper to summer
horses at grass falls to the ground at once if
efficiency is taken into consideration.

If the stud has to be replenished the proper
time to do so is at the end of the season. At
that time there are always a lot of good horses
in the market and there is always a better choice
than there is later in the year when every one

SUMMERING HUNTERS 55

is buying. There are many good reasons for
buying at or towards the end of the season.
For one thing you see horses as they really are,
with the fat stripped off them ; and there has
been an opportunity of seeing how they perform.
But perhaps the greatest advantage of buying
at the end of the season is that the horse gets
accustomed to his new surroundings before the
hard work begins. The summering of a new horse
should be on somewhat different lines to that of
the rest of the stud and he may be kept ' up * a few
weeks longer than the rest in order that his master
and he may get to know each other's ways.
It will enable the owner to commence the work
of the season with more confidence, especially
if he be rather a nervous man.

As soon as the season is over horses may be
turned up with advantage. Some of them —
such for instance as an old favourite who is
beginning to show signs of wear about his legs —
should be turned up earlier, as soon indeed as
ever the ground is reaUy hard.

When it is decided on turning a horse up it
may be as well to give him a mild dose of physic,
especially if there is any tendency to swelling
about his legs, and a sheet should be taken off
a few days after the horse has been left undressed.
Perhaps in a week's time a second mild dose of
physic may be desirable but the owner will be
guided by circumstances as to this and if he is
a wise man, he will not be influenced by his groom,
for many grooms are never happy if they are not

56 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

drugging. I may say that my own system
left physic very much out of the reckoning ; and
I very rarely gave a horse physic on throwing
him up for the summer — never, indeed, unless
I was thoroughly convinced that he was ailing.

Summering horses in the house is attended
with one inconvenience. It is difficult to per-
suade grooms to give them little enough corn,
and they want looking after to keep the stables
clean. I prefer the ordinary loose box to the
box and yard because it is easier to keep the
horse off wet litter, and there is also less waste
of straw.

The corn ration should certainly be reduced
one-half and a peck of oats per day is ample
allowance for any horse that is doing no work.
But if the quantity of corn is reduced the quality
should be maintained, for it must always be
remembered that there is more nutriment in a
small feed of good oats than in a large feed of
moderate ones.

The quantity of hay should be reduced but
the quality should be maintained. New hay
should never be given. By new hay is meant
anything that is not more than a year old. The
giving of green meat is necessary in summer
time but it should not be given in such quantities
as to make the horse pot-bellied. It is intended
to cool the system and should be given for a few
weeks only. Clover is the best form in which
it can be given and it is all the better if a little
ryegrass is in it — ^the mixture indeed, which is

SUMMERING HUNTERS 57

sown on a majority of farms in England. Lucerne
or other grasses of the kind are also good but
I prefer Clover. The best way of giving the
clover is mixing it with the hay It is as well
to begin gradually and increase the quantity
till it is about half clover and half hay. Let
the horses have this ration for about a fortnight
and then gradually reduce the quantity of clover.

Old clover should never be given. The clover
should be new and fresh and after the flower
begins to fade it is time to give up using it as
a diet for hunters. One word of warning too
may be given. Never give a light horse tares
or vetches ; they are watery and apt to produce
colic. I have given them to draught horses
but I certainly would not give them to hunters.

One thing should be attended to which is
frequently neglected during the summer months,
and that is the horses' legs which should be well
hand-rubbed every day. Nothing tends so
much to strengthen the sinew as continued
hand-rubbing and the man who insists upon
seeing this done will have his reward in his
horses having fewer accidents and lasting longer.

By the time the clover season is over it
will be time to think about getting the hunters
into condition again. After they have had a
rest of eight or ten weeks the cub-hunting season
will be fast approaching and the middle of July
is the best time to begin if you mean seeing
any of the early cub-hunting.

It is as well perhaps to give a mild dose of

58 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

physic before putting the horses into work.
It takes away any acidity which may have been
caused by the green meat. But anything in the
way of a heavy physicking should be avoided
if possible. It is better to give a second light
dose after a few weeks have passed or earlier
if occasion seems to require.

At first the horses should have about an
hour's walking exercise and the quantity of
corn should then be slightly increased. After
about a week the exercise should be extended
to two hours per day and the quantity of corn
may be slightly increased as the work increases.
A capital plan when exercising hunters is to take
them a round by country roads and bye-lanes
where it is possible to do so. When one comes
to think of it it is somewhat monotonous to
keep making the circuit of one field, week in week
out, and it is good for a horse's health to keep
him interested. I have pointed out the advantage
of taking a horse out in the afternoon for a few
minutes in a former chapter.

After the horse has been at work for about
three weeks he may be trotted two or three times
every morning. A slow trot of a mile or a mile
and a half, repeated two or three times each
morning, is sufficient at first. This distance may
be increased gradually. It may be asked what
about cantering and galloping. I always impressed
it strongly on my grooms that I could do all
that was required in this direction myself.

Cub-hunting begins much sooner than was

SUMMERING HUNTERS 59

the case when I was a boy and in all but the
late countries a start is made in August. Cub-
hunting too is much more a public matter than
it was thirty or forty years ago and even in the
early cubbing mornings quite large fields are
seen out. Whether this is altogether to the
advantage of huntsman and hounds may be
questioned but if those who go out in the earlier
part of the cub-hunting season are careful to
do as they are told and keep out of mischief
perhaps no great harm is done after all.

These early cub-hunting mornings are excellent
for finishing the work of conditioning. The
many hours that the horses are out of the stable,
the frequent little ' spurts ' down a wood-side,
all help to get them fit for those little gallops
in the later cub-hunting which are a prelude to
the more serious business of the season.

For another reason it is a good plan to finish
the conditioning of your hunters by cub-hunting.
It tends to make them steady with hounds,
and if you are careful in watching them during
the cub-hunting season and in giving them a few
timely lessons you will probably be saved much
trouble and some annoyance later on.

By the first of November horses that have
been summered and conditioned in this way will
be found far fitter than horses that have been
summered at grass and physicked and galloped
into condition will be on the first of January
and at a far less strain upon their legs. It is a
plan that I adopted for many years and with

6o THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the best results. As an instance of the effect
of this training I may cite the case of a horse
I rode many years, Jimmy Shaw. I sent him
to the Kennels, and when he was skinned he was
just one mass of muscle. They could not hack
up his flesh, and he would not make broth.
Muscle is what you want in a hunter.

THE HACK AND THE HARNESS HORSE

H

ITHERTO the Hunter has been princi-
pally in my mind as I wrote. When we
come to consider the Hack and the Harness
Horse, though the same general rules undoubtedly
apply both as to their purchase and their manage-
ment there is an essential difference in many
particulars which have to do with both.

Taking purchase first. Good manners, for ex-
ample, are a great recommendation for a hunter ;
but, provided your nerve is good and you are a
good horseman you will never let the fact that a
horse is hot, or takes hold, make you turn away
from him if you know that he possesses the
three great qualities of a hunter, galloping,
jumping and stamina. If a hunter can carry
you in the right place and safely, you will forgive
many things, especially if you are a heavy weight.
But you would be foolish to pass these faults in
a hack, unless indeed you should have sufficient
confidence in yourself to think that you can
cure the horse of his faults and by so doing
either put money in your purse or what is equiva-
lent, buy a good horse at a comparatively moder-
ate price.

The modern hack is a very different horse

6i

62 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

to that which our grandfathers knew by the name
and he is wanted for a very different purpose.
The hack of a hundred years ago had a hard
life. He was expected to carry his owner long
journeys and to put up with all the inconveniences
and discomforts of inn stables and he did it,
and did it well. The Yorkshire Hackney in
which was a considerable infusion of the thorough-
bred, was the standard riding-horse of the early
and middle years of the nineteenth century.
But when the boom in Hackney breeding set
in in the late seventies and early eighties Hack-
ney breeders began to work on different lines
from their predecessors. The Hackney was to
be the fashionable harness horse of the future
and to ensure his fitness for the place assigned
to him, he was bred on bigger lines and with
more knee action. To ensure these two points
some valuable ones were naturally somewhat
neglected, and whether taken on the whole the
policy was a wise one this is not the place to
discuss. What is however an undoubted fact
is that a very handsome and valuable type of
Riding-horse has almost disappeared and the
Yorkshire Hackney, a perfect saddle horse stand-
ing from 14 hands 3 inches to 15 hands 2 inches,
is scarcely now to be found.

I have had one or two of them through my
hands and can testify to their work. The last I
had, a mare, stood 14 hands 3 inches and was
as perfect a hack as a man need wish to cross.
She was good in all her paces and was as hard as

mmM;,-

HACK AND HARNESS HORSE 63

the proverbial ' knot on a tree/ I have ridden
her sixty or seventy miles in a day and she always
came home with her head and tail up. I mention
her to point the moral of the scarcity of her like.
I got her rather cheaply, for she was a bad colour
and rather small for the ' Fashion ' of the day.
Some twenty years later I met the gentleman
from whom I had bought her. It so happened
a friend wanted something of the sort and I asked
if he had anything like the mare I had bought
of him. The reply was in the negative. I asked
if he could find one. He said '' Perhaps but not
at the price." I told him price was practically
no object, that I could give anything in reason,
and he said he would look out. When I met him
again he said he had been at considerable trouble
but could find nothing !

During these last few years there has been an
attempt made to get back to a riding-horse on
somewhat similar lines to those I have indicated,
and not altogether without success. I have
seen one or two very smart riding cobs of about
14 hands 3 inches during my travels and the fact
that there is an attempt being made to breed on
these lines speaks favourably for the future of the
horse in England.

I should not advise a man who wants a hack
to buy one of the Hackney breed. He will find
a horse with high knee action that as a natural
consequence does not use his shoulders too well
and scarcely gets his hocks far enough under him
anything but a pleasant ride, and I take it that

64 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

with the man who rides a hack the first thing
needed is a ' pleasant ride/

At many of our shows there are classes for
Park Hacks and for Covert Hacks, and amongst
the exhibits are many horses standing i6 hands
or even i6 hands 2 inches. They are commanding-
looking horses and look well in a show ring but to
my mind they are scarcely ideal Hacks. An
ideal hack should be under rather than over 15
hands 2 inches, short -legged and short-coupled and
with deep well-placed shoulders. The reader will
find the sort of horse in the classes for ** Hacks of
the Hunter type not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches "
which have become prevalent in some districts
since Mr. John Henry Stokes of Great Bowden
initiated them at Newark show a few years ago.

A hack is wanted altogether for pleasure but
it is as well that he should be capable of doing a
few good days' work on end even if he is never
called upon to do them. There is little satisfac-
tion in having your stable encumbered with what
the Yorkshireman described as ''a goodlike
nowt (nothing)." Still the modern hack is essenti-
ally a horse for pleasure as distinguished from
work and consequently what might be passed in
a horse of great capabilities is quite unpardonable
in him. It is essential that he should be good-
looking. A plain head or a neck upside down is
unpardonable but it may be overlooked in a
hunter, especially after you have gone well through
a brilliant run and there are only two or three
left to notice your horse's peculiarities.

HACK AND HARNESS HORSE 63

But the hack must carry his head well, his
head must be lean and bloodlike and his neck
well arched. Then his action must be showy.
It is not necessary or even desirable that he
should try to hit his curb chain with his knee
every time he steps, but he should snap his knee
a little, and he should be perfectly balanced.

Manners it is needless to say are essential.
A hack that takes hold of his bit or that bolts or
bucks or kicks is an '' impossibility.'* Neither is
it permissible for him to shy though there are
few horses, however quiet they may be, that will
not shy occasionally.

As for his paces he should go equally well
in all, but it is absolutely necessary that he should
be a good walker. And he should meet or pass
anything which he is likely to come across on the
road without taking the least notice of it. The
motor car, or motor bus or motor engine of any
description should be a matter of complete in-
difference to him. He should go past them as if
they were not. Then he is a perfect hack. Unless
the owner of a hack should take it into his head
to take a riding tour through part of the country,
than which there is no pleasanter way of spending
a few weeks, the hack is not likely to be wanted
more than a couple of hours on any day. So it is
needless to say that he will not require the same
quantity of corn that the hunter does. He should
be kept a trifle above himself but not too much
so. If he is kept much above himself he will
develop a lot of tricks which will take from his
5

66 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

value as a hack. Perhaps about three-fifths of
the quantity of oats a hunter gets in full work
will be an ample allowance. If he should be
wanted for one of those tours to which reference
has been made he would probably have to travel
from twenty to twenty-five miles a day. The
allowance of course would be then increased.

The hack should always be exercised by a
careful steady man, and care should be taken, in
mounting him, that he is made to stand still when
mounted till he gets the signal to move on. For
this is one of the best qualities of a high-class
hack, to stand perfectly still when he is mounted.
And it is soon forgotten if the horse is ridden by
a careless groom.

A few words perhaps may be said about a tour
on horseback. In these days the opposite sides
of the country are so near together that a man
can get a fresh supply of anything he wants from
home in a day or at most in a day and a half. So
I would advise the tourist, if he would travel in
comfort to travel ' light.* If the weather is
very hot it is desirable to travel in the early
morning and in the evening and rest during the
day. A horse in good condition wiU travel much
more than the twenty-five miles I have spoken
of, but it is to be presumed that the tourist is
not in a bad hurry, and that he wants to go
leisurely over the ground and see the country so
about that distance will be sufficient. He will not
want to tire either himself or his horse. It will
add to his experience and he will see more that is

HACK AND HARNESS HORSE 67

worth seeing if when he comes to an uninteresting
bit of country he takes the train and looks out for
a fresh starting point.

In buying a harness horse, as well as quality
and good looks, substance, size, and the kind of
conveyance for which he is required have to be
taken into consideration.

Sufficient has already been said about good
looks and quality but it may be remarked that a
ewe neck or an upright shoulder are not such great
objections in a harness horse as they would be in
a hack. But for all that I like a good shoulder
on a harness horse more especially if his lines
are cast in a hilly country. A well -placed
shoulder adds much to the safety of those who
are sitting behind a horse that is going down a
steep hill on which there are a few loose stones.

If a horse is required as a match horse it is
essential that he should match his mate in char-
acter and action as well as in colour, a fact which
is sometimes forgotten. At the same time it
must be kept in mind that a perfect match is
not always easy to find. One essential which one
sometimes sees neglected is that the two should
match in height. I would rather see horses
match in height and character than in colour if
all three cannot be obtained, and I have in my
mind's eye as I write a chestnut and a grey that
make a very stylish pair.

A single harness horse should have a lot of
substance for he is not unlikely to be called
upon to draw four people as well as the coachman

68 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

on occasion, if the vehicle in which he has to
work be of the wagonette or general utility order.
A horse for drawing a heavy conveyance should
not be lower than 15 hands 2 inches, and will
perhaps be all the better for being a couple of
inches taller. He should stand on a short leg
and be wide and powerful and above everything
his action should be straight. A horse that
* weaves ' expends a lot of his energy in the air
where it is not wanted, and a horse that turns
his toes in is apt to hit himself when he tires and
perhaps come down. A puller in harness is an
abomination and if a horse cannot be easily
held he should never be bought as a harness
horse. I have been run away with in harness
more than once, and it is by no means a pleasant
sensation. Nothing came of either of my ex-
periences and I did not say much about them,
but I thought a lot. Curiously enough I gave
both of these horses an opportunity of running
away in the hunting field and though they could
certainly not be called hunter -bred ones they
took kindly to the sport and made capital hunters.
The question of running away brings one to
the question of the bearing rein. There is a
great deal of nonsense written and talked by
kind-hearted people about the use of the bearing
rein. The whole question may be sum.med up
in a word — some horses need them and some
don't. If I had had a bearing rein on either
of the mares that ran away with me they
would never have run away. They were both

HACK AND HARNESS HORSE 69

straight in the neck and got their noses out and
I might as well have pulled against a tree or
the limited mail. I think also that any man
who has ever driven a pair of high-spirited
harness horses just a little above themselves
will be ready to admit that they are pleasanter
to drive and safer as well if driven in a bearing
rein. I once very much astonished a gentleman
who was holding forth about the cruelty of
bearing reins, by asking if he had ever driven
four pullers without them, and after a moment's
hesitation he admitted that he had not. I
very much question whether he had ever done
much driving of any kind, though no doubt
he would hold to the opinion which Sydney
Smith said that every man possesses, viz.
that he could drive a gig. The bookish theoric
was very much in evidence in much of what
he said as is generally the case with people
who are dogmatic on subjects of which they
have had little practical experience.

'' But/' I can hear the opponent of the
bearing rein say, '* there were four-in-hand teams
at Olympia which had not bearing reins, and
when one can do without it, all can." The fact
is freely admitted, but the conclusion is a false
one. It might just as well be said that because
a well-broken, light-mouthed horse can be held
in a rubber-covered snaffle, no horse should be
ridden in a curb. A curb bit hurts when it is
used, but it is much better that a horse which
is getting a little out of hand should suffer a

70 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

little pain than that his rider should happen a
serious injury through him bolting, though some of
the Cruelty to Animals people don't seem to think
so. After all the man is the most important
animal of the two though one would scarcely
think so to hear the sentimentalists talk.

So if your harness horse or horses are a little
straight in the neck — ^what dealers call ' with
their necks the wrong way up ' — do not hesitate
to use a bearing rein. But use it properly ;
do not have it too tight, and allow the horse
to have a little play with his head. If you don't
have a bearing rein you must have a standing
martingale if you would be safe ; that is if your
horse is of the peculiar shape which has been
described, which unfortunately too many harness
horses are. If the horses are well broken
and well bitted, and bend their necks well, and
are driven on country roads do not use a bearing
rein, but in London it is better, because safer,
to always use a bearing rein.

The late Duke of Beaufort, than whom was no
more experienced coachman, and whose opinion
on anything relating to horse and hound is
entitled to the greatest respect writes : '' From
long experience and from having saved many
broken knees by their use, we advocate bearing
reins — especially on single harness — put on with
sense and discretion, so as to never be so short
as to annoy a horse in any way, and always
when standing still for any time to be unborne."

Another writer in the Driving volume

GAYTHORN

THE I'ROl'ERTV OF MK, H. LEMARCHANT

AUTHORITY

THE PROI'ERTY OF MR. NIGEI. COLMAN

HACK AND HARNESS HORSE 71

of the Badminton Library is equally emphatic.
*' Bearing reins/* says he, '' have been and will
always continue to be, a bone of contention
between coachmen of different classes, the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and
others who periodically write a considerable
amount of rubbish on the subject when the
newspapers are not filling well, and the gigantic
gooseberry season comes on. It ma}^ safely
be said that were not bearing reins still in use
amongst the ordinary traffic of Piccadilly, Bond
Street, Regent Street, etc., the number of acci-
dents, as well as the amounts of the Coachbuilders'
Bills would be largely increased." Col. Smith
Baillie, another famous coachman and authority
in all appertaining to the harness horse also
writes : '' 1 should very much like to see some
of the men who write so much against bearing
reins drive kickers without them. I think they
would soon either alter their opinions or give
up driving anything but quiet horses." And
he goes on to relate how he once had a
kicking mare put into his hands as a leader in
a team, and that she had no bearing rein on.
She soon began to ' play up ' in a very per-
sistent manner, getting her head well down,
and kicking merrily, and all her driver's efforts
to get her head up were unavailing. So she
was taken out and a bearing rein was put on her,
and then he could manage her right enough though
she still kicked occasionally.

I do not suppose it is necessary to warn the

72 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

reader against driving a kicker in single or double
harness. But however good a leader may be,
if he is a kicker my advice is, get rid of him.
There is no pleasure in driving a horse that
one has to watch constantly, for fear he should
do some damage, and even as leader in a coach
a kicker can do serious mischief sometimes.

THE GENERAL PURPOSE HORSE

THERE are many people who have neither
the time nor the opportunity to keep an
estabhshment of hunters or hacks or
harness horses. Or perhaps they have not the
means. Yet they can find sufficient work for one
horse provided he will carry a saddle one day and
go in harness the next. Now a great deal of
pleasure can be got out of a horse in this way and
I have known many men who were very properly
proud of the good horse who contributed so
much to their happiness — aye as proud as a
hunting man of his three hundred guinea flyer,
or the owner of the stylish hack or harness horse
that wins prizes at all the big shows.

It must not be supposed that a horse of this
kind will be easily found or will be very low in
price, for the man who keeps but one horse and
that horse for two purposes, ought to get a
good one of the sort, or he will find perhaps he
has got a horse that will be off work a consider-
able proportion of his time. This is sufficiently
annoying when a man has a stable to choose
from ; it is exasperating when he has only
one horse.

In the early part of the nineteenth century

74 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

such a horse as I am speaking of could have been
found anywhere in Yorkshire or Norfolk — to
use the old adage, * at any town end/ The
Hackney originally was a ride and drive horse
and the Horse that is to be found in Nimrod's
Horses and Hounds and which is reproduced
here is a capital type, and one that the man
who wants a general purpose horse will do well
to keep in his eye.

The modern hackney, as has already been
noticed, is bred upon altogether different lines,
and unless a man is a pretty good judge of a
horse he had better leave the Hackney out of
the question when buying a horse of this kind.
For, if he does not the probability is that how-
ever well his new purchase ma}^ please him in
harness, he will not be found a very comfortable
ride. It must always be kept in view that
extravagant knee action and comfort in the saddle
are not compatible.

The man who aspires to a general purpose
horse will be well advised not to get one too
big, by which I mean too tall. There is of course
no hard-and-fast rule on this subject of height,
but personally, for a ride and drive horse I prefer
15 hands 2 inches to 15 hands 3 inches, 15
hands i inch to 15 hands 2 inches, and 15 hands
to any of the three. A horse 16 hands high
I consider outsized, but that is only a matter
of personal opinion.

Of course the weight that the horse will
have to carry and the weight of the conveyance

THE GENERAL PURPOSE HORSE 75

he will have to draw are matters for serious
consideration. Great care must be taken not
to overmatch a horse of this kind in harness,
or he will soon lose all his elasticity as a saddle
horse. Personally I should prefer a light dog-
cart for a horse of this class to draw. Many
people have a preference for a wagonette, but
I am of opinion a wagonette is too heavy. Be-
sides which wagonettes generally have seating
accommodation for six including the driver.
** It is as well to get a roomy conveyance when
we are buying " is a saying which has become
very familiar to the Coach Builder. And I
have generally found that where there is seating
accommodation for half a dozen, those half-
dozen seats will be occupied, when a drive out
for pleasure takes place. Therefore I advise
the reader, if he wishes to make any use of his
horse in the saddle to buy a light dogcart, not
too high on the wheel if he is going to buy or
has bought a horse ranging from 15 hands to
15 hands 2 inches.

I have recommended that height for one
reason because I think there will be found a
greater choice within the range than anywhere
else. For there are the misfits on both sides
to choose from, the polo ponies that have got
too big and the hunters that have not got big
enough. It is necessary for the horse to be
well bred. If he is not he will not be an efficient
saddle horse and will be found dull and heavy
in hand especially if he is pretty hard worked as

76 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

horses of his class generally are It was Whyte-
Melville who said that a man never knows how
much work a horse can do till he moves him
into the Hack stable, and the general purpose
horse can get through more work than the
hack.

The same general remarks about action and
manners as apply to the Hunter, the Hack and
the Harness horse, of course apply to the General
purpose horse. One thing however with respect
to the management of the latter must be strongly
insisted upon. That is, whenever it is possible
he should be ridden, not driven. In most estab-
lishments where there is a ride and drive horse
he gets quite plenty of harness work under
ordinary conditions to keep his shoulders warm,
and therefore when only one of the household
wants him he should be ridden if possible.

If it were permissible to make a bull I should
be inclined to say that the best general purpose
horse is a pony. I have known some capital
ponies, and had some too, that were from 14
hands 2 inches to 14 hands 3 inches and that
never seemed to know the meaning of being
tired. It is difficult to say how these ponies
are bred. Occasionally one may find one whose
sire is a thoroughbred and whose dam is a Fell
or Mountain pony. They are generally as hard
as oak but they are not easily come across.
My advice to the reader who comes across one
of the sort that he fancies is to get a good trial
and use his own judgment about his stoutness ;

JOHN DOWNTON

RIDDEN BY MISS MOXA PREECE

MISS SYLVIA KAYE ON PRINCE

THE GENERAL PURPOSE HORSE 77

but to believe just as much, or as little of the
pedigree given as he thinks wise. Even a heavy
man can be well carried by some of these stout
half-bred hill ponies and I have known many
that were well master of fourteen or fifteen
stone.

Rather smaller than these ponies are the
Highland ponies, but when they come south and
get better pasturage I am told that they increase
in size. I have not had much experience of them
myself but I know of some and rare little fellows
they are, untiring and energetic and doing an
immense amount of work on a small ration. They
will travel thirty or forty miles in a day and they
can carry a man of medium weight well enough,
but I should think 13 st. to 13 st. 7 lb. would be a
limit for them. The Fell ponies of Cumberland
and Westmorland, and the Dales ponies of the
west side of the county of Durham are also
excellent ride and drive ponies, some of the latter
being almost like miniature cart horses for
strength ; but they are comparatively scarce
now-a-days, more's the pity.

The Hill and Forest ponies, amongst which
may be classed the Shetland, the Exmoor, the
New Forest, the Dartmoor and the Welsh ponies,
are too small to be described as ride and drive
ponies, though some of the crosses from them
may occasionally grow into a stout and powerful
14 hands pony. But these small ponies answer
a capital purpose either in a small establishment
or a large one. They can do an immense amount

78 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

of work and are easily kept. The little dales
or mountain pony is always ready and he rarely
tires if he gets anything like reasonable treatment.
Indeed taking size into consideration no big horse
can stand the wear and tear of the small pony.
To buy one of these ponies for what may be
termed family harness work it is perhaps the best
plan to buy one unbroken, for ponies are as full
of mischief as terriers and a broken pony unless
he comes from a very reliable man, is apt to have
a good few tricks at his command, some of which
are not very pleasant ones. The small breeds of
ponies have their place in a large establishment
as well, for they make the best of children's
ponies if they are properly broken. In buying
ponies for children care should be taken, as far as
possible, to get them with good shoulders and
especially not too wide across the shoulders, so
that the child may get a proper seat from the
beginning of his riding. If the reader buys his
pony unbroken there is one thing he must insist
on, and that is that the pony must not be petted
and played with by gushing and sentimental
ladies or by the children. Neither must he be
teased by any of the lads or men about the place,
and under no circumstances should a child be
allowed to be put on his back until he is properly
broken. I have known more than one pony
irretrievably spoiled by the tricks he has ac-
quired through being petted by foolish people.

The trouble in breaking small ponies is that
an experienced man cannot always be found to

THE GENERAL PURPOSE HORSE 79

handle them and give them the good manners
that are desirable. There are the lads of course
and some lads ride well, but they are frequently
very mischievous and if they are not closely
watched they are sure to teach the ponies in
their charge a lot of tricks. This may be very
funny from their point of view but it is very
annoying to see a child's confidence destroyed by
the wanton mischief of a lad. So when a child's
pony is being broken in it should always be kept
within sight of some responsible person and it is as
well never to send a lad away on it on an errand
when it is broken in.

THE SHOW HORSE

THERE are not many men fond of horses
who do not at some time or another
fancy they have got something a httle
out of the common in their stable. As a natural
consequence they send him to some show to see
if other people hold a similar opinion. They
generally find that other people have a directly
opposite opinion to their own, and then if they
are wise, they will, unless they are really good
judges and they are sure of their ground, give up
showing until they have more promising material
to work with.

By which of course I do not mean that if a
man shows a horse and he is beaten he is never
to show him again. That, if the horse has the
slightest pretensions to being a show horse,
would be a childish policy to pursue. But if,
when he sees his horse alongside others an owner
discovers that he has made a mistake and that
he has overestimated his horse's pretensions, the
sooner he gives practical effect to his disillusion
the better it will be for his pocket.

He has of course the alternative of showing at
local or district shows but even here, especially

in the Northern and Eastern counties, his chance

80

THE SHOW HORSE 8i

of gaining distinction is small unless he has a
very good horse indeed.

Showing, as a sport, is very good fun ; and
some people make a very profitable business of it,
at any rate indirectly. But if a man would
enjoy the sport of showing he must learn to be a
good loser. It is almost certain that he will be
beaten when he should have won ; it is equally
certain that he will win sometimes when he ought
to have been beaten. '' What will you say about
that ? '' said the late Mr. Andrew J. Brown to
me, as we rode out of the ring after I had won in
a class in which, if I had been judging I should
have placed the horse I was riding third. '' That
it was his good manners that won for him " was
my reply. His manners were excellent and in
one pace he was perfect. The judges got him
into this pace and liked him so well at three-
quarter speed that they tried him at nothing
else.

The fact is that there is a considerable amount
of luck about showing. The judges may be good
men, but they have a very limited time in which
to make up their minds on a very complicated
matter, and they have to judge the horse as they
see him, not as the public sees him. However
brilliant may be the show that the chestnut
makes it is all to no purpose if the judges are
carefully looking at the grey all the time ; a fact
which grooms and their masters somehow en-
tirely overlook. And horses are very perverse
at times, and occasionally will make two or three
6

82 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

good shows and one bad one, and it happens that
it is the bad one that is noticed by the judges.

Unless a man can reahse these things, and
learn to bear his disappointments with equan-
imity he had better never have anything to do
with showing. And I would strongly advise him
to impress upon his groom the necessity of bearing
adverse fortune in the show ring ceqito animo.
Nothing looks so bad as for a man to ride or
drive away without waiting for his card or
rosette, or to tear it up or throw it away, and
instant dismissal should be the penalty for such
a grievous breach of good manners. It should be
unnecessary to add that a gentleman of course
would not be seen in such actions. But when an
owner has made up his mind that he can and will
win or lose in a sportsmanlike spirit he may rest
assured that he will have a lot of enjoyment out
of showing. And if he be a wise man he will
show anywhere and under any judges. It is a
mistaken policy for a man to say '' I won't show
if X is judging, or Y, or Z. He never gives me
anything," or '' he does not like my horse/*
There may be — perhaps there are prejudiced men,
but as a rule men who are placed in the position
of judges — especially when they have had some
experience — do their uttermost to guard against
undue prejudice. Many a prize has been lost by
such foolish stay-at-home policy as I have referred
to.

Another thing an owner will do well to bear
in mind and that is that, however good a judge

THE SHOW HORSE 83

he may be, he cannot see from the side of the
ring those important factors which so frequently
determine the judge's verdict. Let me give an
instance of this from my own experience. There
was a good class of three-year-olds in the ring
and the best-looking horse in the lot was moved
on down and down till he was amongst the h.c.
division. I was standing beside one of the best
judges of a horse in England, and I asked him
what was the fault of the horse in question that
he should be treated so. The answer was, none
that he could see, and that he thought the horse
the best in the class. Some three weeks later I
was judging with one of the judges at the show in
question as a colleague, and the class was practi-
cally a repetition of the one I had been criticising.
I brought the horse that I thought had been ill-
used in at the head of the line. Then when we
began to inspect them individually I said to my
colleague '' I suppose he must go down " and he
acquiesced. And so he went down till he was
about in the same place as he had occupied at
the previous show. He had little bad feet, and
I believe the showyard knew him no more.

Another instance may be given showing the
vagaries of which a horse is occasionally capable.
I was judging with a well-known and very good
judge and we both agreed that a certain horse
was the best-looking horse in the class. When
he was run out he made a bad show, and he got
moved down till he stood about fourth. My
colleague remarked it was a pity that he moved

84 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

so badly, and my reply was that I had seen the
horse several times and I had never had any
fault to find with his action. So we had him
out again and he made a worse show than ever.
But he was so handsome and had such fine quality
shape and substance that we gave him a third
chance as there was something about the horse
that was standing third we did not like. But
the result was the same and we could not move
him up, even one place. And then, as soon as
the cards were handed out and the horses were
sent out of the ring, he, to use a Yorkshire expres-
sion, *' laid his tail over the top of his back " and
made such a show as would have inevitably have
placed him at the head of the class if the awards
had not already been made. I could tell of other
similar experiences and I have no doubt most men
who have done much judging could do the same.

A man either drifts into showing or sets about
buying two or three or perhaps more show horses.
If he drifts into showing through having dropped
on to something exceptionally good he frequently
increases his stud of show horses, and if he is show-
ing a great deal he will perhaps be wise to do so.
For show horses require special treatment and
they should have a man told off to look after
them and show them.

Some gentlemen prefer to show their own
horses but I would strongly advise the reader not
to do so unless he is a very good horseman and
has an iron nerve. Showing a horse makes con-
siderable calls upon a rider's or driver's capa-

THE SHOW HORSE 85

bilities. In the ordinary routine of riding or
driving on the road a shght Idche is soon remedied,
and the same if the rider makes a httle mistake
in the hunting field. It is a thousand to one that
anyone sees it. But in the show ring the verdict
of the judges very frequently depends upon the
niceties of handling. This can be seen at every
show, both in the hunter and harness classes ;
and it would be easy to name instances of horses
that only give their best form in certain men's
hands as there are some horses that always give
their best running when ridden by certain jockeys.

A man who has made up his mind to buy a
show horse or two will have to set about making
his purchases in a different manner to the one
he adopts when buying horses for ordinary work
in the saddle or harness. He will find that the
market is generally very restricted and that
prices rule very high. I think that the best plan
he can adopt is to place himself unreservedly in
the hands of a dealer who shows largely, unless he
is a good judge himself, and by a good judge here
I mean a very good judge indeed. For there are
a great number of little points which are com-
paratively insignificant in the ordinary horse of
the work-a-day world, and which count up con-
siderably against a horse in the show ring. Trivial
faults of outline, of action, or of manners which
are scarcely noticed elsewhere are apt to come out
very strongly '' in the limelight."

The man who is constantly buying and show-
ing and who is intimate with every detail con-

86 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

nected with showing naturally detects little
flaws — it is almost too much to insist that they
are faults — that an ordinary fair judge would
never look out for. It may be said — indeed it
has been said more than once — that there is a
danger of too much importance being placed
on mere ' showyard points/ to the neglect of
other and more important qualities. This per-
haps may be the case, but it is a difficult
subject and one that brings about much argu-
ment in a vicious circle. The contention which
is freely used, viz. that many breeds of dogs have
been sacrificed to the undue importance given to
show points and that if care is not taken the
same will happen with horses is easily answered
by the fact that all our breeds of horses are re-
quired to ' move on ' and to keep ' moving
on.' That in a word we require in them pace,
and stamina, and power to carry or to draw a
reasonable weight. When they come to a proper
age we see that our hunters and harness horses
are tried by these standards, and if they fail to
come up to them — well, they don't win prizes.

An ordinary groom is scarcely fit to be trusted
with show horses. They require special treat-
ment, and as I have already hinted, a superior
horseman to be about them and to show them.
I shall perhaps be told of an ordinary groom who
is a very fine showman. My reply is that though
for some reason or another he may be in an
ordinary place, he is by no means an ordinary
man. Really good showmen are few and far

THE SHOW HORSE 87

between One can readily name plenty who will
go into the ring and show a horse fairly well, but
the artists are scarce.

It surely does not require impressing upon the
reader that the horse to be in good show con-
dition requires to carry plenty of flesh. He must
be what is termed * full of bloom ' and at the same
time he must be in good enough condition to go
on at his top pace for a considerable period with-
out tiring ; for if he is good for anything he will find
his stamina pretty severely tried and that perhaps
three or four times within the week in the height of
the season. And a horse to show himself quite at
his best, must be a trifle above himself so that he
is light-hearted. Now there is no great difficulty
in getting a horse to this point by means of proper
food and proper exercise ; though it is by no
means so easy to have him at this stage at a
certain day, and it stands to reason that it is
infinitely more difficult to keep him up to this
pitch day after day.

No hard-and-fast rule can be laid down, any
more than a hard-and-fast rule can be laid down
for the training of racehorses. The only way
by which horses are kept at their best for a con-
siderable time is by a careful study of their indi-
vidual pecuHarities. The strictest attention to
the feeding and exercise is necessary and the man
who has the regulation of both had need to be
a man of keen observation, whose interest is in
his work and who always has the welfare of the
horses under his charge in front of him.

88 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Above all it is essential that your groom
should be a steady man. He will frequently, of
necessity, have the sole charge of horses worth
many hundreds of pounds, and their well-being
and their very safety will depend on his reliability.
He is a wise groom who never takes a drink at all
on a show ground, and who avoids as much as
possible drinking in company.

A thoroughly reliable man, and there are
many such with whom the writer is acquainted,
is invaluable. He is frequently a man of fair
education ; and if he happens to show the horse
as well as prepare him, his opinion about buying
a likely horse to come on will always be worth
careful consideration. I know of more than one
good show horse now that was bought on the
recommendation of a man who was showing
another horse in the class. When an intelligent
man of this class tells you that such a horse
'* would do well if we had him " do not pass
him by without due consideration.

It must always be taken into serious considera-
tion that a man of this class, as well as the dealer,
has a character to lose ; that his character for
knowledge of his business, for knowledge of
horse flesh and for integrity is his capital ; and
that every little Idche is made much of by those
who are jealous of him.

As instances of how thoroughly reliable dealing
men are I may state that two horses which I know
well and which are quite in the front rank were
bought ' unseen ' on the recommendation of

THE SHOW HORSE 89

dealers ; and that another one was bought on the
advice of a groom.

The man who goes in for showing must reahse
that he cannot get the ordinary work out of a
horse, and keep on showing him year after year.
It is necessary that a horse should have rest some-
time ; and now-a-days, when showing is, as it
were, so specialised, if you keep on working your
horse hard out of the show season you will soon
find your prize winnings diminish. Some hunters,
I know, have been hunted, and well hunted, during
the season and have then come out and won a
prize or two in good company. I can call to mind
one that took a championship at a very important
show ; hut he did not go on winning, and his owner
wisely hunted him instead of showing him. But
as a rule hunters that are in the front rank as
show horses do not see much of hounds. They are
— some of them — taken out to see hounds — and
hunted for a few weeks but as has been pointed
out a few weeks' rest are necessary and the first of
the shows takes place in the early days of March.
So if a horse has to come out then his season will
naturally be a short one. But the show season
does not commence in real earnest till May, so
that the ordinary show hunter that is not wanted
for IsHngton can get a few weeks' hunting and
will be no worse for it.

Perhaps a good plan to adopt with the ordin-
ary show hunter that is not wanted for Islington
is to let him have a few weeks' steady cub-hunting
to accustom him to hounds as soon as the show

90 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

season ends. Then give him a few weeks' rest.
After that hunt him to the middle of February
when he may be given a week or two's rest before
beginning to get him into order for showing. Of
course the danger in hunting a show horse is that
he may get some ' trade marks/ or even chance
to lame himself ; and ' trade marks ' are not so
leniently regarded by twentieth-century judges as
they were by their predecessors. There is how-
ever nothing to be got without risk, and there
is compensation for the risk run in hunting show
horses in the fact that the horse that has won
prizes in good company and that has also got the
reputation of being a good hunter is very easy to
sell at his full value. But it should be needless
to say that the show hunter must be very steadily
ridden if he is hunted, and that he must be ridden
by a man who knows when to go home.

When a horse is put into training for showing
he needs a lot of slow work and he should cer-
tainly be taken out twice a day if that is possible.
A gross horse requires very careful management.
Frequently at the ringside one hears the remark
that " such a horse is ten stone too heavy.'*
This is of course guesswork ; but a very fat
horse is at a great disadvantage, and requires
careful management both in his feeding and
in his work. Bulky food should be given in
more limited quantities than to a moderate
' doer,' and even his supply of more stimulating
food may be shortened with advantage, care
being taken all the time that he is always kept

THE SHOW HORSE 91

a little above himself. It is fatal to allow a
show horse to lose his courage though a good
hearty feeder will soon recover it. The gross
horse will also require more work than the
moderate ' doer ' and here is a matter which
requires close watching. It would mean a pro-
longed rest to allow a horse once to get stale
on his legs, and a heavy-topped horse as the
gross horse frequently is, puts a severe strain
on his limbs. It may possibly be necessary
to exercise him in heavier clothing than usual,
but this of course depends entirely on the circum-
stances attending each individual case. Person-
ally I do not like adopting the plan if it can be
avoided.

The difficulties with a horse that is a moderate
' doer ' are quite as great, though they are
very different in character. A horse that appears
very light in condition is as much ' out of the
picture ' as a horse that is too gross. Therefore
if a horse carries his condition badly it is impera-
tive that something should be done to improve
him in this respect. Otherwise he will not win
many prizes. He should have as much bulky
food as he can assimilate, and an occasional
feed of boiled peas will be found an excellent
means of improving his condition. His work
should also be comparatively light, and every
opportunity should be taken of securing him rest.
There is just the difficulty that if he is a very
high-couraged horse he may get too light-hearted
and be inclined to ' play up ' when he gets into

92 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the ling. To hit the happy mean is by no
means easy, but an experienced and observant
man manages to do so time after time.

A horse may be a moderate doer without
being a dehcate feeder. The latter is the kind
of horse which should always be avoided and
which should be got rid of as soon as possible
under ordinary circumstances.^ But it sometimes
happens that a horse is a delicate feeder constitu-
tionally, and yet that he is such a good horse
that it is a pity to part with him. Such a horse,
it is scarcely necessary to sa^^ is a constant
source of anxiety to every one who has anything
to do with him. He should be given every-
thing that will tempt his appetite. I have
found green clover mixed with hay a good
thing, or when I could not get clover a
little grass. Mashes made of linseed gruel in
which the linseed is boiled till it is in a jellified
state are also excellent and may be given with
good effect three times a week. Or a feed of
boiled oats or boiled peas, or boiled oats and
peas mixed, may be given, instead of one of
the mashes. Sometimes a horse of this kind
will relish a little linseed cake amongst his corn,
and I have seen a delicate feeder eat mash sweet-
ened with treacle with great relish and thrive
on it.

With a very obstinate case of delicate feeding

^ Sometimes a horse may be a delicate feeder because of some
functional derangements. The veterinary surgeon should always be
consulted in anv cases of delicate feeding. In many he can provide
a remedy.

THE SHOW HORSE 93

some of the tonic powders and special foods
may be used with considerable benefit. There
are several good things of this kind on the market,
and I have used Day Son & Hewitt's Red Con-
dition Powders, and Molassine with good effect.
Sir F. Fitzwygram recommends for a delicate
feeder a small quantity of powdered ginger
or any other cheap aromatic spice mixed with
the ordinary food. He points out that these
spices are apt to assist digestion and conse-
quently promote appetite, but he insists that all
such '' artificial aids to digestion should be
discontinued as soon as the system recovers
tone.'^

Much of the work given to show horses
should be slow — a walk or a slow trot — but it
is necessary to ''put them through their paces,"
and a short lesson every day, taking care that
whatever is attempted is well done, and not
doing too much at a time, is the best means
to adopt. The best time for these lessons is
at the afternoon exercise ; the horse will have
been somewhat sobered by his morning's work,
and will be more likely to learn what is wanted
of him.

If it be possible this part of a show horse's
education should take place under conditions
as nearly like those which will be found on a
show ground as possible. It is an easy matter,
under most circumstances to make a ring in
a grass field if there is not a spacious Riding
School available. Nothing is of more import-

94 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

ance in showing a horse than that he should turn
the corners of the ring without losing his balanced
action, and how is he to do this if he has not
proper training at home ? And this turning the
corner without being ' upset ' by it is as applicable
to the harness horse as the hunter. Nothing
is more liable to upset a horse's chance in the
show ring than his ' propping ' for a few strides
every time he turns a corner at speed, and we
should not see so much of it as we do if a little
more pains were taken in home training The
hunter should be specially trained in all his
paces : he should walk well ; he should be
taught to trot and canter in a collected manner ;
and above all he should be taught to gallop.
And he should be taught to go into any of his
paces from a walk, immediately he receives the
intimation from his rider. Another very import-
ant lesson is to make a good show in hand.
When it comes to a fine point the show in hand
is not infrequently decisive.

Every opportunity should be taken to get a
stranger to ride the horse for a few minutes
when he is doing his work. It is a great point
that a horse should carry the judges well and
that he should do nothing in the way of tossing
his head about or playing up when a stranger
gets on to him. And he should stand still when
a stranger is about to mount him. These items,
though only apparently of small importance by
themselves make up a considerable aggregate,
which often have a decisive influence on the

THE SHOW HORSE 95

issue. And it is because there are such oppor-
tunities for practice in this direction that the
large estabhshments have such a pull in showing.

The special training of the harness horse,
though it does not cover quite so many details is
none the less arduous than the training of the
hunter. There are some people, I am afraid
many people, who think that all that is necessary
to do to drive a horse in single harness is to sit
on the box, take the reins in both hands and
pull at them. They recognise in a vague sort of
way that four horses or a pair do need a certain
amount of skill to drive them, but they think
that anyone can drive a horse in single harness.
There can be no greater mistake, and the real
' artists ' on the box are perhaps as few as they
are in the saddle.

There is one thing the trainer of harness
horses has not to do. He has not to teach his
horse to ' stand ' the handling of another man.
Judges of the harness classes never do any
driving in the ring in their judicial capacity. But
he has two things to do, in addition to teaching
his horse to turn, which has already been referred
to, and these are teaching him to walk and
teaching him to trot slowly in a collected manner
so as to shov/ his style and action to their greatest
advantage.

It is well whenever it is possible to accustom
all show horses to flags and other things which
they are likely to see when they are at shows and
to accustom them to the sounds which they are

96 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

likely to hear. Then when they are being shown
these do not distract their attention from the more
important business of looking and doing their best.
I know of one large (private) riding school in
which flags are constantly being flapped about
and a big drum and cymbals make a noise dis-
cordant enough to satisfy the most exacting, all
the time the horses are being exercised in it. The
result is that it takes something very much out of
the common indeed to upset the equanimity of
any horse that is trained in that school, and
horses trained in it have beautiful manners.

The bitting and harnessing of show horses
is a matter sui generis. No one would think of
riding some horses in the hunting field with the
bridle that is necessary to ride them in in the
show ring ; and the same applies, though perhaps
in a less degree, to harness horses. The subject
of bits and saddlery will come in for discussion
later, but it is mentioned incidentally here to
emphasise the importance of training and also
proper condition in the show horse, of which I
will give an unique example to finish the chapter.

Whilst this chapter was in the writing I saw,
at a show I visited, a high-class hunter in the
ring. He had been repurchased by his former
owner. He is a horse I know well and have
always thought to be quite out of the common,
and I expected to see the usual good show. I
was disappointed ; the horse seemed to be going
* behind his bit ' all the time. I saw his rider
and asked him what was up with the horse. His

THE SHOW HORSE 97

reply was that the horse would not go into his
bridle and that he could not make him. A few
days afterwards I saw this horse at another show,
and was surprised to see that he was the old
horse of a former day. He made a magnificent
show and when I met his rider I asked him what
he had been doing with the horse. '' I changed
his bridle " was the reply. The fact was that
moderate handling had spoiled the horse's mouth
for the bridle he had generally been ridden in,
and the intelligence of the rider found the ' key '
to his mouth. I remarked that I thought he
would have won and wondered why he did not
and I was told that he was in no condition and
' tired ' the last time the judges rode him.
*' There are so few can keep show horses right "
was the not unnatural comment of both of us,
for the horse had come from a good stable and
looked all right.

BRINGING THE HUNTER HOME AND THE
CARE OF HIM AFTER HUNTING

DIFFERENT times have different customs,
and now-a-days the wealthy sportsman
motors to the fixtm'e, and endeavours to
fall in with his motor car when the day's sport is
over. With a man motoring to the fixture, if his
time is so valuable as to necessitate it, no fault can
be found. His horse has not to carry him at any
rate, and if he is in reliable hands will be taken
on at a sober pace, which is a matter of much
importance.

But it is rather different about coming home,
and sometimes a considerable distance of ground
is covered in looking for the motor car. It is
impossible to tell with any degree of certainty
where hounds will finish and the time that is
spent in trying to pick up a motor car would be
better employed in making the best of the way
home. It is of course easy to tell the chauffeur
to be about the Cat and Custard Pot at from
3.30 to 4 p.m. and to keep on the qui vive. But
hounds may have finished some miles from that
excellent hostelry and nearer home. I have
known a hunter taken a couple of miles out of
his direct way home to meet the motor car more

AFTER HUNTING 99

than once, and I emphatically protest that this
is not fair treatment to a hunter even if he has
only been ridden second horse. For under these
circumstances he has been out of his stable many
hours and done a good day's work and it is part
of every horse owner's policy — or it should be —
to preserve a horse's energy by all the means in
his power. It is a waste of energy to ride a horse
about the road looking for a motor car.

It may be said that railing a horse often
entails a ride miles in the wrong direction to
where the train is standing. True ; but in the
majority of cases where a train is used the distance
is too long to ride through and the horse is more
speedily at home than he would have been if
ridden through, which is a very important point.

I have done a good deal of hunting by rail in
my time, but it is only a makeshift at best, and
I do not care for it, though I admit its utility on
occasion. I remember very well once that we
found a straight-necked fox who made a big point
and I was only some two or three miles farther
from home than I was from the station I had
boxed to. Of course I rode home, and I should
have ridden home had I been five or six miles
farther from home than from the station. And
for the simple reason that my horse would have
been sooner in his box than he would have been
if I had made my return journey by train.

One drawback of hunting by train is that a
man has sometimes to hurry on in order to catch
the train and consequently the horse is heated

100 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

when he is boxed. During the journey he breaks
out into a cold sweat and he is in rather a miser-
able condition when he arrives home, and it
sometimes takes a considerable time to make him
comfortable.

If possible when a horse is returning home
by train he should be ridden slowly the last
two or three miles before he gets to the station.
If there is time a good straw wisp vigorously
applied will do much to make him comfortable
on his journey and if his legs be wet and cold
he will be all the better for being bandaged all
round, and especially if it has been found possible
to warm the bandages. If the wisping has been
vigorous and the bandages have been warmed
the horse should not take much ' doing up '
when he gets home.

It goes without saying that before the sports-
man looks after any tea for himself he should
see to it that his horse has some warm gruel.
A lock of sweet hay to pull at whilst he is being
wisped is all that is necessary in the way of
food. And if the sportsman values his horse
he will see all this done himself before he attends
to his own wants, unless he should have his
groom with him. And if he even has it will
probably be just as well to give an eye to the
proceedings. If there are none about but agri-
cultural labourers they will want well looking
to, for as a rule your agricultural labourer does
not believe in putting his weight into the
wisp.

AFTER HUNTING loi

After all riding a horse home seems the
natural way and as with everything else there are
two ways of doing this, the right way and the
wrong. Some men, immediately the day's sport
is over, set off home at a hard trot, and scarcely
ever draw rein till they are at their stable door.
The result is that their horses are heated, and
that it probably takes hours to get them properly
dried. And then they wonder that their horses
go wrong !

Even if hounds have not had a hard day
it is wrong to ride a horse hard home from hunt-
ing. On a comparatively easy day a horse
goes over a great deal of ground — much of it
very deep perhaps — he does a good deal of
jumping, which is a big strain on his powers
and he should never be ridden hard on the
homeward journey.

When the day's sport is over the sportsman
should set out at a walk. If there is any stable
convenient he should get his horse to stale if
he can but if there is not he should take the earhest
opportunity of getting him to do so. His
horse will find it an immense relief and will
carry him home all the better.

If the day has been a very hard or a very
long one then the horse should have the chance
of some gruel. Some horses will not drink
out of a pail with a bit in their mouths, so it
is as well to put the horse into a stable and take
the bit out of his mouth at first, for he may if
offered the gruel without these precautions, blow

102 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

over it a few times, and then it is questionable
whether he will drink at all.

But beware of making a long call when you
give your horse his drink of gruel. The lights
in the Hall and the rattle of the teaspoons may
be very alluring but do not listen to them. Said
Goethe " At evening home's the best place for
a man *' and it is indisputable that when hunting
is over the fittest place for a hunter is his own
stable. So your horse having drunk his gruel,
get under way again at once. Five minutes
is quite long enough to stay under ordinary
circumstances.

Both horse and rider stiffen if they stay
long, and it is needless to say that that makes
the homeward journey more painful.

Unless you know the country very well
indeed, keep to the main roads when returning
from hunting, if, as is very likely, your journey
will not be finished till a considerable time after
it is dark. Intricate bye-ways are easily missed
in the dark, and, after dark especially, a tired
horse likes to hear the rattle of his feet on the
high road. The best pace to travel is the hound
jog. It is the easiest for both horse and rider.
And though it does not seem a very fast pace it
is astonishing how the miles tell off if you keep
persevering at it.

Another hint may be given to the returning
sportsman. As soon as the homeward journey
is commenced let the stirrups out a hole or two.
It will add to the comfort of the horse — and

AFTER HUNTING 103

the rider. My own plan when returning home
was, about a couple of miles from home to slacken
the girths, and, standing on the slirrups, just
move the saddle a httle on the horse's back.
Then I walked him home and he was generally
dry under the saddle when he arrived at his
stable.

li you have a long ride home it is a good
plan to get off occasionally and run beside your
horse. I know of nothing more pleasing than
to hear ^^our horse playing with his bit as you
jog along beside him. Getting off occasionally
rests both man and horse.

When the horse gets into his stable of course
the first thing to do is to get him to stale. Some
horses will not stale when out and if you ride one
of this sort it is essential that there should be no
neghgence about getting him to stale as soon as
he comes in or there will be trouble. Then he
should have his gruel which should not be too
warm. The chill well off it is quite warm enough.
And let him have a hearty drink. Under ordinary
circumstances the gruel, about the making of
which I have already had something to say,
will be quite sufficient. But if a horse has had
a very hard day something by way of a cordial
may be added. I had a horse that would, as
my groom said, '' Drink beer like a Christian."
He had been raced and who had taught him
his drinking habit it is not for me to say but he
took to it readily enough when I had him. My
groom, to whom I had brought some beer one

104 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

day, showed it to the horse, and he straightway
made an excellent attempt to get at it. I
frequently after a hard day, gave him a pint
of beer as I was returning from hunting and he
managed very well if it was brought to him in
a basin. I have used Day Son & Hewitt's
Gaseous Fluid with capital effect as a cordial.

The horse having had his drink should be
made comfortable as soon as possible. If the
men are there two men should set about him
at once, one at each side, and give him a thorough
good wisping. But they must bear in mind
that the sooner the horse is left the better and
they must content themselves with getting the
rough dirt and sweat marks off and the ears dry.
This latter point is essential to a horse's comfort.
The legs should not be washed, but they should
be briskly hand-rubbed to restore the circulation
and bandaged with warm dry bandages.

The feeding of the horse when he comes in
from hunting is all that remains to be treated of.
He should be allowed to drink freely on coming
into the stable and given a lock of sweet hay
to pull at whilst he is being rubbed down. Then
he should be tried with another drink of gruel
and his mash given him. A couple of hours
later he should be visited to see if he is comfort-
able and he may be tried again to drink a little
gruel and a small feed of oats given him. I
should prefer to give him a small feed for it is
far better that he should clean them up and be
eager for his morning's corn than that the

AFTER HUNTING 105

groom should find a lot of uneaten oats in his
manger.

I know of some people who give their hunters
a small feed of corn when they are rubbed down
and the mash later in the evening. I do not ap-
prove of this plan. It is like taking the joint
before the soup. The mash is easier digested
than corn and helps to digest the corn given later,
and it must be remembered that the long fast
and severe exertion are a considerable trial of a
horse's digestion.

It may be thought I advocate too much gruel
on the return home from hunting. It is, I am
certain, a sound policy not to stint a horse in his
drink. If he has it offered frequently he will never
drink more than is good for him ; and I am con-
fident that many a horse does not ' clean up '
because he is suffering from thirst. It is of
course an excellent plan to let a horse have a few
swallows of water whenever an opportunity offers
in the course of the day or in the homeward
journey. It is astonishing how much just ' wash-
ing a horse's mouth out ' refreshes him.

STABLE NECESSARIES AND GROOMING

THE ordinary stable necessaries are so well
known that it is needless to dwell long on
the subject. They may be divided into two
classes : those which are used in common by the
grooms attached to a particular stable or set of
boxes, and those which are each man's own
peculiar care.

In the former class are included Brooms, a
Stable fork, a Shovel, a Wheelbarrow, a Dung-
basket, Buckets, Corn measures, and Sieves.
There are also to be included the Clipping
machine, Singeing lamp and Scissors, but these are
generally only used by one or two of the head
men. The wear and tear on most stable requi-
sites is pretty heavy so it is sound policy always
to buy them of good quality In the long run
the best is the cheapest. It is not necessary to
say much about these well-known articles. Bass
Brooms are best for indoor work, and for outside
rough work Birch Brooms or besoms are good
enough. Good besoms wear well and I have
known them sometimes taken to clean the rough
dirt off a horse's belly when he has come in very
wet. The stable fork should be short in the tines

and very blunt. I have known a serious accident

1 06

<

i

I

STABLE NECESSARIES 107

caused by using a steel fork to ' bed ' with and
one should never be allowed to enter the stable.
A shovel is necessary and should not be too heavy.
The dungbasket is best made of galvanised iron.
The wheelbarrow should be a fairly big one, for
the litter in a stable is Hght and there is no neces-
sity to waste time over making many journeys
where one will do. I prefer wooden buckets for
stable use. They are nicer in every respect
than the galvanised iron pail and if properly cared
for they will last as long or longer.

A bucket for fomentation is a desirable addi-
tion to the stable necessaries. This is deeper and
wider than an ordinary bucket. The late Mr.
George Lowther had an excellent pattern. It
was wider at the top than the bottom and a horse
could stand comfortably in it with both feet. The
value of fomentation when a horse is beginning
to fail on his forelegs has never been generally
appreciated at its proper value. As a rule hot
water and cold water properly applied are worth
all the blistering specifics in a druggist's shop,
but they must be applied in time.

I perhaps cannot do better than give an ex-
perience of my own. It was just before the
Hunting season began that I was cantering
rather sharply along the roadside when I found
my mare falter. I thought she had made a false
step and paid no further attention to the matter,
and when she gave a little limp when I got off her
I thought it was the natural consequence of her
having hit herself. But next morning there was

io8 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

a little heat and a trifling swelling and the mare
walked out lame. Her leg walked down, and
when she came in I fomented her with water as
hot as she could bear it, letting her stand up to
the knees in the hot water. I fomented her
two or three times during the day and after
each fomentation her legs were well dried and
rubbed and bandaged with hot dry bandages.
On the following morning she was exercised with
her bandages on and when she was brought in
these were removed and her legs were placed in
the bucket, which was filled with cold water,
and every now and again some saltpetre was
added with the object of reducing the tempera-
ture of the water. When the grooming of the
mare was finished wet linen bandages were put
on and dry flannel ones on the top of them. At
evening stables the fomenting and hot dry
bandaging was repeated and so on every day.
When that hunting season finished the mare's
legs were as fine as silk ; she never missed taking
her turn and she lasted some years after that,
and indeed was put down when there was still
some work left in her, but she had got into years
and her wind was gone. It may interest some of
my readers if I tell them it was from the late Mr.
Matthew Dawson that I learnt this method of
dealing with a lameness. One remark it is neces-
sary to make. The treatment will be found more
efficacious if the owner can make it convenient
to ' look in ' at stable time at irregular intervals
and pretty frequently.

STABLE NECESSARIES 109

A corn measure is a very necessary thing in a
stable. In some stables I have seen a basket
*' corn skep " used, but it is a bad plan as it is im-
possible to form any definite idea of the quantity
of corn each horse gets when they are fed from
this. A quartern — quarter of a peck — measure
I have found the handiest size.

From what one sees in some establishments
the proper use of a corn sieve is unknown. The
corn is put into it and the sieve is given a per-
functory twist round, and the oats a kind of toss
up in it to finish the operation. No matter how
well or how recently the oats have been winnowed
it is essential that they shall be well sieved before
they are given to the horses, for oats gather dust
very quickly. A tin sieve is much to be preferred
to one with wooden sides and a bass bottom such
as one occasionally sees. It is essential that there
shall be a sufficiency of holes in the bottom of the
tin sieve and that they are big enough.

Other articles in common in a stable are the
clipping machine, singeing lamps and scissors.
They are however generally used only by one
man — the head man in a small establishment ;
and in a very small establishment the assistance
of an expert is frequently obtained.

There are several good makes of clipping
machine, and perhaps we may fairly claim that,
so far as regards the clipping machine we are
about as near perfection as we are likely to get.
They require very careful handling as it stands to
reason that they are easily broken, and when

no THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

they are not in use they should be kept oiled and
in a leather case. The question arises when
should a horse be clipped and how often, and
this is a point on w^hich there is considerable
disagreement. I have seen many plans tried
and indeed have tried many myself. The plan I
finally adopted was to clip the horse in October
as soon as ever his coat was well up. I singed
him lightly from time to time to take the long
hairs off, but a horse's coat grows quickly in
November and December and by the middle of
December, if not earlier, he was ready for a
second clipping. After that there was no diffi-
culty in keeping his coat down by running him
over with the singeing lamp once a week or even
seldomer after the new year got well turned.
The horses I am. speaking of were well-bred ones.
A horse witii a considerable admixture of carting
blood might need clipping oftener, or at any rate
more attention paid to his coat. But even in
his case I should prefer more singeing instead of a
third clipping.

Most stables now have a gas singeing appar-
atus attached but if the lamps are properly
trimmed I prefer the old-fashioned naphtha ones.
So far as my experience goes I think horses are
more liable to be burnt with gas lamps, and I
certainly have never had any horses so badly
burnt with naphtha, as with gas. Indeed I never
had a horse really burnt with naphtha, which is
more than I can say about gas. And the naphtha
lamps are much easier changed than the gas

STABLE NECESSARIES iii

lamps, which is the same thing as saying that they
are changed when they get hot, which is by no
means always the case with gas lamps. The
owner, if he drops in unexpectedly, will probably
find his man complacently singeing away with a
lamp which is much too hot and on his attention
being called to the fact will say he is just about
to change it.

The scissors should be of the best steel and
should be kept sharp and bright. Scissors are
not very costly and do not occupy much room,
and it is as well to have two pairs, one of which
should have curved blades.

Each man who has a horse or horses to look
after should have for his own use a body brush,
a water brush, a dandy brush, a curry comb, a
mane comb, two sponges, a hoof -pick, three
rubbers, two chamois leathers, and a burnisher,
for all of which he must be personally responsible.
A man with a large stable of horses will find these
items come in very expensive if he allows them
to be used promiscuously by any or every man
in his employment, on the principle that what
is everyone's business is no one's.

The Brushes should be of the best. A low-
priced brush is always dear, as experience soon
teaches. The body brush should be made of the
best bristles and care should be taken in buying
that the bristles in each tuft in the brush are of
uniform quality. The back of the brush should
be screwed and not glued on — otherwise the brush
will soon be in pieces. Important as this is with

112 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the body brush it is of far greater importance with
the water brush, which if glued, will come to
pieces immediately as it is always wet. The
dandy brush is made of whalebone, or whalebone
and whisk and is used for taking off the rough dirt.

The curry comb is for cleaning the body brush
and removing the scurf from it, which gathers so
rapidly in the process of grooming. It is advis-
able to have it with a webbing handstrap, similar
to what is put on the body brush, instead of a
handle. The handstrap is more convenient in use
and not so liable to come off as a handle, which
generally disappears with a week or two's usage.
Be particular that your groom uses the curry
comb for its legitimate purpose. It is brutal to
scrape the skin of a horse with the serrated iron
teeth of a curry comb under any circumstances,
and it is moreover one of the first things which
will render a horse vicious whilst cleaning. I
have seen grooms give the curry comb a sharp
run over the quarters or under the belly when
cleaning a horse, not because there was any
rough dirt which the brush would not remove,
but simply by way of a little variety and perhaps
for the pleasure of seeing the horse jump about.
A man who persists in freaks of this kind should
be discharged immediately or he will ruin the
temper of every horse he comes in contact with.

The mane comb should always be used ; in-
deed in no decent stable will the metal mane drag
be seen.

Sponges are an expensive item in a stable. In

STABLE NECESSARIES 113

my own experience I found that they came in for
a lot of very rough usage and though when I first
had horses I used to buy high quality sponges I
soon tired of that. I found that the cheap ones
lasted quite as long as the higher priced ones, and
others have come to the same conclusion. There
is no reason why sponges should be the expensive
items they are in most stables. It is nothing but
the carelessness and negligence of those who have
to use them that cause the excessive wear and
tear. Each man should have two sponges, a
large and small one.

Hoof-pickers should be carefully used. It is
quite possible to do considerable injury to a
horse's foot by using a hoof-picker roughly. It is
advisable for the owner to make a point of seeing
his horses' feet picked out occasionally ; it will
ensure the picker being properly used — sometimes.

Chamois leathers should be of good quality.
Carefully avoid any with thin places in them.
These are easily discovered by holding the leathers
up to the light. Always buy Chamois leathers of
the best quality.

In buying a Burnisher buy a good-sized one. It
is cheaper in the end. In the first place the work
will be better done, and in the second place it will
be more expeditiously done. No man can keep his
steel in proper condition without a good burnisher.

A groom's requisites will cost altogether a trifle
under thirty shillings. The Stable requisites,
which should be sufficient for half a dozen horses,
will cost a shilling or two over five pounds.
8

114 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

The wear and tear on these things, especially
on the groom's requisites, is so heavy that the
question may well be asked why not make him
an allowance and compel him to keep the stock
of requisites up to a certain standard. Such a
plan looks very well on paper ; but whoever
formulates it has had little experience with horses
and those who attend to them. In a small
establishment the eye of the master, in a large
one that of a sharp stud groom, are the best
economisers of the tools.

A groom will look after a couple of horses
well ; indeed an industrious man who knows
his work will do three if he has a little assistance
in the exercising. I know of many singlehanded
establishments in which three horses are well
done by a good man — one who knows how to
' lay himself on,' and who is a good worker.
Such a man takes a keen interest in his horses,
is always eager to know how they have carried
their owner, and never thinks anything a trouble
which conduces to their welfare. But such a
man is not met with every day ; and when he is
he should be treated with all consideration.

This unfortunately is not always the case.
A man who has the welfare of his horses at
heart will be astir betimes and get out of the
stable as soon as he can so that his horses may
take their rest. Then when he has got his saddle
room straightened up he has nothing to do till
stable time. In singlehanded establishments
this time is too frequently seized upon by the

STABLE NECESSARIES 115

house servants to get assistance in some not very
congenial work, or to put it altogether on to the
groom. '' He has nothing to do he might help
us to clean windows or knives," or do something
of the sort. The groom being a good-natured
fellow, consents in a weak moment. Probably
he thinks it is an exceptional case. If he does
he is soon undeceived for he will soon be asked
again and again. And I have known cases when
a man has been called away from his own work
to do that which other people were paid to do.
All this is manifestly unfair to the groom, who is,
or ought to be, astir long before any others of the
household, and who is not infrequently, in the
hunting season, at work some hours later than the
rest of the household. There is no reason why
a man should not be obliging occasionally, and
most men will if they are rightly handled. But
that is one thing, and it is quite another for him
to be at the ' beck and call ' of the house servants.
It should be thoroughly understood that any
assistance he may give is a matter of courtesy
only ; and if there is much repetition of it the
master should speak firmly and to the point.
Otherwise he may find himself without a good
servant whose place it will not be easy to supply.
You don't find a careful and competent groom
in every Labour Bureau.

Regularity is absolutely essential in the
stable as I have already pointed out, so I wiU say
no more on that point, but devote the remainder
of this ciiapter to the details of grooming.

ii6 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Major A. T. Fisher in his able book Through
the Stable and Saddle Room gives stable hours
as follows —

6 a.m. to 7 a.m
II a.m. to I p.m.
5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

These hours are ver^^ convenient but many
grooms like to start an hour earlier, especially in
summer. I do not know that it makes so much
matter so long as regularity is insisted on.

On coming into a stable the first thing to do
is to give the horses water and a little hay. Then
remove the soiled litter and put the bedding out
into the open air to dry, or if it be raining, into
some shed provided for the purpose or an empty
stable. Every corner and cranny of the floor, be
it stall or loose box, should be thoroughl}' swept
out, the clothing and bandages should be removed
and hung out to air, and the horse should then
be thoroughly cleaned, and — an item which is
frequently omitted — the head stall should be taken
off and cleaned. Then fresh clothing should be
put on, for it need scarcely be insisted that both
day and night clothing are necessary if you
w^ould preserve your horses in perfect health.
The last thing is to give the horses their corn.
This will have kept the groom busy for an hour or
perhaps a few minutes over.

After breakfast the first thing to do is to
saddle and bridle the horses for exercise. Major
Fisher suggests that where possible the horses

STABLE NECESSARIES 117

should be removed to a spare stall, and the
stable thoroughly washed down and the manger
scrubbed out once or twice a week and this is
certainly desirable when it can be managed.
But sometimes, especially in towns, stable room
is scanty. In large establishments however there
is often an ' odd man ' who can do a little job
of this kind when the horses are at exercise. It
is essential for the health of the horses that it
should be done, and it cannot be too strongly
impressed upon the reader that the greater the
cleanliness in the manger etc. the less waste of
food there will be.

Horses that are being well worked regularly
will not require any strong exercise. Most of
it should be done at a walking pace and when
this is exceeded it should be a very slow trot.
Under such circumstances there is no difficulty
about one man exercising three horses, for when
they are well sheeted and are in regular work
horses are quiet enough at exercise. Some
grooms are very fond of exercising without a
saddle. They think it looks clever, I suppose,
and it saves them a little trouble. It should
never be permitted when leading other horses,
but it is a matter of little moment when a horse
that has been hard hunted the previous day is
taken out for a few minutes just ' to stretch
his legs.' I have known this done as soon as
the horse had been watered and had a bite of
hay. Then he has been brought in, made
comfortable, and his corn given him and left to

ii8 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

rest. I do not like this plan. The horse should
have his clothing changed and be fed like the
other horses. This will do him more good than
the very small amount of extra rest which he
will get under what I cannot help calling the laz^'
plan.

But to return to ordinary exercising. One
good and sufficient reason for insisting upon a
saddle being used is that the quietest horses may
play up sometimes and that when they do if
a man is riding without a saddle he is almost
certain to be pulled off his horse in the scrimmage.
This will probably mean a lam.ed servant and
lame horses, involving considerable expense.

Another ver}^ important thing is never to
allow horses to be led on the same side two
mornings running. A horse that is always led
on one side is liable to have a one-sided mouth
and there is nothing more uncomfortable than
to have to ride a horse that has this failing. And
if you do not insist upon your groom changing
his horses about every morning they will never
be changed. A good plan is to ride A on the
first morning, leading B on the near and C on the
far side. On the second morning ride B with C
on the near and A on the far side, and on the
third morning ride C with A on the near and B
on the far side. Then the horses will get an
equal share of riding and leading. It is advisable
to give the groom a card with these arrangements
written out, as I have found grooms very fre-
quently possessed of a ' convenient ' memory.

STABLE NECESSARIES 119

About a couple of hours will be sufficient for
exercise. When the horses are brought in they
should be stripped and thoroughly dressed. The
body brush should be first used and care should
be taken that the curry comb is used frequently
to rid it of the scurf which will cling to it from
the horse's body. Once again I must insist that
the curry comb is never to be used on the horse.
The groom however should take care to fre-
quently knock out the scurf from the curry
comb, either on the floor or against the stall
pillars. If he knocks it out always at the same
place, the scurf and dust, which are very undesir-
able in a stable, are easier removed. When the
brush is done with the horse should be well
wisped with a damp hay wisp, care being taken
that the wisp is not too wet. This should be
followed with a dry rubber. The groom should
put some weight into his work when wisping and
rubbing down. When a horse has been up on
hard meat for some time there should not be a
speck of dust or scurf on him after he has been
thoroughly dressed. Some grooms will tell you
that there will always be a speck or two, but
they know better, and they only say it to hide
their own shortcomings. I knew a gentleman
who always drew a white silk pocket handker-
chief over his horse before he mounted him and
if the handkerchief was in the least soiled he read
the '' Riot Act '' in no uncertain way. Needless
to say his handkerchief very seldom was soiled.
A few minutes' good hand-rubbing is very good

120 TPTE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

for all horses' legs ; even a very few have a marked
effect on their well-being.

If the horse stands in bandages fresh ones
should be put on and those he wore all night
should be with the night rugs airing. Opinions
differ about horses standing in bandages, and it
is a question I should not care to be authoritative
about. For many years my horses always stood
in bandages. Then for some reason which I do
not remember now I let them stand without. I
found them do quite as well without bandages as
with them and I never used bandages again ;
except of course after a day's hunting or when
necessary for veterinary treatment.

The horses having been thoroughly dressed
should then be watered and have a little hay and
a feed of corn given them. By then it will be
one o'clock and dinner time.

The evening stables I would have commence
an hour earlier — at any rate half an hour earlier
than that given by Major Fisher. Indeed in the
depth of winter even earlier than that. And for
this reason. It will be remembered that I
advocated horses being taken out in the after-
noon, and allowed to nibble a little grass. ^ I am
sure this has much to do with keeping horses in
health and if they are only out for a few minutes
— ten minutes or a quarter of an hour — they will
derive benefit from it.

When they are brought in after this short
exercise they should be watered and fed with ha^^

^ See page 44.

STABLE NECESSARIES 121

and then have a brisk wisping and rubbing
down. Their night clothing should be put on
and then they should be fed ; after having had
as much water given them as they will drink.

Major Fisher would have them ' looked at '
from half -past nine to ten o'clock, and if they
have cleaned up their hay would give them a lock
or two more to pull at. I think however that
this is unnecessary, except with horses that have
been out hunting. These should always be
looked at last thing at night, and if they have
' broken out ' about their ears which is by no
means unlikely after a hard day's hunting they
should be hand-rubbed until they are dry and
warm.

On no account should a horse's legs be
washed when he comes in from hunting.

H

STABLE VICES

ORSES are easily taught stable vices,
and indeed unless they are carefully
watched they soon acquire a few bad
habits without the active intervention of those
who have to look after them. And stable vices,
when once acquired, are difficult to eradicate and
are frequently dangerous.

It seems absurd to impress upon those who
have to do with horses that they are not machines
and that they are not playthings but experience
tells that it is necessary to do so. I have been
in as many large establishments as most people,
and in very few of them can I say that I have not
come across a horse that has been taught some
undesirable trick by a mischievous lad or a
mischievous groom. This is not done with any
evil intention, but that is really a minor considera-
tion. If you knock a man down through careless-
ness it does not heal his bruises to teU him you
did not intend to harm him. A young fellow,
smart perhaps and with an undue share of conceit,
can, and often does, teach a horse many undesir-
able tricks just to shov/ how clever he is. He
does not wish to injure his master's property but
he does it all the same.

STABLE VICES 123

Nor is this teaching of undesirable tricks
confined to the large stables. I have known some
very mischievous horses in small stables and it is
difficult to say who is guilty of the greater folly,
the groom who teases, or the sentimentahst, man
or woman, who is always gushing over horses,
petting them and stroking their noses. '' Guns
and horses are not to be played with " was a
maxim that was sternly impressed upon me in
my youth and it is a thoroughly sound one.

Perhaps the very wickedest horse I ever saw
in a stable was a grey mare we had when I w^as
a boy. Out of the stable she was thoroughly
dependable and a more ' confidential ' mount
man never had ; in the stable she was unpardon-
able. She was a Caesarean mare, i.e. her dam
was unable to foal her, so was shot and she
was cut awa}^ It is always a risky business
to bring a foal up by hand. Some fool that feeds
it is sure to teach it tricks. Even when, as in
this case, the regular feeding was done by a
thoroughly competent man, every woman and
some men, full of sloppy sentiment for the
" poor motherless thing," who passed the paddock
in which she ran, gave her sugar or an apple,
and played v/ith and teased her, ''just to make
her life a little less monotonous, poor thing ! "
till she was a past-mistress in the arts of kicking
and biting. It no doubt was very amusing to
see the little foal nipping and kicking in play ;
but those who encouraged these vices would
have looked at them from an entirely different

124 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

standpoint if they had had the mare to clean
when she had attained her growth. She bit
viciously at the man when he was an^^where
within reach of her teeth, and every time the
brush touched her she either struck out or stamped
furiously. When a man went up to her to rack
her up, for it was impossible to dress her unless
she was racked up closely, she always either tried
to crush him against the side of the box, or kicked
at him. Now all these abominable tricks were
as much taught to that mare as if the foolish
sentimentalists had set out with that purpose
in view and she never forgot them. Indeed
she was nearly unmanageable in the stable in
her later years and it was a dangerous as well
as a trying task to clean her when she came in
very dirty from hunting. I have dwelt upon
this mare's shortcomings because hers was
perhaps the worst case I have known, and it
was entirely brought about by wilful folly.

There is another cause of Stable vice which
calls for mention. A horse has been well de-
scribed as a bundle of nerves with a good memory.
This is apt to be forgotten by a groom who has
a young newly broken horse in his charge. Men
whose work is in a great measure of a routine
character, are apt to do everything by " Rule
of Thumb " as the Yorkshire proverb has it.
They get into a certain groove and forget that
every horse which comes under their charge has
an individuality of his own and they treat a
young and timid horse that has just been broken

MARIA

THE TROt'ERTV OF THE I. ATE MK. WATSON DIXON
SELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST PHOTOGRATH EVER TAKEN OF A HORSE

JI.MM\ bHAW

THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR

STABLE VICES 125

in the same way as they do a veteran. The
result is that the horse is frightened and resents
the treatment he is receiving in self-defence.
Then the groom is rough with him and punishes
him more or less severely — and the result is that
a bad habit is formed or a vice estabhshed.

A third fruitful source of stable mischief
is idleness. An old proverb tells us that by
doing nothing we learn to do ill, and idleness
and overfeeding are the causes of numerous
vices both in the horses and men. This part
of the subject however has already been fully
discussed.^

A very common stable vice is refusing admit-
tance to the stall. Some horses will turn them-
selves across the stall at such an angle that it
is impossible or at any rate difficult to get to
their heads, whilst others will crowd the man
who goes up to them against the wall or stall.
When not checked this becomes a very serious
matter and there is considerable risk to the
groom if it is not cured. It is frequently caused
by bad breaking, and I may say that I have not
come across any cases of it which were not cured
by a little patience and tact on the part of the
attendant. Horses hke to be ' gentled ' and
when thev cannot be reached with the hand a
long stick or pole answers the purpose. In
cases where the habit has become confirmed Mr.
Merritt W. Harper gives an excellent remedy in
his book The Training and Breaking of Horses.

^ See page 50.

126 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

A ring is attached to the stall partition over
the manger and about the height of the horse's
head. A rope from the halter is put through
the ring over the manger and then brought back
to another ring at the rear of the stall which
is placed in such a position that the horse cannot
interfere with it. When it is desired to approach
the horse the rope is loosed at the rear ring and
pulled tight. This brings the horse's head round
to the near side of the stall, raising it at the
same time, so he cannot kick and a very little
pressure on his quarters will put his body at
the far side of the stall. Of course when he has
been trained thoroughly to stand over on one
side, the same plan must be adopted to make
him stand over on the other. I have seen men
when a horse has been difficult to approach in
the stall cross in front of him, when they have
once got up to him. This is a very bad practice
and involves considerable danger if a horse is
of a vicious disposition ; for the man in crossing
in front of him, is absolutely at his mercy.

Hanging back and Halter breaking are very
nasty tricks but they are easily cured if a little
pains be taken. Professor Galvayne points out
very truly that a great predisposing cause of
liorses hanging back is that the flooring of the stall
is too high in front and consequently the horses
cannot stand comfortably ; and that another
is that the stall partitions are too low towards
the end of them and that horses hang back to
see and if possible play with the horses m another

STABLE VICES 127

stall. Where these conditions prevail it is of
course incumbent that they shall be altered
before anything else is done. Then a rope may
be arranged across the rear of the stall in such
a way that when the horse backs it will come
in contact with his quarters. This will make
him move forward. Or he may be trained to
stand tied without hanging back by the loin
hitch, which consists of a rope with a loop in it
placed round the horse's body in front of the
hips. The loose end of the rope is put through
the loop, brought between the horse's forelegs
and through the halter ring and then round
a strong post and back to the halter ring where
it is made fast. Then make the horse hang
back ; he will soon tire of it. This is one of
the many different ways of tying up a horse
to overcome this bad habit. Anyone who is
curious on the matter can find others in the well-
known books on Horsebreaking of which there
are so many.

Kicking in the stable has already been referred
to.^ In case a horse is persistent in this vice he
must be taken out of the stable and some breaking
tackle put on him, so arranged as to hurt him
when he kicks. Then he must be incited to
kick and the tackle used effectually. A horse,
having an excellent memory will soon come to
associate kicking with pain, and drop kicking
in the stable.

Some horses never lie down to sleep, but

1 See page 9.

128 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

always sleep standing. This is a very tiresome
habit, probably due to the horse having been
cast at some time. At least that is the only
cause which suggests itself to me. A horse that
sleeps standing wears his legs unnecessarily
and he is also liable to fall and injure himself.
The habit is easily cured. Tie a 7 lb. weight to
the tail taking care that it hangs some two or
three inches above the hocks. If a 7 lb. weight
is not sufficient try a 14 lb. one. That is sure
to succeed. When the heavier weight is successful
give it up and try the lighter one — and if 7 lb.
is found to be sufficient to induce the horse to
lie down reduce the weight to 3 lb.

Another very tiresome trick which some
horses have in the stable is to lie in such a position
that the elbow rests on the foot, the result being
that unsightly protuberance known as capped
elbow. And sometimes the inflammation from
capped elbow becomes so acute as to necessitate
the destruction of the horse. One cure is to
alter the shoeing to the Charlier or some similar
system, but it will be found that if a large circular
pad of soft leather is buckled round the fetlock
the horse will not be able to hurt himself.

Some horses are difficult to lead into a door-
way. The reason of this is obvious. At some
time or other they have hurt themselves or
been frightened when going through a door.
It is curious that most men who have a horse
of this kind in their charge are careful to do
exactly what they ought not to do. They walk

STABLE VICES 129

through the door and as the horse does not follow
them they turn round and look at him, pulling
at the bridle at the same time. A horse will
never follow a man who is facing him ; he
naturally thinks he is expected to back. Gener-
ally if the stable door is wide enough, and I have
already insisted upon the necessity for all stable
doors to be wide, a horse can be induced to enter
by gentling him and after he has thoroughly
learned the lesson that there is nothing to hurt
him there will be no further trouble. If he is
very obstinate it may be necessary to use Pro-
fessor Galvayne's leading tackle or some similar
appliance. The most serious stable vice a horse
can have is crib-biting, for it has a serious effect
upon the horse's health as well as being a
most objectionable practice. Authorities differ
as to the cause of it. Some say that it is a
habit contracted simply by imitation. Others
again say that it is produced by idleness and
ennui ; whilst a third authority attributes it
to a particular form of indigestion. The latter
however may be an effect and not a cause of
crib-biting.

In crib-biting the horse catches hold of some-
thing which is at such a height as enables him
to draw in his chin towards his breast and arch
his neck. The edge of the manger or the rack
chain are usually used as means of support, and
horses have been known on occasion to crib on
one of their forelegs. Having got his hold he
swallows a mouthful of air, emitting a curious
9

130 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

grunt when he has done so. That close observer
Capt. Hayes says that he has never known a
crib-biter or a wind-sucker indulge in his evil
practice when lying down and he also says
that when outside the horse is by no means
particular about Vx^hat he selects as a means of
support.

There certainly seems to be some case made
out for imitation being one cause of cribbing
and its kindred vices. The horse is a very
imitative animal, as there is no necessity in
insisting, and it is not a very difficult matter
to move a horse that is a cribber where he
will have no evil influence. That idleness
and the consequent ennui are predisposing
causes I have no doubt, and especially if the
idleness and ennui are helped on by over-
feeding.

In very bad cases, but only in very bad cases,
there is great flatulent distension of the abdomen.
Crib-biting is incurable but there are means of
preventing it unless it has become very bad
indeed. I have known good results from smearing
the fittings, mangers, chains and the sides of the
stall with a solution of aloes when the horse was
just beginning his evil habit. Some people
advocate removing all fittings and feeding off
the ground. Others again favour rock salt in
the manger. I cannot say that either of these
plans appeals to me as being likely to effect a
cure but I do think there may be a means of
prevention in the rock salt. Rock salt should

STABLE VICES i',i

J

always be provided for horses, and anyone who
has regularly visited stables in which a constant
supply of rock salt is in the mangers cannot fail
to have observed that he never entered that
stable without finding some of its inhabitants
busily employed with their rock salt. There
are all kinds of cribbing straps which are drawn
tightly round the neck, but whether they are
quite as effective as is claimed for them may be
open to question. At any rate I have heard some
owners of crib-biters say that they have used
them without much benefit. In some stables
the manger is made so wide that it is not possible
for a horse to get hold of it with his teeth, but
this would not prevent a really confirmed crib-
biter from cribbing.

Capt. Hayes gives three methods of preventing
crib-biting ^ which may be briefly epitomised as
follows : (i) By preventing the horse from com-
pressing the mouthful of air he intends to force
into his gullet. This can be done by putting
on a bridle with a perforated mouthpiece. (2)
By preventing him drawing in his chin towards
his breast by means of a stick attached between
those two points, and 1(3) By rendering the
muscles which draw in the chin and arch the neck
unable to contract. This is done by means of
the strap to which reference has already been
made. Sometimes spikes are used in the straps,
etc. And undoubtedly they make them more
efficacious but they are dangerous. The bit

^ Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners.

132 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

I believe answers well, but constantly having
a bit in the mouth is conducive to sqre
lips.

Curiously enough I have never ovv^ned a crib-
biter ; is it because I always gave my horses
plenty of work and a regular supply of rock salt in
their mangers ? The reader must form his own
conclusions. I once however had a crib-biter in
my care for a few weeks. She was a good mare
that had been shown at several of the principal
shows near home during the summer and she had
been very well — indeed too well kept and had far
too little work. And when she had been a few
days in my stable I saw what was the matter
with her. She only ' cribbed ' occasionally, and I
gave the stable fittings a good dressing of solution
of aloes — by the way Capt. Hayes recipe is a
solution of aloes and dog's dung mixed, which
one would think the acme of nastiness. She
got no worse whilst I had her and none of
my horses acquired the habit. I sold her for
my friend to a gentleman in the neighbour-
hood and for a big price, of course telling him
of her infirmity. She did very w^ell, carrying
him for some seasons and she never got any
w^orse.

Wind-sucking may be defined as an exaggerated
form of crib-biting. The horse does not take
hold of any support with his teeth. The vice is
discribed by Harper in the following words :
*' The horse begins by moving his lips in an up-
and-down motion, then he suddenly lowers his

STABLE VICES 133

head, sometimes to the level of his knees, and
then swallows a mouthful of air." In doing this
he makes a peculiar noise, sometimes scarcely
perceptible, sometimes very loud. I do not
remember ever having seen a wind-sucker at
work, and indeed they are comparatively few in
number.

The cure is a hollow bit which must be worn
always except at feeding time. The bit is per-
forated at the front and as the horse draws in the
air it escapes through the bit and so prevents him
getting a * mouthful.' It is essential to keep
this bit very clean and care must be taken every
time it is removed to see that all the holes are
well cleared out, as some of the remains of the
food may block them up. It is also necessary
that the horse should be closely watched at feeding
time and the bit put on immediately he has
finished feeding. Wind-sucking has a far more
prejudicial effect on a horse's health than crib-
biting.

Weaving is a particularly irritating vice, and
it is disturbing to the other horses as well. It is
probably due to nervousness. A weaver con-
stantly moves his head from one side of the stall
to the other and at the same time he changes his
weight from one foreleg to the other. Of course
this constant movement and change of position
has a very bad effect upon the horse. Fortun-
ately the remedy is an easy one. Remove him
into a loose box. I do not remember ever
to have seen a horse ' weave ' in a loose box.

134 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Or if that is not possible have a couple of bars
placed at the bottom of the stall and turn
the horse loose, taking care of course that the
partitions are so high that he cannot annoy his
neighbours.

MINOR DISEASES

IT is not so very long since that most grooms
of any standing had in their possession a
greater or less number of astounding recipes,
warranted to cure any and every disease to which
horseflesh is subject. There were balls and
blisters and electuaries and drenches and all
kinds of abominable compounds. I have some-
where in my possession — where, I am unable to
say, and except as curiosities they are not worth
looking for — four or five books of this description.
Most of them, indeed I think I am well within the
mark when I say all of them were purchased by
my uncle Mr. Watson Dixon, for sums varying
from 10/6 to a couple of guineas, from grooms
who were out of place or retired and were bought
more for the sake of recognising the worth of the
vendors than for any value the recipes might have.
There were of course some good things in these
books, especially in the way of cleaning boot-tops,
removing stains from scarlet coats, cleaning
leathers, etc., but that was all. If anyone w^ants
a specimen of the prescriptions he will find plenty
like them in Gervase Markham's Generall Cure
of all Cattell. He will find some curious re-
medies there, though there are a few hints perhaps

136 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

which may be of use in these days. For instance
the following : '' In travell by no means wash nor
walke your horse but be sure to rub him clean ''
is sound enough advice, though only part of the
following sentences can be commended : '' Water
him a mile before you come to your Inne, or more,
as shall lie in your journey, or if you fail thereof,
forbear it till next morning, for water hath often
done hurt, want of water never," which to say
the least of it is a somewhat curious position to
take up.

Two of Markham's cures may be given as
examples of the empiricism which was to be
found in high places in the early seventeenth
century — an empiricism which found its survival
in many ways in some stables until later into the
nineteenth century than many people will readily
beheve : —

''Of any Cough or Cold whatsoever, M^et
OR Dry, or for any Consumption or

PUTRIFACTION OF THE LUNGS WHATSOEVER

*'A Cold is got by unnaturall heats, and too
suddain coolings, and these colds engender coughs,
putrifaction or rottenness of the Lungs. The cure
thereof for them all in generall, is to take a hand-
full or two of the white and greenish Mosse which
grows upon an old Oke Pole, or any old Oke wood,
and boyl it in a quart of milk till it be thick, and
being cold turned to jelly, then strain it, and
give it to the Horse luke warme every morning

MINOR DISEASES 137

till his cough end ; or else take three quarters of
an ounce of the conserve of Elicampane, and
dissolve it in a pint of Sack, and lukewarm give it
to the Horse fasting ; then ride him after it, and
set him up warm, feed as at ordinary times ; thus
do three mornings together."

In my copy of Markham's Book this chapter
— for so it is designated, is initialled by some
former owner of the book, so the presumption is
that it found favour with him.

'' Of Tyred Horses

''If your Horse bee tyred either in journeying
or any Hunting Match, your best help for him is
to give him v^^arme wine to drinke, and letting
him bloud in the mouth to suffer him to Hck and
swallow up the same. Then if you can come
where any netles are, to rub his mouth and sheath
well therewith : then gently to Ride him. untill
you come to your resting-place, where set him up
ver}^ warm ; and before you go to bed, give him
six spoonfuls of Aqua vitae to drink, and as much
provender as he will eat. The next morning rub
his legs with sheeps foot oyle, and it will bring
fresh nimbleness into his sinews."

Here we may leave Markham, for his curious
recipes can scarcely be regarded even as fore-
runners of Veterinary science. They are made
up of many ingredients and sack and wine are

138 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

used in such quantities that one is tempted to
think that the old grooms, following the example
of the dandy's valet, drank the wine and breathed
on the horses, or at any rate did a little tasting.

In these particulars the recipes of the grooms
of which I spoke earlier in the Chapter are a
very close imitation of Markham. Bleeding I
need scarcely say is warmly advocated by Mark-
ham and also by the grooms. Horses must be
bled twice a year, Spring and Autumn, under
any circumstances.

It is almost impossible to make anyone be-
lieve in these days, unless he has seen it for
himself, the progress that Veterinary Science
has made within the last fifty or sixty years. I
do not remember much of the old farrier but
I heard a good deal about him in my boyhood's
days and occasionally an old man was pointed
out to me who had gained a greater or less
reputation — as the case might be — as a ' horse
doctor.' One old Yorkshireman was known as
old '' Slip and Pop " because he was never
called in to any horse or other animal that was
ailing without ' slipping ' a ball or drench into
him and ' popping ' on a plaster of sorts. The
' poor old cow doctor ' as he was sometimes called
was I believe a very decent man and had implicit
confidence in himself, but he bore as much re-
semblance to the present veterinary surgeon as
the old Barber surgeon did to a modern London
specialist.

Of course he did not kill all his patients.

MINOR DISEASES 139

Some got better in spite of his treatment ; and
some, let us charitably believe, on account of it.

But even at his best the old horse leech was
an ignorant man who rarely looked into a book,
though he was a very interesting one, for who
so well as he was versed in the mysterious folk-
lore of animals and plants. It seems necessary
to emphasise that ignorant as he was, he was
in many country places the only man who was
available for advice for many years after the
nineteenth century opened. But about the
opening of the nineteenth century men were
beginning to look with a very different eye on
farming and the management of stock. The
writings of Arthur Young and still more of
WilHam Marshall and John Lawrence, himself a
veterinary surgeon, and others had drawn atten-
tion to the scientific side of Agriculture and
Stock Breeding. The early volumes of the
Sporting Magazine undoubtedly only appealed
to the ' bloods ' of Drury Lane, with their accounts
of more or less sanguinary duels, cases of crim.
con. et hoc genus omne ; but already a different
spirit was abroad and by the time the new
century had well opened technical articles found
their way into its pages. Rivals sprang up,
and a bitter war of words was waged between
various sets of writers. As an old friend of
mine used to say '' there is nothing like a little
healthy opposition, it brings out the truth,''
and no doubt this war of words did bring out
some of the truth and drew attention to the

140 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

deplorable want of proper professional guidance
in the country. The increasing value of stock
of all kinds also spurred veterinary science on,
on the upward track, but Rome was not built
in a day and there was some time to wait before
thoroughly qualified Veterinary Surgeons were
to be found stationed all over the country.

During what may be called the transitional
period many owners of horses, knowing well
that they were better informed on the subject
of Horses' ailments than the cow doctor, read
largely the books and articles which were pub-
lished from time to time and, with the eagerness
which is characteristic of the amateur, laid in
good store of drugs and were never so happy
as when they had pestle and mortar in hand,
or as when, in a mxcasuring glass of orthodox
shape and large size they were mixing various
vile -smelling liquids. In my boyhood I had a
considerable experience of an establishment con-
ducted on these lines. My relative, to whom
I have referred more than once in these pages,
dearly loved a ' screv/,' not because he was a
screw, but because he thought he could trans-
form him into a sound horse. Occasionally this
happened but I need not emphasise the fact
that success came but seldom. When it came
along however it was the occasion of a quiet
but none the less emphatic triumph.

One instance is perhaps worth recording.
We had had a long and very briUiant run and
killed our fox, and out of a large field that had

MINOR DISEASES 141

started only eight of us were there when the fox
was eaten. Three of the eight hailed from our
stable, and my relative, with I think pardonable
pride, said to someone who was complimenting
him on their performance, '' They only averaged
£S each." This is how it came about. One
horse cost £22 ; another had happened a nasty
accident and had a damaged hock. She cost £2.
And the third w^as a present. The horse that
cost £22 was thought to be worn out, but careful
management kept his legs right and he fairly
averaged three days a fortnight for six seasons.
Then his legs were better than they were when
Vv^e got him and a nervous old gentleman gave
£^0 for him and he carried him for three or
four seasons. The mare that had been injured,
by dint of unremitting attention we got perfectly
right and though she was undoubtedly a valuable
mare then she as certainly cost us all she was
worth in trouble. A good deal of the nursing
fell upon me, and I shall never forget a week of
incessant fomenting etc. to which her ultimate
recovery was due. We managed, as amateurs
so often do, to dry up the running wound too
soon, and the result was such a swelled leg and
body as is seldom seen. The groom and I
attended to her. We bled her at the toe and
then fomented her until far into the night or
rather morning for the day was generally dawning
when we left her, made as comfortable as we
could with hot wet rugs etc. After four or five
days of this attention during which she did not

142 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

yield to treatment my relative said it was no
use wasting any more time over her. However
he was going from home for a few days and we
made up our minds that she was better and
took care to keep him out of the loose box on
the morning he left home. On his return the
mare was doing well. It is my long experience
with the halt and the ailing that makes me
advise the reader when he has a horse amiss
to consult a veterinary surgeon. Still there are
cases of passing ailments which a little know-
ledge may easity put right and which an owner
can treat himself without any risk ; and there
are others again in which he may do something
to alleviate suffering before he can obtain pro-
fessional assistance.

I have on a previous page referred fully to
the beneficial effects on worn forelegs and sinews
which hot and cold water have, so there is no
need for me to say any more on that part of the
subject. But I may add to what I have already
said about weak sinews and failing forelegs that
when bandaging the cotton wool system recom-
mended by the late Capt. Hayes is desirable. A
horse whose forelegs are beginning to wear will
also receive great benefit if during the summer
months his forelegs have a mercurial charge
applied. Indeed if his legs do not yield to the
hot and cold water treatment and cotton wool
bandaging a mercurial charge must be applied.

I generally got my charges from Mr. John
Osborne of Breckongill and appHed them with

MINOR DISEASES 143

tow to act as a binder covering all with a cotton
bandage. I never took them off but let them
gradually wear off, and I never had any trouble
with sore legs. I did not put them on till rather
late and then they remained on till the ground
had lost some of its hardness at any rate. For
obviously it was impossible to take a horse out
hunting with remnants of a charge hanging about
his forelegs.

A charge is easily made and Capt. Hayes
gives a good recipe which may be quoted. Take
4 oz. each Burgundy Pitch and Beeswax and
melt together stirring in at the same time 2 oz.
Mercurial ointment. Capt. Hayes suggests that
these charges should not be allowed to stop on
more than a month or the horse's legs will become
sore. I do not know of course what the propor-
tion of mercurial ointment was in Mr Osborne's
charges but I can only repeat that I let them come
off of themselves and never had any trouble.

Amongst those ailments which w^ill require
home treatment before professional assistance
can be obtained are broken knees and wounds.
Ordinary cases of broken knees may be managed
without assistance from the veterinary surgeon,
but in cases of a deep wound or one that is very
jagged at the edges it is advisable to call in
professional assistance, as the way in which the
parts are first joined together, has much to do
with the amount of blemish which will be left.
Broken knees should never be fomented, but of
course it is essential that all dirt shall be removed

144 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

from the wound as quickly as possible. This can
be done with a clean sponge and a little warm
water. It is important that the sponge should
be clean. The wound should be dressed with
a weak solution of Iodine or some other antiseptic
and, if the cut is a bad one the edges of the wound
must be pressed together and a moderately tight
bandage put on. The knee is not an easy place
to bandage and care must be taken not to put
the bandages on too tightly so as to stop circula-
tion. A cotton wool wadding bandage will be
found best and care must be taken to have the
bandage well covered with cold cream or zinc
ointment so that it may not stick into the wound.
Care must be taken that the horse cannot get to
the wound with his teeth. This is easily pre-
vented by putting a cradle on him.

The general treatment of ordinary wounds
is on the same lines as that of broken knees,
cleanliness and the use of antiseptics being the
underlying principles. A wound should not heal
too quickly and it should heal from the bottom.
Probing by a ' layman ' is to be deprecated but
if it should happen from force of circumstances
to be necessary he should use nothing for the
purpose of less calibre than a tallow candle.
Frequently when a wound is healing there will
be too much granulation and what is known
as ' proud flesh ' will form. A little powdered
Sulphate of Copper (blue-stone) dusted on it a
few times will be a sufficient remedy in ordinary
cases.

MINOR DISEASES 145

Care should be taken when a horse gets a
serious wound that air does not get into it or
grave results may be the consequence, especially
if the horse has a long way to travel after the
accident. For if air gets into the wound to any
extent swelling will take place until the body is
much distended. So, if a horse is staked or in
other way badly wounded and has any distance
to travel the wound should be stopped up with
a pocket handkerchief, cotton wool or any soft
substance which may be available. In case the
swelling has taken place, and the body is much
distended, when the horse gets home a rug
should be steeped in hot water and placed over
his back, a dry rug being placed on the top of it.
This should be repeatedly done until the horse
obtains entire relief, which will not be for some
time.

There is no more tiresome accident to a hunter
than overreach, and it is an accident moreover
to which some horses are very prone. A horse
with a long reach and moderate shoulders, that in
dealer's language does not put his foot out, is very
liable to overreach, especially when the going is
deep. Something, indeed much ma^/ be done
in the way of prevention. Care should be taken
in the dressing of the hind feet. The toe should
be kept as short as possible and the feet should
be attended to regularly and at short intervals.
The inner edge of the toe of the hind shoe, which
is apt to become sharp in wear, should also be
kept well rounded with the rasp. A little trouble
10

146 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

in these directions will probably save a great deal
later as a bad overreach is a nasty thing to deal
with.

But accidents will occur in the best-regulated
families, and when the going is deep, or the ground
is false the best of horses is liable to have his
heels bruised. If however proper precautions
are taken a truly shaped horse will seldom have a
bad overreach.

On a horse's return from hunting his heels
should be carefully examined to see that there
are no bad bruises or overreaches. These if not
serious may be washed with a little antiseptic
and all will be well. But a deep overreach after
having been thoroughly washed out, calls for a
poultice to begin with in order to free it from
any dirt which the washing has failed to remove.
Col. Meysey Thompson advises that after one
night's poulticing the wound shall be sprinkled
with a mixture of Red Oxide of Mercury and
powdered sugar in the proportion of one to
twenty. I always used Tincture of Myrrh my-
self— some use Tincture of Arnica. If the wound
was deep I usually poured a quantity of Tincture
of Myrrh on some tow which I fastened over it
with a piece of tape.

An indiarubber guard can be obtained at any
saddler's which will prevent overreaching, and
I have used one occasionally when the wound has
not got quite ' hardened.' It answers a good
purpose in keeping dirt out of the wound when
exercising and certainly it is a protection. I

MINOR DISEASES 147

cannot say however that I hke to see it in the
hunting field.

Thorns are sometimes very troublesome and
the most careful search fails to find the head of
them, though the searcher may be morally con-
vmced that they are present. Thorns in the fore-
arm may be attended with serious consequences
if not got out. The tendency of a thorn is to
work inwards and if, as is not infrequent, sup-
puration takes place, serious and even permanent
injury may result. If a thorn is known to be in
the forearm and cannot be reached it is an
excellent plan to shave a portion of the hair off
and blister mildly. The blister will prevent
motion and so lessen the risk of the thorn working
m. It also softens the skin and so makes it
easier to get the thorn out.

An experience of my own may be worth
relating. After a brilhant forty-five minutes and
the usual standing about for a few minutes
attendant on the breaking up of a fox, I found
my horse was dead lame, and though I tried to
thmk I was mistaken I knew only too well that
he was lame in his shoulder. I was twelve miles
from home and it took me more than four hours
to get there. The veterinary surgeon who
chanced to be at my place soon after I arrived
carefully examined the horse, confirmed my
worst fears, said there was nothing for it but rest
ordered the horse to be thrown up for the re-
mainder of the season, and cheerfully proceeded
to talk of the state of affairs on the Continent

148 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

When he had left me I went back to the horse
and found there was a sweUing at the shoulder
point. I looked carefully for signs of a thorn
but could find none. However I thought nothing
I could do could make the horse much worse so
I gave his shoulder a good rubbing with a dilution
of white oils, which I mixed with some sour beer.
Next morning the horse was lamer than ever and
almost flinched if you pointed at him. However
I examined him carefully, and thought I found
the head of a thorn. Finally I got it out — an
ugly thing quite an inch long, and in a couple of
days my horse was as sound as ever.

It would perhaps be too sweeping a statement
to say that all cases of cracked heels and mud
fever are due to bad stable management. There
are cases on record where racehorses, under the
strain of much highly stimulating food and
severe work develop cracked heels, and some-
times horses are very troublesome in this respect,
and seem to have them in a chronic form. Re-
fractor, the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup was a
horse that was constantly suffering from cracked
heels, and I have seen him move on the hard
ground like the proverbial cat on hot bricks.
Yet he would be a daring man indeed who would
cast any aspersions on the stable management
of the late Mr. James Waugh.

Col. Meysey Thompson holds that mud fever
— which is a kind of eczema — may be produced
by a sudden chill when the horse is in a state
of perspiration or by stomach trouble. I have

MINOR DISEASES 149

never seen any mud fever which was due to these
causes myself except perhaps once. This was in
the case of a mare we had which came out rather
lame ; and on close examination was found to
be very sore on the inside her thighs and especi-
ally where there was friction. The man who
attended to the mare was blamed for not cleaning
her properly, and I was told that I ought to have
seen to it that the man did his duty. I never
could account for that attack of mud fever. I
knew the mare had never been washed ; I also
knew that she had been properly cleaned not-
withstanding the presumptive evidence that she
could not have been. Nor indeed would any
quantity of mud which could have accumulated
there have produced mud fever or clay burn as
they called it in Yorkshire in those days. But
Col. Meysey Thompson's statement throws a
strong light on what I have always looked upon
as a mysterious circumstance ^ and I have now
not the least doubt that a sudden chill when in a
state of perspiration was the cause of the trouble.
And I am strengthened in this opinion by the
facts that it was in the spring when the mare was
attacked, and that it was not a very wet spring
but was a hot one.

The principal predisposing cause of mud fever
and cracked heels however is washing the legs
and heels when the horses come in from hunting
and where this is not done there will be no trouble

^ The mare, 1 am told was probably suffering from what is called
technically Erythema, not mud fever.

150 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

from a particularly irritating ailment. It is also
as well not to clip horses' legs.

In case a horse should have a touch of either
it is desirable to give him a purgative — perhaps
as good as anything would be a couple of ounces
of Epsom salts in his mash for two or three nights
running. The quantity of corn must be reduced
and no beans must be given, and carrots and
other green food should be given where they can
be obtained. In cases of cracked heels an oz. of
Sulphur should be added to the salts. The heels
and legs should be dressed with Glycerine — one
part to 20 parts of water — or Zinc Ointment.
Personally I prefer Zinc Ointment.

Another of those diseases which are generally
so easily preventible is Thrush or Running Thrush
as it is sometimes called. There is no difficulty
in diagnosing Thrush ; your nose will tell you of
its existence the moment you enter the stable.
It is inflammation of the sensible frog from the
cleft of which comes an exceedingly offensive
discharge. The cause, as in many of the small
ailments to which inmates of the stable are liable,
is in the main due to the negligence of dirty
grooms. Horses standing in wet litter or with
their feet unpicked are sure to develop Thrush
in a few days. Another cause of Thrush is
absence of pressure, which is necessary to keep
the frog in a healthy state, but dirt and neglect
are far more frequently to be blamed. Preven-
tion of course is better than cure and if horses
are kept on dry litter with their feet well picked

MINOR DISEASES 151

out — this should be done twice or three times a
day — there will be no thrush in the stable if the
horses' feet are normal. If there should be a
case of thrush the ragged part of the frog must
be cut away, the pus wiped out of the cleft with
a piece of tow on a stick and the foot thoroughly
cleaned. Then a piece of tow should be thor-
oughly smeared with a mixture of Tar (6 oz.) and
Sulphate of Copper (2 oz.) and inserted in the cleft.
The horse will soon be all right and when he is it
would be as well to point out to your groom that
a recurrence of the disease will bring about his
dismissal.

Saddle galls and sore shoulders are amongst
the small troubles of the stable, but they are very
real troubles for all that. The subject will be
gone into more fully when saddlery and harness
are discussed. Wherever the saddle or harness
presses on a horse should be carefully examined
when he comes in from work and if there are any
moist or tender - looking places they should at
once be attended to. When the skin has risen
what is known as a laundress's blue-bag may be
dabbed on the place a few times a day for perhaps
a couple or three days. Then it should be bathed
with alum water or salt and water. Care must
be taken to brush the back well before the saddle
is put on again or the cure may turn out as bad
as the disease. Sometimes when a sore back
has been mismanaged what is known as a set
fast will become estabhshed. More than one
infallible plan has been given for their eradica-

152 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

tion ; but where they show themselves it is
advisable to call in professional assistance.

It is not my intention to write about many of
the diseases to which horses are liable. I am
convinced from a pretty long experience that
in diseases where there are any complicated
symptoms there is little to be learnt by the
general reader which will be of practical use to
him in treating those diseases, and that it is the
best to at once consult a capable veterinary
surgeon. Not infrequently when an owner under-
takes the treatment of these diseases he has to
call in professional assistance in the end and as
I once heard an eminent veterinary surgeon say
of a friend, '' He about kills his horse and then
sends for me."

Catarrh or Common Cold, Influenza, Indiges-
tion, Diarrhoea, Internal Parasites, and Colic may
however claim a few minutes' attention.

Catarrh is a simple ailment, easily discovered.
The horse has a nasty cough and sneezes fre-
quently, he has no appetite and there is a dis-
charge from his eyes and nose. The disease is
really a slight inflammation of the nose and
throat. Linseed mash should be substituted for
corn and the hay should be damped. The glands
under the jaws and top of the throat should be
well rubbed with mustard, which however should
not be allowed to remain on too long as I have
often seen. When it has been on about ten
minutes it should be sponged off. Powders com-
prised of Sulphate of Magnesia 3 oz. and Powdered

MINOR DISEASES 153

Nitrate of Potash 3 drs. should be given three
times a day in the drinking water. In very bad
cases 30 drops Belladonna may be given twice
or three times a day. When the horse begins
to recover a thick mucous discharge commences.
To assist him in getting rid of this discharge it is
as well to feed him on the ground. A bad
attack of this kind often leaves a horse in a weak
state and tonics are required. Fowler's Solution
of Arsenic may be given for four or five days at
first ; then a powder consisting of Sulphate of
Iron, 2 drs., Powdered Gentian, Powdered
Camomile and Powdered Ginger i dr. each. This
powder should be given in a feed of corn once a
day for a week or ten days. Then it may be left
off for a week and resumed if the horse is not
fully recovered.

Influenza is in many respects similar to
Common Cold but it is accompanied by feverish
symptoms, and it is very debilitating. The
mixture for Catarrh may be given w4th good
effect. To reduce the fever Acetate of Ammonia
4 oz. and Nitric Ether i oz. may be given once
or twice a day. If there is a great deal of fever
and much debility in addition — on second
thoughts if there is a great deal of fever and
much debihty it is not a case for a layman to
deal with. Send for your veterinary surgeon 1
A liberal diet is necessary, Malt mashes. Boiled
oats. Linseed gruel. Green food — anything indeed
of this kind which will tempt a horse to eat.

Indigestion is shown b^^ a tight skin, rough

154 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

' harsh ' lookmg hair and lack of condition. An
old powder we used to give our horses as a
corrective once or twice a week was composed of
Flowers of Sulphur, White Resin, Nitre, and
Black Antimony in equal quantities. A table-
spoonful in a warm bran mash is a dose. In
cases of indigestion a tablespoonful may be given
once a day for two or three weeks and a bottle
of Linseed oil (three gills) should be given
every fourth morning till three doses have been
taken.

There are many causes for Diarrhoea which it
is perhaps scarcely necessary to enumerate. One
of them however may be referred to as it con-
veys a warning, and that is large doses of aloes,
the over-purging from which sometimes develops
into diarrhoea. Diet is of course an important
point. Water must not be given and oats, hay,
and bran mashes should be avoided. Dry bran
or afterwards bran slightly damped is sufficient
in the way of food. Wheat flour gruel should be
given and in a sharp attack a teacupful of starch
dissolved in a quart of warm water with 60 drops
of laudanum added may be given with advantage.
Where great weakness supervenes a bottle of
port will be found beneficial. But need I insist
that obstinate cases of diarrhoea are not to be
played with ?

Worms are a constant pest to the horse, who
suffers from several varieties of them. Bots,
which are the grubs of the Gadfly, do not seem to
have a very prejudicial effect on him. They are

MINOR DISEASES 155

voided just before their transformation, in the
ordinary course of things. Perhaps a dose of
physic may expedite matters and in that case

1 should prefer hnseed oil.

The long round worms with which horses are
frequently troubled and which are sometimes 12
inches long and the small active worm found in
great numbers in the large intestines and rectum
do the horse serious harm. He becomes staring
and rough in his coat, loses his flesh, and some-
times suffers from a cough or gripes or both.
There are many well-known remedies. I will
merely give the one I used myself as it was a very
simple one. I gave the horse a bran mash, then
fasted him twelve hours — I have been told that a
twenty-four hours' fast is better, and I can quite
believe it — and gave him a couple of ounces of
spirits of turpentine in a pint of linseed oil.

Some horses suffer considerably from Colic,
w^hich if not a very dangerous, is at any rate a
very distressing complaint whilst it lasts. The
symptoms are easily recognised. The horse paws
with a fore foot, ' cow kicks ' his belly, looks
round at his flank and occasionally when the pain
is very severe he will throw himself on to the
ground. In the intervals when he is free from
pain he will even eat. It affords him some relief
to walk him about and to rub his belly. A
remedy recommended by Capt. Hayes is a
drench composed of Laudanum 2 oz.. Turpentine

2 oz.. Linseed oil i| pints. If memory serves,
I used to give laudanum and linseed oil without

156 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the turpentine, but I should think the turpentine
an improvement.

It requires careful observation to distinguish
colic from enteritis or inflammation of the bowels
which is a very serious matter indeed. In
enteritis there is no painless interval. Colic
comes on suddenly, whilst the approach of enteritis
is gradual. Exercise and rubbing of the stomach
only serve to increase the pain in enteritis. Pro-
fessional help must be obtained without the
least delay, for enteritis works quickly. Until
the veterinary surgeon arrives the horse's belly
may be fomented with as hot water as can be
borne and a drink consisting of 2 teaspoonfuls
of bicarbonate of soda, and a tablespoonful of
common salt in a pint of warm water may be given
every hour till the veterinary surgeon arrives.

Occasionally horses require a dose of physic
and aloes is generally given. In my younger
days stiff doses were given but now I am glad to
say moderation prevails. Ordinarily if the horse
is well prepared 4 drs. will be found sufficient.

Two hints may be given about blistering
which by the way is nothing like so rife as it was
not so very many years ago. At one time there
were some grooms who always had either a bottle
or a box of blister ointment in their pockets and
every stable window was littered with them.
Happily people take a more common-sense view
now-a-days.

But still it seems necessary to point out that
a place should never be bhstered till the heat is

MINOR DISEASES 157

out of it, for to put one inflammation on the top
of another is nothing less than sheer imbecihty.
Another hint is to the effect that bhster of what-
ever kind has a trick of ' running/ and that unless
great precaution is taken it is quite possible that
considerable unnecessary suffering may be caused
to the horse by blistering a tender place — the
heels for example — which does not require it. In
all cases where blister is hkely to ' run ' the
neighbouring parts should have zinc ointment,
cold cream or something of the sort well rubbed
in before ever the blister is used.

THE SADDLE ROOM

THE saddle room ma}^ be said to give the
character to an estabhshment. If the
saddle room is clean, tidy and well ordered
it is safe to conclude that the stable is well
managed. A slovenly man will have his saddle
room in a continual uproar ; everything higgledy-
piggledy, and in its wrong place.

In large establishments there are frequently
two or even more saddle rooms as well as
capacious wash houses for the cleaning and pre-
liminary drying of saddles, bridles and harness.
But practically all saddle rooms should be on the
same general principles. One sometimes sees
in a small establishment something like a closet
a few feet square, with a small stove stuck in a
corner, which is dignified by the name of saddle
room. As a general rule — and especially in the
country where there is usually plenty of available
room — there is no necessity for these cramped
closets which are economically a mistake.

The saddle room should be convenient to the
stables and it is all the better if it can be so
arranged that there is a passage connecting them.
That there should be plenty of room I have already
insisted upon. It should also be well lighted.

THE SADDLE ROOM 159

and dry ; and care should be taken to have it
well lighted at night, for in winter time a great
deal of very necessary work has to be done after
dark. A man cleaning dirty hunting tackle by
the darkness visible given off by a tallow candle
is deeply to be sympathized with.

It has been said that concrete makes the best
saddle room floor. Perhaps it does and a con-
crete floor has two advantages, first it is dry, and
secondly no vermin can get through it. Person-
ally however I do not like it so well as boards
which always show when they have been well
scrubbed. Cocoanut matting may be laid over
the saddle room floor when the work is done, and
gives a nice ' finish ' to it.

Some people advocate stoves instead of fire-
places and perhaps the heat is more equably
distributed by them. But provided too big a
fire is not kept up — excessive heat being destruc-
tive to leather — I prefer the open fireplace.
More articles can be ' aired off ' round a stove
than in front of a fire, but for all that I hke the
look of an open fireplace best. In some saddle
rooms I have been in there is a boiler attached to
the fireplace. This plan I do not like ; there is
sure to be some escape of steam and a saddle
room is a place in which water should never be
boiled. A very small quantity of steam escaping
into a room will affect the sensitive surface of
burnished steel.

A place for everything and everything in its
place is the motto for saddle room and stable.

i6o THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Not only docs it look bad, but in the long run
it is highly injurious to saddlery, for the various
articles to be stuck about in any corner until
wanted. I remember visiting one establish-
ment where on the saddle rack one saddle was
piled on the top of another, there to remain until
required. Needless to say those saddles were
not in a very satisfactory condition.

vSaddle racks enough for all the saddles of the
establishment are an absolute necessity. I have
seen saddle racks which would hold three or four
saddles one behind the other. At each end of
these saddle racks were legs which turned under
them on a hinge and could be fastened back.
These saddle racks were suspended from the
ceihng with pulleys. When lowered the legs were
turned down and they made a good saddle stand.
With all their advantages, and they are many, I
cannot say that I care much for them. Certainly
they ensure the panels of the saddles being
thoroughly dried and aired and when they are
swung up to the ceiling they are nicely out of the
way. But when used as a saddle stand they
seemed to me clumsy and inconvenient and they
occupy far more space than is necessary. I prefer
iron to wood for saddle racks as with iron there
is better ventilation. It is well that the saddle
racks should be placed where the reflection of the
fire is on them and they should be in such a place
that the saddles can easily be inspected which
should be done periodically and frequently.
Saddles should always be thoroughly dried before

THE SADDLE ROOM i6i

being put in their places, and when dry, should be
well beaten and brushed, care being taken that
the stuffing has not worked into lumps. If there
is a small lump in the stuffing it can easily be
broken up by using the saddler's awl.

The saddles room should be panelled or lined
with match boarding from floor to ceiling and
glass cases should be provided for the bridles and
also for stirrups, spurs etc. The atmosphere and
dust both have a bad effect on burnished steel.
There will also be about any saddle room spare
stirrups and bridles which are not in use. These
are best placed in a box amongst quicklime.
This will preserve them from rust, and indeed they
will come out of the box in a better state than
when they were put into it.

The horse clothing should be kept in a large
wardrobe, or wardrobes if the establishment is a
large one. Each horse will require two sets of
sheets — one for nights and one for days. He
will also require a suit for exercising, and knee-
caps for travelling. With respect to the latter
it is as well to insist that they should be worn
always when at exercise. Many grooms are
inexpert horsemen, though they would be very
indignant if they were told so ; and an accident
easily happens in the hands of an inexpert horse-
man. It is needless to dwell on the annoyance
which the broken knees of a favourite cause, and
especially when prevention was at hand in the
shape of knee-caps. Grooms do not like exercis-
ing in knee-caps and will avoid putting them on if
II

i62 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

possible. At any rate many of them will . The first
time the master sees his instructions in this matter
disobeyed he should speak in no uncertain manner
about it. It is only by the display of firmness
that he will ensure obedience in those little things
which do not seem so much in themselves but
the neglect of which has often serious conse-
quences. The fitting up of the saddle room
with saddles, bridles, and harness requires great
care or there may be a considerable amount of
money wasted. The tendency of a beginner is to
buy a good few things he does not want or which,
when he has had them a short time, he will
throw aside as useless. So when a man is be-
ginning as a horse owner he will do well to buy
his saddlery as he wants it ; he will soon get to
know what he requires. But he will do well
not to listen too much to his groom. Grooms
frequently have a way of buying many un-
necessary things when their masters have to pay
for them.

Exercising saddles and bridles and leading
bridles will be necessary. An old saddle will do
well for exercising and it is cheaper and better
to buy a useful second-hand saddle for this
purpose than to buy a common cheap one. For
though the exercising saddle will seldom be worn
without a rug underneath it and though the
horse is never likely to sweat hard when he wears
it, it is just as well to have it an approximately
good fit. I say approximately for reasons which
will hereafter appear. A thick plain smooth

THE SADDLE ROOM 163

snaffle without cheeks will do very well to exercise
most horses in, for unless under the exceptional
circumstances of a long rest and too high keeping
horses are generally quiet enough at exercise.
Still it must be borne in mind that it is impossible
to lay down any hard-and-fast rule about the
bitting of individual horses. He who is respon-
sible for the horse's well-being must be guided by
circumstances.

With the ordinary leading bridle every one is
familiar, and it should not be necessary to
emphasise the fact that when anything 'plays
up ' at exercise it is generally the led horse that
is the ringleader and does most mischief. If he
' plays up ' in earnest and he can get his head out
one of two things must happen, either his rider
will be pulled out of the saddle, or he will get
away. But if his head is kept turned slightly
towards the man who is riding him he is no longer
master of the situation. This is easily managed
by buckhng a side rein on to the bit and on to a
buckle specially placed for it half-way down the
roller. The horse can then easily be kept under
control. But it is needless to point out that it is
no use having these appliances unless they are
used.

Bridles should be neat and there should not
be a scrap of superfluous leather about them.
The less there is on a horse's head the better.
They may be broadly divided into single and
double reined bridles, the single reined ones being
chiefly snaffles. To ride a horse in a single curb

i64 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

requires exceptionally fine hands and it is very
seldom done now-a-days. The double reined
bridles consist of curb and bridoon ; a double
reined plain snaffle, which is sometimes used ; and a
snaffle with a gag.

The component parts of a bridle are the head-
stall, browband, reins, and throat latch. Some-
times a noseband is added. The headstall should
not be too heavy, and it should be well pro-
portioned ; by which I mean that though there
will necessarily be buckles at each side to admit
of it being let out or taken up according to the
length of the horse's head, these buckles should
only be used to a limited extent. A bridle that
is all ' strap and buckle ' at the sides is very

The browband should be of the same colour
and material as the bridle. A coloured brow-
band is very vulgar. The throat latch should
be a reasonable length and care should be taken
in fastening it that it is not drawn too tight and
yet is tight enough to prevent the bridle being
pulled off in case of a fall. A man feels sufficiently
awkw^ard when he is left with his bridle in his hand
and sees his horse careering gaily away in the
distance.

Never use a noseband on a horse unless he
really requires one. It is a sound axiom which
cannot be too strongly impressed upon the
reader that the correct taste in everything apper-
taining to horse furniture is severe. The nose-
band is to keep the horse's upper and lower jaws

THE SADDLE ROOM 165

together ; and so makes him bend his neck
properly. If he only yields to the bit with his
lower jaw of course he does not bend his neck
as he should do, he is also able to move the curb
bit about in his mouth, and from this combination
of circumstances the rider has not the control he
should have.

The ordinary noseband is a broadish strap
which passes over the horse's nose and under his
jaw, being attached to the headstall by loops on
it. The Cavesson noseband has the noseband
attached to a separate heado It has its advan-
tages and is perhaps the best in the long run.
There are other two nosebands of special make,
viz., Gillard's noseband and the Bucephalus nose-
band. The former is a double noseband — one
in front of the bit and one in the ordinary place.
Of course the noseband can be made to work
much lower down by this arrangement. The
Bucephalus noseband has the ends underneath
the horse's jaw loose. They are crossed and
attached by means of spring hooks to the top
eyes of the curb bit. I have never used the
Gillard noseband ; the Bucephalus noseband I
have. With a very hard puller it has no doubt
a good effect at first, but I think it is apt to make
a horse ' lean ' very much on the rider's hand.
At any rate I did not use mine very long and I
think if it were to come to a choice I would
rather part with a horse that could not be ridden
without a Bucephalus noseband than buy one to
ride him in.

i66 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

The reins should be broad, of the best of
leather and not too thick. About fths of an
inch is a good breadth. It used to be the fashion
at one time to have the curb rein a little narrower
than the snaffle, and it was urged that this
enabled the rider to distinguish more readily
which rein he was using. Both reins should
be of the same width, and the man who cannot
distinguish between the feel of a snaffle and a curb
in a horse's mouth had better not use a double
reined bridle. It is a good plan to have the ends
of the reins laced to prevent them slipping in the
hand. It makes rather a bigger ' handful ' it is
true, but not sufficient to be of any importance.
The reins should not be too long as they are apt
to get in the way. There should be a buckle and
strap at the end of each rein, so that the reins
may be put through the rings of the martingale
if necessary. In many bridles the buckle is only
found on the snaffle rein but that is a mistake,
for occasionally it is advisable to attach the
martingale to the curb rein. All reins and
headstalls should be sewn on to the bits. Buckles
and spring hooks look bad ; they are an incen-
tive to idleness, inasmuch as the bits, when easily
detached, are thrown into a bucket and left till
some convenient season to be cleaned, which is
not conducive to their well-being ; and moreover
they are apt to get fastened on to the martingale
rings. If buckles or spring hooks are used it is
imperative that ' stops ' should be put on the
reins to prevent the martingale rings getting over

THE SADDLE ROOM 167

them, and it is not unknown for these very
necessary articles to be ' quite forgotten/

As Solomon said of books so may it be said
of bits : '' Of making them there is no end."
Speaking of them Major A. T. Fisher says very
pertinently : '' No woman in a milHner's shop is
more tempted to buy what she does not want
than is a man in that of a saddler. Therefore do
not go and buy everything and anything which
may be the latest invention, especially in the way
of bits.'' Which is thoroughly sound advice, for
the fewer and simpler the bits about a place the
better.

The simplest bit is a plain snaffle, and it is also
the easiest for the horse. In a banking country
it is also the safest bit to ride in — if the horse can
be held in it. In all cases where a single snaffle is
used the noseband put on low down is absolutely
indispensable.

There are many different kinds of snaffle of
which I prefer the plain unjointed or half moon
snaffle. The ordinary jointed snaffle perhaps
comes next. The double-jointed snaffle and the
twisted snaffle, though some people make a great
fuss about them, I do not care for ; neither should
I advise the reader to use a double - mouthed
snaffle. This latter is an ingenious instrument of
torture. There are two mouthpieces each of
which is jointed about a couple of inches from
the cheek. The two mouthpieces are kept
separate by a steel ring about | inch in depth
and the joints in the bits are at opposite sides. It

i68 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

is a very severe bit and should never be used with
a noseband.

Then there is the double-ringed snaffle, another
severe bit which should only be used by a man
with superlatively light hands, and the gag
snaffle which is generally used for horses that
bore or that are given to buckjumping. The gag
snaffle has two reins, one attached to the bridle
in the usual way, the other with a separate head
passing through holes in projections from the
rings. When this is pulled it forces the snaffle
into the corners of the horse's mouth and he must
hold his head up. I cannot say I care for any
snaffle except the halfmoon snaffle or the ordinary
jointed one, and it may be put down as a sound
principle that if a horse does not go pleasantly in
either of these he had better be ridden in a light
curb.

There is a kind of compromise between the
snaffle and the curb and bridoon, to wit the
Pelham. It is a bit which acts either as curb or
snaffle. It has rings at the side of the bit and
also at the bottom of the cheek. There are many
varieties of Pelham, from the plain halfmoon
Pelham or jointed Pelham to the Hanoverian, a
wonderful arrangement of rings and hinges with
a very high port. At one time or another I have
ridden in most of them, and I have not the
slightest wish ever to ride in another. In fact
since I have ridden my own horses I do not think
I have ridden in one half a dozen times and then
they were on some one else's horses. Major

THE SADDLE ROOM 169

Fisher speaks highly of them and says that in
what they are criticised for — namely being
neither curb nor snaffle — lies their great merit,
and that they are excellent for thoroughbred
horses that pull a little too much for a snaffle.
Curiously it was with a thoroughbred horse that
I had my principal experience with Pelhams.
My uncle was great on bits and bitting and the
fiat went out that the horse in question was to be
ridden in a jointed Pelham. I rode him for
some time in a jointed Pelham, and I was satisfied
that it made his mouth dead. So one day I put
a heavy plain snaffle and noseband on him, and
got well blown up, and told that he would run
away with me. Luckily for me hounds found
and a fast forty-five minutes of which I had by no
means the worst put a new complexion on things.

My advice then is have no place for a
Pelham in your saddle room ; your horse will
go all right in a snaffle if his mouth is too light
for a very light curb, which is scarcely likely to
be the case.

The wonderful curb bits that one sees in a
saddler's shop are most bewildering and I am
not going to attempt to enumerate more than a
fraction of them. Chifney bits and Segundo
bits are scarcely ever seen now-a-days, though I
remember the day when I had to use the Segundo,
which is a bit with a high movable port and
movable cheeks. I never liked it and when I
I could choose my ovv^n bridles I always selected
a simple bit, a plan which I recommend to my

170 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

readers, who may be sure that as a rule it depends
much more on what is at the other end of the
bridle than on what is in his mouth, as to how a
horse carries himself. The Gridiron bit is how-
ever sometimes very useful as some horses have
a nasty habit of getting their tongues over the bit,
and the Gridiron prevents that. There is how-
ever an American tongue lolling bit of which
I have seen an illustration, which seems to me
likely to answer the same purpose and which does
not seem so severe.

Simplicity is the thing to aim at when bitting
horses ; and the owner who is fitting up his
saddle room will do well to bear in mind the wise
creed of a Yorkshireman who was master of the
Old Surrey. '' I believe in hands, not iron-
mongery," said this fine sportsman. The short-
cheeked curb with a good thick bridoon will be
found quite sufficient for the ordinary hunter or
saddle horse. The mouthpiece of the bit and
also the bridoon should be thick, but avoid a
high port hke the plague. It may safely be said
that there is not one man in a score whose hands
are light enough for him to use a bit with a high
port to advantage. A good nieasurement for
an ordinary hunting bridle is from the lower end
of the mouthpiece to the top eye, if to i^ inches,
and from the mouthpiece to the bottom of the
cheek 3 inches to 3 J inches. Some horses that
have not a very light mouth will require a longer
cheek, but there is a place to stop at in the length
of the cheeks of curbs, as if they are too long

THE SADDLE ROOM 171

they are apt to come in contact with the ground
in case of a fall and thus by pushing the bit up
into the horse's mouth cause him sudden pain
such as may bring about serious trouble to his
rider or himself or both.^ So that if a horse
pulls so hard that it comes to the choice of two
evils, it would perhaps be better to have a higher
port rather than a longer cheek to the bit, as the
lesser of the two. Capt. Hayes tells us that a
port must be at least 2^ inches high before it has
any effect upon a horse's palate, but that he
himself never felt any benefit from a bit with a
higher port than the ordinary ' Melton ' port, and
my experience is the same as his. Some men
however swear by the high port, but it is not so
much used as it was.

Some years ago the Ben Morgan bit was very
popular, and you could scarcely enter the saddle
room of a hunting man without coming across
two or three of them. It is shaped like a half-
moon bit but with the curve downwards. It is
not a severe bit but it answers well with an
ordinary puller, for the mouthpiece being low
down in the horse's mouth causes him to reach
for it and so distracts his attention from pulling.
The drawback is that the bit tempts a horse to
bore, and most horses ridden regularly in it have
this unpleasant habit.

^ The only fall the Caesarean mare I have spoken of ever gave any
of us was when my uncle was riding her on the moors. She jumped
into a bog over a big wall, and the long-cheeked curb in which she had
to be ridden, alighting on a stone, broke into three pieces and caused
her to hurt her rider.

172 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

It may be said generally of all the bits of
various fashion which have been invented for
the special benefit of pullers that they answer
well at first but that after a time horses find
out some ' defence ' against them which counter-
acts any good effect they may have had. Bad
hands make most pullers and a man with good
hands can generally ride a puller in an ordinary
bit without much trouble. '' Hands rather than
ironmongery '' is an argument that always holds
good in the bitting of horses.

A capital bit for a horse that has a bad one-
sided mouth is the invention of Lord Lonsdale
and is made by Messrs. Champion & Wilton,
Oxford Street. It is a snaffle jointed in the
middle, one-half of which is twisted and the
other plain with a crank at the corner. It is
used by putting the crank part to the hard side
of the horse's mouth. That is put the light side
of the bit to the hard side of the mouth. This
looks ' contrary,' but crede experto.

Martingales and breastplates call for little
notice. Both are better done without if it is
possible. At one time it was de rigiieur to wear
a breastplate out hunting, but nothing draws
attention to a horse having bad shoulders sooner
than a breastplate and unless in a very hilly
country, where of course they are necessary, they
should never be used.

Martingales are of two kinds, with variations
of each. These are the standing martingale and
the running martingale. The standing martingale

THE SADDLE ROOM 173

is either attached to a noseband, or to the rings
of the snaffle. The latter plan is preferable as
giving more power over the horse. The object
of the standing martingale is to prevent a horse
throwing his head about, or stretching it out too
far. I do not like it for cross-country work
though I have occasionally used it on horses
which were not very easy to manage. But not-
withstanding Mr. J. H. Moore's high opinion of it,
and the fact that many chasers — including the
well-known Scots Grey, could not be kept straight
without its means, I do not hke it in the hunting
field. The running martingale has a good effect
in making the horse bend and turn easily in his
canter or gallop. It is generally worn rather too
long to have much effect upon the place in which
he carries his head. Sometimes the martingale
is attached to the curb rein and I like it there
myself when the object of using the martingale is
to make a horse bend and carry his head properly.
When this is the object the martingale should be
short, and the horse ridden well up into his bit.
He will soon drop his head to the hand. Of
course a short martingale is a source of danger in
the hunting field.

Of spurs all that need be said is that long
necks and long sharp rowels are to be avoided.
Many men tear their horses needlessly because
they will wear these absurd spurs. Spurs with
necks three inches long or approaching thereto
are very ugly and they remind one of Mr. Spongers
remarks about the '' bossiest man on foot and

174 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the footiest man on hossback," especially if you
see the horse well marked high up on his sides as
you often will.

Saddles and their component parts next call
for attention. These are girths, stirrups, and
stirrup leathers.

Girths are to keep the saddle in its place and
are made of wool, leather or cotton. Wool is
perhaps to be preferred but I have used all kinds
of girths and do not remember ever to have had
any trouble with girth galls. Personally I like
leather girths, but if they are used they must be
kept soft and pliable, and frequently oiled. I
have long used a patent leather girth made by
Pulvermacher & Co., Pontefract, and it answers
well. Great care should be exercised in girthing
a horse up, and I am of opinion that more girth
galls are due to negligence in this respect than to
the material of which the girths are made. One
broad girth is to be preferred to two narrow ones
and a very favourite girth is the Fitzwilliam,
which looks well and keeps its place admirably.

Stirrup leathers should always be of the best
leather, strong and at the same time pliable.
They are easily adjusted and it is a good plan to
have the holes fairly close together, as on a long
hard day considerable relief is experienced by
altering the length of the stirrup leather a trifle.
There are several clever patent contrivances to
avoid hanging on the stirrup, none of which I like
though I have tried several. '' Can't you manage
to fall off without help ? " that good sportsman

THE SADDLE ROOM 175

Mr. Thomas Parrington asked me one day when
he saw a new and very ingenious saddle bar in
my saddle room. I spoke in favour of the con-
trivance, but the very next time I rode v/ith it
I had to put my foot out of the stirrup to avoid
a stump in the fence. As I galloped on I could
not regain my stirrup, so I looked for it and saw
it was not there. Unknown to me it had been
pulled off as I jumped the last fence, and I had
to ride back for it. I missed the run and threw
away the patent bars at the very first opportunity.
The fact is that if a man rides with the springs of
his ordinary spring bars back and with a properly
shaped stirrup he does not run much risk of being
hung up.

Stirrups are either * round legged,' as they are
termed, or they have flat sides running about a
third of the distance from the sole to the top of
the stirrup. Sometimes these are very wide.
They are smart and are very comfortable to the
horseman, but they are by no means safe ; for
if a horse falls there is the possibility of the side
of the spur forming an angle with the side of the
stirrup, in which case the rider is as fast as if he
was padlocked to the stirrup until the angle is
quite changed. It is a very difficult thing to
describe the exact action which takes place with
the contact of the tw^o metals ; but I can assure
the reader it is an extremely unpleasant pre-
dicament to be placed in and that one's thoughts
are more occupied with trying to get out of it
than with seeking a scientific explanation of a

176 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

very curious phenomenon. The only time I was
ever hung up, it was in this way. I was riding
a very good mare belonging to a friend. She
was a good bold jumper especially at water, so
I let her go at a wide brook which she cleared
beautifully. But unfortunately it was greasy
on the landing side owing to a little frost, and she
slipped on to her side. The result was that my
spur and the stirrup came in contact as I have
attempted to describe and there I was till I was
released. Luckily for me I kept hold of the
reins, and the mare behaved well though I would
not have trusted her if she could have got her
head round.

Always have a good ' tread ' in the stirrups.
A narrow ' tread ' will be found very tiring.
Whether it is hollow or solid is a matter of taste.

We now come to the saddle itself. If you would
avoid sore backs, and especially if you are a heavy-
weight, let every hunter in your stable have his
own saddle. Let him be measured for it ; and
quite as important as the saddle fitting the horse,
is the saddle fitting the man or the woman who
has to ride upon it. So he or she should be
measured as well.

Should it be inconvenient to visit the saddler
the purchaser should send his weight and height
to the saddler who will from such information
be able to make an approximately good fit for his
customer, but he cannot, from this, make a perfect
fit. How for instance can he learn whether a
man has long flat thighs or short and rather round

THE SADDLE ROOM 177

ones ? Comfort in riding depends greatly on
the thighs finding their proper place in the saddle.
So be measured for your saddle. The lady sits
her whole length on the side saddle so measure-
ment from the knee to the hip is essential.

A lady's saddle should not be too long for her.
Not only does it add to the weight, but unless it
is used on a long-backed horse it comes too far
back on the quarters and so causes friction and —
sore back. The side saddle should be just long
enough to be comfortable.

The side saddle is perfectly safe, and there
can be no question of hanging in the stirrup
with a safety bar, and of these I like Wilton's.
So long as the rider is on the saddle her left leg
keeps down the flap that locks the bar, but as
soon as she leaves the saddle her weight in the
stirrup raises the lever and unlocks and releases
the stirrup leather.

Much of what has been said about saddlery
applies equally to harness. Harness should
never be heavily ornamented. The less decora-
tion the better. I remember a well-known
master of hounds remarking on a pair of stylish
harness horses literally covered with silver mount-
ings and with the crest on every available place :
'' Very, very pretty, but oh how vulgar ! " ^ So
it is good taste to be sparing of decorations on
harness as well as to put no more harness on the

^ Curiously this wholesale loading of harness with ornament is a
survival of the amulets used as a protection against the Evil Eye.
The Neapolitan cabmen use them largely or did till very lately.

178 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

horse than is absolutely necessary. Either brass
or silver-plated mountings are advisable — per-
sonally I prefer brass. The harness should fit
the horse exactly or you will have a lot of trouble
with sore shoulders and backs, which are a cease-
less cause of annoyance with ill-fitting harness.

The Coach House should be handy to the
saddle room — and should be dry and airy. There
should be a good stove in it which should be lit
in damp weather, and care should be taken to
keep the coach house well aired in fine weather.
It is a good plan to run the carriages out on a fine
clear day, taking care that they are not placed
in too hot a sun. They should also be occasionally
polished with a wash-leather when they are not
in constant use.

Unless it is very late when the carriage comes
in it should be cleaned then and there. Dirt
should never be allowed to dry on the harness.
It is only a few minutes' work to take the rough
dirt off ; and it is always time saved to get work
done when it requires doing instead of putting it
on one side for a more convenient occasion.

HORSEMANSHIP— ON LEARNING TO RIDE

THERE is nothing more difficult of attain-
ment than perfection in the Art of Horse-
manship ; and strangely enough there
is nothing which is taught in so perfunctory a
manner. Indeed it is only a compliment to call
it teaching. In the majority of cases this is
something like what happens. A child has a
pony bought for him ; he or she is put on the
pony ; a groom is sent out to look after the
child or children, and so it goes on till the time
arrives for the pony to be given up and for the
budding horseman or horsew^oman to make their
appearance in a wider sphere of activity. Then
they are put on to a confidential old horse who is
probably as full of tricks as any monkey, and this
tends to confirm many bad habits they have
acquired and to teach them new ones.

The first horse I was put on to was the grey
mare I have already spoken of more than once,
and this was something like the admonition I got :
'' The old mare won't refuse ; see you don't fall
off." She was about the worst horse that a
beginner could have been put on, except a per-
sistent refuser, for her neck was what dealers call

* the wrong way up,' or in other words she had a

179

i8o THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

pronounced ewe neck, and she had a mouth hke
adamant. Then though a fine jumper she bucked
over her fences, and so was difficult to sit. The
combination of bucking and pulhng of course
taught the bad habit of ' holding on by the
bridle.' The old mare did not mind it, not she.
She was always ready for a good steady pull, and
she never attempted to bolt or run away, and in
all the 3^ears she was hunted and notwithstanding
the many ' duffers ' who rode her, she only fell
once, when she landed into a bog ^ after jumping
a stone wall. She looked very astonished when
she shook herself after she got up.

I have gone into particulars about this mare
because notwithstanding her good points, and
she had many, she was absolutely one of the
worst that a beginner could be put on to. She
gave him a liberal idea of what a horse can do in
the way of jumping but that is about all that can
be said for her, and when he had had a couple of
seasons on her he was completely at fault if the
horse he was riding did not pull like original sin.

The result was that horses that had no pulling
about them were taught to pull and more than
one good horse was spoiled before those who
learned their hunting on the old mare tumbled
into being passable horsemen.

The best horse a beginner can be mounted on
when he first goes into the hunting field full of
ambition and high hope is a clever ' slug.' A
slug that will not refuse, and that is a good steady

* See page 171, note.

HORSEMANSHIP i8i

jumper inspires confidence in a way which no
other horse will do. What is called a sharp
horse may, and probably will ' upset ' a tyro
more or less and teach him to catch hold of his
bridle and many other undesirable tricks. With
the slug he has plenty of time to remember what he
ought to do, and by the time he has earned his
promotion he will do by instinct those things
which he at first has to think about. In a word
he will be on the high road to being a horseman.

It must not be understood that there were no
criticisms or admonitions for our very serious
blunders. '' Why did you do ? " or '' You should
have done " were constantly dinned into our
ears. I remember very well the first ' gallop '
I rode on a well-bred mare with a light mouth. I
enjoyed myself immensely ; she was the fastest
horse I had ever been on, and pace appealed to
me, even as a young lad. But, hke everyone else,
I had my skeleton. It was in the person of the
groom who was riding alongside me and who
kept shouting out '' You'll tumble off, as sure as
sure, if you ride like that.'' I felt all right and
did not know till long after what I was doing
wrong. The groom was a good horseman, but he
could impart nothing.

A story told by the famous Duke of New-
castle is worth repeating in this connexion.
'' Mr. Germain," says the Duke, '' a Fine Gentle-
man, and|the Best Scholler Du Plessis had in all
his Academy, Knew well the Difficulty of Riding
a Ready Horse : For, to Perswade him to Ride

i82 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

one of Mine, which he would not Do ; I told him,
If you will but Sit Still, I warrant you the
Horse will go well with you. But a Man (said he,
with a great oath) cannot Sit Still. Which was
said Knowingly, and like a Horse-man ; for, to
sit still, belongs only to a Great Master."

And so the things we were told to do and
avoid, as the Duke told Mr. Germain to sit still,
were impossible of attainment for us ; it was
simply as if we had been listening to someone
talking in a strange language.

When one comes to think of it, the wonder is
that we have so many good horsemen, when the
majority of them are untrained, and it certainly
shows that there is a considerable amount of
pluck in those who attain to proficient horseman-
ship in this way, as well as indomitable perse-
verance. Someone, parodying Danton's famous
** Uaudace, Faudace, et toujours I'audace," once
said that Horsemanship is nerve, nerve, and above
all things, nerve. There is something in it, but
it is not correct. Perhaps the opposite, namely
that without nerve there can be no horsemanship,
is nearer the mark, though I have known good
horsemen whose strong point was certainly not
their nerve. ^

But undoubtedly there are a number of very
fine horsemen who have found out for themselves
many of the principles which are taught in the

^ They might have had nerve at one time. I knew one gentleman,
a brilliant horseman, who was a very hard man for 07te season only.
Why he gave up riding hard could never be made out.

HORSEMANSHIP 183

manege. And curiously enough amongst these
gentlemen you generally find school riding
looked upon with scorn. Their idea is that you
may show a lad how to hold his reins and to get
into his saddle, but he has got to stop there of
his own effort, and whatever there is of horseman-
ship to learn afterwards it will all come by ex-
perience, which being translated means by
tumbling about as the speakers have done.
They despise the manege as so much circus work,
in which they are wrong. I shall have more to
say about this later on.

I have shown how difficult it is for the
ordinary well-qualified horseman, with his ' do
this ' and ' don't do the other,' to teach a beginner
the Noble Art of Horsemanship. Surely it is not
necessary then to insist on the difficulties of
teaching it in a Book. It is indeed impossible to
teach horsemanship in a book, though many
valuable hints are to be found in the books that
have been written on the subject.

It has always been somewhat of a mystery to
me that many people should think, as apparently
they do, that grooms are necessarily good riders.
As a matter of fact, and as a class, they are bad
horsemen. The attribute which they possess in
the most marked degree is nerve. A strong seat
and light hands are seldom found amongst them.
Nor is this to be wondered at ; the opportunities
of the majority of them are few and in many
cases are non-existent. A man cannot learn
much about horsemanship when his riding^^is

i84 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

confined to exercising hunters or harness horses
in streets or by-lanes.

Yet somehow in a great many cases grooms are
entrusted with the most important of duties,
teaching the youngsters of the family to ride.
Where there is a stud groom at the head of a large
establishment he generally knows plenty about
riding to teach the rudiments himself, or to select
a man from his staff who is thoroughly capable.
But there are many horse owners who have had
little or no experience with horses until they are
middle aged. They may be broadly divided into
two classes : the man who knows it all, who
blusters and talks horse and can tell any expert
however accomplished how to manage his horses
in the stable and the field ; and the man who,
though he may talk a little ' horse ' in a tentative
manner amongst his intimates, stands in great
awe of his groom, especially if that groom has
lived in what men of his class call ' good place.'

If a man would have his children ride well the
sooner he puts them under an efficient Riding
Master the better. Opportunity however does
not always present itself and little children are
scarcely wanted in a Riding School, so necessarily
some work has to be done at home to inspire the
youngster with confidence.

A child's pony of the right sort is invaluable
and in buying one care should be taken that he is
not too wide. A pony had better be rather narrow
on his withers than go to the other extreme, as
if he is the boy is more likely to drop into his

HORSEMANSHIP 185

correct seat from the first. It is always better
if this happens, as it makes less to unlearn.

A great point in teaching young children to
ride is to inspire them with confidence — confi-
dence in their teacher, confidence in their pony
and confidence in themselves. That will form
a foundation on which to build up the perfect
horseman. At first, and so long as the child is
quite little, he may have stirrups. These should
always be box stirrups, as with them there is no
risk of being hung up. When he gets older and
stronger let him ride without stirrups; this will tend
to give him a very strong seat. At the same time
several valuable hints may be given to the learner
and it should be seen that he attends to them.
He should be made to sit upright, with his
shoulders slightly thrown back ; he should be told
to keep his hands down and his legs to his pony's
sides and his elbows to his own. Nothing looks
so bad as a man all ' h' elbows and legs ' as
Mr. Jorrocks has it. Then he must keep his
heels low. If these little hints are attended to
a foundation of good habits is laid and moreover
a sound beginning has been made in the art of
balancing, without being an adept at which no
man can become a horseman.

Never let your boy ride till he is tired, and
let him ride every day. Never let him ride a
donkey if you wish him to become a horseman.
Riding a donkey will give him bad hands and
teach him to hold on by the bridle.

And above all do not make a fuss over him

i86 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

when he has a fall. Insist on it that he is no
worse, and will be all right in a minute, and if he
has not been spoiled by molly-coddling he will not
disappoint you.

I know one gallant horseman who owes his
present brilliant position in a great measure to
the excellent manner in which he was brought up.
He was an only son and yet he was never spoiled.
'' I want my son to be a man " said his mother,
and he has fulfilled her hope. When he was
quite a young boy he was out hunting in rather
a big country. He rode well then and rode a good
pony. He also had a very liberal idea of its
leaping capabilities and now and then came down
in consequence. On the day in question hounds
were running hard and he sent the pony at a wide
brook with not very good banks and the result
was an awful cropper. His mother who jumped
the brook a little to his right caught the pony and
said '' Here you are, here's your pony, be quick
or we shall lose the run,'' and tears were in her
eyes though none in her voice as she spoke. And
the lad answered to her challenge though he must
have been a bit knocked about, and he saw the
end of the run, and when he was asked how he
felt said he would be all right to-morrow.

There are many men who may have had some
little experience of riding when lads and who
never have an opportunity of practice till perhaps
they are well on to the forties when, being able to
afford to keep a horse, their love for horses
returns to them in double force on account of

HORSEMANSHIP 187

their long enforced abstinence from a favourite
pursuit and they become the keenest of the keen.
All honour to them ! I have known some of their
number develop into creditable horsemen, and
enjoy their days in the saddle thoroughly.

To these gentlemen I would say go to a good
riding school certainly and go to one where you
are likely to be put on different horses. There
is nothing gives a man confidence like riding
different horses, and as soon as he can ride one
well the sooner he begins practising with another
the better. For this reason then he will be w^ll
advised if he prolongs his stay at the Riding
school.

Some years ago some young men whom I
knew were in the habit of meeting in the spring
of the year once a week or oftener at some ap-
pointed place and riding a round of some eight or
ten miles. They were principally young farmers
and all had good horses, generally four-year-olds.
Sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes as
many as five would forgather, and however many
there were, every horse was ridden by every man
before they parted for their respective homes.
The horses, it is needless to say, acquired excep-
tionally good manners and the men became good
horsemen. I am afraid one would look in vain
for such men now-a-days ; men in the same
rank in life would be o^ somewhere ' in these
degenerate days ' in a motor car or on a motor
bicycle.

When a man has gone through his Riding

i88 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

school experiences he will in all probability be a
better horseman than the ordinary man who has
come to what he is by ' rule of thumb.' But it
will depend in a great measure on himself whether
he remains so.

It is a truism that nothing requires so much
careful study as the Art of Riding. There is
something to learn every day, and it would
scarcely be too much to say that on the day when
a man is not learning something he is forgetting
something. When a man gets careless about
riding carelessness becomes a habit.

To see how careless men are as a rule, watch a
field of horsemen trotting along the road from
one covert to another and count how many are
riding their horses into their bridles, or in other
words have them properly balanced. Not more
than six or seven per cent, perhaps at the outside.
Then if a holloa is heard or hounds pick up a line
suddenly there are all kinds of confusion and before
the bulk of the field have got out of that road
there will be a select few a couple of fields on with
hounds, and they will be the men who had their
horses properly balanced and ready for any
emergency. If a man would be a horseman he
must give his mind to it thoroughly, and a few of
those things which require special attention will
next be considered.

I

A FEW HINTS

T must again be insisted upon that it is im-
possible to teach the art of Horsemanship
in a book. To begin with it is difficult to
describe many of the actions which go to make
up the Complete Horseman and it is even more
difficult to follow the instructions which the
writer intends to convey. To really learn im-
proved methods of horsemanship the horse is one
necessary and the presence of an instructor who
can tell the learner where he is wrong and make
him persevere till he is right is another. But a
few hints may be very useful for all that, and
those I am about to give are the result of practical
experience.

It may perhaps be thought that I am severe
in my criticisms on modern horsemanship, and I
frequently hear men called fine horsemen who do
not know even the rudiments of riding. Some
of them indeed have confidence enough to pre-
sume to teach others. These gentlemen will
continually be found finding fault with their
horses, coercing them, and pulHng them about,
than which there is no more certain sign of in-
different horsemanship. Another sign is allowing

a horse to slouch about as he likes.

189

igo THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

But on this subject let an old writer speak.
In a quaint little Book called Rules for Bad
Horsemen ^ the case is well put. '' There is in
this country, more than in any other, an almost
universal fondness for horses, and the exercise
of riding them, yet few, in comparison, out of this
multitude, make even tolerable horsemen, and a
still less number do the thing as it ought to
be done. 'Tis in vain that the generality of
persons endeavour to shift off this reproach
from themselves to their animals ; for the fre-
quent complaints we hear, of horses become
ungovernable or performing ill, generally arise
from the unskilfulness of the actual riders or
ill temper and unsteadiness of those who
have had the breaking in the individual so
depreciated."

A constant source of difficulty to the beginner
is the length of his stirrup leathers. When his
horse is standing still or merely walking the tyro
will probably have them unduly long — when the
horse is moving at a faster pace he is inclined
to place too much dependence on them. The
subject is an important one because on the
length of the stirrup leathers depends the
security of a man's seat. This is a question on
which there can be no hard-and-fast written rule,
but roughly an estimate may be formed of the
approximate length the stirrups ought to be by

1 My edition (1830) has additions by John Hinds. The book was
originally written by C. Thompson, and according to Mr. Hinds was
plentifully copied by John Lawrence and others.

A FEW HINTS 191

putting the finger tips on the bar and stretching
the arm to its full extent, at the same time
bringing the stirrup iron in the direction of the
armpit. When the sole of the stirrup iron
reaches the armpit with the stirrup leather taut
the latter will be about the correct length. I
would advise every man to accustom himself to ride
at different lengths ; he will find it ease him
very much when he has been many hours in the
saddle. I used to have the holes in my stirrup
leathers punched at half-inch intervals and some-
times rode a hole shorter and sometimes a hole
longer than m}^ usual length. In my young
days we were accustomed to hack long distances
to meet hounds, foxes were straighter running
then than they are now and there was generally
a long ride home at night. On those occasions
I used to ride a hole shorter than my usual
length on going to the fixture, and a hole longer
than my usual length — sometimes two — on
returning home. I am sure it is a relief to the
horse as well as to the rider.

Having got the length of the stirrup leather
fixed approximately the next thing to do is to
mount the horse. Take up the reins with the left
hand, taking care to keep them short, stand well
in front of the horse, put the stirrup on to the
left foot with the right hand, taking care that the
foot is well home in it, then take hold of the
cantle of the saddle with the right hand, and
swing the right leg over the horse's back, taking
care to get the knee and thigh into position as

192 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

soon as possible in case the saddle may be cold or
the horse a little frisky.

There are some men who attempt to mount
their horses from the side or even behind the
saddle. This is sure to lead to disaster if perse-
vered in. Only experience can make one be-
lieve how far a horse can reach when he ' cow
kicks.' In one respect the ordinary teaching of
mounting a horse is open to great improvement.
It will be noticed that I have spoken always
of mounting from the near side. The advantage
of being able to mount from both sides is too
obvious to need insistence. Yet I question
whether there is one man in a thousand out of
the hunting men of Great Britain who is
capable of mounting a horse expeditiously from
the off side. In all my experience I have not
met more than half a dozen men who were able to
do so, excepting of course hunt servants who are
generally ait fait in all those little plans to save
time.

There are one or two things about mounting
which one frequently sees neglected, even by men
of some experience. Occasionally perhaps they
are forgotten in the hurry. The first of these is
that the tackle is not thoroughly overlooked.
The groom should never be entirely trusted with
this very important duty. The man who has to
ride should examine thoroughly girths, leathers,
bridle and everything that the horse wears
before attempting to mount. I have seen a man
make a cursory examination after he has mounted.

A FEW HINTS 193

He may as well do nothing. The rider
should always avoid touching the horse with
either foot when mounting. That is the object
of putting the foot into stirrup with the right
hand. Many horses are made difficult to mount
by being touched with the left toe in the act of
mounting whilst others are irritated by the right
foot coming in contact with them as soon as
the rider is mounted. Never bend the right
knee when throwing the right leg over — keep
the leg perfectly straight, and when the knee
and thigh reach the saddle, draw the heel up
to its proper level and place the foot in the
stirrup.

There is no better definition of a correct seat
to be found than that given by Thompson in the
Book I have already quoted : —

*' To have a good seat, it is necessary the rider
should sit on that part of the horse, which, as he
springs in his paces, is the centre of motion;
and from which centre, of course, any weight
placed there would be with most difficulty
shaken by that motion. As we see exemplified
in the case of a board placed on a just balance,
the centre will always be most at rest, so the
true seat will be found in that part of the saddle
into which the rider's body would slide naturally,
were he to ride without stirrups ; and is only to
be preserved by a proper poise of the body, and
the adaptation thereof to the counteractions of
the horse, though the generality of riders imagine
13

194 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the thing is done by the grasp of the knees and
thighs."

In order to secure a good seat then it will be
seen that it is essential that the saddle shall fit
both horse and rider as has been previously in-
sisted upon, and when this is the case the rider
should drop into his seat naturally the moment
his leg is over the saddle. Nor should his
stirrups require much adjusting. When a rider
is seen constantly altering his stirrups it may
safely be inferred that amongst other things
which are not right, his saddle fits neither his
horse nor him.

Two kinds of seat should be carefully avoided.
Both unfortunately are too much seen. The
first of these is the forward seat, the rider sitting
more or less on his horse's neck and getting his
own head as near the latter's ears as he can.
A man who adopts this seat can have no proper
control over his horse. The other is sitting
right back, nearly on the cantle of the saddle,
with the feet thrust out in front of the horse's
shoulders, a seat that is tiring to the horse, very
conducive to sore backs, and apt to result in
spurring a horse in the shoulders.

When the rider is seated on the saddle the
first thing which calls for attention is the slope of
his thighs, for it must be insisted upon that any-
thing approaching a perpendicular position of
the thighs is wrong. It is necessarily impossible
to give the exact slope which they should take,

A FEW HINTS 195

but roughly speaking the short, round thighed
man should not ride with so much slope as the
man with the long flat thigh, or to put it in
another way the man with a short round thigh
must ride comparatively longer than the man
with a long flat one. The slope of the thigh and
the length of the stirrup leather should be finally
settled by the ability with which the rider is
enabled to reach the sides of the horse with the
lower part of his legs, for it is by these that he
controls the horse.

There is a very heterodox opinion abroad,
and one that one hears constantly when horse-
manship is the subject of discussion, that a man
should sit back. He should do nothing of the
kind. To ensure perfect balance the rider should
sit forward and lean back, leaning back that is
from the hips to the shoulders and he should
do this without altering the position of his thighs
and knees. When the rider has obtained that
perfect balance he is well on the way to becoming
an accomplished horseman.

In sitting on a horse there are several little
things to avoid. There should never be daylight
between the rider and the saddle. When there
is daylight between the saddle and the rider's
knees the rider is sitting incorrectly, turning his
toes out instead of turning them parallel to the
horse's sides. The grip on the saddle should
be with the thigh, knee and calf of the leg and
the strength of the seat will of course depend on
the amount of combined grip which the rider can

196 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

exert. Never ride in a slovenly style ; it is
far easier to acquire a bad habit than to get rid
of it.

The whole question of seat is so well eluci-
dated by Charles Thompson that I may perhaps
be pardoned if, following the example of John
Lawrence and others, I quote him m extenso on
the subject : —

'* Advancing the lower part of the body, and
bending back the upper part and shoulders, is the
only true method of keeping the seat as it is to
recover it when lost. In taking the flying leap,
this bending of the body, and that in a great
degree, is a great securit}^ for going over safe,
as it is in the standing leap. The horse's rising
does not try the rider's seat, but the lashing out
of his hind legs is what ought to be chiefly
guarded against ; and this is best done by the
body being greatly inclined backward. In this
endeavour to counteract his unruly efforts, do
not stiffen the legs or thighs, but let the body be
pliable at the loins, like unto the coachman's on
his box. This loose manner of sitting such
a horse, will elude his every adverse motion,
however roughly put in force ; whereas, the
fixture of the knees against his sides, that
manoeuvre which mistaken people commonly
lay great stress on, will, in great shocks, onty
conduce to the certainty and violence of the fall.

''By way of illustrating this last point— were
the cricket player, when he would catch the ball

A FEW HINTS 197

that is struck with great violence, and sent with
much velocity, to hold his hand firm and fixed
when he receives it, the hand would be bruised,
or the bones fractured probabl}^ by the resistance
offered. Therefore to obviate such an accident,
he gradually recedes his hand with the motion
of the ball for a certain distance, and thus, by the
due admixture of resistance and compliance, he
catches the ball without sustaining the least
injury. The case is exactly the same in riding
restless horses : the skilful horseman, on being
unseated, will recover his equipoise, by giving
way to the motion in some measure, whilst the
unskilful rider will be flung completely out of his
seat, b}^ such ill-assorted attempts to remain
fixed in it."

Of course this does not imply that the grip
of the knee and thigh are to be entirely relaxed.

The heels of riding boots should always be well
forward, and should be a little farther forward
at the outside than at the inside so as to aid in
giving the foot the correct angle to the horse's
sides ; the spurs should be so put on that the necks
are about at right angles with the leg of the boot.

A double-reined bridle is an awkward business
for the beginner and not infrequently he gets
the reins mixed up in a very curious way. I
believe the wa^^ I was taught to use them is such
as does not obtain amongst experts now-a-days,
but I have adopted it for many years, have
always found it to answer extremely well, and

198 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

as use is second nature as the old saying has it I
prefer it to any other method and still continue
to adopt it. So I shall give it here. The near-
side curb rein is placed outside the fourth finger
of the left hand ; then the near-side snaffle is
placed between the fourth and third fingers,
the far-side snaffle between the third and second
fingers, and the remaining rein between the second
and first fingers. The ends of the reins are then
turned up through the palm of the hand and placed
on the outside of the first finger, the thumb being
placed on them to keep them in place. Of
course when galloping it is desirable always to
have the reins in both hands but this is easily
managed. The late Harry Custance once told
me that I was holding my reins incorrectly.
Perhaps I was, but as I showed him I had perfect
control of my horse, and never got my reins
mixed up. And what more is necessary ? I
should add that this is an adaptation of the
military method which Capt. Hayes criticises as
being less secure than the plan he advocates, which
I will now proceed to give in his own words : —

'' The forefinger of, say, the left hand
separates the two off reins ; the third finger or
the little finger divides the two near ones, and
the reins are crossed in the palm of the hand as
with single reins. It is convenient to have the
reins on which we want to have the stronger pull,
on the outside. If the rider wishes to use only one
rein, he may hold it crossed in his hand, and may

A FEW HINTS 199

hook up the other on the middle finger, and let it
loose, or draw it up to a greater or less extent."

This may be, probably is a better plan than
the one I have previously described, and for this
reason. There is perhaps a slightly greater
tendency, when what for want of a name I will
call the mihtary style is used, to keep the
knuckles in a vertical position. This should be
avoided as it makes the pressure of the reins un-
even, those on the off side coming up higher on the
horse's neck than those on the near side, as will
be readily seen, when the description of holding
the reins is studied. If the knuckles are held
quite vertical the off reins will be at least 3^
inches higher than the near ones at the rider's
hands.

I do not care for Capt. Hayes' plan of hooking
up the rein the rider does not require, or fancies
he does not require which is not always quite
the same thing. I prefer to knot it up short and
let it hang on the horse's neck. It is very easily
picked up if wanted.

There is a line in some old doggerel which goes —

His knees close to his horse's sides, his elbows to his own.

There is nothing uglier than to see a man
sticking his elbows out at one angle and his toes at
another, and as the Yorkshire adage has it
setting his back up like a cat eating raw paste.
But how many men one sees with their elbows
sticking out as if they did not belong to them

200 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

immediately a horse begins to gallop fast. It is
usually done quite unconsciously and is perhaps
caused by rounding the wrists. Not only is it
very ugly to stick the elbows out but it brings
with it loss of power over the horse. Indeed it is a
curious fact that many of the ugly habits which
horsemen gather up in the course of their adven-
tures have a similar result.

There is no worse or uglier habit than that of
throwing up an arm as a horse is landing after
clearing a fence and there is none more easily
acquired or difficult for a man to break himself of.
Some men who can certainly not be called bad
horsemen have acquired the habit ; yet I do not
think it too strong a criticism to say that the
man who ' hails a hansom ' as it is called, is not
a finished horseman so long as he indulges in the
practice. Several of our friends who bring their
horses over the Channel for the jumping at the
Internationa] Show have the habit very strongly
pronounced, but I am of opinion that it is no
more necessary to ' hail a hansom ' in the show
ring than in the hunting field, though I freely
admit that I have no practical knowledge of
trick jumping, which show jumping has now
developed into.

Let us just consider for a moment what
happens when a man throws his arm up in the
manner indicated. In the first place he leaves
loose of his horse's head, and consequently the
horse does not get the support he ought to have.
For the bigger the jump the more support a

A FEW HINTS 201

horse requires. Then the centre of gravity of the
rider is disturbed by the violent exertion of
flinging his arm back, and the balance of both
horse and rider is disturbed. Ground is thereby
lost if the horse is in the hunting field or in a
steeplechase and it has to be made up at the
expense of the horse. Indeed no trainer of
steeplechase horses will put up the man ' who
hails a hansom ' if he has his own way.

My own experience tells me how easily the bad
habit is acquired, and with what difficulty it
is got rid of. After riding two or three pullers I
v\^as put on a thoroughbred horse with a very
light mouth who would scarcely allow one to
touch him with the bridle when going at his
fences. He held his head right up as he jumped
and he jumped big. So having been used to
horses that took hold a bit at their fences it was
not to be wondered at that I occasionally got a
little nearer the horse's neck than was pleasant or
elegant when he jumped extra big. So up went
the arm, and it was a confirmed habit before I
was fully conscious that I had acquired it. Some
very sarcastic comments were made on it from
time to time, and though I was at that stage
when I considered that everything in the riding
line was acquired by practice and by practice
alone, and that practice being interpreted meant
being as near hounds as your horse could get
you, I was very anxious to get rid of the bad
habit about which I had so much chaff. I tried
hard but it stuck to me for years and it had

202 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

become so much a habit that my arm always
went up at a big place, until — one day I got a very
bad fall on the open moor, smashed my shoulder
and otherwise knocked myself about. I simply
could not hail a hansom now ; indeed at the
present time it is all I can do to take my hat off
with my right hand. And then I found out,
when I was obhged to do as I ought to do that I
did my w^ork very much easier to myself and very
much easier to my horse. I don't know how to
cure the habit ; I am however certain that when
once thoroughly established it is difficult to
eradicate. My cure of course was a heroic one,
not to be recommended for imitation. But had
I not had that fall I veritably believe the habit
would have remained with me to this day. It is
done unconsciously. Knowing what I know now
of the pernicious effect of it, I would, if I had it
now, ride with my arm fastened to my side so that
I could not throw it up, but it is a plan I hesitate
to advise the reader to adopt, unless in the Riding
school, where it may w^ell be tried. I should
think a few weeks there would suffice to eradicate
the habit but I don't know. I got rid of it to a
certain extent, before I had my fall, but in a
big country or at a big place it was sure to come
out.

Too much pains cannot be taken by the
beginner to secure a strong seat and as light
hands as Nature will permit him to have as early
as possible and before he goes into the hunting
field. As a rule the beginner is keen ; he goes

A FEW HINTS 203

hunting and inadvertently slips into one fault
after another without there being anyone there
to put him right. And the reason for my im-
pressing this strongly is that the percentage of
legitimate falls in the hunting field is exceedingly
small when compared to the number of dirty
coats. I don't mean to infer that the majority
of the gallant ladies and gentlemen who return
home from hunting cut voluntaries, nothing of
the kind. But I have no hesitation in saying
that in the vast majority of cases the horses that
come to grief are well helped by their riders. If
anyone doubts me let him go out some day to
look on, as I have done on occasion when on the
sick list. He will see many a horse fairly pulled
down, or I am much mistaken. A tug at the
bridle whether conscious or unconscious has the
same effect and when a man gets a little sideways
on his saddle and takes a pull at his horse's
mouth at the same time the combination of
circumstances, nine times out of ten, has only
one result. And as I have had occasion to re-
mark more than once accidents will happen in the
best regulated of famiUes, and as Egerton War-
burton has it —

We are all of us tailors in turn,

with all the precautions we can take. So it is just
as well that these precautions should be taken
to acquire the best seat and hands possible before
the aspirant to fame comes out hunting.

I knew a man who went hunting. He was

204 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

absolutely an unpardonably bad horseman. He
was worse ; he was a man who could never by
any means have been made a horseman. Why
he went hunting I never coald understand. I
am sure he did not enjoy it ; at least he did not
look as if he did, and he got in everyone's way.
He said to me one day when he turned away from
a little fence '' I have not jumped yet ; but it is
my intention to do so in a week or two.''

An instance of the truth of Egerton Warbur-
ton's line ma}^ fitly conclude this chapter. A
]ady of my acquaintance was a fine horsewoman
with an undeniable nerve and was always with
hounds. One day, when there was a great deal of
grief she had a fall and I caught her horse. As we
rode on she asked me if I had seen her fall so that
I could describe it. On my replying in the affir-
mative she charged me to be honest and asked me
if she had cut a voluntary. I said she had not,
but when closely pressed I was obliged to admit
that I thought she had '* helped her horse down."
She thought a moment and then said " Yes, why
didn't I sit still, I wonder ? "

Why don't we ?

RIDING TO HOUNDS

MOST men, as soon as they have got a
horse and leisure and have gained some
httle insight into the rudiments of horse-
manship, find their thoughts turning to the hunt-
ing field. Most young men do, and many men in
middle life are occasionally — nay frequently ver^^
keen sportsmen. And here and there, even amongst
those who begin late, we find a genius who has
dropped from the clouds, as it were, into the
first flight. One of the very best men to hounds
I ever saw in any country had been very little
if at all in the saddle before he was thirty. He
had the most hberal ideas of a horse's capabilit}^
for jumping, and what was more to the purpose
such beautifully light hands that his horses
rarely came to grief at even the most ' out-
rageous ' places.

And if a man's age or lack of nerve prevents
him riding to hounds there is plenty of fun to be
got by riding after them.

Of course I would not for a moment suggest
that everyone who buys a horse and goes to the
trouble of learning to ride has hunting as the
ultimate object of his painstaking, but undoubt-
edly a great many have. And equally without

2o6 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

doubt is it that a great many of those who do try
hunting retire from it more or less disappointed at
their experiences. I think this results from two
causes : first, that they expect too much from
hunting ; secondly, that they know too little about
it when they start.

I have already pointed out that it is incum-
bent upon a novice who takes to hunting that he
should have become so far perfect in the art of
horsemanship that he can take care of his horse
and himself. This means that he is perfectly
capable of controlling his horse in a crowd, that
he knows how to keep out of other people's way
and that he can ' remain ' when his horse jumps
a reasonable fence.

He will find there is much for him to learn yet
and if he is well advised he will not push himself
forward, but will keep his eyes open to all that
goes on round him. He will find plenty of good
fellows who will give him information and all the
help in their power. And he will be well advised
if he makes cautious inquiry as to whom he
should apply for advice and guidance. The
Secretary of the Hunt will gladly give him
assistance in this direction, especially if he has
paid his subscription which he should do early in
the season.

The expectations of a novice are apt to be too
sanguine. What is the foundation for them it
is difiicult to say. Fifty or sixty years ago lady
novelists found a hunting country a picturesque
setting for their stories, and we were treated to

RIDING TO HOUNDS 207

runs which could never have taken place, and
the gentleman '' who took the forty feet brook ''
was in evidence from cover to cover. I don't
think these books have much influence now even
on the very young and perhaps it is the hunting
man himself who gives a wrong impression.
He who understands hunting thoroughly will see
good in what to an untrained eye falls somewhat
flat. The man who has not any experience of
hunting is apt to look upon a hunting ' good
thing ' as a racing forty minutes over a grass
country and expects something like it to occur
with frequency throughout the season.

But if a man is keen and gets to thoroughly
understand hunting he will find that there is
much enjoyment to be got out of the ordinary
day's sport and that those wonderful scenting
days which he has constantly in his mind's eye are
few and far between. He will also find as he
gains experience that something more than a
good scent is required to ensure the run of the
season — viz. a good fox, a good line, and a good
deal of luck. How often have I heard the
words '' I think there was a scent if we had had
a little luck 1 "

The first thing that will strike the novice if
he should happen to get into a sharp burst in one
of his early days' hunting is how different riding
at fences in the hunting field is to what riding at
the made-up fences of the school or the home
paddock is. First of all there is the pace and the
excitement, and then there is the constantly

2o8 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

changing type of fence which he will have to
encounter. Here there will be the slashed
hedge, thick at the bottom, fairly stiff but of
reasonable height ; then the post and rail or park
paling will be encountered ; anon, wide and
with rotten banks perhaps, and without any spirit
of compromise about it, the brook. The bull-
finch will be encountered occasionally, though
not very frequently now perhaps, except in the
Shires. Occasionally too there will be found a
fence at the top of a bank. All these require
treating in different ways, and if the beginner
should cast his lot in a fiat country he will find that
most of the obstacles will have complications at
one side or other of them, or both, in the shape
of fairly wide and deep and certainty very dirty
drains.

There are all kinds of theories about riding at
fences and there is perhaps something to be said
for all of them, and yet none of them are to be
implicitly relied upon. The fact is that in riding over
a country emergencies occur in w^hich a man must
make up his mind quickly how to act and if he
makes a mistake disaster is sure to ensue. It is
only experience which will enable him to act
promptly and correctly when the difficulties
arise. There are however certain broad rules
which it is well to bear in mind at all times. It
may I think be said to be a fairly established
principle that it is a sound plan to ride steadity —
even slowly at big fences and fast at water, but
even those broad principles require modification

RIDING TO HOUNDS 209

according to individual circumstances. For in-
stance if there is reason to think there is a wide
drain at the landing side of that thick uncom-
promising hedge the rider is approaching just a
reminder that such a thing as a wide drain exists
will put his horse on his mettle and make him
' spread ' himself. Very high and stiff timber
should as a rule be ridden at slowly and many
good horsemen always select the post to ride at,
and if the rails are very high ride at them a little
aslant. This is a plan which is much to be com-
mended, as it ensures the leading leg getting
well over the obstacle in the majority of cases,
and where this happens the chances of a fall are
minimised. It is well when riding at a high fence
and especially at rails or a wall to pull the horse
back to a trot, get him well balanced and sharpen
him the last stride or two.^

In a stone wall country the stranger should
be careful about quarries, which are a constant
source of danger in some districts. I have known
natives ride into a quarry more than once though
happily without any evil consequences to rider
or horse. On one occasion I was riding some
fifty yards behind a friend in a country in which
he resided but which was strange to me then.
We were approaching a wall and just as my
friend got to it he threw up his hand and shouted
'' Don't come.'' There was a sheer drop of 14 ft.
but the horse landed on a heap of loose shale and

^ A clever hunter may be allowed to go at his fences at his own pace.
I have scarcely known one make a mistake when not interfered with.

14

210 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

galloped on as if nothing had happened. Occa-
sionally too in a stone wall country some big
stones may be found lying at the landing side.
I have had more than one nasty fall and once
cut my horse badly through these loose stones.
So in a stone wall country you don't know you
may certainly *' look ere you leap." And as
walls should be ridden at at a slow pace it is
generally possible to see whether all is plain
sailing without stopping entirely.

The common theory that it is necessary to
ride very fast at water is not exactly accurate.
It is a pretty well-established theory that a
hunter can jump standing the same width that
he stands over when fairly set up. I am certain
I never had a hunter that could not. And a
very little impetus will serve to cover a bit more
than that. The average drain or brook which
is met with out hunting is seldom very wide.
There is an old saying which perhaps contains
a trifle of exaggeration in it, which tells how
8 ft. will stop many, lo ft. will stop most, and
only a choice few will look at 12 ft. At any rate
I think I am not overstating the case when I say
that more people will go round than will jump
10 feet of water. It is the bad take off and the
bad landing which is the real difficulty with
brooks and drains.

It is no uncommon thing when a big brook is
encountered to see young and inexperienced
riders — and for the matter of that many older
men who ought to know better — put on full steam

RIDING TO HOUNDS 211

the moment they come into the field at the other
end of which is the more or less dreaded brook,
and gallop their hardest till they come to within
a few lengths of the water, when up go their
hands, they slacken speed and the result is either
a refusal, a fall, or at best a scramble. An im-
portant matter in negotiating a brook is to select
a sound place from which to take off and a
sound place on which to land, if such can be
found. A good take off and good landing are
of more importance than an extra foot of width.
Then there is no necessity to gallop at top pace
the whole length of a field. The horse should be
kept well balanced and his pace quickened the
last few strides. I once saw a man ride some fifty
or sixty yards down the side of a brook in which
some score of gallant gentlemen w^ere splashing
about, pick out the only bit of sound ground
there seemed to be in the neighbourhood and
giving his horse a run of some eight or ten
lengths clear the brook handsomely. I am quite
sure that there would be fewer falls at water —
indeed fewer falls altogether, if there was less ' bad
hurry ' in the hunting field.

The one essential thing for riding in safety
over a country is the horse being well balanced
at his fences ; as the riding school men would
put it, having his forehand lightened, about
which I shall have more to say in another chapter.
And when a horse is sharpened up at a fence
or a brook it does not necessarily imply that he
is to be spurred more or less severely. More

212 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

especially should the rider take care not to hit his
horse with the spurs just as he is taking off. It
knocks him out of his stride and frequently
brings about disaster. The following anecdote
is apposite. I asked a friend who had given me a
graphic account of a brilliant run, how his horse had
carried him — the said horse being a young one,
and a new purchase. He was full of enthusiasm
and finished a glowing account of his horse by

saying he had put him down at the brook.

This was a very formidable obstacle and I
remarked that my friend was trying a young one
rather high to put him at such a place at the
end of forty minutes. '' He would have done
right enough," was the reply, '' if I had not been
such a fool as to hit him with the spurs as he
was taking off, and so knock him out of his
stride. I wonder if my nerve is going. "

Readers of Whyte-Melville will remember that
when the funeral sermon was preached over
James Paravant who had been killed in a steeple-
chase, an old retainer, commenting on the parson's
remark that the last of his race, like so many of
his illustrious ancestors, had died in his spurs,
said '' Parson were quite right, it were them

d spurs that did it." What a world of

truth there is in the brief comment ! Spurs have
helped a good horseman out of a difficulty many
a time ; on far more occasions have they helped
a bad horseman into one.

Spurs indeed occupy a very curious position
in riding economy. It was once said that only

RIDING TO HOUNDS 213

one horse in a hundred was fit to be ridden in a
snaffle and only one man in a thousand had good
enough hands to use a curb. Similarly it may be
said that there are few if any horses that should
be ridden without spurs and a very small pro-
portion of horsemen can use them properly.
Nothing upsets a horse so much as being spurred
at the wrong time and it stands to reason that if
a rider would get the full and proper use of his
spurs he must have a strong seat, and sit in the
right place in his saddle. He must sit forward
and lean back to use his spurs to advantage.

For hunting, where a lot of rough country has
always to be encountered at some time or other
sharp rowels are better avoided. Occasionally in
going through a rough fence a binder may drive
the spur into the horse's sides and make a nasty
tear. And then there is always the chance that
the indifferent horseman may spur his horse when
he does not want to do so ; a contingency w^hich
is very likely to occur, as likely as that that he
does not spur his horse w^hen he does want to.
The rowels should be well blunted and shortened
— most spur rowels are much too long — or better
still, a threepenny piece may be used instead of
rowels. I do not hke the spurs without rowels ;
they are frequently used very unnecessarily and
they make a horse's sides very sore if used as they
sometimes are, with considerable force.

The hunting whip should always be used in
the hunting field and never without a thong.
Capt. Hayes says a propos of the thong that in

214 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

ordinary cases '' its only use is for the end of it
to be wrapped round the rider's hand when he
is opening a gate, so that he may not drop the
whip by accident." With this opinion I must
take leave to differ. It would of course be an
impertinence for any ordinary member of the
field to undertake the functions of a whipper-in
when those functionaries are within touch, as,
to do them but justice, they almost always are.
But when hounds are going through a crowd or
are passing a horseman in a lane the whip held
out at arm's length with the point of the lash
turned towards them and a warning '' 'Ware
Horse " will save many a hound from being
kicked. And don't forget this. A man who
shouts **'Ware Horse" after his horse has kicked
a hound is likely to remember it, if the master
is there. A convenient length for the crop is
23 ins. The thong for such a crop should be
about 4 ft. 10 ins. long, including in this
measurement the eye of the crop, and attached
to this should be about nine inches of good stout
whip cord — not silk. Nothing looks worse than
a hunting whip which is not neat and workman-
like. Before leaving the subject of the whip
I would point out that it is not intended to be
used on the horse. I know one or two good
horsemen who always hit their horses with it at a
big fence ; but it really does no good and is a
bad habit.

I have headed this chapter Riding to Hounds,
which I would submit is a very different matter to

RIDING TO HOUNDS 215

riding to a pilot however good that pilot may
be. When a man first begins hunting he will be
wise if he adopts the plan of riding to a pilot,
taking care to select a man whom he is capable
of following and being especially careful not to
ride ' in his pocket.' Indeed jumping in the
immediate wake of a leader is an unpardonable
offence, and though it is often done without any
ill consequences sometimes the result has been
serious enough. Always give a man plenty of
room to get away, and ride a little to the right or
the left of the man you have honoured — prob-
ably without his knowledge — in making your pilot.

The sooner a beginner realises that with the
majority of the obstacles he has to encounter in
the hunting field it is immaterial where he jumps
them, that the difference in height or width is so
small that it is not worth his while going out of
his way for a smaller place, and the sooner he
begins to strike out a line for himself and to
avoid the crowd the better and the more he will
enjoy his hunting. For he will then be relying
on his own judgment and if he be a keen observer
and thinks about w^hat he is doing he will see a
great deal more of what is worth seeing by pur-
suing the independent plan.

When a man begins to strike out his own line
the first thing he must do is to make up his mind
as soon as he gets into a field where he is going
out of it, and having made up his mind he must
not change unless the place he shall have selected
is, for one reason or another, impracticable when

2i6 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

he gets near to it. For instance no one would
call upon a man to jump into a pond or blame
him when he turns away from wire. But he must
be careful to cross no one at the fence and if he
has to pull across the men behind him he ought
to take an opportunity of warning them of his
intention and the reason of it, if that is possible.
But he must bear in mind that it is only ex-
ceptional conditions which will serve as an excuse
for hesitation or indecision.

It sometimes happens in a very pewy country
that there are only one or two practical
places in some of the fences. These places are
frequently the scene of very bad manners. It is
a recognised fact, in theory, that the leader at such
a place should be well away, say a couple or
three lengths from the fence before the next
man jumps it. Number two at the fence is
waiting his turn patiently and just as he is
moving towards the fence first one and then
another will thrust across him till he who was
second at the place is one of the last to get over.
I have seen a man who has given up his own
place to the huntsman so that he should get on
with his hounds so hustled by a crowd that he
has been one of the last to get over. Such con-
duct is not only abominably rude, but it is un-
sportsmanlike.

A fine horseman somehow never seems in a
hurry, and never seems to jump a big place, and
rarely if ever does his horse labour. Yet, any-
one who rides alongside him will find that he is

RIDING TO HOUNDS 217

galloping fast and that the fences are big and it
is not unlikely that he will feel his own horse
beginning to sprawl. The reasons for the
apparent easiness with which the good horseman
is sailing over a country are first, that he has his
horse perfectly balanced, and second that he
picks his ground with skill.

It is only experience which enables a man to
choose his ground, and a season's experience in
a deep country will teach more than whole
volumes. Still it is as well to remember that the
head land is frequently the soundest going in the
field and that consequently galloping round by it
takes less out of a horse than riding him across
the field. This applies to grass as well as tillage,
especially if the grass be undrained and in deep
ridge and furrow as undrained or partially
drained land so frequently is. A wet furrow in
a ploughed field is generally the soundest going
in it.

Is it necessary to insist that the place of the
sportsman is behind hounds, not in front of or
amongst them. A story is told of one of the
Meltonian thrusters of over a hundred years ago,
that on being asked if he had cut out the work
on the preceding da}^ replied in the negative but
added that he had always been a field and a half
in front of hounds. There are some men who
would gallop on, pressing hounds forward, even
if there were a brick wall in front of them. Such
men do not deserve the name of sportsmen. The
beginner will do well to learn not only when

2i8 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

hounds have a hne but which hounds have the
Une. It is not very easy to learn, and he will need
to be very persevering but he will find it worth all
the trouble.

Always be ready to catch a loose horse and
give a helping hand ; it may be your turn before
the day comes to an end.

Always do anything the master or huntsman
asks you to do cheerfully and promptly. It is a
compliment to be asked to assist in any way,
however small.

There is one thing which calls for notice. In
these days men hack to the fixtures more fre-
quently than was formerly the case. Very
frequently the motor car is used. Never allow
the motor car to go to the fixture and hang about
the lanes all day, more or less on the line of
hounds. Always stop it two miles from the
fixture, and if you hack on always change on
to your hunter that distance from the fixture.
One reason is that it is as well to do
everything to keep down the outside crowd both
in the interests of your brother sportsmen and
your own, and another is that if you ride your
hunter a few miles on the road your relations
with him during the day will be all the pleasanter.
If you ride your hunter through to the fixture
keep him on the soft ground and ride slowly.
I have already written fulty about taking the
tired hunter home. It may, however, be an
useful hint that the tired hunter likes company,
and likes to hear the rattle of his feet.

RIDING TO HOUNDS 219

One final piece of advice. Never ride a
kicking horse into a crowd. It is no excuse if
he kicks a man that he has a bit of red riband on
his tail. And it is the worst of bad form to put
the red riband on the tail of a horse that does not
kick. Ladies I am afraid frequently transgress
in this direction.

RIDING AFTER HOUNDS

THE men who ride to hounds can be divided
into two classes : the first flight men, and
the men who though scarcely in the first
flight are of it, men who will take a line of their
own and who are always in a good place in a run
though seldom in the best place. The men who
ride after hounds may be divided into several
classes. There is the man who once belonged to
the first flight ; there are men who follow on on
the line through the gaps, and who by dint of
happy ' nicks in ' see a lot of the fun ; there are
the men who unblushingly ride to points who see
more ; and so on down to our friend who was
described in a previous chapter who means to
jump a fence some day in the dim and distant
future.

The majority of hunting men and hunting
women belong to the various classes who ride
' after ' hounds instead of to them, but the un-
initiated who thinks they do not see plenty of
fun or that they do not know much about hunt-
ing is very much mistaken ; and if he is a novice,
full of ambition as he may be, it may easily be his
destiny to drop into the ranks of those who ride
after hounds himself. It is so much easier to talk

RIDING AFTER HOUNDS 221

about ' going into every field with hounds' than
it is to do it.

It has been stated that in the ranks of those
who ride after hounds are many who have a
thorough knowledge of hunting — indeed if they
had not they could never see so much sport as
they do. I have known one or two of them
whose powers of ' nicking in ' with hounds were
something marvellous. On one occasion, which
I shall ever remember, I got a bad start. Hounds
had been gone from a wood some few minutes
before I knew they had found. It was a windy
sunny November day, and even when I knew
they had found I was in no hurry. But when I
got to the edge of the wood and saw nothing I
hurried on. Another two or three minutes and
there were hounds racing along a mile or more
in front of me. I was very wroth and put on the
steam but as is usual in such circumstances I
could get no nearer. Crossing a road I saw a
friend who belonged to the class I am writing
about plodding along at a steady canter on the
hard high road. I said something to him about
missing a start and was proceeding to go across
country in the direction in which I had last seen
hounds running when he stopped me, saying I
should never catch hounds up across such a deep
country, and that if I did get to them my horse
would be pumped. He guaranteed that we
would be in the same field with hounds in a
quarter of an hour if I would go with him and
insisted that there was no hurry. So we cantered

222 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

on down the road, and then left it and crossed
through the end of a wood. Then he went over
a field or two, and crossed another road and went
through the top end of one plantation and along-
side another and jumped a little fence, and then
my friend said '' Stand still or we shall head the
fox." It was about twenty minutes after I had
fallen in with him and as we stood for a minute
hounds came tumbling into the field. '' I
thought we should have beaten the fox" said he
as he straightway made his way to another point.

I have had many Hunting Diaries through my
hands, but one of the best I ever read, full of
interesting remarks about men, horses and
hounds and their doings was written by a gentle-
man who rarely jumped a fence or missed a day's
hunting.

There is one thing that must be carefully
and strongly impressed upon the man who is
beginning to hunt and that is that it is essential
for him to make his mind up as to which category
he intends to belong, those who ride to or those who
ride after hounds. If he does not he will have a
very unhappy time. I do not know a man
more deserving of sympathy than he who ' lets
I dare not wait upon I would,' even in a matter
of such comparative unimportance as following
hounds. It is a question which nerve, or perhaps
it would be more correct to say, nerve or strong
will, must decide — that whether a man will aspire
to the first flight or not. It would be incorrect
to say that it depends on nerve, for two good

RIDING AFTER HOUNDS 223

first flight men of my acquaintance are decidedly
nervous. But both of them are possessed of very
strong will and the consequence is that they
are a very awkward couple to tackle. I remember
on two occasions when one of them was told
that some gentleman had made ' remarks ' about
his horse and riding, the places he rode over were
something to think about. Both times he had
it practically all his own way.

It may perhaps suggest itself to some novice
that it would be wise for him to begin with those
who ride after hounds and ' work his way up '
into the other class. On first sight so it would
seem but it is a curious thing that a man rarely
emerges from the ranks of the lookers-on if he
has once joined them. Looking on somehow
becomes a habit, and so much so that I have
on occasion known some very good men indeed
who indulged in it to such an extent that they
missed many a good thing. A man however
has been known to emerge from the ranks and
become one of the first flight. An opportunity
has presented itself ; hounds have either got
into a strange country or he has been one of a
few with hounds and has, on the spur of the
moment, ridden at and negotiated safely a big
place. Others have followed — he has gone well —
he is bitten with enthusiasm, and the roads and
points know him no more.

The first thing a man who rides after hounds
has to consider and think about is the wind.
The man who rides after hounds and persists

224 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

in making ' up wind casts ' as an old huntsman
calls them, is irretrievably lost. He must always
sink the wind, as indeed the man who rides to
them ought also to do.

Another very important thing for the ' looker
on ' to study is the country itself and the run of
foxes. Knowledge of country and the run of foxes
can never be learnt by some people. I knew
a man who had hunted in a country all his life
and never knew it. '' Where are we ? " he asked
once when hounds had killed their fox after rather
a long run. *' There is your house " was the
answer he received from a gentleman who pointed
to a house some three fields off. '' So it is," said
our friend ; '' I don't know that I ever approached
it from this side before."

Others again never fail to recognise a place
the second time they see it and can carry a country
and the run of foxes in their mind's eye without
any trouble. A good deal of the run of foxes can
be learnt from the later days of cub hunting, and
if a man has a good memory^, has done a fair
share of cub hunting and keeps down wind he
should be able to see a good deal of sport without
doing much serious hard riding.

But if a man rides to a point he must take care
not to ride on too far or he will head foxes.

There is another class of men who follow
hounds, some of them amongst the keenest of
sportsmen, though they follow hounds on wheels.
In spite of the heavy handicap that they have to
put up with, insomuch that they can but seldom

RIDING AFTER HOUNDS 225

leave the hard high road, these gentlemen manage
to see a great deal of sport. And for a good reason.
They are of a very different type from the casual
hunting man on wheels who goes to see the show.
They go to see the sport, and two or three or even
more days a week I have known some of them
turn out, taking no heed of weather. They are
old sportsmen, these friends of ours, who in their
day have gone well over the country of their
choice, and who for one reason or another can
now no longer ride. There is no need to give
them any hints ; they are men who can, and often
do, teach others. May they have the best of luck
and see plenty of the sport which they have loved
so well and of which they have been in their time,
and indeed are yet, distinguished ornaments.

It now remains to mention a few matters
which apply equally to all classes of hunting
men. First and foremost it must be borne in
mind and that not vicariously as is too often
the case with the beginner, especially if he has
been most of his life '' in populous cities pent,"
that he is indebted for his sport to the goodwill
of the farmer. It is therefore his duty — it is his
interest as well, and where duty and interest are
combined it is strange that there should be so
much shortcoming as there is in this respect —
to become personally acquainted with as many
farmers as possible in the country in which he
gets his sport. By this I mean that he should
know something more of them than just to ad-
dress them by name, *' How do, Mr. Smith ? "
15

2 26 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

'' How do, Mr. Johnson ? " He should try to
enter into their interests as much as he can.
He need not talk farming or cattle breeding to
them, — he will probably make a fool of himself
if he does, — but he can take an interest in their
horses and stock, show himself at the Agricul-
tural Shows, and be genial in his relations with
them. I am well aware that a good deal of the
aloofness that is seen sometimes and which is so
much to be regretted is the result of shyness. A
man who has not been brought up in a hunting
country and amongst hunting men is entering
into a new world and it is scarcely to be wondered
at that he frequently shows himself at a dis-
advantage. It would perhaps be strange if he
did not. But I can assure him that if he will
make an effort to conquer his shyness he will
never regret it. And one of the great advant-
ages of hunting is that it brings men in contact
who perhaps have only one thing in common,
their love of sport. At any rate that may seem
to be the case at first. But the ice once broken
there are other matters in which they agree and
others on which they agree to differ, and they,
and, I venture to think, mankind in general
benefit from their intercourse.

A very curious incident came to my notice
some years ago. There was a man, a landowner
in a small w^ay, with very pronounced opinions
and a decided enemy to hunting. His fences
were generally full of wire and it was an in-
struction to every one to keep off his land. One

RIDING AFTER HOUNDS 227

day when hounds crossed it to my great surprise
he called to me by name, threw open the gate,
said that was the nearest way, and that all the
wire was down. I was so astounded that I could
almost have been ' knocked down with a feather.'
Mentioning it to a friend as we were riding home
I expressed my astonishment and he told me that
it was the result of an accident. There was some
public matter in which the owner's interests were
affected and at a meeting my friend and other
two or three hunting men, seeing an injustice
was likely to be done, took up the case warmly
and carried his point for him. After the business
was settled the man came to my friend, said he
had no idea hunting men were like that and he
would always be glad to see hounds on his place.
On another occasion a few friendly words about
a nice lot of lambs a small farmer was driving
home led to the wire being taken down on a
neighbour's farm. The man who had bought
the lambs was the only one who had any influence
with the neighbour, a somewhat surly man, whose
bark was a good deal worse than his bite. An-
other case, in which a lot of wire came down and
in which hunting men met with a cordial greeting
instead of cold looks, was the result of an accident.
A hunting man happened to discover quite acci-
dentally that the man who had all the wire up
and he had a common interest, and meeting him
one day he spoke of this interest rather warmly.
The result was as I have already stated. If
hunting men would try to get to know their

228 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

neighbours better those hasty and not very truth-
ful generaHsations which are sometimes put
about would soon be discredited, as indeed the
three incidents I have related abundantly
show.

The question of dress at once presents itself
to the beginner in the hunting field. First then,
on no consideration should he ever go out hunt-
ing in a coloured neckcloth. A white one always
must be worn ; nothing else is admissible. And
a stock is the best form to adopt. There are
plenty of good hunting stocks to get and there is
therefore no need to particularise. Many famous
hunts have their special patterns but they all
look pretty much alike when they are on. A
small gold safety pin or small gold pin should be
used to secure them with ; anything in the way
of expensive jewellery is quite out of place in the
hunting field.

A question which the beginner will have to
decide for himself — no one else can decide it for
him — is whether he will begin his hunting career
in the full war paint or in ratcatcher kit. If
he is wise he will let a season or two pass over
his head before he puts on scarlet, but if he is
so inclined I do not see any reason why he
should not wear the rest of the war paint on
the opening day of his first season. If he adopts
ratcatcher kit he should eschew brown boots,
and should wear Bedford cords and black jacks
if he would be smart. His coat under any cir-
cumstances should be dark, black or dark grey,

RIDING AFTER HOUNDS 229

the latter for choice as it is much the more
serviceable.

One thing more I would impress upon the
beginner about his dress. He must stick to the
full dress if he once begins to wear it. Nothing
looks worse than to see a man in all the glories
of the ' war paint ' one day and in ratcatcher
kit the next. And if this looks bad at home
it looks still worse when visiting strange packs,
and to visit one in full dress and another in mufti
is invidious. Never wear mufti after the opening
day under any circumstances is a good rule to
follow with those who wear full dress. And
remember that full dress is a compliment to the
Master which he appreciates.

THE HORSEWOMAN

IT may, in these days, be thought to savour of
inpertinence for a mere man to presume to
say a few words about ladies on horseback,
though I doubt not that some of my lady friends
would have told me I was very rude if I had
passed them over altogether. And, after all,
there is perhaps less of presumption in a * mere
man * giving the results of his experience than
in one who is himself a bad horseman taking
upon himself to give ladies practical lessons
in horsemanship, of which more anon.

To the lady who is beginning to ride, I would
say, without hesitation, ride on a side saddle
and not on a cross saddle. On the question
of appearance I would not presume to dictate,
but I would merely remark in passing that a lady
never looks better than in a riding habit and
sitting ' square ' on a well-made side saddle.
The crux of the question is, which is the safest
seat for a lady, the side saddle or the cross saddle ?
On this subject let us hear what a lady has to
say. This lady, were I to give her name, would
at once be recognised as one of the finest horse-
women of her time, as her father is one of the

finest horsemen, or perhaps I ought to say

230

SIDE SADDLE

LADYS CROSS SADDLE

THE HORSEWOMAN 231

was, as his riding days are past now. This
lady, for reasons into which it is now needless to
enter, took to riding on a cross saddle. She is
thoroughly au fait in everything connected with
horses and riding and it may fairly be said that
there is not a detail connected with horsemanship
on which she is not an authority. She set about
riding on a cross saddle with the energy and
resolution which characterise all her actions
and in due time became quite at home in it,
capable of holding her own with anyone. She
had little to say about it for a long time, evading
the question whenever it came up for discussion,
but at last she unbosomed herself to an intimate
friend. '' Well, if you must know what I think,"
she said, '* when I am on a cross saddle I feel
that the horse is master of me ; v/hen I am on a
side saddle I feel that I am master of the horse."
I trust if my friend should read these lines she will
pardon me for quoting a private conversation
in which she took a part, to illustrate my argu-
ment.

It is a generally acknowledged fact that many
horses which pull badly when ridden by a man
would scarcely ' pull a hen off her nest/ to use a
homely simile, when ridden by a lady, and this
is erroneously attributed to ladies having better
hands than men. Ladies certainly cannot put
so much weight into their bridles as men can,
but there are plenty — perhaps I ought to say too
many — of the gentler sex who have atrociously
bad hands. Still we see that horses very fre-

232 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

quently carry a lady more smoothly than they
do a man, and I have seen on occasion this
happen when the gentleman had excellent hands
and the lady decidedly bad ones. The reason
for this, I think, is to be found in the lady's seat
on the side saddle rather than in her handling,
though of course the latter depends on the former
to a considerable extent. A lady sits much
farther back than a man, and consequently rides
with a much longer rein. That I believe is the
real secret why horses carry ladies so much better
than they do men. So much then in favour of the
side saddle. Against it, it has been urged that the
risk of being dragged is greater in a side saddle
than in a cross saddle. I do not subscribe to this
opinion myself, and I see no reason why a lady
in the modern habit, should be ' hung up ' if she
uses safety bars or safety stirrups which I have
already said should always be used on a side
saddle. So I advocate the side saddle for
beginners ; when a lady has had some experience
she can please herself — as indeed she probably
will in any case. I at once hasten to say that
everything about a lady's horse, from the horse
himself to the most unimportant item of tackle,
should be of the best. But is this always the
case ? I am afraid it too seldom is ; at any rate
I know of one case in which it was not. I asked
a friend at a show what Mrs. X's chestnut was
that was entered in the Lady's Hack Class.
*' Oh, a three-cornered flashy brute not good
enough for a hunter," was the reply. " X

THE HORSEWOMAN 233

thought she might carry the missis." I am
afraid X's poHcy frequently prevails, and when
one sees a weedy animal on inspecting a stud
and ventures to ask its use one is sometimes
told it will carry a lady. This offhand pro-
nouncement is the result of ignorance, not in-
difference. The men who say these things and
the men who act on them know that women
are lighter than men and that is all the thought
they give to the subject. There is however no
need to emphasise what I have said — at any
show where there is a lady's hack class it will
generally be found the most uneven in the show.
Happily in recent years classes for ladies' hunters
have been introduced at important shows and
in them are horses of very different character.

But to return to the lady's horse at home. He
should have quality and breeding. These are
indispensable both for the sake of appearance
and comfort. The man who knowingly will
allow the ladies of his family to be bumped about
by a common brute deserves — well he deserves
to be looked at — I don't know a much worse
punishment. Equally indispensable are manners.
A lady's horse in this respect should be perfect.
He should pass out of a walk into a canter or
from a standing position into a canter without
any of that ungainly indecision which is some-
times seen, the moment the signal is given him ;
and he should pass and meet everything without
so much as a * snort ' of excitement. This of
course it is difficult to ensure in these days of

234 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

road hogs and aeroplanes and other horrors but
still an approximation to perfection should be
insisted upon. Personally I do not think a lady's
horse should be under 15 hands 3 inches ; if
she is tall 16 hands is a better height. But in
these days of tall horses there is no necessity
to insist upon height, the horse is sure to be tall
enough, and if ever3^hing else is as satisfactory
in proportion as his height is likely to be the
lady will not have much to find fault with in
her horse.

I do not like to see ladies' horses with hogged
manes, indeed I do not like a hogged mane under
any circumstances, and I do not like to see
ladies' horses docked short like hackneys. Indeed
if I were a lady I would not ride one. Many
years ago Dr. Fleming in pungent words called
attention to ladies in the Row riding almost
tailless horses and no doubt Voltaire's Epigram
will occur to the memory of some of my readers : —

Vous fiers Anglois

Barbare que vous etes

Coupez la tete aux-rois
Et la queue a vos betes ;

Mais les Fran9ois

Polls et droits,

Aiment les lois,
Laisse la queue aux betes

Et la tete a leurs rois.

Ladies' horses frequently suffer from sore
backs. Many ladies acquire a habit of leaning
over to the near side, swaying over perhaps it
would be more correct to call it. One cause of

THE HORSEWOMAN 235

this is riding with too long a stirrup ; another is
rising at the trot for too long a time. Now both
these faults though very difficult to eradicate
should never have been acquired and it is not too
much to say that they never would have been
acquired if the ladies had been taught by a com-
petent person. But having once been acquired
they are a fruitful source of sore back.

It must be understood that in the following
remarks I am not referring to those who are
to the manner born as it were, — who have been
amongst horses all their lives and may be expected
to know and who generally do know at any rate
a good deal about horses and riding. But many
ladies take to riding who have not had these ad-
vantages and in their cases something like this
frequently happens.

The ladies of the family think it would be nice
to ride. The head of the family, like the cele-
brated Barkis, is wilhng. Now that estimable
gentleman knows absolutely nothing about
horses and their equipment, so he asks his friend
X whose wife and daughters ride, what he did.
X tells him that Y — '' fine horseman Y," has
looked after his family till they could manage for
themselves — " helped them " he calls it. Some-
times, but rarely, the ladies have a few preliminary
lessons at the Riding school and then Y takes
them in hand. He is a good fellow is Y ; he
would teach his friends if he could, but he cannot.
He does not know — he is a shocking bad horse-
man himself who blames his horse for everything

236 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

that goes wrong, how can he be expected to
teach the art of Riding to a lady ? There are
many capable horsemen who cannot do that.
So when one meets his pupils after they have
been riding a few months one is distressed by
figure-of-eight-like contortions on the saddle
when the horses' trot and one does not wonder
that they are in a chronic state of sore back. If a
lady would get all the fun out of riding that
there is to be got out of it she must have a
thorough course of Riding school tuition and
must take her rides abroad in the company of
one who is quick enough to see and correct at the
moment the mistakes she will insensibly make
every now and again till she has got into the
* habit of well-doing.'

Another fruitful cause of sore backs in a
beginner's stable is ill-fitting side saddles. In
many cases the saddles fit neither horse nor
rider. The buyer, knowing nothing of the
matter, perhaps sees what he thinks is a pretty
side saddle in some shop or at some show and
straightway buys it. In all cases as I have
insisted elsewhere the saddle must be fitted both
to the horse and the rider. And I would
point out to heads of families, if they would keep
their horse's backs clear of saddle galls of a
pronounced kind they must bear in mind, if they
only have one horse for two young ladies, that
Miss Jane who is 5 ft. 8 in. and long from the
hip to the knee cannot possibly ride on the same
saddle as Miss Matilda who is 5 ft. 3 and short

THE HORSEWOMAN 237

from the hip to the knee without laming the
horse.

A lady should sit square in her saddle. Mrs.
Hayes I know is of opinion that ''we cannot sit
absolutely ' square ' (having our shoulders at
right angles to the direction of our mount)
without keeping our body in a stiff position,
which in a short time will be productive of dis-
comfort and fatigue." Which is all well enough
and quite true, but for all practical purposes I see
no difference between her illustration of the
correct seat and the square one. Certainly the
right shoulder should not be forward ; equally as
certainly it should not be so far back as to put
the rider in a constrained position. It is a great
mistake to think that only those who have ridden
in childhood can make accomplished horse-
women. I have known some excellent horse-
women who were never on a side saddle — I had
almost said, never saw one — till they were well
past twenty. As a rule ladies who begin riding at
this age or later get on much better than men do.
In the first place, with most of them there is a
strong liking for animals and a wish to excel in
their management which is not found always in
men. The latter who start riding at this period of
their life are not always keen, and where there is
no interest there is no success. Very few ladies
taking to riding who are not very keen about it.

Miss Eva Christy who writes with knowledge
on side-saddle riding says very sensibly, ''The
surest way of contracting bad habits is to con-

238 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

tinue Riding when the muscles are exhausted.'*
This is a truth which cannot be too strongly im-
pressed upon beginners, who are generally rather
prone to over-estimate their strength when
taking part in an unaccustomed exercise. A long
ride should never be undertaken till the muscles
have become accustomed to riding, and for this
reason it is desirable that all the early riding
lessons should be taken in the Riding school.

May I ask my lady friends not to stick their
elbows out when they are riding. It is a fault
many of them have. About this Col. Meysey
Thompson tells an amusing anecdote. He was
riding in company with a lady friend in the
hunting field when the latter said to him '' Look

at , sticking out her elbows to draw attention

to her waist." Surely Col. Meysey Thompson's
friend was libelling her sex ; at any rate we will
hope so.

I have seen ladies out hunting with a Riding
master — I mean a number of them. May I ask
my lady friends never to make one of such a
number. In the first place it is impossible for
the Riding master to look properly after them, so
that educationally their ride is of little benefit.
And I have seen a Riding master take his ' class '
to a nice clipped fence between two clover fields,
to lark over it backwards and forwards at their
discretion !

Ladies who hunt should be attended by a
member of their own family or a servant. Al-
though of course any gentleman would help a

THE HORSEWOMAN 239

lady to the best of his abihty when she is in a
difficulty it is not reasonable to expect a man to
lose a day's sport by doing that which is another's
duty.

In case of a lady having a bad fall, of course,
another lady will at once go to her assistance if
there is one at hand.

I have purposely said nothing about ladies'
Riding dress. It is too serious a subject for a
mere man to tackle and I must refer my fair
readers to The Horsewoman by Mrs. Hayes and
Side Saddle Riding by Miss Eva Christy, in both
of which books they will find words of wisdom.

As a last word of advice to my fair friends I
would recommend them to acquire some know-
ledge of saddles and bridles.

RACE RIDING AND IN THE SHOW RING

I DO not suppose that man}^ of my readers
wiU wish to wear a silk jacket. Still perhaps
some of the younger ones, ' full of ambition '
and ' emulators of every man's good parts/
may wish to try their skill and after all it is
necessary to say a few words about race riding
in any book which treats of horsemanship.

It is unnecessary to say that the Turf is very
differently governed now to what it was even
a very few years ago. Formerly a man had
only to appear in a silk jacket and give his name
to the Clerk of the Scales and he could ride in
any race and on even terms with professional
jockeys. Now-a-days the rules about gentlemen
riders are strict. Curiously all that appears in
the Rules of Racing on the subject of Gentlemen
Riders is to the effect that gentlemen wishing
to ride in races other than those open to Gentlemen
Riders must obtain an annual permission to do
so from the Stewards of the Jockey Club and
pay 5 sovs. to the Bentinck Benevolent Fund.
Gentlemen Riders however are very clearly
defined in the National Hunt Rules which lay
down that Qualified riders are persons who
have never ridden for hire, and quaHfied either

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 241

{a) as gentlemen ; {b) as farmers ; (c) by Election ;
or {d) Yeomen riding at their own Regimental
Meeting. Farmers have to be farming 100
acres or upwards and Gentlemen must belong
to one of certain clubs which are specified.
Elected Gentlemen riders pay a fee of one sov.
on election or re-election.

If a young man has plenty of leisure and is a
nice weight and very keen he will get a lot of fun
out of riding on the fiat, but if his ambition is
in this direction he must make up his mind to a
great deal of very hard and indeed strenuous
labour. To all intents and purposes his life
during the racing season will be as hard as that
of a professional. To begin with a man cannot
ride races unless he rides gallops and riding
gallops means rising early every morning, and
doing much very hard work before breakfast . And
this means breaking in a great deal on his social
engagements. A gentleman rider in full practice
cannot go out much to evening parties even if
evening parties were de regie in Race towns,
which they are not. And even if he is not very
much troubled with his weight the gentleman
rider, if he is at all successful, will find this
question of weight begin to worry him. Some
friend, knowing he can ride 8 st. 7 lb. without
trouble asks him to ride 8 st. 3 lb. — or perhaps
that friend is himself, and soon he finds himself
on the same lines as the professional jockey
exactly.

If he is really keen he will enjoy himself im-
16

242 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

mensely and I hope he will ride plenty of winners.
To him I have one bit of advice to give. Live
abstemiousty and take long walks. That at any
rate will not impair the health. Artificial wasting
by which I mean the use of Turkish baths,
physic and severe work in heavy clothing should
be avoided in the interest of health. I would
also point out that the exaggerated forward
seat which is so fashionable is better avoided.
It has as many drawbacks as it has advantages.
Col. Meysey Thompson points out that before
it was adopted one scarcely ever heard of a horse
falling on the fiat and that now such falls are
of frequent occurrence. The bumping and horses
striking into their leaders and the crossing which
are constantly taking place are undoubtedly
due to the fact that jockeys sitting perched up
on their horses' necks cannot control them, as
indeed how should they ? Col. Meysey Thompson
shows that it was possible to crouch quite as
low with the old seat when it was necessary
and those who remember George Fordham,
the Grimshaws, Tom Chaloner and other good
jockeys of the old school do not need that im-
pressing on them. The argument in favour of
the ' American ' seat as it is called, derived from
the bicycle, has no weight at all. For to begin
with, a bicycle and a horse cannot justly be
compared. Col. Meysey Thompson says that
'* a rider of a bicycle, when crouching down,
still has the weight within the compass of the
two wheels which support the frame; but a

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 243

jockey stretched out upon the horse's neck,
supporting himself to a great degree by the bit,
is far beyond the hmbs which support the body
of the horse."

Moreover, a year or two ago we saw what
havoc the Aintree fences made of the American
seat, when one jockey after another either cut
a voluntary or brought his horse down. However
if a gentleman takes to race riding he will have
to conform to the ideas of the trainer for whom
he is riding ; — that he must make up his mind
to from the beginning.

The Hunt Meeting or the point-to-point gather-
ing are however more likely to find occupation
for the man, who, without any disrespect, is
perhaps best described as the amateur. The
Gentleman Rider to whom my earlier remarks
applied is practically as professional as the
man who rides for hire, except that he does not
take any pay. I have moreover known one or
two of his class turn professional jockeys and do
well. I doubt not that those who follow racing
closely will remember instances also.

The amateur who rides in his Hunt Steeplechase
has generally a clever horse and he is generally,
though not always, a good horseman. But however
good a horseman he may be he will find that he
is in an entirely new country the moment he
puts on a silk jacket. A few notes to prepare
him for what he has to encounter may be of some
use.

In the first place however hard a rider he may

244 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

be he will find when he begins to race that his
knowledge of what galloping really is has been
very limited. He will also find that he will have
to handle his horse very differently, that he will
have to take stronger hold of him and that the
quickest thing he ever rode in was not quite as
quick as the business which is now occupying his
attention. He will also find that everything will
be quite as strange to his horse.

For these reasons I would advise him to give
up hunting the horse he intends to run in the
Hunt Steeplechase for a few weeks and in place
of hunting to give him some good schooling
gallops at home. It would be to his advantage
if he could get a little advice from a trainer or
some other experienced person, but if that is
impossible, he will, if an observant man, with a
knowledge of horses, be able to bring his horse
to the post pretty fit both as regards condition
and cleverness — at any rate as fit as most of his
neighbours, and he will be able to do better
next time he tries. For it is a sound maxim in
everything connected with horses that a man
learns more from personal experience than from
precept, or for the matter of that, even from
example.

Presumably the horse that is going to be run
' between the flags ' is thoroughbred or nearly
thoroughbred. If he is not change your mind
and keep him at home. A friend of mine, a fine
horseman and a good man to hounds once insisted ^
upon running a horse he owned in a Hunt Steeple-

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 245

chase. He was a fine hunter, and could gallop
fast — past a standing tree. But all the breeding
he had was three top crosses of thoroughbred,
and the foundation dam was a very common
mare indeed. In vain I tried to persuade my
friend not to run him, pointing out that his
undoubted^ brilliant performances in the
hunting field were due to the fact of his rider
adopting the policy of the nearest way. The
horse was a big bold jumper, one of the sort de-
scribed by the late Mr. W. C. A. Blew as a horse
'* 3^ou would jump a gate on as soon as open it,"
and my friend insisted on running. The steeple-
chase fences were as nothing to him, but he could
not gallop with the horses he met, and even if
he had had more pace he would have lost so
much ground by dwelling at his fences that
success would have been hopeless. And I need
scarcely say that his manners were not improved
by his steeplechasing. The first thing the novice
will find is that his horse will want ' sharpening
up ' at his fences. Even a quick hunter dwells a
little at his fences compared with a chaser, and
what the novice is attempting to do is to turn
his hunter into a chaser for the time being. He
will find two jumps in the modern steeplechase
course which he will never find in similar shape in
the hunting field. These are the dry ditch and
the w^ater jump. Now neither of these obstacles
are really very formidable when once they become
familiar to man and horse. They are really very
easy to negotiate at an ordinary hunting pace,

246 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

but this is just what you have not to do. The
dimensions of the dry ditch as given in the National
Hunt Rules are as follows : The ditch at the
taking off side of the fence shall be 6 ft. wide
and 2 ft. deep and it may be left open or
guarded by a single rail, by a bank and rail, or by
a bank only, not exceeding 2 ft. in height,
and the fence must not be less than 4 ft. 6 ins.
high and if of dead brushwood or gorse it
must be 2 ft. wide. This sounds sufficiently
formidable but it is not so bad as it looks, and
after the rider has jumped it a few times he will
get into the way of thinking that if his horse
gets up well at the guard rail he will clear the lot
easily enough.

In making this fence for schooling purposes
it is better to have the guard rail in some form or
other because this is what will be met with on
most steeplechase courses. The ditch should be
made the regulation width and the fence to
begin with had better not be higher than 3 ft. 6 in.
but should be the regulation width so that the
horse may see the necessity of rising at it. Simi-
larly I would not have the water jump more
than 8 ft. wide to begin with. When a horse has
got thoroughly used to taking these jumps in his
stride the size of them can be increased and after
a few weeks of careful practice he will be found
in most instances clever enough. On this subject
Col. Meysey Thompson than whom few have
had a wider experience has the following words
of wisdom : —

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDINCx 247

''It is a mistake when schooling to keep on
jumping horses over very big fences, for it is then
worth their while to refuse ; and also the lads
riding them are apt to turn nervous, and this is
quickly communicated to the animal. If the
fences are a fair height both horses and riders
enjoy the fun, particularly if they do not get
too much of it at one time. Every now and
again a longer school can be taken, with one or
two full-sized fences in the course of it ; but I am
quite convinced that horses jump better, with
more dash and nerve, if the fences are rather on
the small side than if they are too big. A sure
sign that a fence is too big is when the horses
jump sideways at it, and this is a frequent cause
of falls through the leader crossing the path of the
horse which is following close behind."

When horses are schooled it is as well to have
them well bandaged with thick bandages for
when a horse spreads himself well over a flying
leap he is apt sometimes to hit his fore sinew with
his hind foot and I have known serious conse-
quences ensue.

Condition should not present any difficulties.
A horse that has been hard hunted through the
season should be pretty fit at the end of it and
plenty of steady work with a short schoohng
gallop every now and again and perhaps a couple
of winding up gallops in the last week will be
about what he will require, but it is of course
impossible to lay any rule down. It is surely

248 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

not necessary to point out that all the work of a
horse in training should be done in company.

The rider, even if he is well within the weight
he has to ride, will be wise to take a good deal of
strong exercise the last few weeks before the race.
He will probably answer that he does take a
good deal of strong exercise, that he hunts and is
constantly on horseback. That is all very well
as far as it goes, but if he would be fit on the
day of the race he must do a great deal more
than that. He must take long walks, live
abstemiously, and carefully, and get some of the
inside fat off.

For riding a three-mile steeplechase is no
child's play and it is very aggravating to know
that you have been beaten because you have
tired before your horse. There is another thing
too that should be guarded against on the morn-
ing of the race and that is a hearty meal. Liquids
should also be strictly limited in quantity. If a
man gets a fall in a steeplechase the amount of
hurt he receives will be due in some measure and
that no trifling one to the quantity of food he has
in his stomach. As for the liquid part of the diet,
that is very apt to be troublesome when weigh-
ing in. A man wastes a little in riding in a three-
mile steeplechase on a warm spring afternoon,
and if he has drunk much liquid he may waste a
great deal.

I remember once a gallant gentleman finding
much fault with the Clerk of the Scales at a
steeplechase meeting for weighing him out

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 249

' heavy ' as he called it. He got rather nasty
about it and went on to such a length that the
Clerk of the Scales gave him a mild hint that he
was there to be weighed and not to weigh. He
went out grumbling and he certainly nearly drew
the extra pound. It so happened that his horse
ran second and I believe he thought he would
have won had he been weighed what he called
' fairly ' as he was weighing out. But when he
got into the scale he found to his dismay that he
did not draw the weight, nor would he have done
so with the pound allowance for the bridle.
Luckily he had a heavy bridle and with that he
just managed to turn the scale. Being a gentle-
man he afterwards expressed his regret to the
Clerk of the Scales for what he had said and stated
that he would not have believed a man could
waste so much in so short a time when he was
in fairly good condition to begin with. But a
jockey in the early part of the season has been
known to waste nearly a pound between the first
race and the last when he has been riding in
several races on a hot day.

With respect to riding in the race it is im-
possible to give any directions that will be of
benefit. So much depends on the horse and on
the man. Perhaps the best advice that can be
given is to keep cool, not to lay too far out of
your horses and to be careful not to let a superior
* finisher ' snatch the race out of your hands on
the post after you have fairly won it.

The Point-to-Point Meeting has developed into

250 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

something very different from what was origin-
ally intended. It is indeed in many particulars
very like an informal Hunt Meeting. In its
early days the steeplechase of the early part of
the nineteenth century w^as held up to imitation.
The field were shown a landmark some four miles
off or less — generally less — and were told to
make the best of their way to it. Under those
circumstances knowledge of country from a
hunting-man's standpoint was an important
factor to success. By knowledge of country is
meant knowledge of how to cross the country,
how to choose the best going and select the like-
liest places at the fences, not, of course, the geo-
graphical knowledge of each field. When this
kind of point-to-point steeplechase prevailed it
was frequently the man and not the horse that
won, and I have in my mind now a race in
which the consummate horsemanship of the man
who rode the winner landed perhaps the slowest
horse of the lot first past the post. A rigid ad-
herence to the nearest way landed this gentle-
man with a good lead some two or three fields
from home. But one of the speedy ones was
catching him hand over hand when he saw that
by jumping some particularly forbidding rails in
a corner he would save about loo yards, so he
turned away, allowing his rival to stride along,
confident of winning, and jumping the rails just
managed to win by two or three lengths. The
horse he was riding was from a light cart mare !
This very sporting kind of meeting soon had

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 251

to be practically abandoned. The prevalence
of wire was one thing which necessitated a change
of plan. With the chance of a small bit of wire
cropping up here and there, which there always
is in a country where it is used, however carefully
it may be looked after, and thereby causing a
horse to lose ground, racing on an extended front
had to be abolished. Then again as Point-to-
Point Meetings grew more popular those who
made them the medium of a holiday naturally
wanted to see more of the racing. So the Point-
to-Point, so called, began to be run on more or
less circular courses. The first innovation was
round a turning flag, the course being some two
miles or less out and home. From this to the
introduction of two or three or more turning
flags was an easy transition, and now point-to-
point races are run in all ways. At the time of
writing there is considerable discussion about the
new rules which the National Hunt Committee
have framed respecting Point-to-Point gatherings
(October 191 2).

At one time the National Hunt Committee
practically ignored Point-to-Point Meetings.
Then it became evident that there must be some
central authority and the National Hunt Com-
mittee framed a few rules. Somehow, though
there has been no friction to speak of, things have
not always been quite satisfactory — probabty
because those who have the greatest interest in
Point-to-Point gatherings have no practical
knowledge of Racing. And after all Point-to-

252 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Point Meetings are, although their limits are
circumscribed, as much racing as meetings that
take place under Jockey Club Rules, and such
being the case legislation is necessary. It is not
my intention to dwell upon the controversial
matter which the New Rules have raised, and it
would answer no good purpose. I may however
refer briefly to those rules.

Meetings must be confined to one day and
must be under the Stewardship of the Master of
Foxhounds or of a Committee appointed by him,
or if in a district not hunted by foxhounds by
the Master of Staghounds or of Harriers (he being
a member of the Association of Masters of
Harriers) hunting the same. The Course shall
be as natural as possible and no fence cut more
than is necessary. The distance shall be not
less than three miles and no more flags than are
necessary to mark turning points and dangerous
places shall be used and no flags or posts shall be
placed in or near the fences to indicate the bound-
aries within which the fences are to be jumped.
No plan of the Course shall be exhibited on the
race card or elsewhere and no rider shall be granted
facilities for going round the course beforehand.
The Stewards^ reserve to themselves the right
to appoint a person or persons to inspect the
Course if they require it and it is stipulated that no
Point-to-Point Meeting shall be held over the same
course more than once in two years unless it be
found impossible to provide a fresh course.

1 Of the National Hunt Committee.

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 253

Under no circumstances are there to be more
than four steeplechases in a day, two of which
at least shall be for Members or farmers of that
particular Hunt which is promoting the meeting.
Of the other two one may be open (i) To adjoining
Hunts, of which the aforesaid Hunt shall be one ;
(2) To horses or their owners nominated by the
Master of Hounds ; (3) To one or more Regiments,
including Yeomanry ; or (4) Under exceptional
circumstances, and with the special permission
of the Stewards of the National Hunt Committee,
to some other Society.

No money or other prize shall be of more
value than 20 sovs. in all, except in cases where a
Cup or trophy is given from a private source
and is specified in the conditions of the Steeple-
chase ; and no money shall be taken at any
gate, stand or enclosure. Other rules specify
that every horse that has run in public or that
has had a name registered under the Rules of
Racing or National Hunt Rules shall run in
that name and that no person or horse who is
disqualified under the rules of Racing or Steeple-
chasing shall be allowed to take part in these
steeplechases. Any horse having run at a
Point-to-Point Meeting which has not been
sanctioned as above shall be perpetually dis-
qualified for all races to which National Hunt
Rules apply, and the rider and owner of such
horse shall be ' disqualified persons ' for one
year.

Perhaps the worst thing that can be said for

254 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

the Rules is that they require a considerable
knowledge of the intricacies of racing in those
who have to carry them out ; but after all it is
impossible to play at Racing. The rule about
using the known name is an excellent one. I
have known some horses that have been entered
at Point-to-Point Meetings as Mr. X's chestnut
mare or Mr. Y's bay gelding — that and nothing
more — whose identity, if it had been established
would have solved many difficulties.

The ambitious sportsman who would run his

horse in a Point-to-Point Race then must see

to it that it is so carried out in accordance with

National Hunt Rules that there is no danger

of any horse running at it being permanently

disquahfied or owner and rider being advertised

in the Calendar as disqualified persons. The

horse, it is needless to say, loses considerably in

value and it is more than likely that the owner

and rider will also be losers, directly or indirectly,

in other ways. It is for this reason that I have

gone more particularly into the new rules which

the National Hunt Committee has issued. At

the same time I would point out to the reader

that Rules may be and frequently are altered

and that it would be as well for him if he is

interested in cross-country sport to keep a look

out for any changes of the rules which may

appear in the newspapers from time to time.

There is I know a considerable feeling amongst

some hunting men that they might have been

left to manage their own affairs. To this the

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 255

reply is that they did not manage them. There
was no attempt made to confine the steeplechases
to amateurs — a most desirable — indeed a most
essential thing to do. And there was no attempt
made to punish those who were guilty of breaches
of racing law. I have seen things done with
impunity at Point-to-Point Meetings some years
since which would scarcely have been attempted
at regular meetings under the Rules and which
would certainly have met with condign punish-
ment if they had been.

The National Hunt Committee have also issued
Rules for what they call Bona Fide Hunt Meetings,
which are offered as an alternative to the Point-
to-Point Meetings, where only four steeplechases
are allowed.

A Bona Fide Hunt Meeting is held on one day
in a year by a particular Hunt or two or more
Hunts adjoining over a natural or partly natural
course situate within the limits of the Hunt or
one of the Hunts joining in promoting the fixture
and duly approved by the Stewards after in-
spection by one of the official Inspectors of
Steeplechase Courses. The conditions ruhng such
meetings are that (i) Every race must be a
steeplechase run over a distance of at least three
miles and must be neither a handicap nor a
Selling Race. Each steeplechase must be con-
fined to horses certified by a Master of Fox-
hounds, Staghounds or Harriers (being a member
of the Association of Masters of Harriers) to have
been regularly and fairly hunted during the

256 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

current season. (2) No race to be open to horses
hunted outside the Hmits of the Hunt or Hunts
promoting the Meeting or the neighbouring Hunts,
but there may be one or more races open to
specified Regiments, including Yeomanry, and,
with the special permission of the Stewards
of the National Hunt Committee there may be
one race open to horses, or their owners, nomin-
ated by the Master or Masters of Hounds under
whose auspices the Meeting is held.

The rules respecting the value of stakes are
on the same lines as those in force at Point-to-Point
Meetings. An additional rule is that no one
who is or has been a licensed jockey is permitted
to ride at these meetings. The idea is certainly
a good one but I do not think that these meetings
will be easily managed by an amateur staff. It
should be needless to say that the rules respecting
the fences etc. do not apply to these meetings
and that a winner at them is not penalised at
ordinary meetings under National Hunt Rules
though he may be at a Bona Fide Hunt Meeting.

To emphasise the fact that in the early days
of Point-to-Point Meetings those who had to do
with them did nothing to bring them under
proper control I may tell an amusing incident
which took place within my own knowledge.
A Point-to-Point Meeting was got up in a certain
Hunt, a large entry was obtained, and a capital
course was selected. Altogether it was a very
sporting affair, and there was a capital race.
But unfortunately the rider of the second failed

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 257

to draw the weight. He had when gatheiing
up his ' leads ' to go out to saddle his horse left
3 lb. of them in the window of the house in which
the riders were weighed. One would have
naturally thought that there was an end of the
matter. The Clerk of the Scales would have
sent for the Stewards, reported that the rider
was short of weight, and he would have left the
scale disqualified and ' without a stain on his
character.' But no, the obvious was just the
thing that was not done. The rider of the third
handed in a written objection, and as it was
getting late the Stew^ards decided to hear the
case on the following day. And then they gave
the horse that had run second the second money
because they were thoroughly convinced that he
did not intend to leave the dead weight behind him.
I should add to this too true tale that the Master
of Hounds was not present on the occasion.
What he thought of it all I do not know, for though
I know him well I never dared to ask him.

The Point-to-Point or Bona Fide Hunt Meet-
ing will be found a capital school for the man
who wishes to do a little quiet steeplechasing
at the local meetings. They are more like Hunt-
ing than the meetings under National Hunt
Rules, yet it is necessary for those who take part
in them to sharpen their horses up ; and they
will get a fair knowledge of pace if they ride fre-
quently. Indeed they will perhaps learn how
to keep something in their horse to finish with
better in a point-to-point than when riding on a
17

258 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

marked course which has a landmark every now
and again by which a man can estimate how far
he has to go.

All the schooling necessary for a point-to-
point is to sharpen the horse up at his fences
and give him a schooling gallop in company every
now and again in a fresh country where there is a
considerable variety of fences. It is better only
to take him over one or two big ones for reasons
already given. In all probability there will be a
stain in the pedigree of the horse that is going to
run in the point-to-point. If that should be the
case beware of overtraining. A half-bred horse
will not stand the galloping a thoroughbred will
and it is better to have your horse a little on the
jolly side than stale on the day of the race. But
he will if a half-bred stand a lot of sharpening at
his fences, and unless you do sharpen him you
will find him lose a lot of ground at them in a
race. I have seen a couple of horses approach
a flying jump side by side — one a slow, the other
a quick jumper, and a stride or two from the
fence the latter had a couple of lengths to the
good. He covered the most ground and was the
quickest on his legs.

In a point-to-point race be careful about
picking your ground. Avoid crossing deep
plough as much as possible, and remember that
in all deep country the furrows and the head ridges
afford the best going. Above all things if you
have the lead at the finish keep your horse moving
till you have passed the post. I do not mean

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 259

flourish your whip and arms about and spur
your horse. The probabihty is if you do that
3^ou will throw the race away. It takes an ex-
perienced jockey to ' finish ' well. But keep
your horse moving freely and remember that
when a horse has galloped three miles or upwards
he is much easier stopped than set going again.

When I was very young I found that out. A
friend and I were riding home by a bridle road
and one of us suggested a gallop. Conditions
were soon arranged and a trifling bet was made.
Both horses were as bad as bad could be ; we
knew that. But mine was a littie better than
I thought he was and I had backed myself be-
cause I thought — and justly — that I was the
better horseman of the two. When we had
covered about three-parts of the distance my
opponent was in difliculties and my horse was
going gaily enough. So I began to ease him
thinking to win in a slow canter by a head as I
had seen John Osborne do some time before. I
slowed down easily enough and was doing every-
thing to my own satisfaction when I saw the
other struggling on, and thought I would shake
mine up a bit, but to no purpose, and I was beaten.
And I learnt then, and have never forgotten it,
that a commoner never ' comes ' twice in one
race.

The training of the show horse has already
been treated of, but a few words about showing
him will not be out of place. Many young men
are keen to show their own horses and they are

26o THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

to be commended for it. Unfortunately many
of them give it up all too soon. Even if a man
is a fairly good horseman he must have a con-
siderable amount of practice before he is able
to meet the man who devotes his life to show
riding with anything like an equal chance. By
which is meant that there are countless little
things, insignificant in themselves, which enable
the showyard horseman to place his horse before
the judges to the very best advantage. But the
more important of these will come by constant
practice and painstaking and I would not have
the novice too easily discouraged. Indeed he may
take heart of grace for in all probability he is as
good or perhaps a better man to hounds than his
rival of the show ring.

And though perhaps he may never equal that
rival in the show ring there is no reason why he
should despair of being able to ride a horse well
enough to do him full justice, and that is all that
is required. There is plenty of time for a man to
learn to ride well without neglecting those more
serious duties which increase upon us as we ad-
vance in years. An ' infinite capacity for taking
pains ' will make a more than merely capable
horseman of most young men provided they are
keen enough.

In setting a horse up for the judges to examine
there is a great art. Many men, especially
hackney grooms, stretch them out as far as they
can get their legs placed. Their legs, indeed,
instead of being under them, are outside them.

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 261

It is impossible to impress upon what does duty
for the intelUgence of these men, that by so
doing they throw their horses out of outhne.
The shoulders are low, and they look slack-backed.
To set a horse up properly one fore foot should
be slightly advanced and the two hind feet very
near together, the foot on the side which is being
looked over being a trifle — but a very trifle — be-
hind the other. When the judges go to the other
side of the horse, a slight movement of the hand
will make the horse step a trifle back on the hind
foot and forward on the fore foot of the other
side, and he will present the same appearance to
the judges that he did when they first looked at
him. In horse-dealers' language, " Always pre-
sent the long side to your customer." But care
must be taken to have the horse so well trained
that the signal which is given to him to change
his position is almost imperceptible. It takes
some little time to train a horse to stand per-
fectly in this way but it is well worth all the
trouble.

It is not a good plan, yet it is one which is
often adopted in the show ring, to look at what
the other horses are doing. There is plenty for
a man to do to look after his own horse. Many
a time I have seen a prize thrown away by the
over-anxiety of the man who was showing a horse
in seeing what his rivals were doing The judges
may look round at any moment and see a horse
standing all abroad, and consequently never
take any further notice of him ; and even if there

262 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

were not the judges there are the onlookers, upon
whom it is always desirable that a horse should
make a good impression. '' To be everywhere is
to be nowhere" was a wise saying of Montaigne,
and the truth of the old proverb which says that
if you run after two hares you will catch neither
is sufficiently obvious. So let the man who is
showing a horse devote his whole attention to
him. He may however be careful to see that
his number is so displayed as to be decipherable
from the ring side. He knows what horse he is
riding but there are many who do not and who
heartily appreciate the courtesy of showing the
number conspicuously. It should not be
necessary, but it is, to insist that the correct
numbers should be put on the horses. It not
infrequently happens when two or more horses
are shown from one stable that the numbers
get mixed. A very annoying instance of this
occurred a few years ago and I make no doubt
that there have been others. Two horses — the
property of the same owner — were shown at an
important show and both were shown in two
classes. In both classes one of them was reserve
and the other highly commended. But in the
first class they were shown in the wrong numbers
and in the second in the right ones, and men who
had not followed the judging closely naturally
asked why. The judges saw that the numbers
had been altered and explained the situation to
the Press — or I should say to that part of the
Press that was present, but naturally there were

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 263

some who did not hear the explanation and as
the numbers were never corrected on the award
board there was every excuse for their wonder.

In galloping a horse round the ring with the
rest of the exhibits it is always desirable to keep
him well balanced and in his place. Racing past
competitors and cutting in round corners does not
do the least good, and are entirely ignored by the
judges. An important quality in any horse is
that he shall have good manners and there is no
truer sign of good manners than a horse keeping
his place in the ranks and keeping his balance.
Some men who should know better seem to think
that judges are easily imposed upon. They
deceive themselves, and when they act upon the
opinion they have apparently formed they do
themselves no good.

It is advisable never to speak to a judge except
in reply to some inquiry. Nothing that the man
who is showing a horse can say influences a judge
who knows his work, and it may be taken for
granted that judges, as a rule, know much more
of their business than disappointed exhibitors
give them credit for. I remember a very voluble
young man telling the judges a wonderful story
about a leggy, somewhat three-cornered horse he
was showing; when, something startling the
horse, he reared and gave a grunt that could have
been heard for a quarter of a mile. '* Thank

you, Mr. ," said one of the judges. ''What

with what you have told us and what with what
the horse has told us we have got to know some-

264 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

thing about him." The same man, talking to
another set of judges told them his horse had
never been beaten. '' Then he has never been
shown in good company " said one of the judges.
Another unpardonable breach of good manners
is for a man, without being told, to squeeze his
horse in at the head of the class. It is frequently
done, and there are some who are notable for this
sign of very bad breeding. Let me tell them
that it does not do them the least good and that
they would do much better if they were to be-
have more becomingly. I know of one instance
where a judge refused to judge a certain man's
horses unless they wxre shown by someone else.
He was a strong man and spoke openly before
the delinquent. In another case where a man
pushed his way up to the top one of the judges
went up to him and asked him if he was judging
the class. On his reply in the negative the
judge asked '' Who is ? " '' You, sir '' was the
reply. '' Then go down there,'' pointing to the
other end of the ring, '' and when I want you I
will send for you." It was a good class and the
judges took their time before they sent for the
delinquent who won at the finish, but who said
afterwards that he never had such a bad quarter
of an hour in his life. It should not be necessary
to point out that in running a horse in hand it
is wrong for the exhibitor to look at him. Yet
there is scarcely a show at which we do not see
someone staring his horse in the face. Naturally
he runs back. Hold the right hand fairly high.

RACE AND SHOWYARD RIDING 265

the horse's head straight and run on are the
right things to do.

It may perhaps be thought unnecessary to
have insisted as I have on some of these details.
It will be said that no gentleman would think of
behaving as I have suggested. I do not for a
moment suppose that he would think of doing so.
But amongst the transgressors there are many who
are certainly gentlemen and the explanation
is that they act without thinking, copying the
example of some of those promoted stable boys
whose heads have been turned by their certainly
well-merited but som.ewhat rapid success. As a
rule they are well-behaved fellows enough till they
are spoiled, and it may fairly be said that if there
had ever been a proper discipline maintained in
the show ring they would have been better and
happier men.

Example can do much, and so can precept,
and it is simple enough for a gentleman to insist
that his servant behaves in the show ring with the
same propriety as he does himself.

A

SCHOOL RIDING

MAN " because he hath Ridd a Hundred
Miles in a Day (which a Post-Boy can do)
thinks himself a Horse-Man ; or Because he
can Run a Match with his Groom, or Leap a
Ditch, or a Hedg, in Htmting, and Hold by the
Main, he thinks he" is a Horse-man ; but his
Hunts- Boy doth as much. iVnd my Lord Mayor,
when he goes to Weigh Butter, sets a Legg of
either side the Horse very Gravely ; An excellent
Horseman ! And I have seen many Wenches
Ride Astride, and GaUop and Run their Horses,
that could, I think, hardly Ride a Horse Well in
the Mannage''

So wrote the finest Horseman and foremost
gentleman of his day, William Cavendish, Duke of
Newcastle, soldier, scholar and statesman. And
what he wrote in 1667 is true in 1912. Men
tumble about more or less, hold on by the bridle
and allow their horses to carry them where they
will and they fancy themselves horsemen and
even presume to teach others.

It would be ridiculous to assume that be-
cause a man has not been taught school riding
that he is not a capable horseman. There are

many men who ride well to hounds and who can

266

SCHOOL RIDING 267

* make ' a horse well to carry a man either on the
road, in the Park or in the Hunting field, who
have no knowledge of School Riding whatever ;
yet it will probably be found that they have
somehow hit on a similar method of training and
have got at the same results by a more round-
about way.

It is a curious fact that in England, where
School riding for many years — indeed it may be
almost said for centuries — was not only admired
and appreciated but was a source of national
pride, it should be suddenly dropped and not
only dropped but thought of no account and
finally laughed at and despised. But such is the
case, and it has only been in the last few years
when many fine horsemen have taken the
subject up and many good books have been
written on it that the Haut Ecole has been
thought to have o^e good property in England.
''Circus Business" say Brown, Jones and
Robinson, bumping about on their saddles, and
hanging on by the bridle. But it is only Circus
work to this extent, that a horse once thoroughly
broken to ' school ' methods, can by means of
the various 'aids' be taught to do almost
anything. So marvellous indeed were some of
the tricks old Riding Masters taught their Horses
that Count Cesaresco, quoting Caracciolo and
Corte of Pavia, Italian writers of the sixteenth
century, reminds us that at Aries a Neapolitan
and his horse were burnt for practising Magic.
It can however be claimed by School riders

268 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

that they have made of Horsemanship a science,
and that they can show a reason for everything
they do in the school. I have heard it said
that all horses broken in the school have hard
mouths and that all men taught in the school
have heavy hands. Nothing can be more er-
roneous. I have ridden horses that have been
broken in the ' schools ' and the only difficulty
I experienced with their mouths was that I some-
times inadvertently gave them a sign, which
made them do what I did not anticipate —
' rein back ' for example. But the school horses
I rode had no pull about them. As for the
men having heavy hands, that is absolute non-
sense. The finest horseman — or one of the
finest I ever knew, w^as taught in the school,
and I believe he occasionally had a few lessons
just to refresh his memory. He was a brilliant
man to hounds and a fine cross-countiy jockey,
one of the best amateurs of his day. He was
riding a four-year-old one day and had a very
narrow escape of a heavy fall. It was his
beautiful handling that saved the situation.
As we were riding home I remarked what a
well-trained horse he was riding and he said
it really was not, that it was very raw and that
was only the second or third time it had seen
hounds. He added that he had ridden it a few
times in the school and had lightened its forehand
well before he jumped and to that he attributed
the scramble instead of a fall. We talked
' school ' all the way home and from that day I

SCHOOL RIDING 269

thought differently about school riding. Years
before that I knew intimately that fine school
rider the late James Newsome, whose circus
delighted the public in the country for many
years. Mr. Newsome had always held forth
to the same effect and he, with his nephew,
Charles Ducrow and his two charming daughters
w^ere as good in the Hunting field as they were
in the arena. I have had many a day's hunting
with Newsome and Ducrow and they were awk-
ward men to tackle or would have been if they
had known as much about hunting as they did
about horsemanship. But in our obstinacy we
would have it that Newsome and Ducrow went
well to hounds and the latter rode well in steeple-
chases in spite and not because of their school
experiences. Our prejudices were all against the
Riding School, and probably our prejudices were
strengthened by our appreciation of Surtees'
sarcastic references to the '' most magnificent and
affable of Riding masters, who advertises his stud,
just as Howes and Cushing advertise their grand
United States Circus."

It is impossible to give a full description of the
Haut Ecole in a chapter or two ; the subject
is a big one and demands a volume to itself.
It also requires an expert such as Mr. Robert
Weir, Mr. E. L. Anderson, Count Cesaresco or
Mr. John Swire to do justice to it. Fortunately
all that is necessary here is to refer to that part
of School training which assists the horseman
in the management of his horse under ordinary

270 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

conditions, on the road or in the Hunting field,
and for this purpose only a few simple move-
ments are necessary. Before proceeding to deal
with them, however, perhaps it would be as
well to refer to what Mr. E. L. Anderson has
to say on the subject. Indeed he sums up the
whole situation so well that he may be fully
quoted.

'' Except in the higher training of horses, the
English are far and away the best horsemen
in the world. It is because I believed this,
and because I felt the importance of better
methods of training than those now employed
in this country that I have so often ventured
to address English horsemen upon the subject
of thorough schooling. In breeding horses, in
rearing, and in caring for them, in racing them
and in riding them across country the English-
man is easily first. . . . But there is one form
of the art in which he fails ; that is in so suppling
and uniting the horse that the animal is under
immediate and certain control; he looks upon
the spur as simply an instrument to incite the
horse to greater speed, and loses more than
half of the control that one should have over
the animal by neglecting that discipline of the
rider's legs which is not only a power in itself
but is of the greatest assistance to the hand."

The lessons for the ordinary horseman to learn
from the school, and which he will find useful
to him, are broadly indicated in the passage I have
quoted from Mr, Anderson. They consist of

SCHOOL RIDING 271

bending, turning on the croup, and on the fore-
hand, the passage and reining back, and I think
they are all that are essential. Mr. John Swire,
a fine horseman himself and an enthusiast
whose book should be carefully read by all who
wish to acquaint themselves with the theory
and practice of High School riding, would have
the hack taught the Spanish Walk and Trot.

In the Spanish Walk the horse places his
weight on one foreleg, raises the point of his
opposite shoulder, extends his leg horizontally and
puts his foot gently on the ground and as far
forward as possible, his leg remaining straight.
It is by no means easy to describe some of these
intricate movements but the Spanish Walk and
Trot are familiar to visitors at the Royal Rich-
mond and the International Horse Shows, and the
accompanying portrait of Mr. Vivian Gooch on
Bugle March gives a good idea of the Walk. I
quite agree with Mr. Swire that this is *'an ex-
cellent exercise for the shoulders, it strengthens
the forelegs and much improves the paces of
the horse ; it also brings him under the control
of the hand and leg, provided the rider always
insists on the horse raising the leg which the
aids indicate." Mr. Swire also points out that
it is an excellent exercise for a stumbler, which
may also be admitted. But in spite of all this
I would not advocate the Spanish Walk and
Trot being taught to the hack, and most certainly
not to the Hunter, and for this reason, that a
rider unversed in the methods of the School,

272 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

might inadvertently give the signal and be caused
considerable inconvenience. We remember Mr.
Newton Dogvane's unpleasant adventure with
the circus horse. On this point Count Cesaresco
is very sound. '' Horses meant for ordinary
use," says he, '' ought never to be taught tricks
as it only spoils them, and this is particularly
true of what is called the Spanish Walk and
the School jumps."

The school theory of seat is a sound one; it
is for the rider to sit on that part of the horse's
back where there is least motion. Sit forward
lean back, and draw the legs well back with the
heels down is the correct seat.^ School theory
about horses' mouths is equally sensible. It
is not suggested, as I have heard it suggested
elsewhere, "that all horses have good mouths
till the sensibility of touch has been destroyed
by bad handhng. But it is maintained that
all horses can be made light in hand by perfect
balance combined with the suppling of neck
and shoulders, and quarters. It is contended
that by training a horse to know and obey certain
aids he puts himself into such a collected position
that his rider is absolutely master at the least
possible expenditure of force and trouble. In
other words he is always, in his dealings wdth
his horse, working on the lines of least re-
sistance.

In using the legs as aids Mr. Savigear justly

1 If a man sticks his feet out in front of him and leans back there
is only one fate for him ; one too obvious to need emphasising here.

SCHOOL RIDING 273

deprecates '' the dull and heavy kicking of the
limbs '' which is frequently seen in the untaught
and impatient horseman, and perhaps the use of
the hands and legs in School riding will be more
readily understood if I give his description of
putting a horse into a canter.

'' A Hght and firm feeUng of both reins to
raise the horse's forehand ; a pressure of both
legs to bring his haunches under him ; a double
feeling of the inward rein, and a stronger pressure
of the outward leg will oblige the horse to strike
off true and united/'

It should not be necessary to add that in
School riding — nor indeed at any other time for
the matter of that — ^the reins should never be
jerked, a very frequent fault of a rider who is at
a loss what to do when his horse is inclined to be
self-willed. And when on the subject of reins
let me impress upon the learner, and every one
whom it may concern, never to let the horse
draw the reins through his hands. It is not, as
is sometimes erroneously thought, a sign of good
hands but the contrary. The reins should be
firmly held and at a fair length from the bit, and
in such a position that the chance of an involun-
tary tug at them is reduced to a minimum. There
is another matter about which particular care
must be taken. It will be noticed that in the
directions for the various movements both legs
and both hands are always mentioned. Now
when an increased pressure of either one hand or
one leg or both is necessary for the performance

274 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

of some new movement the other hand or leg or
both should retain their proper place, otherwise
the horse is uncollected in his action — or a phrase
I like better, the balance is destroyed — and more
or less of a failure results.

Bending is a necessary preliminary to turn-
ing on the forehand and on the croup. The horse
should be halted and his head gently bent to the
left or right as may be desired. Supposing it is
wanted to bend him to the right the right rein
should be gently pulled, whilst a touch is still
kept on the left rein, both legs being pressed to
his sides to prevent him running back or stand-
ing on three legs. The idea is for the horse to
stand perfectly square, as he was doing before
the movement was attempted. The bend of the
neck should be from the poll, just behind the
ears.

When man and horse can do this without
trouble they may begin with turning on the fore-
hand which is simpler than turning on the croup.
In order to do this when riding round the school
to the right the horse should be halted and after
he has stood still a short time — less than a minute
is quite long enough — operations may be com-
menced in this way. The horse's forehand should
be restrained by the right rein which should be
held low and the pressure of the left leg should
send the croup round step by step till the circle
is complete. It is however advisable when
executing this movement to rest the horse for
half a minute when the circle is half completed.

SCHOOL RIDING 275

Of course the proceedings are reversed when the
horse is wanted to go the other way round. To
turn on the haunches, always supposing that the
horse is wanted to go the right way round, the
hind quarters are stayed by the right leg and the
horse circled round by the right rein which must
be used carefully or the horse may run back.
The left leg should be closed strongly to prevent
the horse working his quarters round to the left.
In this movement the quarters must be sta-
tionary.

' Shoulder in ' is a prehminary to the ' pass-
age ' and indeed differs from that movement
principally in that in the former the horse bends
and looks the contrary way to that which he is
going and in the latter he bends, looks and moves
in the same direction. In ' Shoulder in ' a horse's
body is bent, but not too much so, and he takes
up fresh ground sideways in the contrary direction
to that in which he is looking. If the horse is
bent to the right something like this happens.
His forehand is brought a little round by the
gentle use of the right rein, the left leg being
closed up as if the horse were going to incline to
the right. Then the right leg is closed and the
shoulders are led off to the left by the left rein,
whilst the horse is kept bent to the right. The
pressure of the right leg makes him cross his legs
and gain ground to the left.

The use of the Shoulder in and the passage are
entirely educational ; in the words of Savigear,
''to make the horse supple in the neck and ribs,

276 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

to give a free action to his shoulders, and to teach
him to obey the pressure of the leg."

In passaging to the right the right rein is
used to bend and lead the horse and the left rein
to balance him. The right leg keeps him up to
his bridle and the left leg makes him cross
his legs. A difference between passaging and
shoulder in is that in the former the outward
leg crosses the inward one and in the latter the
inward leg crosses the outward one. There is
no more important lesson learnt in the school
than reining back, as it enables a horse that is low
in the forehand to collect himself better than
any other means. It must be taught to the horse
on foot at first. Standing in front of him and
taking up a rein in each hand the trainer should
notice which foot the horse has in advance. He
should then press gradually on the rein on that
side till the horse takes one step in a backward
direction. When he has done that he should be
rewarded and made much of. Then the same
process should be gone through on the other side.
At first the horse's head should be kept rather
low, as he backs easier with it in this position,
but it may be gradually raised as he gets more
power in his quarters. The exercise should not
be too prolonged at first and great care should be
taken that the horse does not run back, but
steps back steadily as he receives the signal.
To rein back when mounted the reins should be
felt lightly, and both legs should be pressed to
the horse's sides in order to raise his forehand.

SCHOOL RIDING 277

Then the rein on each side should be pressed very
gently and the pressure should be relaxed the
instant the horse steps back.

I have given the reader some idea of the
various movements which seem to me likely to
be useful to all horsemen, but it is naturally im-
possible to enter fully into the subject, and I
would refer him to the extensive literature there
is on the subject, some of the most important of
which will be found included in the Bibliography.
But it is to the school he must go and not to books
if he would become an adept.

And before closing this chapter I would im-
press upon him the wisdom there is in the old
Riding School maxim, '' Made horses never made
hands.'' Let a man, who would be a horseman,
as soon as he is capable, train two or three horses
himself. Nay, I would say more, let him, if he
can find the time, ' make ' all his own horses.
He may take it from the writer, who speaks from
a pretty wide experience, that there is most
pleasure and satisfaction in riding a horse you
have trained yourself.

COUNTING THE COST

NOTHING has been said about the cost of
keeping horses. So much depends upon
circumstances that it is a subject that is
better left alone, for however carefully calcula-
tions may be made and however wide one's
experience it will probably be found misleading.
Personally I have found the keep of horses — by
which I mean keeping them in good condition
— vary some shillings per week per horse. It
depends very much on the locality, and of course
the price of hay and corn and straw has much to
do with it.

One thing however the reader can confidently
rely upon and that is that it will pay him to get to
know all he can about the various details which
have been treated in this book ; to never miss
an opportunity of learning something from the
management of men whom he knows to be
experts ; and to look after things as much as
possible himself — to keep a close eye on his stable
in every department. I have previously quoted
the words of one of our greatest breeders on
the economy of feeding ^ ; and the next best
thing to feeding your horses yourself is to be

^ See page 50
278

COUNTING THE COST 279

there frequently and unexpectedly at feeding
time.

There is another little bit of advice I would
give the man who hunts, and who has not been
brought up to hunting from his boyhood. If he
has, the advice is superfluous. Let him learn to
clean a horse ; to strap him down thoroughly.
I have known more than one good hunter saved
from severe illness by the good strapping his
owner has given him to restore circulation, and I
have seen some gallant officers, whom it is the
fashion of the ignorant to sneer at as ' idle/
dress their tired hunters in a way that would
have done credit to any groom and which few
grooms have equalled. And if a man is fairly
young and able, there is an immense satisfaction
in taking off his coat and cleaning the hunter that
has carried him well just to show his man how
it should be done.

I am speaking from experience. I had been
very dissatisfied with the way my horses were
done and had found fault quietly once but with
very little effect. So one day when I came home
from hunting I put my coat off and set to work.
The man came in as I began, but I told him to
sit on the corn bin, and went on till I had finished.
I then said that that was how I would have my
horses done, and tha^t if they were not done up to
that standard and in the time it had taken me
to make my horse comfortable there was the
* route ' for him next morning. I said it
quietly, spoke about something else and left him.

28o THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

The result was that the man, who was a really
good man when kept up to his work, stayed with
me two years longer and left to get married. I
was very much amused when I accidentally
overheard him telling a fellow-servant that he had
no idea the master could strap a horse 'Mike
that."

Roughly speaking, a couple of hunters can be
kept for about £120 to £140 per annum — the
cost will fluctuate between the two. It must
be remembered that there are many inciden-
tal expenses — saddler, blacksmith, veterinary
surgeon, etc., as well as the mere cost of the
horses' keep and the man's wages. But even if it
approximates closely on the larger of the sums
it is difficult to find a sport where you can get
so much fun for your money as you can in
hunting. Certainly there is none that I am
aware of in which can be found such '' infinite
variety." So it is an absurdity to say that
hunting is a sport for the rich man and for the
rich man only. Of course if a man goes into a
fashionable country and does as the fashionable
people in a fashionable country do it will cost
him a pretty penny. But there is as good sport
to be had in an unfashionable country as in a
fashionable one. There is no royal road to fox-
hunting, and I know of m.any centres from which
very excellent sport can be seen, in which the
prohibitive prices of the Shires are not met with
and where a visitor for the hunting season would
receive a heart}^ and hospitable welcome.

COUNTING THE COST 281

It is however advisable for a man who has
not a long purse to hunt at home. He will do it
at less trouble, he will not neglect his business, if
he has one, and thereby he will add to his plea-
sure ; and he will be more comfortable. And
unless his lines be cast in a very wild and
out-of-the-way place he will be able to get plenty
of hunting, especially if he occasionally uses the
railway as a covert hack.

Of course there are many things which affect
a man's chances of hunting even if he should hunt
from home. It is just possible that hounds may
meet on one day of the week on which he is un-
avoidably detained on business, but that will be a
ver}' unusual occurrence though a very annoying
one if hounds meet in a good country. But
taking it on the whole masters of hounds carefully
avoid hunting on these ' busy days ' when they
possibly can do so, and if such an untoward
circumstance should arise the sportsman may
rest satisfied that there will be plenty of
hunting within his reach for the rest of the
week.

There are plenty of places in the provinces
whence hounds are reachable every day in the
week, especially if Harriers or Staghounds are
included. And here I would say a word to the
novice. Let him decline neither when they
come in his way. He will be told about the
cruelty of hunting the carted deer. It is sheer
nonsense. Macaulay tells us of the *' Puritan
who hated bear-baiting not because it gave pain

282 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the
spectators." The Puritan has his successors in
the present day, especiaUy when they have a log
to roll.

But the reader may judge for himself from
some of my own experiences. On one occasion
hounds ran a hind fifty minutes at top pace
before she soiled. It was a select few who saw
the latter part of that gallop. And when the
hind was ready she came out of the stream, and
sauntered carelessly amongst the field and to
within a short distance of the hounds. Then she
trotted away, jumped a hedge, and began to
graze. And some slow hunting took place before
she condescended to be put into the cart again.
Another run of an hour and forty minutes ended
in the deer soiling. One of the gentlemen
present, who was close to the deer, slipped his
hunting whip round his neck, and out came the
deer, who was led over three fields in this fashion
to the deer cart. Now neither of these deer were
a bit concerned at what happened ; they took it
as all in the day's work. You can also have fine
sport with harriers in a harrier country, where the
hares are stout. Low country hares are generally
fat and weak and what they call in Cumberland
poor travellers.

A man with a couple of hunters can manage
three days a week or five days a fortnight easily if
hounds meet at all handy. The three days a
week are easily managed if his horses keep sound
and he arranges his hunting wisely. Indeed

COUNTING THE COST 283

if he does this an extra day may sometimes be
put in.

It is the long wearying dragging day in which
a lot of country is got over and little in the way of
sport is seen that tells on the horses, and when a
day of this sort is on the wa^^ a wise man with a
limited stud will ' gamble ' on to-morrow or the
day after and make for home in good time. Then
again if a fox is found early in the day and there
is a good run the man who is satisfied with his
fifty minutes* or an hour's gallop will have his
horse ready a day sooner and he will see a better
average of sport on the whole than the man who
sees each day out to the bitter end. It is of
course a difficult subject to generalise on, but I
have had a good deal of experience in this direc-
tion and that is the conclusion I have come to
after considerable thought.

I think also that a man will see more sport
and enjoy it better if he attaches himself to one
hunt and follows its fortunes regularly, than he
will if he selects the best fixtures of one or two
hunts. It is not always the best fixtures that
provide the best sport as hunting history shows
abundantly, and I remember on one occasion
when three famous packs of hounds were at their
best fixtures in one week, how I carefully went
out on each day and saw no sport whilst another
pack on one of these days meeting in some rough
woodlands had the run of the season over one of
the finest lines in England.

Little disappointments of this kind will

284 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

occur, but if a man hunts consistently according
to his means, he will surely have his turn ; and
when he has he will forget all his former disap-
pointments and join with his fellows in drinking
the time-honoured toast '' Fox-hunting, long may
it flourish 1 "

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Author's Note. — It should scarcely be necessary to point
out that a complete Bibliography on the subject of Horses
and Horsemanship is impossible. But that is no reason why
a BibHography should not be given. The following books
will be found interesting and many of them useful to the
diligent student of Horses and Horsemanship. The author has
a passing acquaintance with all of them.

The four e chiefyst offices belongyng to Horsemanshippe. That
is to saye, The office of the Breder, of the Rider, of the
Keper, and the Ferer. In the first parte whereof is
declared the order of breding of horses. In the second,
ho we to breake them, and to make theym horses of
servyce. Conteyninge the whole Arte of Ridynge lately
set forth, and nowe newly corrected and amended of
manye faultes escaped in the fyrste printynge, as well
touchyng the bittes as otherwyse. Thirdly, howe to
dyet Them, as well when they reste, as when they trauell
by the way. Fourthly, to what diseases they be subiect,
together with the causes of such diseases, the sygnes
howe to knowe them, and finallie howe to cure the same.
Whyche books are not onely paynfuUie collected out of a
number of aucthours, but also orderlie dysposed and
applyed to the use of thys our contrie. By Thomas
Blundevile. 1580.

A New Method, and Extraordinary Invention, to Dress Horses,

and worke them according to Nature ; as also to Perfect

Nature by the subtilty of Art. Which was never found out,
285

286 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

but by the Thrice Noble, High and Puissant Prince
William Cavendishe, Duke, Marquess and Earl of
Newcastle ; Earl of Ogle ; Viscount Mansfield ; and
Baron of Bolsover, of Ogle, of Bertram, Bothal, and
Hepple : Gentleman of His Majesties Bedchamber ;
One of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy-Councel ;
His Majesties Lieutenant of the County and Town of
Nottingham ; and Justice in Ayre Trent North : Who
had the honour to be Governour to our Most Glorious
King, and Gracious Soveraign, in His Youth, when he
was Prince of Wales ; and soon after was made Captain
General of all the Provinces beyond the River of Trent,
and other parts of the Kingdom of England ; with Power,
by a special Commission, to make Knights. 1667.

The Gentleman's Recreation. By R. Blome. The Second
Part Treats of Horsemanship, Hawking, Hunting,
Fowling, Fishing, and Agriculture, with a short treatise of
Cock Fighting ; for the Breeding, Dyetting, Ordering,
Matching and Fighting them, all which are collected
from the most Authentick Authors, and the many
Gross Errors therein Corrected, with Great Enlargements,
made by those well experienced in the said Recreations.
And for the better explanation thereof, great variety of
useful Sculptures, as Nets, Traps, Engines, &c., are added
for the Taking of Beasts, Fovn^I and Fish ; not hitherto
published by any. 1686.

The compleat Horseman and expert Farrier, in two Bookes.
The first shewing the best manner of breeding good horses,
with their choyce, nature. Riding and dieting, as well for
running as for hunting, and how the rider ought to behave
himself in the breaking and riding of colts, as also teaching
the groom and keeper his true office touching the Horses
and Colts committed to his charge, and prescribing the
best manner how a stable ought to be situated and made
— not hitherto so fully described by any. The second
directing the most exact and improved manner how to
know and cure all maladies and diseases of the Horse.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 287

A work containing the secrets and best skill belonging to
either Ferrer or Horse leech ; the cures placed alpha-
betically, with many hundreds of medicines never before
imprinted in any Author. By Thomas de la Grey,
Esq. Published at the earnest request of sundry Noble
and worthy Gentlemen for the general good and benefit
of the Nation. 1656.

Country Contentments ; or, The Husbandman's Recreations.
Contayning the wholesome Experiences in which any
man ought to recreate himself after the toyle of more
serious business. As namely, Hunting, Hawking,
Coursing with Greyhounds and the lawes of the Lease,
Shooting in Longbow or Crossbow, Bowling, Tennis,
Baloone, The Whole Art of Angling, and the Use of the
Fighting Cock. By G(ervase) M(arkham). 1654.

Cheape and Good Husbandry for the well ordering of all Beasts
and Fowles and for the generall Cure of their Diseases.
Containing the Natures, Breeding, Choice, Use, Feeding
and Curing of the Diseases of all manner of Cattell, as
Horse, Oxe, Cow, Sheepe, Goats, Swine, and tame
Conies. Shewing further the whole Art of Riding great
Horses, with the breaking and ordering of them ; and
the dieting of the Running, Hunting, and Ambling
Horse, and the manner how to use them in their travell,
&c. By Gervase Markham. 1653.

The Gentleman' s Compleat Jockey : With the Perfect Horse-
Man, and Experienced Farrier. Containing — L The
Nature of Horses ; their Breeding, Feeding, and
Management in all Paces, to fit them for War, Racing,
Travel, Hunting, or other Recreations and Advantages.
n. The True Method, with proper Rules and Directions
to Order, Diet, and Physick the Running Horse, to
bring him to any Match, or Race, with Success. HL
The Methods to Buy Horses, and prevent being cheated ;
Noting the particular Marks of the Good and Bad Horses
in all their circumstances. IV. How to make Blazes,

288 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Stars and Snips : To Fatten a Horse with little charge,
and to make him Lively and Lovely. V. The whole Art
of a Farrier, in curing all Diseases, Griefs, and Sorrances
incident to Horses ; with their Symptoms and Causes.
VL The Methods of Shooing, Blooding, Rowling, Purging,
and prevention of Diseases, and many other things, from
long Experience and Approved Practice. By A. S.
Gent. 1700.

The School of Recreation ; or, A Guide to the Most Ingenious
Exercises of Hunting, Riding, Racing, Fireworks, Military
Discipline, the Science of Defence, &c. By R. H. 1701.

Rules for Bad Horsemen, addressed to the Society for the En-
couragement of Arts. By Charles Thompson. A new
Edition, with additions by J. Hinds.

Genius Genuine. By Samuel Chifney, of Newmarket.

The Adventures of a Gentleman in search of a Horse. By
"Caveat Emptor" (Sir George Stephen). 1837.

The Hunting Field. By Harry Hieover.

On the Proper Condition for all Horses. By Harry Hieover.

The Horse and his Rider. By Sir Francis Stead.

Horses and Hounds. By " Nimrod."

The Turf, the Chase, and the Road. By C. J. Apperley
('•'Nimrod").

The Horse. By William Day.

The Economics of Feeding Horses. By H. A, Woodruff,
1912.

The Horse. By Col. R. C. Meysey Thompson.

How to Ride and School a Horse. By E. L. Anderson.

Breaking and Riding, with Military Commentaries. By
James Fillis.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 289

The Horsewoman. By Mrs. H. M. Hayes.

Side-Saddle Riding. By Miss Eva Christy.

The Psychology and Training of the Horse. By Count
Cesaresco.

Guide to Horsemanship and Horse Training. By A. Lavigear.
Edited by T. B. Coombe Williams.

^ The Book of the Horse. By S. Sidney.

The New Book of the Horse. By Charles Richardson.
"^ Horses and Riding. By G. Neville.

On Hunting and Riding. By Capt. M. H. Hayes.

Stable Management and Exercise. By Capt. M. H. Hayes.

The Points of the Horse. By Capt. M. H. Hayes.

Illustrated Horse Breaking. By Capt. M. H. Hayes.

Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners. By Capt. M. H. Hayes.

Driving. By His Grace the Duke of Beaufort. Badminton
Library.

Riding. By Capt. Robert Weir, Riding Master, R.H.G.
With contributions by the Duke of Beaufort, the Earl
of Suffolk and Berkshire, the Earl of Onslow, E. L.
Anderson, and A. E. T. Watson. Badminton Library.

The Merry Gee-Gee. By J . F. Lyall.

Horse Breeding and Management. By Fred Adye.

The Equestrian's Manual ; or, The Science of Equitation, with
advice to purchasers of horses, saddlery, etc. By Samuel
C. Wayte.

How to Choose a Horse. By Frank T. Barton.

The Groom's Guide. By Frank T. Barton.
19

290 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

The Twentieth -Century Book of the Horse. By Sydney
Galvayne.

Horses and Stables. By Lieut. -General Sir F. Fitzwygram.

MarkhanCs Masterpiece. Containing all Knowledge belonging
to the Smith, Farrier, or Horse-Leach Touching the
Curing of all Diseases in Horses. By Gervase Markham.

1734-

The True Method of Dieting Horses. Containing many Curious
and Useful Observations concerning their Marks, Colour
and External Shape ; their Temper and Instinct ; and
how they are to be governed so as to prevent Accidents
and Diseases. By W. Gibson. 1726.

The Training and Breaking of Horses. By Merritt W.
Harper.

What Horse for the Cavalry? By Spencer Borden.

The dates of the old books given are those of the editions
in the possession of the Author.

INDEX

Admittance to stall, refusing,
125 ; Mr. Merritt W. Harper's
remedy for, 126

Animals, Society for the Preven-
tion of Cruelty to, absurd
position taken up by, 71

Appetite, horse with delicate, 49

Bails, swinging, economise space,

9

Balance, how to ensure perfect,

195
Bandages, standing in, 120 ;

cotton wadding, 144
Bearing reins, use of, 68 ; non-
sense about, 68 ; arguments
against, untenable, 69 ; late
Duke of Beaufort on, 70 ;
Col. Smith Bailhe on, 71
Beaufort, the late Duke of,

quoted, 70
Bits, multiplicity of, 167 ; snaf-
fle, various kinds of, 167 ;
■i. double-ringed snaffle, 168 ; gag
f snaffle, 168 ; Pelham, 168 ;
jv Hanoverian Pelham, 168 ; Chif-
;' ney, 169 ; Segundo, 169 ;
' Gridiron, 170 ; Ben Morgan,
' 171 ; drawback of, 171 ; Lord

Lonsdale's, 172
Bleeding, periodical, 138
Blistering, care in, necessary, 156
Bridle roads to be avoided late

in the day, 102
Bridles, leading, 163 ; descrip-
tion of, 163-164 ; reins of, 166 ;
how to hold double-reined, 197 ;
Capt. Hayes' plan, 198
Broken knees, treatment of, 143
Brook, the steeplechase, 245
Brooms for indoors, 106 ; for
outdoors, 107

Brushes, best quality of, desirable,
III

Buckets, wooden preferred, 107 ;
for fomentation, 107

Buying, improvement in methods
of, 23 ; important considera-
tions in, 28 ; of farmers, 33 ;
the best plan for inexperi-
enced men, 33 ; hints for, 36

Catarrh, symptoms of, 152 ;

treatment of, 152
Charge, mercurial, 142 ; Mr.

John Osborne's, 142 ; recipe

for, 143
Children, teaching them to ride,

185 ; their seat, 185 ; should

never ride till tired, 185 ; not

to be molly-coddled, 186
Clipping and singeing, a good plan

of, no.
Clothing, keeping of horse, 161 ;

necessity for changing, 162
Coach house, situation of, 178
Colic, symptoms and treatment

of, 155 ; difference of, from

enteritis, 156
Cracked heels, causes of, 148 ;

treatment of, 150
Cribbing, taught by tying up

chain, 5
Cubic contents of stables per

horse, 15 ; some statistics of,

16
Curry comb, not to be used on

horse, 112
Custance, Harry, anecdote of, 31

Dawson, Matthew, 108
Diarrhoea, symptoms and treat-
ment of, 154
Disappointment, causes of, 26

291

292 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Diseases, minor, list of, 152

Ditch, the dry, 245

Dixon, Mr. Watson, his mare

Maria, 123 ; buys recipes from

grooms, 135 ; his hking for

Pelham bits, 169
Doorways, importance of roomy,

22
Ducrow, Charles, 269

Enteritis, symptoms and treat-
ment of, 156

Exercise, 43, 44

Exhibitors, bad manners of
some, 82 ; prejudices of, 82 ;
should not volunteer informa-
tion, 263 ; should not " squeeze
in " in front, 264

Falls, many, caused by careless-
ness, 203 ; an instance, 204

Farmers, hunting men and, 225 ;
tact and courtesy, advantages
of, 227

Farmers, old-fashioned, 138-139

Feeder, management of delicate,
92, 93

Feeding, hours of, 40 ; economy
in, 50 ; correct principles of,

51

Fomentation, bucket for, 107
Food, quality of, 46 ; chop, 48 ;
bran mashes, 48 ; beans, 49 ;
peas, 49 ; green food, 49 ;
celery, 49 ; cabbage and cauh-
flower, leaves of, 49 ; carrots,
49 ; swede turnips, 49 ; clover,
56

General purpose horse, not easily
found, 73 ; best size for, 74 ;
dog-cart to be preferred for,
75 ; should be ridden when pos-
sible, 76 ; how ponies make so
good, 76

Grooming, benefits of good, 45-
46

Grooms, should not buy horses,
34 ; and commission, 34-33 ;
number of horses to be looked
after by, 114; to be kept to
their own work, 115 ; not to
exercise without saddle, 117 ;
their astounding recipes, 135 ;
inexpert horsemen, 161 ; to

exercise in knee-caps, 161 ;
their qualifications as horse-
men, 183 ; should not be put
to teach children, 184 ; profit
by example, 279
Gruel, how made, 46, 47

Hack, of olden times, 62 ; a good,
62 ; scarcity of, 63 ; covert and
park, 64 ; a good type, 64 ;
description of, 64 ; must walk
well, 65

Hackney breeding, boom in, 62

" Hailing a cab," 200 ; habit not
easily cured, 201

Hands, importance of, 170

Harness, simpUcity of, desirable,
177

Harness horse, type of, 67 ;
matching, 67

Hayes, Capt. Horace M., on May-
hew, 12 ; on cubic space of
stables, 15 ; on ventilation, 18 ;
on quantity of water for horses,
43 ; on effect of water, 46

Horseman, should inspect tackle
before mounting, 193

Horsemanship, art of, 179 ; learnt
perfunctorily, 179 ; admoni-
tions on, 181 ; Duke of New-
castle on, 181 ; nerve necessary,

182 ; scorn of the manege,

183 ; an advantage of School
riding, 187 ; a good way of
learning, 187 ; absence of
hurry in good, 216 ; experi-
ence necessary for, 217

Horses, pleasure of " making," 33 ;
riding into money, 34. ; grooms
should not buy, 34 ; with defects
to be firmly refused, 36 ; hints
for buying, 36 ; importance of
standing correctly, 36 ; vaga-
ries of, in show ring, 83-84 ;
not to be always led on same
side, 118 ; the dressing of,
119 ; legs not to be washed
after hunting, 121 ; on mount-
ing, 191 ; kicking, not to be
ridden into crowd, 219 ; setting
up, 260 ; attention must not
wander when showing, 261 ;
should have correct numbers on
at shows, 262 ; running in hand,
264 ; cost of keeping, 278

INDEX

293

Hounds, riding after, 220

Hunters, work of, 52 ; old-
fashioned summering of, 52 ;
effect of phj^sicking and sweat-
ing of, 54 ; turning out of
condition, 55 ; summering in
the house, 56 ; early prepara-
tion, 57-58 ; cub hunting, 59 ;
should be ridden slowh^ home,
1 00-101 ; wisping and ban-
daging of, 100 ; gruel for, on
homeward journey, loi ; stimu-
lant for tired, 104; food for, on
return from hunting, 104-105

Hunting, the object of many who
ride, 205 ; but not all, 205 ;
knowledge necessary for novice,
206 ; guides for novice, 207 ;
man must choose his class, 222 ;
on wheels, 225; dress, 228;
etiquette, 229 ; economical,
279 ; rough estimate of cost
of, 280 ; the carted deer, 281 ;
the hare, 281 ; carted deer,
nonsense written about, 282 ;
what two horses can do, 282

Hunt meetings, gentlemen riders,
243 ; care of horse for, 244 ;
well-bred horses necessary for,
245 ; bona fide, 256

Hygiene, progress of stable, 2

Indigestion, symptoms and treat-
ment of, 154

Influenza, symptoms and treat-
ment of, 153

Judging, difficulty of, from ring

side, 83
Judgment, errors of, 26-27
Jumping, theories about, 208 ;
water, 210 ; essential for safe,
211 ; quick, advantage of, 258

Ladies, cross and side saddles for,

230 ; horses don't pull with,

231 ; reason for, 232 ; their
horses and saddlery should be
of the best, 232 ; often give
horses sore back, 234 ; reason
for this, 235 ; how frequently
taught to ride, 235 ; seat on
saddle, 237 ; bad habits con-
tracted by, 238 ; should be
attended, 238 ; dress, 239

Looking on, becomes a habit,
223 ; " down wind," 224 ;
knowledge of country, 224

Loose boxes, compared with
stalls, 4 ; preference for, 13 ;
best kind of, 13 ; big ones pre-
ferable, 14 ; Mr. Wilkinson's,
14 ; size of, 15

Mangers, best kind of, 20-21
Manners, good, essential in a

hack, 61-65 ; indispensable for

ladies' horses, 233
Maria, her wickedness in stable,

123 ; her only fall, 180
Markham, Gervase, on jockeys'

tricks, 24 ; on glanders, 25 ;

his knowledge, 25 ; his advice

to travellers, 136 ; recipes by,

136-137
Martingales, two kinds of, 172 ;

use of standing, 173 ; benefit

of running, 173
Mayhew cited, 12
Measure, corn, should be standard,

109
Motor car, use of as covert hack, 98
Mud fever, causes of, 148 ; treat-
ment of, 150
Mulcaster, George, on horses

nibbling grass, 45

Newsome, James, 269

Noseband, not to be used unless
needed, 164 ; use of, 165,
Cavesson, 165 ; Gillard's, 165 ;
the Bucephalus, 165

Overreach, prevention of, 145 ;
treatment of, 146 ; guard for,
146-147

Point-to-point races, description
of, 249 ; new rules for, 252 ;
care necessary in their manage-
ment, 254 ; picking ground in,

258
Ponies, Highland, 77 ; Fell, 77 ;
Dales, 77 ; Hill and Forest, 77 ;
small, value of, 77 ; children's,

78
Pony, a child's, 184
Provender house, furniture of, 21

Racks, not desirable, 20

294

THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN

Railway, as covert hack, 99 ;

drawback of, 99
Repositories, well-conducted, 31 ;

care necessary at, 32
Riders, qualified, 340
Riding, careless, 188 ; signs of

bad, 189; to a pilot, 215 ; an

independent line, 215 ; to

points, 224 ; in races, 240 ;

work entailed by race, 241 ; in

steeplechases hard work, 248
Riding boots, heels of, 197
Riding master burnt with his

horse for magic, 267
Rules for Bad Horsemen, an able

book, 190 ; on the proper seat,

193

Saddle galls, early treatment of,

151

Saddle racks, one for each saddle
necessary, 160

Saddle room, a key to the estab-
lishment, 158 ; should be con-
venient, 158; motto for, 159;
must be panelled or lined, 161

Saddles, lumps in, must be re-
moved, 161 ; component parts
of, 174 ; girths, 174 ; Pulver-
macher's girths, 174 ; stirrup
leathers, 1 74 ; safety bars, 1 75 ;
stirrups, advantage of "round
legged," 175; a good tread to
stirrups, 176 ; necessity for
well-fitting, 176 ; rider should
be measured for, 176 ; ladies'
saddles, 177 ; correct fit of
horse and rider essential, 194 ;
grip on the, 195

Salt, rock, 49

Salts, use of, beneficial, 49

" Schooling," 246-247

School riding, Newcastle on,
266 ; not necessary to make
capable horseman, 266 ; fell
into neglect in England, 267 ;
advantages of, 267 ; Mr. E, L.
Anderson on, 270 ; theory of
seat, 272 ; use of legs in, 272 ;
use of reins, 273 ; bending,
274 ; turning on forehand, 274 ;
turning on haunches, 275 ;
" shoulder in," 275 ; passaging,
276 ; rein back, 276 ; maxim,
a sound, 277

Seat, a good, 193-194; things to
be avoided, 195 ; stiffness to
be avoided, 196 ; the American,
242 ; Col. Meysey Thompson
on, 242 ; at Aintree, 243

Shafts, ventilating, 19

Show horses, buying of, 85 ;
management of, 86, 87, 90 ;
must be principally confined
to showing, 89 ; educating, 93 ;
in harness, 95 ; difficult to
keep in condition, 96

Showing, sound policy in, 80 ;
fun of, 81 ; vicissitudes of, 81

Sieve, necessity for use of, 109

Singeing, naphtha preferred to
gas, no

Sponges, waste of, 112

Spurs, should not be too long in
the neck, 173 ; ill-advised use of,
212 ; sharp rowels are better
avoided, 213

Stable management, only one
rule for, 2 ; regularity in,
essential, 115 ; routine of, 116

Stable necessaries, two classes of,
106 ; in common, 106 ; the
groom's personal, in et seq. ;
cost of, 113

Stables, first consideration, i ;
bad, until recent times, 2 ;
stuffy, 2 ; light, 3 ; improve-
ment in building, 3 ; site for,
6 ; open situation necessary,

8 ; kicking in, 9 ; flooring of,
9-10 ; drainage of, 10 ; light in,
17 ; artificial lighting of, 18 ;
water for, 20 ; routine, 39

Stalls, number of, 7 ; size of, 8-

9 ; slope of, 9-10

Steel, keeping of spare, 161
Sticking the elbows out, to be

avoided, 199 ; by ladies, 238
Stirrup leathers, importance of

right length of, 190 ; rule for

obtaining it, 191
Stud, proper time to replenish, 54
Swire, Mr. John, on Spanish

Walk and Trot, 271

Thompson, Col. Meysey, on
stalls and boxes, 4 ; on cubic
space of stables, 15 ; on earth
eating, 44

Thong, use of the, 213

INDEX

295

Thorns, to be carefully looked for,

147 ; lameness from, 147
Tiles, glazed, ill effect of, 17
Trial, necessity for personal, 37
Tricks, learnt easily in stalls, 5
Turn at fences, 216

Ventilation of stables, 18 ; Ad-
miral Rous on, 19

Veterinary science, growth of,
139 ; amateur dabbling in, 140 ;
a result of, 141

Vicar, story of Yorkshire, 39

Vices, stable, easily taught, 122 ;
often caused by grooms, 122 ;
idleness causes, 125 ; refusing

admittance to stall, 125 ;
hanging back, 126 ; halter
breaking, 127 ; kicking, 127 ;
not lying down, 128 ; capped
elbow, 128 ; difficulty in door-
ways, 129; crib -biting, 129,
130, 131; wind-sucking, 132;
weaving, 133
Voltaire, epigram by, 234

Water, how supplied, 20 ; neces-
sity for large supply, 41 - 42 ;
quality of, 46
Worms, treatment for, 155
Wounds, treatment of, 143 ; air
must be excluded from, 145

PritUsd by

Morrison & Gibb Limiti

Edinburgh

A SELECTION OF BOOKS

PUBLISHED BY METHUEN

AND CO. LTD., LONDON

36 ESSEX STREET

w.c

CONTENTS

PAGE

PACK

General Literature .

2

Little Quarto ShsVosircare

ig

Ancient Cities.

X2

Miniature Library

19

Antiquary's Books .

la

New Library of Medicine

19

New Library of Music

X9

Arden Shakespeare

13

G.xferd Biographies

ig

Classics of Art

13

Three Pl-iys .

30

"Complete" Scries

13

States cf Italy

20

Connoisseur's Library .

14

Westminsler Commentr..;^;

20

Handbooks of English Ch

urch

" Young" Scries ,

20

History ....

M

Shilling Library .

21

Handbooks cf Theoiogi'

14

Books for Travellers

21

••Home Life" Series

1.1

Illustrated Pocket Library of

Some Books on Art.

21

Plain and Coloured Books 15

Some Books on Italy

22

Leaders of Religion

15

Fiction

23

Library of Devotion

16

Two-Shilling Novels

27

Little Books on Art

16

Books for Boys and <jirls ,

27

Little Galleries

17

Shilling Novels .

28

Little Guides .

17

Novels of Alexandre Dumas

28

Little Library . . .

x8

Sixpenny Books

29

JULY 1912

A SELECTION OF

MESSRS. METHUEN'S

PUBLICATIONS

Tn this Catalogue the order is according to authors. An asterisk denotes

that the book is in the press.

Colonial Editions are published of all Messrs. Methuen's Novels issued
at a p ice above 2S. 6d., and similar editions are published of some works of
Genera! Literature. Colonial editions are only for circulation in the British
Colonies and Ind'a.

All books marked net are not subject to discount, and cannot be bought
at less than the published price. Books not marked net are subject to the
discount which the bookseller allows.

Messrs. Methuen's books are kept in stock by all good booksellers. If
there is any difficulty in seeing copies, Messrs. Mcthuen will be very glad to
have early information, and specimen copies of any books will be sent on
receipt of the published price plus postage for net books, and of the published
price for ordinary books.

This Cata'.'gue contains only a selection of the more impDrtant books
pubHshed by Messrs. Methuen. A complete and illustrated catalogue ot their
nuMicalions may be obtained on application.

Andrewos (Lancelot). PRECES PRI-
V.-^TAE. 'Lranslated and er'.itrd, with
Notes, by F. E. Brightman. Cr. %vo. dr.

Aristotle. THE ETHICS. Edited, with
an Introduction and Notes, by John
Burnet. Demy Zvo. \os. 6d. net.

Atkinson CC.T.). A HISTORY OF GER-
MANY, 1715-1815. Demy 8vo. 12s. 6d. net.

Atkinson (T. D.). ENGLISH ARCHI-
TECTURE. Illustrated. Fcap.Zvo. 3s. 6d.
net.

A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN
ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE. Illus-
trated. Second Edition. Fcap- Zvo. 3J, 6d.
net.

ENGLISH AND WELSH CATHEDRALS.
Illustrated. Demy 8vo. 10s. 6d. net.

Bain (F. W.). A DIGIT OF THE

MOON : A Hindoo Love Story. AintA

Edition. Fcap. %vo. y. 6d. *iet.
THE DESCENT OF THE SUN : A Cvxlb

OF Birth. Fifth Edition. Fcap. Svo.

3J. 6d. net.
A HEIFER OF THE DAWN. Seventh

Edition. Fca/>. Svo. 2s. 6d. net.
IN THE GREAT GOD'S HAIR. Fifth

Edition. Fcap. %vo. 2$. 6d. net.
A DR.AUGHT OF THE BLUE. Fourth

Edition. Fcap. Zvo. 2J. ()d. net.

AN ESSENCE OF THE DUSK. Third

Edition. Fcap. Bno. 2s. 6d. net.
AN INCARNATION OF THE SNOW.

Second Edition. Fcap. Svo. 35. 6^/. net.
A MINE OF FAULTS. Second Edition.

Fcap. Svo. 3f. 6d. net.
THE ASHES OF A GOD. Fcap. Svo.

3J. 6d. net.
•BUBBLES OF THE FOAM. Fcap ^to.

5J. net. Also Fcap. Zvo. ■^s. td. net.

Balfour (Graham). THE LIFE OF
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. Illus-
trated. Fifth Edition in one Volume.
Cr. %vo. Buckram, ts. Also Fcap. ivo.
IS. net.

Baring (Hon. Mauriee\ A YEAR IN

RUSSIA. Second Edition. Demy Svo.
JOS. 6-/. net.

LANDMARKS IN RUSSIAN LITERA-
TURE. Second Edition. Crown Svo.
6s. net.

RUSSIAN ESSAYS AND STORIES.

Second Edition. Croivn Svo. 5J. net.

THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE. Deyity Svo.
15 J. net.

Baring-Gould (S.). THE LIFE OF
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. lilcstrated.
Second Edition. Royal Svo. los. td. ntt.

General Literature

THE TRAGEDY OF THE C/ESARS :
A Study of the Characters ok the

C.tSARS OF THE JULIAN AND ClAUDIAN

HousHS. Illustrated. Seventh Edition.

Royal Svo. los. t'i. net.
THE VICAR OF MORWENSTOW. With

a Portrait. 7'hird Edition. Cr. Zvo. 35- 6d.

*Aiso Fcap. Zvo. js. net.
OLD (:OUNTRY LIFE. Illustrated. ^/,'"<:A

Edition. Large Cr. Svo. 6s.
A BOOK OF CORNWALL. Illustrated.

TAird Edition. Cr. Sv<j. 6r.
A BOOK OF DARTMOOR. Illustrated.

Second Edilicn. Cr. Zvo. ts.
A BOOK OF DEVON. Illustrated. Third

Edition. Cr. Zvo. bs.

Baringr-Gould (S.) and Sheppard (H.
Fleetwood). A GARLAND OF
COUNTRY SONG. English Folk Songs
with their Traditional Melodies. Demy i,to.
6s.

SONGS OF THE WEST: Folk Songs of
Devon and Cornwall. Collected from the
Mouths of the People. New and Revi.-,sd
Edition, under the musical editorship of
Cecil J. Sharp. Large Imperial Zvo.
5J. net.

Barker (E.). THE POLITICAL
THOUGHT OF PLATO AND ARIS-
TOTLE. Demy 8vo. 10s. 6d. net.

Bastable (C. F.). THE COMMERCE
OF NATIONS. Fi/th Edition. Cr. S,vo.
as. 6d.

Beckfopd (Peter). THOUGHTS ON
HUNTING. Edited by J. Otho Paget.
Illustrated. Third Edition. Demy Zvo. ts.

Belloe CH.). PARIS. Illustrated. Seco7id

Edition^ Revised. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
HILLS AND THE SEA. Eo7<rth Edition.

Fcnp. 8vo. 5s.
ON NOTHING AND KINDRED SUB-
JECTS. Third Edition. Fcap. 8vo. ss.
ON EVERYTHING. Third Edition. Fcap.

8vo. 5J.
ON SOMETHING. Second Edition. Fcap.

8710. 5J.
FIRST AND LAST. Second Edition.

Fcap. Svo. 5J.
MARIE ANTOINETTE. Illustrated.

Third Edition. Demy 8vo. iss. net.
THE PYRENEES. Illustrated. Second

Edition. De}?ty Zvo. -js. 6d. net.

Bennett (W. H.). A PRIMER OF THE
BIBLE. Fi/th Edition. Cr. Svo. 2s. 6d.

Bennett (W. H.) and Adeney (W. F.). A
BIBLICAL INTRODUCTION. With a
concise Bibliography. Sixth Edition. Cr.
%vo. JS. 6d. Also in Two Volumes, Cr.
&V0. Each 3^. 6d. net.

Benson (Archbishop). GOD'S ECAi<D.
Communion Addresses. Second Edition.
Fcap. 8vo. 3J. 6d. net.

Bicknell fEihel E.). PARIS AND HER

Tt^EASURES. Illustrated. Fcap. %vo.
Round corners. 5J. net.

Blake (William). ILLUSTRATIONS OF
THE BOOK OF JOB. With a General In-
troduction by Laurbncb Binyon. Illus-
trated. Quarto, au. net.

Bloemfoatein (Bishop of;. ARA CCELI :

An Essay in Mystical Theology.
J-i/th Edition. Cr. 8vo. js. 6d. net.
FAITH AND EXPERIENCE. Second
Edition. Cr. 8vo. y. 6d. net.

Eowden (E. M.). THE IMITATION OF
B U D D H A : Quotations from Buddhist
Literature for each Day in the Year. Sixth
Edition. Cr. itmo. 2s. 6d.

Brabant (F. C). RAMBLES IN SUSSEX.
Illustrated. Cr. 8vo. ts.

Bradley (A. G.). ROUND ABO UT WILT-
SHIRE. Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr.
8vo. 6s.

THE ROMANCE OF NORTHUMBER-
LAND. Illustrated. Second Edition. Dejny
8vo. JS. 6d. net.

Braid (James). ADVANCED GOLF.
Illustrated. Seventh Edition. Demy 8vo.
los. 6d. net.

Brodriek (Mary) and Morton (A. Ander-
son). A CONCISE DIC'lIONARY OF
EGYPTIAN ARCHyEOLOGY. A Hand-
book for Students and Travellers. Illus-
trated. Cr. Zvo. 3J. 6d.

Bro\yning (Robert). PARACELSUS.

Edited with an Introduction, Notes, and
Bibliography by Margaret L. Lee and
Katharine B. Locock. Fcap. 8vo. 2,^. 6d.
net.

Buckton (A. M.). EAGER HEART: A
Christmas Mystery-Play. Tenth Edition.
Cr. 8vo. IS. net.

Bull (Paul). GOD AND OUR SOLDIERS.

Second Edition. Cr. 8vo. ts.

Burns (Robert). THE POEMS AND
SONGS. Edited by Andrew Lang and
W. A. CRAiGiii. With Portrait. Third
Edition. Wide Demy Zvo. ts.

Caiman (W. T.). THE LIFE OF
CRUSTACEA. Illustrated. Cr. 8vo. ts.

Carlyle (Thomas). THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION. Edited by C. R. L.
Fletcher. Three Volumes. Cr. 8vo. 18s.

THE LETTERS AND SPEECHES OF
OLIVER CROMWELL. With an In-
troduction by C. H. Firth, and Notes
and Appendices by S. C. Lomas. Three
Volumes. Demy 8vo. i8f. net.

Methuen and Company Llmited

Celano (Brother Thomas of). THE
LIVES OF S. FRANCIS OF ASSISE
Translated by A. G. Ffkkf.rs Howell.
With a Frontispiece. Cr. Zvo. 5J. net.

Chambers (Mrs. Lambert). LAWN
TENNIS FOR LADIES. Illustrated.
Cr. Zvo. SJ. 6d. net.

*Cbesser, (El-zabeth Sloan). PER-
FECT HEALTH FOR WOiMEN AND
CHILDREN. Cr. Zvo. 3^. bd. net.

Chesterfield (Lord). THE LETTERS OF
THE EAKL OF CHESTERFIELD TO
HIS SON. Edited, with an Intrfduct^on by
C. Stkachrv, and Notes by A. Calthkop.
T7V0 Volumes. Cr. Zvo. 12J.

Chesterton ^G.K.)- CHARLES DICKENS.

With two Portraits in Photogravure. Seventh

E'iiiiofi. Cr. Zvo. ks.
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Sixth

Edition. Fcap. %vo. ss.
TREMENDOUS TRIFLES. Fcurth

Edition. Fca.p. Zvo. =;j.
ALARMS AND DISCURSIONS. Second

Edition, fcap. %vo. ^s.
THE BALLAD OF THE WHITE

HORSE. Third Edition. Fcap.Zvo. ^s.
•TYPES OF MEN. Fcap. %vo. 5J.

Clausen (George). SIX LECTURES ON

PAINTING. Illustrated. Third Edition.
Large Post 8vo. 3^. 6a. net.
AIMS AND IDEALS IN ART. Eight
Lectures delivered to the Students of the
Royal Academy of Arts. Illustrated. Second
Edition. Large Post Svo. 5s. net.

Clutton-Brock (A.) SHELLEY: THE
MAN AND 'IHE POET. Illustrated.
Demy Svo. js. 6d. net.

Cobb CW.F.). THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
y^ ith an Introduction and Notes. Denty 8vo.
10s. 6d. net.

Conrad (Joseph). THE MIRROR OF
THE SEA: Memories and Impressions.
Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Coolidge (W. A. B.). THE ALPS : IN
NATURE AND HISTORY. Illustrated.
Demy Zvo. -js. 6d. net.

•Correvon(H.). ALPINE FLORA. Trans-
lated and enlarged by E. W. Clayforth.
Illustrated. Square Demy Zvo. i6j. net.

Coulton (G. G.\ CHAUCER AND HIS
ENGLAND, illustrated. Second Edition.
Demy Svo. 10s. 6d. net.

Cowper (William). THE POEMS.
Edited with an intruduction and Notes by
J. C. Bailf.y. Illustrated. Demy 8vo.
los. 6d. net.

Cox (J. C). RAMBLES IN SURREY.
Second Edition. Cr, Zvo. 6s.

Crowley (Ralph H.). THE HYGIENE
OF SCHOOL LIFE. Illustrated. Cr.
Zvo. 3^. 6d. net.

Davis (H. W. C). ENGLAND UNDER
THE iNORMAxVS AND ANGEVINS :
1066-1272. Third Edition. Demy Zvo.
loJ. 6d. net,

Dawbarn (Charles). FRANCE AND

THE FRENCH. Illustrated. Detny Svo.
ros. 6d. net,

Dearmer (Mabel). A CHILD'S LIFE
OF CHRIST. Illustrated. Large Cr.
8vo. 6s.

Deffand (Madame du). LETTRES DE
MADAME DU DEFFAND A HORACE
WALPOLE. Edited, with Introduction,
Notes, and Index, by Mrs. Paget Toynbee.
In Three Volumes, Demy 8vo. ;^3 ^s. net.

Dickinson (G. L.). THE GREEK VIEW
OF LIFE, Seventh Edition. Crown 8vo.
2S, 6d. net.

Ditchfield (P. H.). THE PARISH

CLERK. Illustrated. Third Edition.

Demy 8z'0. 7s. 6d. net.
THE OLD-TIME PARSON. Illustiated.

Second Edition. Demy 8vo. js. 6d. net.
*THE OLD ENGLISH COUNTRY

SQUIRE. Illustrated. Demy 8vo. loj. 6d.

71 t.

Ditchfield (P. H.) and Roe (Fred).

I VANISHING ENGLAND. The Book by

I P. H. Ditchfield. Illustrated by Fred R.-e.

Second Edition. Wide Demy 8vo. 15^. net.

Douglas (Hugh A.). VENICE ON FOOT.

With the Itinerary of the Grand Canal.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Round

corners. Fcap. 8vo. 5J. net.
VENICE AND HER TREASURES.

Illustrated. Round corners. Fcap. 8vo.

5J. net.

Dowden (J.). FURTHER STUDIES IN
THE PRAYER BOOK. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Driver (S. R.). SERMONS ON
SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH THE
OLD TESTAMENT. Cr. 8vo, 6s.

Dumas (Alexandre). t;t:^ CRIMES OF

THE BORGIAS AND vJlHERS. With

an Introduction by R S. Garnett.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr. 8vo, 6s.
THE CRIMES OF URBAIN GRAN-

DIERAND OTHERS. Illustrated. Cr.

8z'o. 6s.
THE CRIMES OF THE MARQUISE

DE BRINVILLIERS AND OTHERS.

Illustrated. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
THE CRIMES OF A LI PACHA AND

OTHERS. Illustrated. Cr, 8vo. 6s,

General Literature

MY MEMOIRS. Translated by E. M.
Wai ler. With an Introduction by Andrew
Lang. With Frontispieces in Photogravure.
Ill si.x Volumes. Cr. Zvo. dr. each volume.
Vol.. I. 1802-1821. Vol. IV. 1830-1831.
Vol. II. 1822-1825. Vol. V. 1831-1S32.
Vol. III. 1826-1830. Vol. VI. 1832-183^
MY PETS. Newly translated by A. R.
Allinson. Illustrated. Cr. %vo. ts.

Duncan ( F. M. ). OUR INSECT
FRIENDS AND FOES. Illustrated.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Dunn-Pattison (R. P.). NAPOLEON'S
MARSHALS. Illustrated. VeMy 8vo.
Stcond Edition, iis. 6d. net.

THE BLACK PRINCE. Illu.stratcd.
Second Edition. Detny Zvo. qs.dd.net.

Durham {The Earl of). THE REPORT
ON CANADA. With an Introductory
Note. Demy Zvo. 4J. td. net.

DuttlW.A.). THE NORFOLK BROADS.
Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Egerton (H. E ). A SHORT HISTORY
OF BRITISH COLONIAL POLICY.
Third Edition. DetnyZvo. -js, td. net.

Evans (Herbert A.). CASTLES OF
ENGLAND AND WALES. Illustrated.
Deiny Zvo. 12s. 6d. net.

Exeter (Bishop of). REGNUMDEL

t The Bampton Lectures of iqoi.) A Chtafer
Edition. Demy 8vo. js. 6d. net.

Ewald (Carl). MY LITTLE BOY.

Translat'id by Alexander Teixeira de
Mattos. Illustrated. Fcap. Svo. 5s.

Fairbrother (W. H.). THE PHILO-
SOPHY OF T. H. GREEN. Second
Edition. Cr. Svo, 31. 6d.

•ffoulkes {Charles). THE ARMOURER

AND HIS CRAFT. Illustrated. Eoyal
^to. £,1 IS. net.

Firth {C. H.). CROMWELL'S ARMY :
A History of the English Soldier during the
Civil Wars, the Commonwealth, and tlie
Protectorate. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Cr. hvo. 6s.

Fisher (H. A. L.). THE REPUBLICAN
TRADITION IN EUROPE. Cr. Sva.
6s. net.

FitzGerald (Edward). THE RUBATYAT

OF OMAR KHAYYAM. Printed from
tiie Fifth and last Edition. With a Com-
mentary by H. M. Batson, and a Biograph-
ical Introduction by E. D. Ross. Cr. Zvo
6s.

Flux (A. W.). ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES.
Demy ivo. js. td. net.

Eraser (J, F ). ROUND THE WORLD
ON A WHEEL. Illustrated. Fifth
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Calton (Sir Francis). MEMORIES OF
MY LIFE. lll,;strated. Third Edition.
Demy Wo. los. bd. .»./.

Gibbms {H. da B-). INDUSTRY IN
ENc;LAND: HISTORICAL OUT-
LINES. With Maps and Plans. Seventh
Edition, Revised. Demy Svo. 10s. 6d.

THE INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OF
KNCLAND. With 5 Maps and a Plan.
Eighteenth and Revised Edition. Cr. Svo.

ENGLISH SOCIAL REFORMERS.
Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 2s. 6d.

Gibbon (Edward). THE MEMOIRS OF
THE LIFE OF EDWARD GIBBON.
Edited by G. Birkbeck Hill. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE. Edited, with Notes,
Appendices, and Maps, by J. B. Bury,
Illustrated. Jn Seven Volu>nes. Demy
Svo. Each los. 6d. net. Also in Seven
Volumes. Cr. Svo. 6s. each.

Glover (T. R.). THE CONFLICT OF
RELIGIONS IN THE EARLY ROMAN
EMPIRE. Fourth Edition. Demy Svo.
TS. 6d. net.

Godley (A. D.). LYRA FRIVOLA. Fourth

Edition. Fcap. Svo. is. td.
VERSES TO ORDER. Second Edition.

Fcap. Svo. 2S. 6d.
SECOND STRINGS. Fca/. Svo. 2s. 6d.

Gostling (Frances M.). THE BRETONS
AT HOME. Illustrated. Third Edition.

AUVERGNE AND ITS PEOPLE. Illus-
trated. Demy Svo. 10s. 6d. net.

•Gray (Arthur). CAMBRIDGE AND ITS
STORY. Illustrated. Devty Svo. 7J. 6d.
net.

Grahame (Kenneth). THE WIND IN I

THE WILLOWS. lUustrated. Sixth I
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6x. j

Granger (Frank). HISTORICAL SOCI- !
OLOGY : a Text-Book of Politics. I
Cr. Svo. 3^. 6d. net. j

Grew (Edwin Sharpe). THE GROWTH i

OF A PLANET. Illustrated. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Griffin (W. Hall) and Minchin (H. C).
THE LIFE UF ROBERT BROWNING.
Illustrated. Second Edition. Demy Svo.
12s. 6d. net.

Hale (J. R.). FAMOUS SEA FIGHTS:
FROM Salamis to Tsu-SHiMA. IllusUatcd.
Cr. Svo. 6t. net.

Methuen and Company LiMiTEr>

•HalhH. R.). THE ANCIENT HISTORY
OF THE NEAR EAST FROM THE
EARLIEST PERIOD TO IHE PER-
SIAN INVASION OF GREECE. Illus-
trated. Demy %vo. 15J. net.

Hannay (D.). A SHORT HISTORY OF
THE ROYAL NAVY. Vol. I., 1217-1688.
Vol. II., 1689-1815. Demy %vo. Each
ys. 6d. net.

Harper (Charles G.). THE AUTOCAR

ROAD-BOOK. With Maps. In Four
Volumes. Cr. Zvo. Each js. 6d. net.
Vol. I. — South of thk Thames.
Vol. II.— North and South Walks

AND West Midlands.
Vol. III.— East Anglia and East Mid-
lands.
•Vol. IV.— The North of England and
SoL'TH OF Scotland.

Harris (Frank). THE WOMEN OF
SHAKESPEARE. Demylvo. ^s. 6d.net.

Hassan rArthur). THE LIFE OF
NAPOLEON. Illustrated. Demy 8ro.
■js. 6d. net.

Headley (F. W.). DARWINISM AND
MODERN SOCIALISM. Second Edition.
Cr. 8t'<7. 5J. net.

Henderson (M. Sturge). GEORGE
MEREDITH ; NOVELIST, POET,
REFORMER. With a Portrait. Secoid
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Henley (W. E.). ENGLISH LYRICS:
CHAUCER TO POE. Second Edition.
Cr. Zvo. 2X. 6d. net.

Hill (George Francis). ONE HUNDRED

MASTERPIECES OF SCULPTURE.
Illustrated. Demy 8vo. los. 6d. net.

Hind (C. Lewis). DAYS IN CORNWALL.

Illustrated. Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. dr.

Hobhouse (L. T.). THE THEORY OF
KNOWLEDGE. Demy 2,vo. 10s. 6d. net.

Hobson (J. A.). INTERNATIONAL
TRADE: An Application of Economic
Theory. Cr. 2,vo. 2s. fd. net.

PROBLEMS OF POVERTY: An Inquiry
into THK Industrial Condition of the
Poor. Seventh Edition. Cr. Zvo. 2s, 6d.

THE PROBLEM OF THE UN-
EMPLOYED : An Enquiry and an
EcoNOM I . Policy. Fifth Edition. Cr.Zvo.
2J. 6d.

Hodgson (Mrs. W.). HOW TO IDENTIFY
OLD CHINESE PORCELAIN. Illus-
trated. Third Edition. Post Zvo. 6s.

Holdich (Sir T. H.). THE INDIAN
BORDERLAND, 1880-1900. Illustrated.
Second Edition. Demy 8vt>. los. 6d. net.

Holdsworth (W. S.). A HISTORY OF
ENGLISH LAW. In Four Volumes.
Vols. I., II., III. Demy Bvo. Each los. 6d.
net.

Holland (Clive). TYROL AND ITS

PEOPLE. Illustrated. Demy Zvo. loj. 6d.
net.
THE BELGIANS AT HOME. Illustrated.
Demy 8vo. 10s. 6d. net.

Horsburgh (E. L. S.). LORENZO THE
MAGNIFICENT: and Florence in her
Golden Agb. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Demy Zvo. i^s. net.

WATERLOO : A Narrativr and a Crit-
icism. With Plans. Second Edition. Cr.

THE lYfE of SAVONAROLA. Illus-
trated. Cr. 8va. c,s. net.

Hosie (Alexander!. MANCHURIA. Illus-
trated. Second Edition. Demy %vo. js. 6d.
net.

Hudson (W. H.). A SHEPHERD'S
LIFE: Impressions of the South Wilt-
shire Downs. Illustrated. Third Edi-
tion. Demy 8vo. -js. 6d. net.

Humphreys (John H). PROPOR

TIONAL REPRESENTATION. Cr.Zvo.
5J. net.

Hutchinson (Horace G.). THE NEW
FOREST. Illustrated. Fourth Edition.
Cr. %vo. 6s.

Hutton (Edward). THE CITIES OF

SPAIN. Illustrated. Fourth Edition.
Cr. &V0. 6s.

THE CITIES OF UMBRIA. Illustrated.
Fourth Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

•THE CITIES OF LOMBARDY. Illus-
trated. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

FLORENCE AND NORTHERN TUS-
CANY WITH GENOA. Illustrated.
Second Edition. Cr. %vo. 6s.

SIENA AND SOUTHERN TUSCANY
Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

VENICE AND VENETIA. Illustrated.
Cr. 8vo, 6s.

ROME. Illustrated. Third Edition. Cr.
Svo. 6s.

COUNTRY WALKS ABOUT FLORENCE.
Illustrated. Second Edition. Fcap. 8vo.
5J. net.

IN UNKNOWN TUSCANY. With Notes
by William Heywood. Illustrated. Second
Edition. Demy Zvo. qs. 6d. net.

A BOOK OF THE WYE. Illustrated.
Demy iva. js. 6d. net.

Ibsen (Henrik). BRAND. A Dramatic
Poem, Translated by William Wilson.
Fourth Edition. Cr. Svo. 3J. 6d.

Inge (W. R.). CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM.
(The Banipion Lectures of 1899.) Second
and Cheaper Edition. Cr. Svo. 5*. H4t.

General Literature

Innes .A. DJ. A HISTORY OF THE

BRITISH IN INDIA. With Maps and

Plans. Cr. Zvo. 6j.
ENGLAND UNDER THE TUDORS.

With Maps. Third Edition. Derny Zvo.

tos. 6d. net.

Innes (Mary\ SCHOOLS OF PAINT-
IMG. Llusirated. Second Edition. Cr.
ivo. 5J. net.

JenkS (E.). AN OUTLINE or ENG-
LIjSH LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Second
Edition. Revised by R. C. K. Ensor,
Cr. ^vo. 2S. 6d. n<t.

A SHORT HISTORY OF ENGLISH LAW:
FROM THE Earliest Times to thi End
or THE Year 191 i. Demy Svo. 10s. 6d.
net.

Jerningham (Charles Edward). THE

MAXIMS OF MARMADUKE. Second
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 5X.

Johnston (Sip H. H. ). BRITISH CEN-
TRAL AFRICA. Illustrated. Third
Edition. Cr. ^to. \Zs. net.

THE NEGRO IN THE NEW WORLD.
Illustrated. Demy ^vo. 21J. net.

Julian (Lady) of Norwich. REVELA-
TIONS OF DIVINE LOVE. Edited by
Grace Warkack. Fourth Edition. Cr.
%vo. 3J. dd.

Keats (John). THE POEMS. Edited
with Introduction and Notes by E. d«
S6LINC0URT. With a Frontispiece in Photo-
gravure. Third Edition. Demy Zvo.
■js. 6d. net.

Keble (John). THE CHRISTIAN YEAR.
Wuh an Introduction and Notes by W.
Lock. Illustrated. Third Edition. Fcap,
%vo. 3J. td.

Kempis (Thomas a). THE IMITATION

OF CHRIST. From the Latin, with an
Introduction by Dean Farrar. Illustrated.
Third Edition. FcaJ>. Zvo. 3J. 6d.

Kingston f Edward). A GUIDE TO
THh. BRITISH PICTURES IN THE
NATIONAL GALLERY. Illustrated.
Fcap. Svo. 3J. 6d. net.

Kipling (Rudyard). BARRACK-ROOM

BALLADS. 108^-4 Thousaftd. Thirty-Jirst

Edition. Cr. %vo. 6j. Also Fcap. &vo.

Leather, ^s. net.
THE SEVEN SEAS. 89M Thousand.

Niveteenth Edition. Cr. ivo. dr. Also

Fcap. Svo, Leather. <,s. net.
THE FIVE NATIONS. Tznd Thousand.

Eighth Ediiicn. Cr. Zvo. 6s, A\so Fcap.

Svo, Leather. 5J. net.
DEPARTMENTAL DITTIES. Twentieth

Edition. Cr. %vo, dr. Also Fcap. &vo.

Leather. 5*. nrt.

Lamb (Charles and Mary). THE
COMPLKTE WORKS. hJdiicd >vith an
Introduction and Notes by E. V. Lucas. A
New and Revised Edition in Six Volumes.
With Frontispiece. Fcap Svo. 5*. each.
The volumes are ; —

I. MlSCEI.LANEOCS PrOSK. II. ElIA AND

THE LAST Essays ok Elia. hi. Book«
FOR Children. iv. Plays and Poems.
V. and VI. Letters.

Lankester (Sir Ray). SCIENCE FROM
AN EASY CHAIR. Illustrated. Fi/th
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Le Braz (Anatole). THE LAND OF
PARDONS. Translated by Frances M.
Gostling. Illustrated. Third Edition.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

Lock (Walter). ST. PAUL, THE
MASTER-BUILDER. Third Edition.
Cr. Zvo. IS. 6d.

THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN LIFE.
Cr. ivo. 6s.

Lodge (Sir Oliver). THE SUBSTANCE
OF FAITH, ALLIED WITH SCIENCE:
A Catechism for Parents and Teachers.
Eleventh Edition. Cr. Zvo. 2s. net.

MAN AND THE UNIVERSE: A Study
OF the Influence of the Advance in
Scientific Knowledge upon our under-
standing OF Christianity. Ninth
Edition. Demy Svo. 5s. net. Also Fcap.
Svo. TS. net.

THE SURVIVAL OF MAN. A Study in
Unrecognised Human Faculty. Fifth
Edition. IVide CroTvn Zvo. 5J. net.

REASON AND BELIEF. Fifth Edition.
Cr. Svo. 3J. 6d. rut.

•MODERN PROBLEMS. Cr. Svo. t,s. net.

Lorlmer (George Horace). LETTERS
FROM A SELF-MADE MERCHANT
TO HIS SON. Illustrated. Twenty-second
Edition. Cr. %vo. ^s. 6d.
Also Fcap. S7/0. IS. net.

OLD GORGON GRAHAM. lUustrated.
Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Lucas (E. v.). THE LIFE OF CHARLES
LAMB. Illustrated. Fifth Edition. Demy
Svo. JS. 6d. net.

A WANDERER IN HOLLAND. Illus-
trated. Thirteenth Edition. Cr. Svo. dr.

A WANDERER IN LONDON. Illus-
trated. Twelfth Edition. Cr. Svo. dr.

A WANDERER IN PARIS. Illustrated.
Ninth Edition. Cr. Svo. dr.
A Iso Fcap. Svo, 5J.

*A WANDERER IN FLORENCE. Illus-
strated. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE OPEN ROAD: A Little Book for
Wayfarers. Eighteenth Edition. Fcap.
Svo. ^s. \ India Paper, js. 6d.
*Also lUustrated in colour. Cr. 4(0 15X. mt.

Methuen and Company Limited

THE FRIENDLY TOWV : A Little Book

for the Urbane. Sixth Edition. Fcap. %vo.

C.S. ; hfdia Pafier, 7'. fid.
FIRESIDE AND SUNSHINE. Sixth

Edition. Fcap. Zvo. is.
CHARACTER AND COMEDY. Sixth

Editioft. Fcap. %z'0. ^s.
THE GENTLEST ART. A Choice of

Letters by Entertaining Hands. Seventh

Edition. Fcap 2:Vo. 5^.
THE SECOND POST. Third Edition.

Fcap. Svo. 5^.
HER INFINITE VARIETY: A F. minink

Portrait Gallery. Sixth Edition.

Fcap. 8vo. e,s.
GOOD COMPANY : A Rally of Men.

Second Edition. Fcap. Zvo. >;i-.
ONE DAY AND ANOTHER. Fifth

Edition. Fcap. Zvo. 5J.
OLD LAMPS FOR NEW. Fourth Edition.

Fcap. 2,7)0. 5J.
LISTENER'S LURE : An Obliquk Nar-
ration. Ninth Edition. Fcap. Zvo. 5J.
OVER BEMERTON'S: An Easy-Gcng

Chronicle. Ninth Edition. Fcap. Zvo.

5-S-.
MR. INGLESIDE. Ninth Edition. Fcap.

Zvo. 5J.

See also Lamb (Charles).

Lydekker iR. and Others). REPTILES,
AMPHIBIA, FISHES, AND LOWER
CHORDATA. Edited by J. C. Cunning-
HAM. Illustrated. Demy Zvo. \os. 6d. net.

Lydekker (R.). THE OX AND ITS
KINDRED. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Maeaulay (Lord). CRITICAL AND
HISTORICAL ESSAYS. Edited by F.
C. Montague. Three Volumes. Cr. Zvo.
-lZs.

MeCabe (Joseph^. THE DECAY OF
THE CHURCH OF ROME. Third
Edition. Demy Zvo. -js. 6d. net.

THE EMPRESSES OF ROME. lUus-
trated. Demy Zvo. i2j. 6d. net.

MaeCarthy C Desmond) and Russell
(Agatha). LADY JOHN RUSSELL:
A Memoir. Illustrated. Fourth i^dition.
Demy Zvo. 10s. 6d. net.

MeCullagh (Fpaneis). THE FALL OF
ABD-UL-HAMID. Illustrated. Demy
Zvo. lOJ. t)d. net.

MeDougall (William). AN INTRODUC-
TION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY.
Fourth Edition. Cr. Zvo. ^s. net.

BODY AND MIND ; A History and a
Defence of Animism. Demy Zvo. jos. td.
net.

• Mdlle. Mopi ' Author or. ST. GATHER-
INE OF SIENA AND HER TIMES.
Illustrated. Second Edition. Demy Zvo.
7f . td. net.

Maeterlinck (Maurice). THE BLUE
i;lRD: A Fairy Play in Six Acts.
Translated hy Alexander Teixeira dk
Mattos. Fcap. Zto. Deckle Edges, ^s. 6d.
net. Also Fcap. Zvo. Clot'i, js. net. An
Edition, illustrated in colour by F. Cayley
Robinson, is also published. Cr. a,to. Gilt
top. a If. net. Of the above book Twenty-
nine Editions in all have been issued.

MARY MAGDALENE: A Play m Three
Acts. Translated by Alexander Teixeira
DE Mattos. Third Edition. Fcap. Zvo.
Deckle Edges. -3,$. td.net. Also Fcap. Zvo.
\s. net.

DEATH. Translated by Alexander

Teixeira dk Mattos. Fourth Edition.
Fcap. Zvo. IS. 6d. net.

Mahaffy (J. P.). A HISTORY OF EGYPT
UNDER THE PTOLEMAIC DYNASTY.
Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. dr.

Maitland (F. W.). ROMAN CANON
LAW IN THE CPIURCH OF ENG-
LAND. Royal Zvo. -js. 6d.

Marett (R. R.). THE THRESHOLD OF
RELIGION. Cr. Zvo. ^s. 6d. net.

Marriott (Charles). A SPANISH HOLI-

DAY. Illustrated. Demy Zvo. js. 6d. net.
THE ROMANCE OF THE RHINE.
Illustrated. Demy Zvo. loj. 6d. net.

Marriott (J. A. R.). THE LIFE AND
TIMES OF LUCIUS GARY, VISCOUNT
FALKLAND. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Demy Zvo. -js. 6d. net.

Masefield (John). SEA LIFE IN NEL-

SON'S TIME. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo.

3^. td. net.
A SAILOR'S GARLAND. Selected and

Edited. Second Edition. Cr. Zvo. 35. dd.

net.

Masterman (C F. G.). TENNYSON

AS A RELIGIOUS TEACHER. Second

Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6j.
THE CONDITION OF ENGLAND.

Fourth Edition. Cr. Zvo. ds. Also Fcap.

Zvo. IS. net.

•Mayne (Ethel ColbuPn). BYRON. Illus-
trated. In two volumes. Demy Zvo. 21X.
net.

Medley (D. J.). ORIGINAL ILLUS-
TRATIONS OF ENGLISH CONSTI'JU-
TIONAL HISTORY. Cr.Zvo. 7s.6d.net.

Methuen (A. M. S.). ENGLAND'S RUIN :
Discussed in Fourteen Letters to a
Protectionist. Ninth Edition. Cr. Zvo.
2,d. net.

Miles (Eustace). LIFE AFTER LIFE:

• :i, The Theory of Reincarnation.

Cy. Zvo. 2J. bd. net.
THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION:

How to Acquire it. Fourth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 3J. 6d. net.

General Literature

Millals (J. G.). THE LIFE AND LET-
TERS OF SIR JOHN EVERETT
MILLAIS. Illustrated, Ne7v Edition.
Demy ^vo. js. 6d. net.

Milne (J. G.). A HISTORY OF EGYPT
UNDER ROMAN RULE. Illustrated.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Moffat (Mary M.). QUEEN LOUISA OF
PRUSSIA. Illustrated. FourtA Edition.
Cr. Zvo. 6s.

MARIA THERESA. Illustrated. Defny
Zvo. loj. 6d. net.

Money (L. G. Chlozza). RICHES AND
POVERTY, 1910. Tenth atid Revised
Edition. Demy Zz'O. ^s. net.

MONEY'S FISCAL DICTIONARY, 1910.
Second Edition. Demy Zvo. ^s. net.

INSURANCE VERSUS POVERTY. Cr.
Zvo. 5J. net.

THINGS THAT MATTER: Papers on
Sl;bjects which ake, or ought to be,
UNDER Discussion. Demy Zvo. 5.V. net.

Montague (C.E.). DRAMATIC VALUES.
Second Edition. Fcap. Zvo. ^s.

Moorhouse (E. Hallam). NELSON'S
LADY HAMILTON. Illustrated. Third
Edition. Demy Zvo. -js. 6d. net.

•Morgan (C. Lloyd). INSTINCT AND

EXPERIENCE. Cr. Zvo. 5J. net.

•Nevlll (Lady Dorothy). MY OWN
TIMES. Edited by her son. Demy Zvo.
15J. net.

Norway (A. H.). NAPLES: Past and
Pkesknt. Illustrated. lourth Edition.
Cr. Zvo. 6s.

•O'Donnell (Elliott). WEREWOLVES
Cr. Zvo. ss. net.

Oman (C. W. C), A HISTORY OF THE
ART OF WAR IN THE MIDDLE
AGES. Illustrated. Demy Zvo. 10s. td.
net.

ENGLAND BEFORE THE NORMAN
CONQUEST. With Maps. Second
Edition. Demy Zvo. los. 6d. net.

Oxford (M. N.), A HANDBOOK OF
NURSING. Sixth Edition, Revised. Cr.
Zvo. 3J. 6d. net.

Pakes (W. C C). THE SCIENCE OF
HYGIENE. Illustrated. Second and
Cheaper Edition. Revised by A, T.
Nankivell. Cr. Zvo. y. net.

Parker (Erie). THE BOOK OF THE
zoo. Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr.
Zvo. 6s.

Pears (Sir Edwin). TURKEY AND ITS

PEOPLE. Seco?td Edition. Demy Zvo.
12s. 6d. net.

PetPie iW. M. FlindersV A HISTORY

OF EGYPT. Illusirated. In Six Volumes.

Cr. Zvo. 6s. each.
Vol. I. From the 1st to the XVIi h

Dynasty. Seventh Edition.
Vol. II. The XVIIth and XVIIIth

Dynasties. Fourth Edition.
Vol. IH. XIXth to XXXth Dynasties.
Vol. IV. Ecypt uni^er the Ptolemaic

Dynasty. J. P. Mahaffy.
Vol. V. Egypt under Roman Rule. J. G.

Milnk.
Vol. VI. Egypt in the Middle Ages.

Stanley Lane-Poolb.
RELIGION AND CONSCIENCE IN

ANCIENT EGYPT. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo.

2s. 6d.
SYRIA AND EGYPT, FROM THE TELL

EL AMARNA LETTERS. Cr. Zvo.

2S. 6d.
EGYPTIAN TALES. Translated from the

Papyri. First Series, ivth to xiith Dynasty.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr, Zvo.

7S. 6d.
EGYPTIAN TALES. Translated from the

Papyri. Second Series, xviiith to xixth

Dynasty. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 3J. 6d.
EGYPTIAN DECORATIVE ART. Illus-
trated. Cr. Zvo. 3^. 6d.

Phslps (Ruth S.). SKIES ITALIAN: A
Little Breviary for Travellers in
Italy. Fcap. Zvo. Leather, ^s. net.

Pollard (Alfred W.). SHAKESPEARE
FOLIOS AND QUARTOS. A Study in
the Bibliography of Shakespeare's Plays,
1594-1685. Illustrated. Folio. 21s. net.

Porter (G. R.). THE PROGRESS OF
THE NATION. A New Edition. Edited
by F. W. Hirst. Demy Zvo. 21s. net.

Power (J. O'Connor). THE MAKING OF
AN ORATOR. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Price (Eleanor C). CARDINAL DE

RICHELIEU. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Demy Zvo. 10s. 6d. net.

Price (L. L.). A SHORT HISTORY OF
POLITICAL ECONOMY IN ENGLAND
FROM ADAM SMITH TO ARNOLD
TOYNBEE. Seventh Edition. Cr. Zvo.
2S. 6d.

Fycraft (V7. P.). A HISTORY OF BIRDS.

Illustrated. Detny Zvo. 10s. 6d. net.

Rawlings (Gertrude B.). COINS AND
HOW 10 KNOW THEM. Illustrated.
Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Regan (C Tate\ THE FRESHWATER
USHES OF THE BRIliSH ISLES.

Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Reid (Archdall). THE LAV/S OF HERE-
DITY. Second Edition. Detny Zvo, 21s.
net.

10

Methuen and Company Limited

Robertson fC Grant). SELECT STAT-
UTES, CASES, AND DOCUMENTS,
i66o-i8q4. Dtrmy Bva. zos. 6d. net.

ENGLAND UNDER THE HANOVER-
L^NS. Illustrated. Second Edition. Demy
Zvo. los. 6d. net.

Roe (Fred). OLD OAK FURNITURE.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Demy &vo.
los. 6d. net.

*Ryan (P. F. W.). STUART LIFE AND
MANNERS: A Social History. Illus-
trated. Defny Svo. los. 6d. net.

St. Francis of Assisl. THE LITTLE
FLOWERS OF THE GLORIOUS
MKSSER, AND OF HIS FRIARS.
Done into F.nglish, wiih Notes by William
Heywood. Illustrated. Demy %vo. 55. net.

*Saki' (H. H. Munpo}. REGINALD.

Third Edition. r\ap. Eva. aj. 6d net.
REGINALD IN RUSSIA. Eca^. 8vo.
2S. 6d. net.

Sandeman (G. A. C). METTERNICH.

Illustrated. Demy Zvo. ros. 6d. net.

SehidroWitZ (Philip). RUBBER. Illus-
trated. Denty %vo. los. 6d. net.

Selous (Edmund). TOMMY SMITH'S
ANIMALS. Illustrated. Eleventh Edi-
tion. Ecap. Zvo. IS. 6d.

TOMMY SMITH'S OTHER ANIMALS.
Illustrated. Ei/th Edition. Ecap. 8va.
2J. 6d.

JACK'S INSECTS. Illustrated. Cr.Zvo. 6s.

Shakespeare (William).
THE FOUR FOLIOS, 1623; 1632; 1664;
1685. Each £4 4J. net, or a complete set,

T'-JE POEMS OF WILLIAM SHAKE-
SPEARE. With an Introduction and Notes
by George Wyndham. Demy Svo. Buck-
ram, loj. 6d.

"helley (Percy Bysshe). THE POEMS
OF PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. With
an Introduction by A. Clutton-Brock and
notes by C. D. LococK. Two Volumes.
Demy 8vo. aij. net.

Sladen 'Douglas). SICILY: The T<few

W'iiiter Resort. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Cr. 'i,vo. 5J. net.

Smith (Adam). THE WEALTH OF
NATIONS. Edited by Edwin Cannan.
Tnvo Volumes. Demy ivo. 21s. net.

Smith (G. Herbert). GEM-STONES
AND THFIR DISTINCTIVE CHARAC-
TERS. Illi.strated. Cr. %vo. ts. net.

Snell (F. J.). A BOOK OF EXMOOR.
Illustrated. Cr. %vo. 6s.
'HE CUSTOMS OF OLD ENGLAND.
Illustrated. Cr. Svo. 6s.

•Stancliffe.' GOLF DO'S AND DONT'S.
Eourtk Edition. Ecap. Svo. is. net.

Stevenson (R. L.). THE LETTERS OF
ROBERT LuUIS STEVEN.SON. Edited
by Sir Sidney Colvin. A New and En-
larged Edition in /our volumes. Thin:
Edition. Ecap. Zvo. Each 5J. Leather,
each 5J. net.

Stevenson (M. I.). FROM SARANAC
TO THE MARQUESAS AND BEYOND.
Being Letters written by Mrs. M. I. SxtVEN-
soN during 1887-88. Illustrated. Cr. Svo.
6s. net.

LETTERS FROM SAMOA, 1891-95. Edited
and arranged by M. C. Balfour. Illus-
trated. Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s. net.

Stopp (Vernon F.). DEVELOPMENT
AND DIVINE PURPOSE. Cr. Svo. ^s.
net.

Streatfeild fR. A.). MODERN MUSIC
AND MUSICIANS. Illustrated. Second
Edition. Demy Svo. "js. 6d. net.

Swanton (E. W.). FUNGI AND HOW
TO KNOW THEM. Illustrated. Cr. Svo.
6s. net.

Symes (J E.). THE FRENCH ^^YO-
LUTIO:^. Second Edition. Cr.Svo. ^s. 6d

Tabor (Margaret E.). THE SAINTS IN

ART. Illustrated. Eca/>. Svo. 3s. 6d. net.

Taylor (A. E.). ELEMENTS OF META-
PHYSICS. Second Editiofi. Demy Svo.
TOT 6d. net.

Taylor (Mrs. Basil) (Harriet Osgood^.

JAPANESE GARDENS. Illustrated.
Cr. ^to. 215. net.

Thibaudeau (A. C). BONAPARTE AND
THE CONSULATE. Translated and
Edited by G. K. Fortescue. Illustrated.
Demy Svo. 10s. 6d. net.

Thomas (Edward). MAURICE MAE-
TERLINCK. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Cr. Svo. 5J. net.

Thompson (Francis). SELECTED

POEMS OF FRANCIS THOMPSON.
With a Bio^aphical Note by Wilfkid
Mevneli.. With a Portrait in Photogravure.
Sevc-nth Edition. Ecap. Svo. 55. net.

Tileston (Mary W.). DAILY STRENGTH
FOR DAILY NEEDS. Nineteenth Edi-
tion. Medium \6mo. 2S. 6d net. Lamb-
skin IS. 6d. net. Also an edition in superior
binding, 6s.

THE STRONGHOLD OF HOPE.
Medium i6mo. 2S. 6d. net.

Toynbee (Paget\ DANTE ALIGHIERI

His Life and V/okks. With 16 Illustra-
tions. Eo-urth and Enlarged Edition. Cr.
Svo. 5^. net.

General Literature

II

Tpevelyan (C M.). ENGLAND UNDER
•JHK SIUARTS. With Maps and Plans.
Fifth Edition. Demy %vo. los. 6d. net.

Triggs (H. Inlgo). TOWN PLANNING :
Past, Present, and Possible. Illustra-
ted. Second Edition. IVide Royal Zvo.
15J. net.

•Turner (Sir Alfred E.). SIXTY YEARS
OF A SOLDIER;. LIFE, Demy 8z/^.
I2J. td. net.

Underbill (Evelyn). MYSTICISM. A
Stuijy in the Nature and Development of
Man's Spiritual Consciousness. Fourth
Edition. Demy &vo. 15J. net.

♦Underwood (F. M-). UNITED ITALY.
Demy 8vo. los. 6d. ntt.

Urwiek (E. J.). A PHILOSOPHY OF
SOCIAL PROGRESS. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Vaughan (Herbert M.)- THE NAPLES

RIVjKRA. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Cr. 8vo. ts.
FLORENCE AND HER TREASURES.
Illustrated. Ecap. Svo. Round corners.
5J.-. net.

Vernon (Hon. W. Warren). READINGS
ON THE INFERNu UF DANTE. With
an Introduction by the Rev. 1 )r. Mooke.
J wo Volumes. Second Edition. Cr. &vo.
155-. net.

READINGS ON THE PURGATORIO
OK DANTE. With an Introduction by
the l£te Dean Church. Tzvo Volumes,
Third Edition. Cr. 8vo. i s.s. net.

READINGS ON THE PARADISO OF
DA.nTE. With an Introduction by the
L' IS HOP OF RiPON. Two Volumes. Second
Edition. Cr. Sva. 15J. net.

Wade (G. W.), and Wade (J. H.).
RAMBLES IN SOMERSET. Illustrated.
Cr. &V0. 6s.

Waddell (L. A.). LHASA AND ITS
MYbTERlES. With a Record of the Ex-
pedition of 1903-1904, Illustrated, J hird
and Cheaper Edition. Medium Zvo. js.td.
net.

Wagner (Richard). RICHARD WAG-
NER'S MUSIC DRAMAS: Interpreta-
tions, embodying Wsgner's own explana-
tions. By Alice Leighton Cleather
and Basil Crump. Fcap. %vo. 2s. 6d. each.
The Ring of the Nibelung.

Ei/th Edition.
Parsifal, Lohengrin, and the Holy

Grail.
Tristan and Isolde.
Tannhauser and the Mastepsingers
OF Nuremberg.

Waterhouse (Elizabeth). WITH THE
SIMPLE-HEARTED: Little Homilies to
Women in Country Places. Third Edition.
Small Pott Zvi>. 2,f. net.

THE HOUSE BY THE CHERRY TREE.
A Second Series of Little Hoii.ilics to
Women in Country Places. Small Port Svo.
2S. nrt.

COMPANIONS OF THE WAY. Being
Selections for Morning and Evening Read-
ing. Chosen and arran,;ed by Elizabeth
Waterhouse. La7-ge Cr. 8vo. <^s. net.

THOUGHTS OF A TERTIARY. Small
Pott Zvo. IS. net.

Waters (W. G.). ITALIAN SCULPTORS
AND SxMITHS. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo.
IS. 6d. net.

Watt (Francis). EDINBURGH AND
THE LOTHIANS. Illustrated. Second
Edition. Cr. Zvo. lar. 6d. net.

*Wedmore (Sir Frederick). MEIVIO-

RIES. Demy Zvo. js. 6d. net.

Weigall (Arthur E. P.). A GUIDE TO
THE ANTIQUITIES OF UPPKR
EGYPT: From Abydos to the Sudan
Frontier. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. -js. 6d. net.

Welch (Catharine). THE LITTLE

DAUPHIN. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Wells (J.). OXFORD AND OXFORD
LIFE. Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. 3s. 6d.

A SHORT HISTORY OF ROME. Eleventh
Edition. With 3 Maps. Cr. Zvo. 3s. 6d.

Wilde (Oscar). THE WORKS OF OSCAR
WlLDE. In Twelve Volumes. Fcap. Zvo.
5J. net each volume.

I. Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and
the Portrmt of Mr. W. H. ii. The
Duchess of Padua. hi. Poems. iv.
Lady Windermere's Fan. v. A Woman
of No Importance, vi. An Ideal Hus-
band, vii. The Importance of being
Earnest, viii. A House of Pome-
granates. IX. Intentions, x. De Pko-
FUNDis and Prison Letters, xi. Essays.
XII. Salom6, A Florentine Tragedy,
and La Sainte Courtisane.

Williams (H. Noel). THE WOMEN

BONAPARTES. The Mother and three
Sisters of Napoleon. Illustrated. Two
Volumes. Drtny Zvo. 2t,s. net.

A ROSt. OF SAVOY : Marie An^i.aIde of
Savoy, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Mother
of Louis xv. Illustrated. Second
Edition. Detny Zvo. 15J. net.

THE FASCINAIING DUG DE RICHE-
LIEU : Louis Francois Armand du
Plessis (1696-1788). Illustrated. Demy Zvo.
15^. net.

A PRINCESS OF ADVENTURE : Maris
Caroline, Duchesse de Burry (1798-
1870). Illustrated. Demy Zvo. ijf. net.

12

Meti-iuen and Company Limited

Wood (Sip Evelyn). FROM MIDSHIP-
MAN TO FIELD-MARSHAL. Illus-
trated. Fifth Edition. Demy Svo. js. 6d.
net. Also Fcap. Zvo. is. net.

THK REVOLT IN HINDUSTAN (1857-59).
Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr. %vo. 6s.

Wood (W. Bipkbeck\ and Edmonds
(Col. J. E.). A HISTORY OF THE
CIVIL WAR IN THE UNITED
STATES (1861-5). With an Introduction
by Spenser Wilkinson. With 54 Maps
and Plans. Third Edition. Demy Zvo.
X3X. bd. net.

Wordsworth (W.). THE POEMS. Witii
an Introduction and Notes by Noweli
C. Smith. In Three Volumes. Demy Zvo.
15J. net.

Yeats (W. B.). A BOOK OF IRISH
VERSE. Third Edition. Cr. 8»#. 3*. td.

Part II. — A Selection of Series.

Ancient Cities.

General Editor, B. C. A. WINDLE.

Cr. %vo. AfS. 6d. net each vohi?ne.

With Illustrations by E. H. New, and other Artists.

Bristol. Alfred Harvey.
Canterbury. J. C. Cox.
Chester. B. C. A. Windle,
Dublin. S. A. O. Ficzpatdck.

Edinburgh. M. G. William=;on.
Lincoln. E. Mansel Sympson.
Shrewsbury. T. Au'^en.
Wells and Guastonb. ry. T. S. Holmes.

The Antiquary's Books.

General Editor, J. CHARLES COX

Demy ?>vo. 7 J. 6d. net each velume.

With Numerous Illustrations.

ARCHyEOLOGT AND FaLSE ANTIQUITIES.

R. Munro.
Bells of England, The. Canon J. J. Raven.

Second Edition.
Brasses of England, The. Herbert W.

Macklin. Second Edition.
Celtic Art in Pagan and Christian

Times. J. Romilly Allen. Second Edition.
Castles and Walled Towns of England,

The. a. Harvey.
Domesday Inquest, The. Adolphus Ballard.
English Church Furniture. J. C. Cox

and A. ■ Harvey. Second Edition.
English Costume. From Prehistoric Times

to the End of the Eighteenth Century.

George Clinch.
English Monastic Life. Abbot Gasquet.

Fourth Edition.
English Seals. J. Harvey Bloom.
Folk-Lore as an Historical Sctence.

Sir G. L. Gomme.
Gilds and Companies or London, The.

George Unwin.

Manor and Manorial Records, The
Nathaniel J. Hone. Second Edition.

Medi.-eval Hospitals or England, The.
Rotha Mary Clay.

Old English Instruments of Music.
F. W. Galpin. Second Edition.

Old English Libraries. James Hutt.

Old Service Books of the English
Church. Christopher Wordsworth, and
Henry Littlehales. Second Edition.

Parish Like in Medieval England.
Abbot Gasquet, Third Edition.

Parish Registers of England, The.
J. C. Cox.

Remains or the Prehistoric Agb in
Englanb. B. C. a. Windle. Second
Edition.

Roman Era in Britain, The. J. Ward.

Romano-British Buildings and Earth-
works. J. Ward.

Royal Forests ok England, Thb. J. C.
Cox.

Shrines of British Saints. J. C. Wail.

General Literature

13

The Arden Shakespeare.

Demy Svo. 2s. 6d. nei each volume.

An edition of Shakespeare in single Plays ; each edited with a full Introduction,
Textual Notes, and a Commentary at the foot of the pa^'e.

All's Well That Ends Well.

Antony and Cleopatra.

Cymbeline.

Comedy of Errors, The.

Hamlet. Third Edition.

U'Lius Caesar.

*KiNG Henry iv. Pt. i.

Ki.-^G Henry v.

King Henry VI. Pt. i.

King Henry vi. Pt. 11.

King Henry vi. Pt. hi.

King Lear.

*Kin(; Richard ii.

King Richard hi.

Life and Death of Ki.ng John, The.

Love's Labour's Lost.

Macbeth.

Measure for Measure.

Merchant of Venice, The.

Merry Wives ok Windsor, The.

Midsummer Night's Dream, A.

Othello.

Pericles.

Romeo and Juliet.

Taming of the Shrew, The.

Tempest, The.

Timon of Athens.

Titus Andronicus.

Troilus and Cressida.

Two Gentlemen of Verona, The.

Twelfth Night.

Venus and Adonis.

•Winter's Tale, The.

Classics of Art.

Edited by Dr. J. H. W. LAING.

With numerous Illustrations. Wide Royal Sva.

The Art of the Greeks. H. B. Walters.

12s. 6d. net.
The Art of the Romans. H. B. Walters.

15J. mt.
Chardin. H. E. a. Furst. 12s. 6d. net.
DoNATELLO. Maud Cruttwell. 155-. net.
Florentine Sculptors of the Ren.\is-

sance. Wilhelm Bode. Translated by

Jessie Hayncs. xis. bd. net.
GaoKGE RoMNEY. Arthur B. Chamberlain.

12J. td. net.
Ghirlandaio. Gerald S. Davies. Second

Editioft. xos. 6d.

Michelangelo. Gerald S. Davies. lar. 6d.

net.
Rubens. Edward Dillon, i^s. net.
Raphael. A. P. Oppe. 125. td. net.
Rembrandt's Etchings. A. M. Hind.
*SiR Thomas Lawrence. Sir Walter

Armstrong. 21J. net.
Titian. Charles Ricketts. 15^'. net.
Tintoretto. Evelyn March Philiipps. 15J.

net.
Turner's Sketches and Drawings. A. J.

FiNbEKG. I2J. td. net. Second Edition.
Velazi^uez. a. de Beruete. loj. td. net.

The "Complete" Series.

Fzilly Illustrated. Demy Svo.

The Complete Billiard Player. Charles

Roberts. los. bd. net.
The Complete Cook. Lilian Whitling.

7^. td. net.
The Complete Cricketer. Albert E.

Knight. yJ. 6-?'. net. Second Edition.
The Complete Foxhunter. CWarles Rich-
ardson. 12J. bd. net. Second Edition.
The Complete Golfer. Harry Vardon.

lOJ. td. net. Twelfth Edition.
The Complete Hockey-Player. Eustace

E. White. 5J. net. Second Edition.
The Complete Lawn Tennis Player.

A. Wallis Myers. xos. bd. net. Third

Edition, Revised.
The Complete Motorist. Filson Young.

laj. bd. net. New Edition {Seventh).

The Complete Mountaineer. G. D.

Abraham. 15^. net. Second Edition.
The Complete Oarsman. R. C. Lehmann.

xos. bd. net.
The Complete Photographer. R. Child

Bayley. xos. bd. net. Fourth Edition.
The Complete Rugby Footballer, on the

New Zealand System. D. Gallaher and

W. J Stead, xos. bd. net. Second Edition.
The Complete Shot. G. T. Teasdale-

Buckell. xis.bd.net. Third Edition.
The Complete Swimmer. F. Sachs, -js. bd.

net.

♦The Complete Yachtsman. B. HecksuU-
Smith and E. du Boulay. 15J. net.

14

Metiiuen and Company Limited

The Connoisseur's Library.

HtfA numerous JUustraiions. Wide Royal %vo. 25X. net each volume.

English Furniture. F. S. Robinson.
English Coloured Books. Martin Kardie.
Etchings. Sir F. Wedmore. Second Edition.
E' ROPEAN Enamels. Henry H. Cunyng-

hame.
Glass. Edward Dillon.
Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Work.

Nelson Dawson. Second Edition.
IiLUMiNATEP Manlsckipts. J.A.Herbert.

Second Edition.

Ivories. Alfred Maskell.
Jewellery. H. Clifford Smith.

Edition.
Mezzotints. Cyril Davenport.
Miniatures. Dudley Heath.
Porcelain. Edward Dillon.
•Fine Books. A. W. Pollard.
Skals. Walter de Gray Birch.
Wool SctLi'TURa. Alhcd Maskell.

Edition.

Second

Stcond

Handbooks of English Church History.

Edited by J. H. BURN. Crozun Zvo. 2s. 6d. net each volume.

The Foundations of the English Church.
J. H. Maude.

The Saxon Church and the Norman Con-
quest. C. T. Cruttwell.

The Mediaeval Church and the Papacy.
A. C. Jcniijugs.

The Reformation Period. Henry Gee.
The Struggle with Puritanism. Bruce
Blaxland.

The Church of England in the Eigh-
teenth Century. Alfred Plummer.

Handbooks of Theology.

The Doctrikk of the Incarnation, R. L.

Otiley. Fifth Edition, Revised. Demy

8r'<7. 1 2 J. td.
A History of Early Christian Doctrine.
J. F. Bethune-Bakcr. Drmy %vo. loJ. dd.
An Introduction to the History of

Religion. F. B. Jcvons. Fifth Edition.

Demy Zvo. xos. td.

An Introduction to thx History of th«

Creeds. A. E. Burn. Demy ivo. lox. 6d.
The Philosophy of Religion in England

AND America. Alfred Caldecott. Demyiv*.

los. td.
The XXXIX Articles of the Church of

England. Edited by E. C. S. GiSsun.

Seventh Edition. Dtmyivm. las, td.

The "Home Life" Series.

Illustrated. Demy Zvo. ds. to ioj. dd. net,
Kathcrine G.

Home Life in America.

Busbey. Second Edition.
Home Life in France. Miss Betham-

Edwards. Fifth Edition.
Home Life in Germany. Mrs. A. Sidgwick.

Second Edition.
HoMK Life in Holland. D. S. Mcldrum.

Second Edition.

Home Life in Italy. Lina Duff Gordoa.
Second Edition.

Home Life in Norway. H. K. Daniels.

Home Life in Russia. Dr. A. S. Rappopori.

Home Life in Spain. S. L. Bensusaa.
Second Edition.

General Literature

15

The Illustrated Pocket Library

Fcap. %vo. y. 6J.
WITH COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS

of Plain and Coloured Books.

net each volume.

0(.n Coloured Books. George Paster.. 2s.

net.
The Life and Death of John Mytton,

Esq. Nimrod. Fifth Edition.
Phb Life of a Sportsman. Nimrod.
LiANDLEY Cross. R. S. Surtees. Fourth

Edition.
Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour. R. S.

Surtccs. Second Edition.
foRROCKs's Jaunts and Jollities. R. S.

Surtees. Third Edition.
VsK Mamma. R. S. Surtees.

The Analysis of thb Hunting Field.

R. S. Surtees.
The Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of

the Picturesque. Wiiliam Combe.

Cke Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of
Consolation. William Combe.

The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search
of a Wife. William Combe.

The History of Johnny Quae Genus.
The Author of ' The Three Tours.'

The English Dance of Death, from the
Designs of T. Rowlandson, with Metrical
Illustrations by the Author of 'Doctor
Syntax.' Two Volumes.

The Dance of Life: A Poem. The Author
of 'Dr. Syntax.'

Life IN London. Pierce Egan.

Real Life in London. An Amateur (Pierce
E^an). Two Volumes.

The Life of an Actor. Pierce Egan.

The Vicar of Wakefield. Oliver Gold-
smith.

TiTE Military Adventures of Johnny
Newcome. An Officer.

The National Sports of Great Britain.
With Descriptions and 50 Coloured Plates by
Henry Aiken.

The Adventures of a. Post Captain.
A Naval Officer.

Gamonia. Lawrence Rawstorne.

An Academy for Grown Horsemkn.
Geoffrey Gambado.

Real Life in Ireland. A Real Paddy.

The Adventures of Johnny Newcome in
THE Navy. Alfred Burton.

The Old English Squire. John Careless.

The English Spy. Bernard Blackmantle.
Two Volumes, js. net.

WITH PLAIN ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Grave : A Poem. Robert Blair.
Illustrations of the Book of Job.

In-

dented and engraved by William BJ^.e.

Windsor Castle. W. Harrison Ainsworth.

The Tower of London. W. Harrison

Ainsworth.

Frank Fairlegh. F. E. Smedley.

The Compleat Angler. Izaak Walton and
Charles Cotton.

The Pickwick Pajeks. Charles Dickens.

Leaders of Religion.

Edited by H. C. BEECIIING. IVilh Portraits.
Crown ^vo. 2s, net each volume.

Cardinal Newman. R. H. Hutton.

John Wesley. J. H. Overton.

Bishop Wilberforck. G. W. Daniell.

Cardinal Manning. A. W. Hutton.

Charles Simeon. K. C. G. Moule.

John Knox. F. MacCunn. Second Edition.

John Howe. R. F. Horton.

Thomas Ken. F. A. Clarke.

Geokge Fox, the Quaker. T. Hodgkin.

Third Edition.
John Keble. Walter Lock.

Thomas Chalmers. Mrs. Oliphant. Second
Edition.

Lancf.lot Andrewes.
Edition.

R. L. Ottley. Second

Augustine of Canterbury. E. L. Cutts.
William Laud. W. H. Hutton. Third Ed.
John Donnk. Augustus Jessop.
Thomas Cranmkr. A. J. Mason.
Latimer. R. M. Carlyle and A. J. Carlyle.
Bishop Butler. W. A. Spooner.

i6

Methuen and Company Limited

The Library of Devotion.

With Introductions and (where necessary) Notes.
Small Fott 8f<?, cloth^ 2s. ; leaiher^ 2s, 6d. net each volume.

The Confessions of St. Augustine.
Seventh Edition.

!he Imitation of Christ. Sixth Edition.

The Christian Year. Fifth Edition.

i .YKA Innocentium. Third Edition.

The Templh. Second Edition.

A Book of Devotions. Second Edition.

A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy
Life. Fourth Edition.

A Guide to Eternity.

The Inner Way. Second Edition.
On the Love of God
The Psalms of David
LvRA Apostolica.
The Song of Songs.

The Thoughts of Pascal. Second Edition.
A Manual of Consolation from the
Saints and Fathers.

Devotions from the Apocrypha.

Fhe Spiritual Combat.

["he Devotions of St. Anselm.

Bishop Wilson's Sacra Privata.

Gracu Abounding to the Chief of Sin-
ners.

Lyra Sacra : A Book of Sacred Verse.
Second Edition.

Saints and

FROM the

A Day Book
Fathers.

A Little Book of Heavenly Wisdom. A
Selection from the English Mystics.

Light, Life, and Love. A Selection from
the German Mystics.

An Introduction to the Devout Life.
The Little Flowers of the Glorious

Messer St. Francis and of his Friars.
Death and Immortality.
The Spiritual Guide. Second Edition.

Devotions for Every Day in the Week

and the Great Festivals.
Preces Privatak.

HoRAE MvsTiCAE : A Day Book from the
Writings of Mystics of Many Nations.

Little Books on Art.

With many Illustrations. Veiny iSmo. 2s. 6d. net each volume.

I^ach volume consists of about 200 pages, and contains from 30 to 40 Illustrations,
including a Frontispiece in Photogravure.

Albrecht Durer. L. J. Allen.

Arts of Japan, The. E. Dillon. Third

Edition.
r.ooKPLATES. E. Almack.
Botticelli. Mary L. Bonnor.
Burne-Jones. F. de Lisle.
Cellini. R- H. H. Cust.
Christian Symbolism. Mrs. H. Jenncr.
Christ in Art. Mrs. H. Jenner.
Claude. E. Dillon.
Constable. H. W. Tompkins. Second

Ediiio?t.
CoROT. A. Pollard and E. Birnstingl.
Enamels. Mrs. N. Dawson. Second Edition.
Frederic Leighton. A. Corkran.
(Ieorge Romney. G. Paston.
Greek Art. H. B. Walters. Fourth Edition.
Greuze and Boucher. E. F. Pollard.

Holbein. Mrs. G. Fortescue.

Illuminated Manuscripts. J. W. Bradley.

Jewellery. C. Davenport.

John Hoppner. H. P. K. Skipton.

Sir Joshua Reynolds. J. Sime. Second

Edition.
Millet. N. Peacock.
Miniatures. C. Davenport.
Our Lady in Art. Mrs. H. Jenner.
Raphael. A. R. Dryhurst.
Rembrandt. Mrs. E. A. Sharp.
*R0DIN. Muriel Ciolkowska.
Turner. F. Tyrrell-Gill.
Vandyck. M. G, Smallwood.
Velazquez. W. Wilberforce and A. R.

Gilbert.
Watts. R. E. D. Sketchley. Second Edition.

General Literature

17

The Little Galleries.

Demy l6;!.'o. 2s. 6d. 7iet each volume.

Each volume contains 20 plates in Photogravure, together with a short outline ot
the life and work of the master to whom the book is devoted.

A Little Gam.ery of ReyxXOlds. A Litti-e Gallery of Millais.

A Little Gallery of Romney. A Little Gallery of English Poets.

A Little Gallery of Hoppner.

The Little Guides.

With many Illustrations by E. H, New and other artists, and from photographs.

Small Poit Zvo, cloth, is. 6d. net ; leather, t^s. 6d. net, each volume.

The main features of these Guides are (l) a handy and charming form ; (2) illus-
trations from photographs and V)y well-known artists ; (3) good plans and maps ; (4)
an adequate but compact presentation of everything that is interesting in the
natural features, history, archaeology, and architecture of the town or district treated.

Leicestershire and Rutland. A. Harvey

and V. B. Ciowther-Beynon.
Middlesex. J. B. Firth.

Monmouthshire. G. W. Wade and J. H.
Wade.

Norfolk. W. A. Dutt. Second Edition,
Revised.

Northamptonshire. W. Dry. Second Ed.
Northumberland. J. YL. Morris.
Nottinghamshire. L. Guilford.
Oxfordshire. F. G. Brabant.
Shropshire. J. E. Auden.

Cambkidge and its Colleges. A. H.
Tho.T.pson. Third Edition, Revised.

Channel Islands, The. E. E. Bicknell.

English Lakes, The. F. G. Brabant.

Isle of Wight, The. G. Clinch.

London. G. Clinch.

Malvern Country, The. B. C. A. Wind'e.

North Wales. A. T. Story.

Oxford and its Colleges. J. Wells.

Ninth Edition.
Shakespeare's Country.

Fourth Edition.
St. Paul's Cathedral.
Westminster Abbey.

Second Edition.

B. C. A. Windle.

G. Clinch.
G. E. Troutbeck.

Berkshire. F. G. Brabant.
Buckinghamshire. E. S. Roscoe.
Cheshire. W. Tsl. Gallichan.
Cornwall. A. L. Salmon.
Derbyshire. J. C. Cox.
Devon. S. Baring-Gould. Second Edition.
Dorset. F. R. Heath. Seco7td Edition.
Essex. J. C. Cox.
Hampshire. J. C. Cox.
Hertfordshire. H. W. Tompkins.
Kent. G. Clinch.
lvju<Rv. C. P. Crane.

Somerset. G. W. and J. H. Wade.
Edition.

Second

Staffordshire. C. Maseficld.

Suffolk. W. A. Dutt.

Surrey. J. C. Cox.

Sussex. F. G. Brabant. Third Edition.

Wiltshire. F. R. Heath.

Yorkshire, The East Riding. T E
Morris. •*

Yorkshire, The North Riding. J. E.

Morris.

Yorkshire, The West Riding. J. E.
iMorris. Cloth, 3J. ed. net ; leather, ^s. 6d.

Brittany. S. Baring-Gould.
Normandy. C. Scudamore.
Rome. C. G. Ellaby.
Sicily. F. H. Jackson.

i8

Methuen and Company Limited

The Little Library.

With Introductions, Notes, and Photogravure Frontispieces.
Small PoitZvo. Each Volume, cloth, \s. 6d. na.

Anon. A LITTLE BOOK OF ENGLISH
LYRICS. Second Ediiio7i.

Austen (Jane). PRIDE AND PREJU-
DICE. Two Volnmfs.
NORTHANGER ABBEY.

Bacon (Francis). THE ESSAYS OF
LORD BACON.

Barham (R. H.). THE INGOLDSBY

LEGENDS. 'Iwo Volumes.

Barnett (Annie). A LITTLE BOOK OF
ENGLISH PROSE.

Beckford (V/illiam). THE HISTORY
OF THE CALIPH VATHEK.

Blake , William). SELECTIONS FROM
THE V.ORRS OF V\ ILLIAM BLAKE.

Borrow (George). LAVENGRO. Two

I oUnnes.
THE ROMANY RYE.

Browning (Robert). SELECTIONS
FROM THE EAkLY POEMS OF
ROBERT BROW MING.

Canning (George). SE.LECTIONSFROM
THE ANTI-JACOBIN : with some later
Poems by George Canning

Cowley (Abraham). THE ESSAYS OF
ABRAHAM cOWLEY.

Crabbe (George). SELECTIONS FROM
THE POEMS OF GEORGE CRABBE.

Craik (Mrs.). JOHN HALIFAX.
GENTLE I\l AN. Two Volmnes.

Crashaw (Richard). THE ENGLISH
POEMS OF RICHARD CRASHAW.

Dante Alighieri. THE INFERNO OF

DANI E. iianslated by H. F. Cary.

THE PURt'A 1 ORIO OF DANTE. Trans-
I ted by H. F Caky.

THE PARADLSO OF DANTE. Trans-
lated by H. F. Carv.

Oarley (George^ SELECTIONS FROM
THE PuEIsIb OF GEORGE DARLEY.

Deane (A. C). A LITTLE BOOK OF
LIGHT VERbE.

Dicken3(Charles). CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

Two I'olunhis.

Ferriep (Susan). MAPvRIAGE. Two

THE INHERITANCE. Two Volumes.

Gaskell (Mrs.). CRANFORD. SecotidEd.

Hawthorne .Nathaniel). THE SCARLET
LEITER.

Henderson (T. F.'!. A LITTLE BOOK
OF SCOTTISH VERSE.

Kingiake (A. \V.). EOTIIEN. Second

Edition.

Lamb (Charles^ ELIA, AND THE LAST
ESSAYS OF ELIA.

Locker (F.). LONDON LYRICS.

Marvell (Andrew). THE POEMS OF
ANDREW ALaRVELL.

Milton (John). THE MINOR POEMS OF
JOHN MILION.

Moir (D. M.). MANSIE WAUCH.

Nichols (Bowyep). A LITTLE BOOK
OF ENGLibH SONNETS.

Smith (Horace and James). REJECTED

ADDRESbES.

Sterne (Laurence). A SENTIMENTAL
JOURNEY.

Tennyson (Alfred, Lord). THE EARLY
POEMS OF ALFRED, LORD TENNY-
SON.

IN MEMORIAM.

THE PRINCESS.

MAUD.

Thackeray (W. M.). VANITY FAIR.

'I krce Volumes.
Pi-N DENNIS. Three Volumes.
HENRY ESMOND.
CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

Vaughan (Henry). THE POEMS OF
HE-nRV VAUGHAN.

Waterhouse (Elizabeth). A LITTLE
BOOK OF i.IKE AND DEATH.
Thirteenth Edition.

Wordsworth (W.). SELECTIONS FROM

'ihh: puems of wtlliam words-

WORilL

Wordsworth (W.N-ind Coleridge (S.T,).
LVRlGAL BALLADS. Secona Edition,

General Literature

19

The Little Quarto Shakespeare.

Edited by W, J. CRAIG. With Introductions and Notes.

Foii 1G//10. y« 40 Volumes. Leather, pi-ice \s. net each volume.

Mahogany Revolving Book Case. lOJ. Jiet,

Miniature Library.

Demy i2mo. Leather, \s. fiet each volume.

EuPHRANOR : A Dialogue on Youth. Edward
FitzGera'd.

The Liff of Edward, Lord Herbert of
Cherbury. Written by himself.

PoLONU'S ; or Wise Saws and Modern In-
stances. Edward FitzGerald.

The RubXiyAt of Omak KhayyAm. Edward
FitzGerald. Fourth Edition.

The New Library of Medicine.

Edited by C. W. SALEEBY. Demy Zvo.

Care of the Body, The. F. Cavanagh.
Second Edition, js. td. net.

Children of the Nation, The. The Right

Second Edition.

or. How Cancer
P. Childe. ^s. td.

Hon. Sir John Gorst.
7J. bd. net.

Control of a Scourge ;
is Curable, The. Chas.
net.

Diseases of Occupation. Sir Thomas Oliver,
loj. dd. net. Second Edition.

Drink Problem, in its Medico-Sociological
Aspects, The. Edited by T. N. Kelynack.
■]S. td. net.

Drugs and the Drug Habit. H. Sainsbury.

Functional Nkrve Diseases. A. T. Scho-
field. -js. td. net.

Hygiene of Mind, The. T. S. Clouston.
Fifth Editioft. 7s. 6d. net.

Infant Mortality. Sir George Newman.'
7i-. 6d. net.

Prevention of Tuberculosis (Consump-
tion), The. Arthur Newsholme. 10s. td.
net. Second Edition.

Air and Health. Ronald C. Macfie. 7*. td.
net. Second Edition.

The New Library of Music.

Edited by ERNEST NEWMAN. Illustrated. Demy ?>vo. *js. (>d. net.

Brahms. J. A. FuUcr-Maitland. Second | Handel. R. A. Streatfeild. Second Edition,
^^'i^n- I Hugo Wolf. Ernest Newman.

Oxford Bio^aphies.

Illustrated. Fcap. Svo. Each voluvie, cloth, 2s. dd. net; leather, ^s. 6d. net.

Dante Ai.ighieri. Paget Toynbee. Third
Edition.

Girolamo Savonarola. E. L. S. Horsburgh.

Fourth Edition.
John Howard. E. C. S. Gibson.

Alfred Tennyson. A. C. Benson. Second
Edition.

Sir Walter Raleigh. I. A. Taylor.

Erasmus. E. F, H. Capey.

The Young Pretender, C. S. Terry.

Robert Burns. T. F. Henderson.

Chatham. A. S. McDowall.

Francis of Assisi. Anna M. Stoddart.

Canning. W^ Alison Phillips.

Beaconsfield. Walter Sichel,

JoHANN Wolfgang Goethe. H. G. Atkins.

Francois dh F^nelon. Viscount St. Cyres.

20

Methuen and Company Limited

Three Plays.

Fcap.

2s. net.

Tme HnNEYMOON. A Comedy in Three Acts. I Milestones. Arnold Bennett and Edward
Arnold Bennett. Second Edition. \ Knoblauch. Second Edition.

KiSMKT. Edward Knoblauch.

The States of Italy.

Edited by E ARMSTRONG and R. LANGTON DOUGLAS.

Illustrated. Demy Svo.

A History of M lan under the Sforza. I A History of Verona. A. M. Allen. 12s. 6d.
Cecilia M. Ady. 10s. 6d. net. I net.

A History of Perugia. W. Heywood. 12J. td. net.

The Westminster Commentaries.

General Editor, WALTER LOCK.
; Demy %vo.

The Acts of the Apostles. Edited by R.

B. Rackham. Sixth Edition. loj. td.
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle

TO THP. Corinthians. Edited by H. L.

Goudge. Third Edition, ts.
The Book of Exodus Edited by A. H.

M'Neile. With a Map and 3 Plans. lor. td.
The Book of Ezekiel. Edited by H. A.

Redpath. xos. 6d.
The Book of Genesis. Edited with Intro-
duction and Notes by S. R. Driver.

Eighth Edition. lof. td.

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Edited
by G. W. Wade. 10s. 6d.

Additions AND Corrections IN the Seventh
AND Eighth Editions of The Book of
Genesis. S. R. Driver, is.

The Book of Job. Edited by E. C. S. Gibson.
Second Edition. 6s.

The Epistle of St. James. Edited with In-
troduction and Notes by R. J. Knowling.
Second Edition. 6j.

The "Young" Series.

Illustrated. Crown Svo.

The Young Botanist. W. P. Westell and

C. S. Cooper. 3s. 6d. net.
The Young Carpenter. Cyril Hall. 5J.
The Young Electrician. Hammond Hall.

5^-

The Young Engineer. Hammond Hall.

7 hird Editio>i. ^s.
The Young Naturalist. W. P. Westell.

Second Edition. 6s.
The Young Ornithologist. W. P. WestelL

5J.

General Literature

21

Methuen's Shilling Library.

Fcap. 8vo. IS. net.
England, The. G. F. G.

Condition of

Masterman.
De Profundis. Oscar Wilde.
From Midshipman to Field-Marshal.

Sir Evelyn Wood, F.M., V.C.
*IuEAL Husband, An. Oscar Wilde.
♦Jimmy Glover, His Book. James M.

Glover.
*JoHN BoYKS, King of the Wa-Kikuvu.

John Bojes.
Lady Windermere's Fan. Oscar Wilde.
Letters from a Self-Madk Merchant

to his Son. George Horace Lorimer.
Life of John Ruskin, The. W. G. Colling-

wood.
Life <^f Robert Louis Stevenson, The.

Graham Balfour.

*Life of Tennyson, The. A. C. Benson.
*Little of Everything, A. E. V. Lucas.
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime. Oscar Wilde.
Lore of the Honev-Bee, The. Tickner

Edwardes.
Man and the Univfese. Sir Oliver Lodge.
Mary Magdalene. Maurice Maeterlinck.
Selected Poems. Oscar Wilde.
Sevastopol, and Other Stories. Leo

Tolstoy.
The Blue Bird. Maurice Maeterlinck.
Under Five Reigns. Lady Dorothy Nevill.
*Vailima Letters. Robert Loub Stevenson.
*ViCAR OF MoRWENSTOW, The. S. Baring-

Gould.

Books for Travellers.

Crown %vo. 6s. each.
Each volume contains a number of Illustrations in Colour
*A Wanderer in Florence. E. V. Lucas.
A Wanderer in Paris. E. V. Lucas.

A Wanderer in Holland. E. V. Lucas.
A Wanderer in London. E. V. Lucas.
The Norfolk Broads. W. A. Dutt.
Th'i New Forest. Horace G. Hutchinson.
Naples. Arthur H. Norway.
The Cities of Umbria. Edward Hutton.
The Cities of Spain. Edward Hutton.
*Thk Cities of Lombardy. Edward

Hutton.
Florence and* Northern Tuscany, with

Genoa. Edward Hutton.
Siena and Southern Tuscany. Edward

Hutton.

Rome. Edward Hutton.
Venice and Venetia. Edward Hutton.
The Bretons at Home. F. M. Costing.
The Land of Pardon^ (Biittany). Anatole

Le Braz.
A Book of the Rhine. S. Baring-Gould.
The Naples Riviera. H. M. Vaughan.
Days in Cornwall. C. Lewis Hind.
Through East Anglia in a Motor Car.

J. E. Vincent.
The Skirts of the Great City. Mrs. A.

G. Bell.
Round ab.jut Wiltshike. A. G. Bradley.
Scotland of To-day. T. F. Henderson and

Francis Watt.
Norway and its Fjords. M. A. Wyllie.

Some Books on Art.

Art and Life. T. Sturge Moore. Illustrated, j
Cr. Zvo. e,s. net.

Aims and Ideals in Art. George Clausen.
Illustrated. Second Edition. Large Post
8vo. ss. net.

Six Lectures on Painting. George Clausen.
Illustrated. Third Edition. Large Post
8vo. 3*. 6d. net.

Francesco Guardi, 1712-1793. G. A.
Simonson. . Illustrated. Imperial i^to.
£7. 2J. net.

Illustrations of the Book of Job.
William Blake. Quarto. £1 is. net.

John Lucas, Portrait Painter, 1828-1874.
Arthur Lucas. Illustrated. Imperial i,to.
£3 2S. net.

One Hundrkp Masterpieces of Painting.
With an Introduction by R. C. Wilt. Illus-
trated. Second Edition. DemyZvo. ios.6d.
net.

A Guide to the British Pictures in the
National Gallery. Edward Kingsion.
Illustrated. Fcap. Svo. 3J. 6d. net.

22

Methuen and Company Limited

Some Books on Art — continued.

One Hunhrfd Masterpieces of Sculpture.
With an Introduction by G. F. Hill. Illus-
trated. Demy Zvo. lor. td. net.

A RoMNEY Folio. With an Essay by A. B.
Chiinbeilain. Imperial Folio. jQis 15J.

The Saints in Art. Margaret E. Tabor.
Illustrjted. Fcup. 8z'c7, 3^. 6d. net.

Schools OF Painting. Mary Innes. Illus-
trated. Cr. Zvo. 5^. net.

The Post Impressionists. C. Lewis Hind.

Illustrated. Royal 8vo. js. 6d. net.
Celtic Art in Pagan and Christian Times.

J. R. Allen. Illustrated. Second Edition.

Demy 8vo. js. 6d. net.
"Classics of Art." See page 13.
"The Connoisseur's Library." See page 14
" Little Books on Art." See page 16.
"The Little Galleries." See page 17.

Some Books on Italy.

A History of Milan under the Sforza.

Cecilia M. Ady. Illustrated. Demy &vo.

10s. 6d. net.
A History of Verona. A. M. Allen.

Illustrated. Demy 8vo. 12s. 6d. net.
A History of Perugia. William Heywood.

Illustrated. Demy Zvo. 12s. 6d. net.
The Lakes of Northern Italy. Richard

Bagot. Illustrated. Fca^. Svo. 5s. net.
Woman in Italy. W. Boulting. Illustrated.

Demy Zvo. \os. td. net.
Old Etruria and Modern Tuscany. Mary

L. Cameron. Illustrated. Second Edition.

Cr. %vo. 6j. 7iet.
Florence and the Cities of Northern

Tuscany, with Genoa. Edward Hutton.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr.%vo. 6s.
Siena and Southern Tuscany. Edward

Hutton. Illustrated. Second Edition.

Cr. &V0. 6s.
In Unknown Tuscany. Edward Hutton.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Demy &vo.

js. 6d. net.
Venice and Venetia. Edward Hutton.

Illustrated. Cr. %vo. 6s.
Venice on Foot. H. A. Douglas. Illustrated.

Eca/>. &V0. ss. net.
Venice and Her Treasures. H. A.

Douglas. Illustrated. Eca/. Zvo. ^s. net.
*The Doges of Vrnice. Mrs. Aubrey

Richardson. Illustrated. De>ny Svo. 10s. 6d.

net.
Florence : Her History and Art to the Fall

of the Republic. F. A. Hyett. Demy Zvo.

js. 6d. net.
Florence and Her Treasures. H. M.

Vaughan. Illustrated. Ecap. Zvo. 5J. net.
Country Walks ABOUT Florence. Edward

Hutton. Illustrated. Ecap. &vo. ss. net.
Naples : Past and Present. A. H. Norway.

Illustrated. Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
The Naples Riviera. H. M. Vaughan.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
Skily: The New Winter Resort. Douglas

Sladen. Illustrated. Second Edition. Cr.

ivo. 5^. net.

Sicily. F. H. Jackson. Illustrated. Synall

Pott Zvo. Cloth, ■2S. 6d. jui , leather, ^s. 6d.

net.
Rome. Edward Hutton. Illustrated. Second

Edition. Cr. Zvo. ts.
A Roman Pilgrimage. R. E. Roberts

Illustrated. Demy Zvo. \os. 6d. net.
Rome. C. G. Ellaby. Illustrated. Small

Pott Zvo. Cloth, 2J. td. net ; leather, y. td.

net.
The Cities of Umbria. Edward Hutton.

Illustrated. Fourth Edition. Cr. Zvo. ts.
*The Cities of Lombardy. Edward Hutton.

Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
The Lives of S. Francis of Assist.

Brother Thomas of Celano. Cr. Zvo. 5*.

net.
Lorenzo the Magnificent. E. L. S.

Horsburgh. Illustrated. Second Edition.

Demy Zvo. 15^. net.
Girolamo Savonarola. E. L. S. Horsburgh.

Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 5J. net.
St. Catherine of Siena and Her Times

By the Author of" Mdlle Mori." Illustrated

Second Edition. Demy Zvo. 7J. 6d. net.
Dante and his Italy. Lonsdale Ragg.

Illustrated. Demy Zvo. 12s. 6d. net.
Dante Alighieri: His Life and Works.

Paget Toynbee. Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. $s.

net.
The Medici Popes. H. M. Vaughan. Illus-
trated. Demy Zvo. 15J. net.
Shelley and His Friends in Italy. Helen

R. Angeli. Illustrated. Demy Zvo. jos. 6d.

net.
Home Life in Italy. Lina Duff Gordon.

Illustrated. Second Edition. Demy ivo.

10s. 6d. net.
Skies Italian : A Little Breviary for Travellers

in Italy. Ruth S. Phelps. Fea/. Zvo. ss.

net.
*A Wanderer in Florence. E. V. Lucas.

Illustrated. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
*United Italy. F. M. Underwood. Demy

Zvo. ictf. td. ntt.

Fiction

23

Part III. — A Selection of Works of Fiction

Albanesi (E. Maria). SUSANNAH AND

ONE OTHER. Fourth Edition. Cr.

Zvo. ts.
LOVE AND LOUISA. Second Edition.

Cr. %vo. 6f.
THE I'.ROWN EYES OF MARY. Third

Editiofi. Cr. ?,vo. 6s.
I KNOW A MAIDEN. Third Edition.

Cr. Sto. 6s.
THE INVINCIBLE AMELIA: or, The

Polite Adventuress. Third Edition.

Cr. 8vo. 3 J. 6d.
THE GLAD HEART. Fi/ih Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
•OLIVIA MARY. Cr. 8va. 6s.

Bagot (Riehapd). A ROMAN MYSTERY.

Third Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
THE PASSPORT. Fourth Edition. Cr.

Ziio. 6s.
ANTHONY CUTHBERT. Fourth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
LOVE'S PROXY. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
DONNA DIANA. Second Edition. Cr.

Sz'o. 6s.
CASITNG OF NETS. Twei/th Edition.

C*-. Zvo. 6s.
THE HOUSE OF SERRAVALLE. Third

Edition Cr. Svo. 6s.

Bailey (H. C). STORM AND TREASURE.

Thi^d Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
THE LONELY QUEEN. Third Edition.
Cr. 8va. 6s.

Baring-Gould (S.). IN THE ROAR

OF THE SEA. Eighth Edition. Cr. ^vo.

6s.
MARGERY OF QUETHER. Secotid

Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
THE QUEEN OF LOVE. Fifth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
JACQUETTA. Third Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
KITTY ALONE. Fifth Edition. Cr.8vo. 6s.
NOEMI. Illustrated. Fourth Edition. Cr.

8vo. 6s.
THE BROOM - SQUIRE. Illustrated.

Fifth Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
DARTMOOR IDYLLS. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
GUAVAS THE TINNER. Illustrated.

Second Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
BLADYS OF THE STEWPONEY. Illus-
trated. Second Edition. Cr. ivo. 6s.
PABO THE PRIEST. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
WINE FRED. Illustrated. Second Edition,

Cr. Svo. 6s.
ROYAL GEO RGIE. Illustrated. Cr.87'o.6s.
CHRIS OF ALL SORTS. Cr. Svo. 6s.
IN DEWISLAND. Second Edition. Cr.

8vo. 6s.
MRS. CURGENVEN OF CURGENVEN.

Ft/th Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Barr (Robert). IN THE MIDST OF
ALARMS. Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE COUNTESS TEKLA. Fifth
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE MUTABLE MANY. Third Edition.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

Begbie (Harold). THE CURIOUS AND
DIVERTING ADVENTURES OF SIR
JOHN SPARROW, Bart. ; or, The
Progress of an Open Mind. Second
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Belloe (H.l. EMMANUEL BURDEN,
MERCHANT. Illustrated. Second Edition.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

A CHANGE IN THE CABINET. Third
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Belloc-Lowndes (Mrs.). THE CHINK
IN THE ARMOUR. Fourth Edition.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

*MARY PECHELL. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Bennett (Arnold). CLAY HANGER.

J enth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s,
THE CARD. Sixth Edition. Cr.Svo. 6s.
HILDA LESSWAYS. Seventh Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
* BURIED ALIVE. A New Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
A MAN FROM THE NORTH. A New

Edition. Cr. fi7'0. 6s.
THE MATADOR OF THE FIVE TOWNS.

Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Benson {E. F.). DODO : A Detail ok the
Day. Sixteenth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Birmingham (George A.). SPANISH

GOLD. Sixth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE SEARCH PARTY. Fifth Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
LALAGE'S LOVERS. Third Editim. Cr.

Svo. 6s.

Bowen (Marjorie). I WILL MAIN-
TAIN. Seventh Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH. Fifth
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

*A KNL.HT OF SPAIN. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE QUEST OF GLORY. Third Edi-
tion. Cr. Svo. 6s.

GOD AND THE KING. Fourth Edition.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

Clifford (Mrs. W. K.). THE GETTIN(5
WELL OF DOROTHY. Illustraicd.
Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 3J. 6d.

Conrad (Joseph). THE SECRETAGENT:
A simple Tale. Fourth Ed. Cr. Svo. 6s.

A SET OF SIX. Fourth Edition. Cr.Svo. 6s.

UNDER W^ESTERN EYES. Second Ed.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

24

Methuen and Company Limited

•Conyers (Dorothea.). THE LONELY

MAN. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Corelli (Marie). A ROMANCE OF TWO

VVURLUS. Thirty.Jirst Ed. Cr.Zvo. 6s.
VENDETTA ; or, The Story of one For-
gotten. Twe^Uy-ninth Edition. Cr. %vo.

6s.
THELMA : A Norwegian Princess.

Forty-secoud Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
ARDATH: The Story of a Dead Self.

Twentieth Edition. Cr. Zto. 6s.
THE SOUL OF LILITH. Seventeenth

Edition. Cr. '^vo, 6s.
WORMWOOD : A Drama of Paris.

Eighteenth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
KARABBAS : A Dream of the World's

Traghdy. Forty-sixth Edition. Cr. 8vff.

6s.
THE SORROWS OF SATAN. Fifty-seventh

Edition.. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE MASTER-CHRISTIAN. Thirteenth

Editi'n. 179M Thousand. Cr. Svo. 6s.
TEMPORAL POWER: A Study in

SuPrtEMACV. Second Edition. 150M

Thousand. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
GOD'S GOOD MAN : A Simple Love

Story. Fifteenth Edition. 154th Thou-
sand. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
HOLY ORDERS: the Tragedy of a

Quiet Life. Second Edition. \ioth

Thousand. Crown Zvo. 6s.
THE MIGHTY ATOM. Twenty-ninth

Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
BOY : a Sketch. Twelfth Edition. Cr. Zvo.

6s.
CAMEOS. Fourteenth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
THE LIFE EVERLASTING. Fii-tA Ed.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Crockett (S. R.). LOCHINVAR. Illus-
trated. Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

THE STANDARD BEARER. Second
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Cpoker (B. M.). THE OLD CANTON-
MENT. Second Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

JOHANNA. Second Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

THE HAPPY VALLEY. Fourth Edition.
Cr. bvo. 6s.

A NINE DAYS" WONDER. Fourth
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

PEGGY OF THE BARTONS. Seventh
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

ANGEL. Fifth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

KATHERINE THE ARROGANT. Sixth
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

BABES IN THE WOOD. Fourth Edition.
Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Danby (Frank.). JOSEPH IN JEO-
PARDY. Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Doyle (Sir A. Conan). ROUND THE RED

LAMP. Twelfth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Fenn (G. Manville). SYD HELTON:
The Boy who would not go to Sea.
Illustrated. Second Ed. Cr. Zvo. y. 6d.

Findlatep (J. H.). THE GREEN GRAVES
OF BALGOWRIE. Fifth Edition. Cr.
Zvo. 6s.

THE LADDER TO THE STARS. Second
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Findlatep (Mary). A NARROW WAY.

Third Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
OVER THE HILLS. Second Edition. Cr.

Zvo. 6s.
THE ROSE OF JOY. Third Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
A BLIND BIRD'S NEST. Illustrated.

Second Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Fry (B. and C. B.). A MOTHER'S SON
Fifth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Harrad^n (Beatrice). IN VARYING

MOODS. Fourteenth Edition. Cr. Zvn. 6s.

HILDA STRAFFORD and THE REMIT-
TANCE MAN. Twelfth Ed. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

INTERPLAY. Fifth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Hichens (Robert). THE PROPHET OF
BERKELEY SQUARE. Second Edition.
Cr. Zvo. 6s.

TONGUES OF CONSCIENCE. Third
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

THE WOMAN WITH THE FAN. Eighth
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

BYE WAYS. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

THE GARDEN OF ALLAH. Twenty-
first Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

THE BLACK SPANIEL. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

THE CALL OF THE BLOOD. Seventh
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

BARBARY SHEEP. Second Edition. Cr.
Zvo. y. 6d.

THE DWELLER ON THE THRES-
HOLD. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Hope (Anthony). THE GOD IN Tl R

CAR. Eleventh Edition. Cr. Z7>o. 6s.
A CHANGE OF AIR. Sixth Edition. Cr.

Zvo. 6s.
A MAN OF MARK. Seventh Ed. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
THE CHRONICLES OF COUNT AN-

TONIO. Sixth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
PHROSO. Illustrated. Eighth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
SIMON DALE. Illustrated. Eighth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
THE KING'S MIRROR. Fifth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
QUISANTET. Fo7trth Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
THE DOLLY DIALOGUES. Cr. Zvo. 6s.
TALES OF TWO PEOPLE. Third Edi-

tion. Cf. Zvo. 6s.
THE GREAT MISS DRIVER. Fourth

Edition. Cr. Zt'O. 6s.
MRS. MAXON PROTESTS. Third Edi-
tion. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Hutten (Baroness von). THE HALO.
/"ifth Edition. Cr. 6vo. 6s.

Fiction

25

^ • Inner Shrine* (Author of the). THE
WILD OLIVE. Third Edition. Cr.Zvo.
dr.

Jacobs (W. W.). MANY CARGOES.

Thirty-second Edition. Cr. 8vo. ss. bd.

•Al?o Illustrated in colour. Demy Zvo.

•js. 6d. net.
SEA URCHINS. Sixteenth Edition. Cr.

Svo. 33-. 6d.
A MASTER OF CRAFT. Illustrated.

Ninth Edition. Cr. '6vn. 3X. td.
LIGHT FREIGHTS. Illustrated. Eighth

Edition. Cr. tvo. 35^. t>d.
THE SKIPPER'S WOOING. Eleventh

Edition. Cr. Sto. t,s. 6d.
AT SUNWICH PORT. Illustrated. Tenth

Edition. Cr. Sz'O. ^s. 6d.
DIALSTONE LANE. Illustrated. Eig'hth

Edition. Cr. Sr'o. 3J. 6d.
ODD CRAFT. Illustrated. Et/th Edition.

Cr. 8vo. j.t. 6d.
THELADY OF THE BARGE. Illust.ated.

Ninth Edition. Cr. %vo. 3J. td.
SALTHAVEN. Illustrated. Third Edit.on.

Cr. Hvo. 3T. 6d.
SAILORS' KNOTS. Illustrated. /7/.-/4

Edition. Cr. Svo. 3J. 6d.
SHORT CRUISES. Third Edition. Cr.

Zvo. 3^. ()d,

James (Henry). THE GOLDEN BOWL.
Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s

Le Queux (William). THE HUNCHBACK

OF WESTMINSTER. Third Edition.

Cr. ivo. 6s.
THE CLOSED BOOK. Third Edition.

Cr. %vo. 6s.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW.

Illustrated. Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
BEHIND THE THRONE. Third Edition.

Cr. 8vff. 6s.

London (Jack). WHITE FANG. Eighth
Edition, Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Lucas (E. V.)- LISTENER'S LURE ; An

Oblique Narkation. Eighth Edition.

Fcap. Zvo. 5J.
OVER BEMERTON'S : An Easy-going

Chronicle. Ninth Edition. Fcap Zvo. ^s.
MR. INGLESIDE. Eighth Edition. Fcap.

Sz'o. ^s.
LONDON LAVENDER. Cr. 8vo. 6i.

Lyall (Edna). DERRICK VAUGHAN,
NOVELIST. i4th 'Thousand. Cr. 8vo.
3J. 6d.

Macnaughtan (SO- THE FORTUNE OF
CHRISTINA M'NAB. Ftyth Edition.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

PETER AND JANE. Fourth Edition.
Cr. Bvo. 6s.

Malet (Lucas). A COUNSEL OF PER-
FECTION. Second Edition. Cr.Zvo. 6s.

THE WAGES OF SIN. Sixteenth Edition.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

THECARISSLMA. Fifth Ed. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

THKGATELESS BARRIER. Fi/th Edi-
tion. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Maxwell (W. B.). THE RAGGED MES-
SENGER. Third Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

THE GUARDED FLAME. Seventh Edi-
tion. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

ODD LENGTHS. Second Ed. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

HILL RISE. Fourth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE COUNTESS OF MAYBURY: Be-
tween You AND I. Fourth Edition. Cr.

THE REST CURE. Fourth Edition. Cr.
8vo. 6s.

Milne (A. A.). THE DAY'S PLAY.

Third Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
*THE HOLIDAY ROUND. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Montague (C. E.). A HIND LET
L00:3E. 'Third Edition. Cr. Bvo. 6s.

Morrison (Arthur). TALES OF MEAN
STREETS. Seventh Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

A CHILD OF THE JAGO. Sixth Edition.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

THE HOLE IN THE WALL. Fourth Edi-
tion. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

DIVERS VANITIES. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Ollivant (Alfred). OWD BOB, THE
GREY DOG OF KENMUIR. With a
Frontispiece. Eleventh Ed. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

THE TAMING OF JOHN BLUNT.
Second Editi"n. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

*THE ROYAL ROAD. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Onions (Oliver). GOOD BOY SELDOM :
A Romance of Advertisement. Second
Edition. Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Oppenheim (E. Phillips). MASTER OF

MEN. Fifth Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
THE MISSING DELORA. Illustrated.
Fourth Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Orczy (Baroness). FIRE IN STUBBLE.
Fifth Ediiton. Cr. 8vo. 6s.

Oxenham (John). A WEAVER OF
WEIS. Iliubirated. Fifth Ed. Cr.8vo. 6s.

PROFIT AND LOSS. Tourth Edition.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

THE LONG ROAD. Fourth Edition. Cr.
8vo. 6s.

THE SONG OF HYACINTH, and
Other Stories. Second Edition. Cr.
8vo. 6s.

MY LADY OF SHADOWS. Fourth Edi-
tion. Cr. Svo. 6s.

LAURISTONS. Fourth Edition. Cr. 8vo.
6s.

THE COIL OF CARNE. Sixth Edition.
Cr. 8vo. 6s.

•THE QUEST OF THE GOLDEN ROSE.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

26

Methuen and Company Limited

Parker (Gilbert"). PIERRE AND HIS

PEOPLi:. Sez-enth Edition. Cr.Zvo. 6s.
MRS. FALCHION. y-V/M £dii/on. Cr.

THE TRANSLATION OF A SAVAGE.

Fourih Edition. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
THE TRAIL OF THE SWORD. Illus-
trated. Tenth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
WHEN VALMOND CAME TO PONTIAC :

The Story of a Lost Napoleon. Seventh
Edition. Cr. %vo. 6f.
AN ADVENTURER OF THE NORTH.

The Last Adventures of ' Pretty Pierre.'

Fifth Edition. Cr. %vo. 6s.
THE BATTLE OF THE STRONG: a

Romance of Two Kingdoms. Illustrated.

Seventh Edition. Cr. Bvo. 6s.
THE POMP OF THE LAVILETTES.

Third Edition. Cr. i>vo. y. 6d.
NORTHERN LIGHTS. Fourth Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.

Pasture (Mrs. Henry de la). THE

TYRANT. Fourth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Pemberton (Max). THE FOOTSTEPS

OF A THRONE. Illustrated. Fourth

Edition. Cr. Bvo. 6s.
I CROWN THEE KING. Illustrated. Cr.

Sva. 6s.
LOVE THE HARVESTER: A Story ok

THE Shires. Iilu-*~ated. Third Edition.

Cr. &V0. 3J. 6d.
THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN

HEART. Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Perrin (Alice). THE CHARM. F:/th

Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
•THE ANGLO-INDIANS. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Phillpotts (Eden). LYING PROPHETS.

Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
CHILDREN OF THE MIST. Sixth Edi-

tion. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE HUMAN BOY. With a Fronti.'piece.

Seventh Editien. Cr. Svo. 6s.
SONS OF THE MORNING. Second

Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE RIVER. Fourth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE AMERICAN PRISONER. Fourth

Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
KNOCK AT A VENTURE. Third Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE PORTREEVE. Fourth Edititn. Cr.

Svo. 6s.
TH E POACHER'S WIFE. Second Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE STRIKING HOURS. Second Edition.

Cr. Zvo. 6s.
DEMETER'S DAUGHTER. Third

Edition. Cr. Svo. ts.

Piekthall (Marmaduke). SAID THE
FISHERMAN. Eighth Edition. Cr. Sv^.
6s.

'Q' (A. T. Quiller Couch). THE WHITE

WOLF. Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE MAYOR OF TROY. Fourih Editi n.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
MERRY-GARDEN and other Stories.

Cr. Svo. 6s
MAJOR VIGOUREUX. Third Edition.

Cr. Svo. ts.

Ridge (W. Pett). ERB. Second Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
A SOxN OF THE STATE. Third Edition.

Cr. Svo. 3J. 6d.
A BREAKER OF LAWS. Cr. Svo. 3 J. 6d.
MRS. GALER'S BUSINESS. Illustrated.

Second Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE WICKHAMSES. Fottrth Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
NAME OF GARLAND. Third Edition.

SPLENDID BROTHER. Fourth Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
NINE TO SIX-THIRTY. Third Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
THANKS TO SANDERSON. Second

Edition. Cr. Svo. ts.
♦DEVOTED SPARKES. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Russell (W. Clark). MASTER ROCKA-

FELLAR'S VOYAGE. Illustrated.

Fourth Edition. Cr. Svo. 3J. 6d.

Sidgwlck (Mrs. Alfred). THE KINS-
MAN. Illustrated. Third Edition. Cr.
Svo. 6s.

THE LANTERN-BEARERS. Third

Edition. Cr. Sz'o. 6s.

ANTHEA'S GUEciT. Fifth Edition. Cr.
Svo. 6s.

*LAMORNA. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Somerville (E. (E.) and Ross (Martin).

DAN RUSSjCL THE FOX. Illustrated.
Fourth Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Thurston (E. Temple). MIRAGE. Fourth
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Watson (H. B. Marriott^ THE HIGH

TOBY. Third Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE PRIVATEERS. Illustrated. Second

Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.
ALISE OF ASTRA. Third Edition. Cr.

Svo. 6s.
THE BIG FISH. Second Edition. Cr. Svo.

6s.

Webling (Peggy). THE STORY OF

VIRGINIA PERFECT. Third Edition.

Cr. Svo. 6s.
THE SPIRIT OF MIRTH. Fifth Edition

Cr. Svo. 6s.
FELIX CHRISTIE. Second Edition. Cr.

Svo. 6s.

VVeyman (Stanley). UNDER THE RED

ROBE, lllustraied. Twenty-third Edition.
Cr. &V0. 6s.

Whitby (Beatrice). ROSAMUND. SeconJ
Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s,

Fiction

27

Williamson C N. and A. M.)- THE
LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR: The
Strange Adventures of a Motor Car. Illus-
trated. Seventeenth Edition. Cr. ivo.
ts. Also Cr. %vo. IS. net.

THE PRINCESS PASSES : A Romance of
a Motor. Illustrated. Ninth Edition.
Cr. ivo. 6s. .

LADY BETTY ACROSS THE WATER.
Eleventh Edition. Cr. Zvo. ts.

SCARLET RUNKER. Illustrated. Third

Edition. Cr. 8zro. 6s.
SET IN SILVER. Illustrated. Fourth

Edition. Cr. %vo. 6t,

LORD LOVELAND DISCOVERS
AMERICA. Secoftd Edition. Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE GOLDEN SILENCE. Si:cth Edition.
Cr. Svo. 6s.

THE GUESTS OF HERCULES. Thira
Edition. Cr. 8r*. 6s.

•THE HEATHER MOON. Cr. Svo. 6s.

Wyllarde (Dolf). THE PATHWAY OF
THE PIONEER (Nous Autres). Sixth
Edition. Cr. Sv«. 6s.

THE UNOFFICIAL HONEYMOON

Seventh Edition. Cr. Bvo. 6s.
THE CAREER OF BEAUTY DARLING.

Cr. &va. 6s.

Methuen's Two-Shilling Novels.

Crown ?>vo, 2s, net*

•BoTOR Chaperon, Thb. C. N. and A. M.

Williamson.
•Call of thk Blood, The. Robert Hichens.
Car of Destiny and its Errand in

Spain, The. C. N. and A. M. Williamson.
Clementina. A. E. W. Mason.
Colonel Enderby*s Wife. Lucas Malet.
Felix. Robert Hichens.
Gate of the Desert, The. John Oxenham.
My Friend the Chauffeur. C. N. and

A. M. Williamson.

Princess Virginia, Thb.
Williamson.

C. N. and A. M.

Sir Gilbert

Seats of the Mighty, Thb,
Parker.

Servant of the Public, A. Anthony Hope.

*Sf.t in Silver. C. N. and A. M. Williamsoo.

Severins, The. Mrs. Alfred Sidgwick.

Sir Richard Calmady. Lucas Malet.

•Vivien. W. B. Maxwell.

Books for Boys and Girls.

Illustrated. Crown Svo. 3J. 6J.

Cross and Dagger. The Crusade of the
Children, 1212. W. Scott Durrant.

Getting Well of Dorothy, The. Mrs.
W. K. Cliflford.

Girl of the People, A. L. T. Meade.

Hepsy Gipsy. L. T. Meade. 2s. 6d.

Honourable Miss, The. L. T. Meade.

Master Rockafei.lar's Voyage. W. Clark
RusselL

Only a Guard- Room Dog. Edith E.

Cuthell.
Red Grange, The. Mrs. Molesworth.
Syd Belton : The Boy who would not

go to Sea. G. Manville Fenn.
There was once ▲ Prince. Mrs. M. K.

Mann.

28

Methuen and Company Limited

Methuen's Shilling Novels.

•Akna of the Five Towns. Arnold Bennett.

Bakbary Sheep. Robert Hichens.

Charm, The. Alice Perrin.

•Demon, The. C. N. and A. M. Williamson.

Guarded Flame, The. W. B. Maxwell.

Jane. Marie Corelli.

Lady Betty Across the Water. C N.

& A. M. Williamson.
•Long Road, The. John Oxenham.
Mighty Atom, The. Marie Corelli.
Mirage. E. Temple Thurston.
Missing Delora, The. E Phillips Oppen-

heim.

Round the Red Lamp. SirA. Conv ' • iy!e.
•Secret Woman, The. Eden Phillp-.trs.
*Severins, The. Mrs. Alfred Sedgwick.
Spanish Gold. G. A. Birmingham.
Tales of Mean Streets. Arthur Morrison .
The Halo. The Baroness von Hutten.
♦Tyrant, The. Mrs. Henry de la Pasture.
Under the Red Robe. Stanley J. Weyman.
Virginia Perfect. Peggy Webling.
Woman with the Fan, The. Robert
Hichens.

The Novels of Alexandre Dumas.

Medium %vo. Price 6d. Double Volumes, is.

Act4.

Adventures of Captain Pamphile, The.

Amaury.

Bird of Fate, Thb.

Black Tulip, The.

Black : the Story of a Dog,
i Castle of Eppstein, Thb.
' Catherine Blum.

C6CILE,

ChAtelkt, The,

Chevalier D'Harmental, The. (Double

volume.)
Chicot the Jester.
Chicot Redivivus,
Comte db Montgommery, Thb,
Conscience.
Convict's Son, The.
CoRsiCAN Brothers, The; and Otho the

Archer.
Crop-Eared Jacquot.
dom gorenflot
Due d'Anjou, The.
Fatal Combat, The.
Fencing Master, The.
Fernande.
Gabriel Lambert
Georges.

Great Massacre, The.
Henri de Navarre.

H6L&NB DB ChAVERNV.

Horoscope, Thb.

Leone-Leona.

Louise de la Valli^re. (Double volume.)

Man in the Iron Mask, The. (Double

volume.)
MaItre Adam.
Mouth of Hell, The.
Nanon. (Double volume.)
Olympia.

Pauline ; Pascal Bruno ; and Bontekoe.
PfeRE LA Rui.ne.
Porte Saint-Antoine, The.
Prince of Thieves, The.
Reminiscences of Antony, The.
St. Quentin.
Robin IJood.
Samuel Gelb.

Snowball and the Sultanbtta, The.
Sylvandire,

Taking of Calais, The.
Tales of the Supernatural,
Tales of Strange Adventure.
Tales of Terror.

Three Musketeers, The. (Double volume.)
Tourney of the Rub St. Antoine.
Tragedy of Nantes, The.
Twenty Years After. (Double volume.)
Wild-Duck Shooter, The.
Wolf-Leader, The.

Fiction

29

Methuen's Sixpenny Books.

Medium- %vo.

Albanesl (E. Maria). LOVE AND

LOUISA.

i know a maiden.

thp: blunder of an innocent.

peter a parasite.

•the invincible amelia.

Anstey (F.). A BAYARD OF BENGAL.
Austen (J.). PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Bagot (Richard). A ROMAN MYSTERY.
CASTING OF NETS.
DONNA DIANA.

Balfoup (Andrew).
SWORD.

BY STROKE OF

Barlng-GouId (S.). FURZE BLOOM.

CHEAP JACK ZITA.

KITTY ALONE.

URITH.

THE BROOM SQUIRE.

IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA.

NOEMI.

A BOOK OF FAIRY TALES. Illustrated.

LITTLE TU'PENNY.

WINEFRED.

THE FROBISHERS.

THE QUEEN OF LOVE.

ARM I NELL.

BLADYS OF THE STEWPONEY.

CHRIS OF ALL SORTS.

BaPP (Robert). JENNIE BAXTER.
IN THE MIDST OF ALARMS.
THE COUNTESS TEKLA.
THE MUTABLE MANY.

Benson (E. F.). DODO.
THE VINTAGE.

Bronte (Charlotte).

Brownell (C. L.).
JAPAN.

Burton (J. Bloundelle)
SALT SEAS.

SHIRLEY.
THE HEART

OF

ACROSS THE

Caffyn (Mrs.

Capes (Bernard)

MYSTERY.

Clifford ^Mrs. W. K.).
SUMMER.

MRS. KEITH'S CRIME.

ANNE MAULEVERER.
THE GREAT SKENE

A FLASH OF

Corbett (Julian) A
GREAT WATERS.

BUSINESS IN

Croker (Mrs. B. M.). ANGEL.
A STATE SECRET.
PEGGY OF THE BARTONS.
JOHANNA.

THE DIVINE
Conan). ROUND THE

Dante fAlighieri)

COMEDY (Gary).

Doyle (Sir A.
RED LAMP.

Duncan (Sara Jeannette). THOSE
DELIGHTFUL AMERICANS.

Eliot (George). THE MILL ON THE
FLOSS.

Findlater (Jane H.). THE GREEN
GRAVES OF BALGOWRIE.

Gallon (Tom). RICKERBY'S FOLLY.

Gaskell (Mrs.). CRANFORD.
MARY BARTON.
NORTH AND SOUTH.

Gerard (Dorothea). HOLY MATRI-
MONY.
THE CONQUEST OF LONDON.
MADE OF MONEY.

Gissing(G.). THE TOWN TRAVELLER.
THE CROWN OF LIFE.

Glanville (Ernest).

TREASURE.
THE KLOOF BRIDE.

THE INCA'S

Gleig (Charles).

Grimm (The Brothers).
FAIRY TALES.

BUNTER'S CRUISE.
GRIMM'S

Hope (Anthony). A MAN OF MARK.

A CHANGE OF AIR.

THE CHRONICLES OF COUNT

ANTONIO.
PHROSO.
THE DOLL^i

DIALOGUES.

DEAD MEN TELL

Hornung (E. W.)
NO TALES.

Hyne(C. J. O- PRINCE RUPERT THE
BUCCANEER.

Ingraham (J. H.).
DAVID.

THE THRONE OF

so

Methuen and Company Limited

Le Queux (W.\ THE HUNCHBACK

OK WESTxMINSTER.
THE CROOKED WAY.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW.

Levett-Yeats (S. K.). THE TRAITOR'S

WAY.
ORRAIN.

Linton (E. Lynn\ THE TRUE HIS-
TORY OF JOSHUA DAVIDSON,

Lyall (Edna). DERRICK VAUGHAN.

Malet (Lucas). THE CARISSIMA.
A COUNSEL OF PERFECTION.

Mann (Mrs. M. E.). MRS. PETER

HOWARD.
A LOST ESTATE.
THE CEDAR STAR.
THE PATTEN EXPERIMENT.
A WINTER'S TALE.

Mapchmont (A. W.). MISER HOAD-

LEY'S SECRET.
A MOMENT'S ERROR.

Marryat (Captain). PETER SIMPLE.
JACOB FAITHFUL.

March (Richard). A METAMORPHOSIS.
THE TWICKENHAM PEERAGE.
THE GODDESS.
THE JOSS.

Mason (A. E. W.). CLEMENTINA.

Mathers (Helen). HONEY.
GRIFF OF GRIFFITHSCOURT.
SAM'S SWEETHEART.
THE FERRYMAN.

Meade (Mrs. L. T.). DRIFT.

Miller (Esther). LIVING LIES.

Mitford (Bertram). THE SIGN OF THE
SPIDER.

THE ALIEN.
THE HOLE

IN

Montp6sor (F. F.

Morrison (Arthur).
THE WALL.

Nesbit (E.). THE RED HOUSE.

Norris (W. E.). HIS GR.\CE.

GILES INGILBY.

THE CREDIT OF THE COUNTY.

LORD LEONARD THE LUCKLESS.

MATTHEW AUSTEN.

CLARISSA FURIOSA.

Oliphant (Mrs.). THE LADY'S WALK.
SIR ROBERT'S FORTUNE.

THE PRODIGALS.

THE TWO MARYS.

Oppenheim (E. P.). MASTER OF MEN.

Parker (Sir Gilbert). THE POMP OF

THE LAVILETTES.
WHEN VALMOND CAME TO PONTIAC.
THE TRAIL OF THE SWORD.

Pemberton (Max). THE FOOTSTEPS

OF A THRONE.
I CROWN THEE KING.
Phillpotts (Eden). THE HUMAN BOY.
CHILDREN OF THE MIST.
THE POACHER'S WIFE.
THE RIVER.

•Q' (A. T. Quiller Couch). THE
WHITE WOLF.

Ridge (W. Pett). A SON OF THE STATE.

LOST PROPERTY.

GEORGE and THE GENERAL.

A BREAKER OF LAWS.

ERE.

Russell (W. Clark). ABANDONED.

A MARRIAGE AT SEA.

MY DANISH SWEETHEART.

HIS ISLAND PRINCESS.

Sergeant (Adeline). THE MASTER OF

BEECHWOOD.
BALBARA'S MONEY.
THE YELLOW DIAMOND.
THE LOVE THAT OVERCAME.

Sidgwick (Mrs. Alfred). THE KINS-
MAN.

SuPtees (R. S.). HANDLEY CROSS.
MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR.
ASK MAMMA.

Walford (Mrs. L. B.). MR. SMITH.

COUSINS.

THE BABY'S GRANDMOTHER.

TROUBLESOME DAUGHTERS.

Wallace (General Lew). BEN-HUR.

THE FAIR GOD.

Watson (H. B. Marriott). THE ADVEN-
TURERS.
CAPTAIN FORTUNE.
Weekes (A. B.). PRISONERS OF WAR.
Wells (H. G.). THE SEA LADY.

Whitby (Beatrice). THE RESULT OF
AN AXIDENT.

A PASSIONATE PIL-
Williamson (Mrs. C. N.). PAPA.

White (Percy).
GRIM.

tniNTKD BT

V W.K BROTHERS. LIMITED,

LO.KDON ANU WOKING.

t>4

y

V^bster Family Library of Veterinary Medlete

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine^

Tufts Uriiversity

200 WesttxKo Road

ilorth Grafton, WW OiS3e