BREAKING the Herd
—is the ceremony of singling out a deer (either stag or hind) from the herd for the chase, which is thus performed with His Majesty's establishment in Windsor Forest. A survey being made of the herd, and the particular deer fixed on for separation, the huntsmen, assisted by one of the yeomen prickers, ride at a hunting rate, gallop directly into the herd, continuing so to do (as the herd divide) at the particular part to which the deer intended to be singled out continues to adhere. This ceremony is sometimes a very tedious business to the men, as well as to the horses, as it is no uncommon thing, when they have detached, or reduced a divided part of the herd to a leash or two brace, (amongst which is the particular deer wanted,) for that number to make a circle of ten, fifteen, or even twenty miles, before the riders, with all their energy, can disunite them more than to a single brace, and not at all to a single deer. When this is effected, the hounds, who are in waiting at some distance, under the six remaining YEOMEN PRICKERS, are capped forward, and laid upon the scent; when the brace finding themselves pursued, soon divide, under the impression of individual safety; and the selected deer being thus completely singled out, the chase goes on, and continues till the deer is taken; unless, after a pursuit of proper length, for the sport of the day, he should regain the herd, where he is then permitted to remain, and the hounds are drawn off: but if it is either an old hind, or a calf destined to death, for the purpose of blooding the hounds, a repetition of the original ceremony of separation takes place, when which is effected, the chase is immediately renewed till the object of blood is attained.