“Unknowing” Ones.—Ignorance concerning horsey subjects is quite common among ladies who are otherwise well educated, and, indeed, highly informed. Mrs. Beecher Stowe relates of herself, in her ‘Sunny Memories,’ that when dining one day with Earl Russell she spoke of hunting as “a vestige of the savage state,” when, to her great astonishment, she saw laughter on all the men’s faces. No wonder. Fox hunting, or rather riding to hounds is an art not yet a century old. Two of our most popular authoresses—I might, perhaps, say the two most popular—make such egregious mistakes on the subjects of hunting, racing and betting, that men laugh, and women who know, say, “What a pity it is!”
Hunting Centres.—A young Londoner cannot do better than try his hand with the Surrey Foxhounds, or with one of the Kentish packs. The hills of Surrey afford good hunting ground, despite the flints, and the superfluity of coverts.
When a Horse is Collar-shy, or nervous about the adjustment of the crupper, have the latter made to unbuckle, and procure a collar that opens at the top. This is, of course, in case of being unable to reassure the animal by kindness. Put beating and scolding entirely aside; they have probably led to the evils that have to be cured.
The Foot “Home” in the Stirrup was for long a favourite theory of mine, and one which I myself practised—especially when travelling long distances, or going the pace,—but then, I always rode in a plain little racing stirrup, made sufficiently wide to enable the foot to work easily in it, so that there was no possibility of its “sticking,” or proving otherwise dangerous. Finding, however, that, despite repeated warnings, ladies would persist in adopting the various forms of so-called safety-stirrups, in which the foot was absolutely embedded, the stuffing over the instep helping to tighten the hold, I thought it safest and most conscientious to discard my theory altogether and advocate riding from the ball of the foot. To keep perpetually saying, “Do as I do,” partakes rather of the egotistical and self-sufficient, even where one may fairly add, “And no harm will ensue,”—but if, added to this, there is apparently a strong desire on the part of those spoken to to have their own way, it is surely wise to offer them such directions as will best obviate the chances of mishap. Here, for instance, is an example of my meaning: Suppose that I am in the habit of reading in bed, using a safety-lamp for doing so, and I discover that it is a practice in my household and elsewhere for others to read by the light of a half-burnt candle, insecurely fastened into its socket in the candlestick, and laid perhaps upon the pillow,—will it not be better and safer for me to decry altogether the practice of night reading, than to keep perpetually urging (without hope of success) that safety-lamps ought in all cases to be adopted?
When a Carriage is kept covered in a coach-house, the cover ought to be constantly aired.
Never permit Water to Dry of itself on a vehicle, or it will certainly leave stains.
Aprons, Heads, etc., that are composed of enamelled leather, should be washed with soap and water, and rubbed well with linseed oil—the former being constantly unfolded, and the latter kept fully stretched.
Moths can be prevented from settling in the linings of vehicles by mixing camphor and turpentine in a saucer, and placing it inside, with all the windows drawn up. The evaporation of the mixture will serve the purpose well.
Bolts and Clips of vehicles should be constantly looked to, and tightened if loose; and all repairs should be done at once, nothing being allowed to lie over.
Horse-collars should be so made that the weight attached to the traces shall be distributed over the surface of the shoulders when pulling, not concentrated on one point, or, almost as bad, perpetually rubbing up and down. A collar cannot be considered fitted, simply because it appears all right when the horse is standing still. Set him going at a good pace, and then judge of it. If he be a high-crested animal, he will probably need a collar quite two inches longer than seemed necessary when he stood at ease. If the traces are attached too low to the hames, they will draw the collar away from the upper part of the shoulder. This can only be remedied by shifting the point of the draught, till a proper bearing has been obtained.