It is useless to try to shoot off a horse unless both you and your horse understand “school” riding. An ordinary hunter, ridden in the ordinary hunting style, needing both hands to lug at his head, and requiring half a field to stop or turn him in, is very dangerous at this game.
The horse must turn, change legs, stop dead, and start again under the control of one hand only.
A horse that naturally leads with his near leg when allowed to choose his own lead is preferable, as, having to range up on the near side of the mark, you can shoot better leading on the near leg, as this turns you slightly towards the mark. A horse is smoothest in his natural lead, and is rougher and consequently more difficult to shoot off when leading on the other leg.
One can wear the holster as the cowboys do—a belt round the waist and the revolver hanging on the right hip, not round the waist in front as army men carry it. In front it is in the way of your bridle hand, and it is not so handy to draw; but, worn on the hip, it is also dangerous in case of a fall, and is perhaps best in a saddle holster.
The revolver must fit loosely, so as to draw easily; but the holster must be deep enough, and must hang so as not to drop the pistol out in galloping. The flap of the saddle—where the hunting-horn is carried—is a good place to hang the holster, but this arrangement might hurt one if the horse rolled over; and one might be left defenceless by the horse galloping off with the pistol.
I prefer a short-cheeked, single-rein curb with a loose curb-chain.
Why do writers so often talk of “pressing with the knee” to turn a horse? One uses the knees to grip with and the legs for turning and collecting, etc.
I do not recommend a martingale if it can possibly be avoided, as it is apt to throw a horse down.