Hard time of year for horses

Frost on the grass raises the sugar content, which sounds like horse fun, but can trigger a potentially fatal condition in susceptible animals.

If they are kept in, they can become too lively for comfort: the horse is essentially a plains animal, and designed to keep moving for most of its day. One hour of exercise is just not enough, and don't they let you know it!

As well as sitting on the results of a fit horse performing high jinks, never more than two legs on the ground at any time, those who care for them have a myriad of extra duties, from checking legs and treating sores to making sure rugs have not rubbed where the skin is soft.

Drying and changing rugs can be another job that is a struggle at this time of year. Then there is the hay: what a load it seemed in September, and how little there is left now.

How can we ever eke it out until the sun warms the grass and starts it growing again? Will it ever start growing again?

Bedding is short too, whether straw, shavings or the newer-style surfaces such as chopped hemp or paper. Some horses nowadays have thick rubber mats to lie on, but they still need an absorbent layer on top of that.

And yet, seeing the Hunt meet by the grace of a supportive landowner, despite the heavy going, is to see horses well-kept and well turned out, saddlery shining, even if all will be slathered in mud as soon as they leave the Meet.

Out of respect both to the tradition and the landowner, people are as clean and smart as they can manage.

The clothes and boots don't have to be new, in fact many have passed down a generation or more, but clean forgives threadbare every time.

The correct hunting dress has evolved for warmth and safety, from the heavy wool jacket to the strong leather boots, but modern fabrics mea we can conceal all sorts of secrets between the outside and the skin.

Hounds need extra care too, for even as fit as they are, the miles they do through this kind of going are hard, their feet and nails have to be attended to carefully afterwards, and heavy thorn thicket takes its toll on ears.

These lovely animals have thick hides, but thorns and wire still penetrate, and each one has to be checked over when they return, tired and happy, at the end of the day. We can go home early if we wish, but they do the full day every time, and thrive on it.

Tonight, the jackets will be dripping steadily by the range, the hats stuffed with paper or a towel drying gently not too close to a heat source, boots treated similarly, mud washed off and polish to be applied when they are dry.

Saddlery has shed its own weight in mud and awaits dressing on the morrow, while horses have been hosed down and dried off, and are tucking into warm mashes.

Hounds roll in fresh bedding, full-fed and utterly content. For people, there is the luxury of the hot bath, a glass of something fragrant, and the hunting supper awaiting.

The white owl flits through the evening patrol, and we speak of what we have seen and done as we turn to say our goodbyes, and start the homeward journey, our clothes yet damp on our backs.