'Horses are to be enjoyed!'

All was not looking good for autumn hunting, says Tessa Waugh, when the family's hunt horses started falling like flies - until a certain showing luminary rocks up and appears to save the day...

THE number of horses here has mushroomed in an alarming way since Adam started hunting the College Valley and North Northumberland seven years ago. He started off with two – Jack and Wexford, both exceptionally tough customers who had been in hunt kennels before. They managed the work between them, notching up a day a week each through the season and more during autumn hunting. But tough horses like these are hard to come by.