Hello,
A generous friend gave me a small horn, that he says is a hunting horn. He thought I rode English, so he thought I should have one. (He’s a dear, isn’t he?)
I’ve seen hunting only on TV, don’t anticipate ever hunting, but am curious about this lovely item, and hope you can enlighten me.
It’s a simple copper funnel-shaped horn, about 9.5 inches long. It’s about 2.25" wide at the large end, then tapers to a brass mouthpiece.
It has a very nice leather case, stamped “made in England” The horn slides into the case and is secured by a rolled leather piece across the open end. It has what appears to be a hand-strap, as well as a buckled strap that I would guess one could attach to a belt or to the saddle.
So I’m running along on my horse, with my horn case attached to my saddle or wrist; I flip off the little rolled piece, get out the horn, purse my lips and blow? All the while controlling my horse and not falling off?
I am so in awe of you if that really happens.
Or is this a purely decorative item that will be forever on my credenza at work? But I would like to know a bit more about it, and how it’s actually used. No worries, I won’t ever even pretend to be a hunter - I’m not (currently) that confident a rider.
Thanks!
