Hunting gear, which has changed little since foxhunting began, is based on practicality. The heavy boots and breeches protect riders from branches and brambles. Heavy melton coats are almost waterproof. The stock tie, fastened with a plain gold safety pin, can serve as a bandage for man, hound or horse in case of an accident. Some might wonder why foxes in their natural environment bother to run such long distances when it would seem easy for them to find a hole and go to ground.
Foxes are territorial animals.
Sometimes they do, to the disappointment of the hunters, but often as not they choose to run. One cannot apply human reasoning to the fox. One can only suppose he chooses to run because he wants to or does not feel threatened enough to bother going to ground. A fox lives by scent. He knows good and bad scenting days.