At the turn of the 20th century almost every town had its own hunt, usually supported by the local country squire. This photograph loaned by the Highbridge historian Bob Thomas was taken back before the Great War and shows a hunt meet in Berrow when as you can see it was as much of a social event as anything.

A group of small boys has gathered in the centre of the photograph dressed in Norfolk jackets with caps and heavy boots who will probably follow the hunt on foot. A group of mothers dressed in long full skirts and long jackets are having a chat near a group of unsaddled horses. The hounds are corralled to the right while to the left gigs have drawn up ready to ferry hunt followers.

Forget for the modern arguments about the rights and wrongs of blood sports, this is a fascinating glimpse at how life was played for many in Burnham, Highbridge and Berrow. The road is pitted and damaged, the clothes of all those pictured are rugged and hard wearing, while the small boys nearest the camera show a curiosity to the photographer dressed as they are in long trousers and woollen pullovers. It is a far cry from a modern meeting of the hunt when everyone would have looked considerably wealthier, better dressed and more prosperous.

The picture doesn’t reveal the social codes of the does and don’ts associated with the hunting set. Why can’t you simply jump on a pony and follow the hunt or put on a red jacket and assume you are one of the hunting set?

There was (and still is) a strict code when it comes to being part of the hunt. This is from today’s Horse and Hound magazine on the etiquette of how to fit in: “As a novice, you can forget about red coats, gold foxhead pins, silk hats or any of the other fabulous peacockeries to be glimpsed in the more theatrical Shire counties. You are aiming to look tidy and inconspicuous. A tweed jacket, fawn breeches, a white shirt with a tie, black boots and a velvet cap or jockey skull with a dark silk will do it.

“Do not be tempted into unwise expressions of individuality. Lipstick is fine (for girls); dangly earrings (for either sex) are not. One mild-mannered hunt secretary of my acquaintance has a particular aversion to the sight of people sporting amusing bobbles on their silks, and has been known to turn savage and send them home.

“As a newcomer, you probably won’t be reproached if you turn up — as someone did to one of our Boxing Day meets — in a black satin bomber jacket with a pink fleece underneath, but people will notice, and think loud thoughts. Your horse and tack should be clean and, unless you have specifically been told otherwise, you should plait the horse’s mane.

“The business of getting all dressed up in order to get covered in mud the instant you leave the meet may seem wildly eccentric, but, by looking smart, you are honouring the generosity of the people who have invited you to ride over their land, and the skill and hard work of the hunt staff.”

Do you have views about how to dress when out in the country? Your views on the etiquette of riding, hunting, hacking, and all things of the field to harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk