Technically, I think Rowan deserves her own sizeable cottage and enough pay to live in it, since that is what Mr Tranter got. It is quite concerning the way she always seems to rush in, grab a bite of food, then rush out again to carry on working.

As a total non-rider I had to google 'cob' to see what Rowan has (and find that she has a short-legged horse, though whether that means it is poor at hunting I can't tell.)

I suppose from a dramatic point of view, AF is setting up the hunt as a big set-piece and Lawrie's escapades with the hired pony are part of the drama.