46 HORSEMANSHIP. 



repetitions of the same action will complete the removal. 

 I can say from experience that when a horse bucks, 

 the rider becomes suddenly aware that there is nothing 

 in front of the pommel of the saddle except a sheer 

 precipice, while he feels himself chucked forward from 

 behind. Some buck-jumpers are perfectly quiet to 

 mount, but the moment they feel the rider's weight in 

 the saddle, they will try all they know to throw him 

 off. Others will not buck unless they are very fresh, or 

 when under some unusual excitement. An Australian 

 steeplechase mare, with which I won several races, always 

 bucked with me — but never at other times — if I hap- 

 pened, when riding her, to take a paper of any sort in 

 my hand ; the instant she heard the crackling sound it 

 made, down went her head, and, if I did not come off, I 

 generally had a very near escape of doing so. I believe 

 I am correct in saying that, as a rule, there is no vice 

 which the horse, if mastered a few times, forgets so 

 readily as buck-jumping. Many Australians ride these 

 horses to perfection, though few men who have not 

 learned during their youth to do so in the colonies, ever 

 acquire the knack. 



To break a horse of bucking, the best plan, if the 

 rider be not an adept in the art, is for him to take the 



