JUMPING WATER. I33 



should moderate his pace somewhat when going at high 

 fences. Of course he should go fast at water, so as to 

 be able to clear it with ease, but he should be most care- 

 ful to ride the horse up to his bit, and get his hind 

 quarters well under him by the pressure of his legs, and, 

 if need be, by a touch of the spurs, so that the horse 

 may not overjump himself, but shall land and get away 

 again in his stride. Of the two faults it is better to go 

 too slow, with the horse properly in hand, than very 

 fast, with a loose rein, at water. 



A man should avoid, if he can, riding a little, say half 

 a length, behind an opponent that is alongside him in a 

 chase, w^hen nearing a fence ; for in such a case, the 

 horse will be very apt to "take off" at the same instant 

 the other does so, and, consequently to jump too soon. 

 When galloping side by side, horses seem to like going 

 stride for stride with each other. Besides this, the one 

 that is a little behind may pay more attention to 

 looking at his adversary than at his fence. I have 

 seen, on different occasions, horses come to grief in this 

 manner, and also from an opponent, who has a slight 

 lead, "rushing them" at their jumps with the intention 

 of thus bringing them down. 



If a horse be alongside one in a chase, it is usually 



