66 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



had a saddle on their backs, by adopting the 

 following plan. As soon as the colt is weaned, 

 when turned out, he has of course always a shed 

 or stable to lie in, where he is also fed. A few 

 yards in front of the door of the stable begin by 

 making a slight fence, about the height of the 

 colt's knees, which he will walk over to get to his 

 corn. When he is quite used to this, raise the 

 fence six inches, or more, sufficient to make him 

 rear up, and get his forelegs over, and he will 

 soon find it easier to jump over than draw over 

 his hind-legs. When he does this freely, raise it 

 still higher, till he is obliged to make a good standing 

 leap over it every time he goes into the shed to 

 be fed, etc. This last should be a single rail. 

 When he is perfect at this, which he will be in the 

 course of a month, then dig a ditch and throw 

 up a bank with the earth, instead of the rail, or 

 by the side of it, — which rail should be made 

 higher to prevent his preferring it to the ditch, — 

 and he will first walk into the ditch, then get his 

 forelegs on the bank, and the hinder-legs on the 

 other side of the ditch ; but, in the course of a day 

 or two, he will quietly jump on the bank. After 

 being perfect in this, have another ditch on the 

 other side of the bank, and he will jump on and 

 off in a few days as well as any hunter. The 

 writer has a thoroughbred colt at this time, only 



