lOO HORSEMANSHIP. 



as it should, and does, go ; and from constant practice, 

 when at maturity, charges these huge but safe fences at any 

 speed from a walk to racing pace, seldom making a mistake. 

 He can hop or crawl on and off like a goat, jump on, and, 

 when broad on the top, turn and go along the bank, or will 

 charge it in the most resolute fashion, merely dwelling on 

 its crest for less than a second to bring his powerful haunches 

 again to bear. 



There is but one fence I would counsel the reader never to 

 attempt under any circumstances, unless it be to escape the 

 attentions of a mad bull or some such follower — that is, a 

 deep drop leap into a hard road. All well-trained hunters 

 should lead and ought to follow well through cramped places. 

 An ugly drop into a road is pretty certain to result in a bad 

 fall and broken knees, and at such a fence the rider is fully 

 justified in dismounting and leading by running his whip 

 through the rein. The horseman who " dares do all that 

 may become a man," need not fear being twitted for nervous 

 over-caution. 



The Irish train their horses by leading them over the high 

 banks and walls with a long rein, a man bringing up the rear 

 with a driving whip. After a few practical riderless lessons 

 of this kind the colt learns the use of his legs, and perfects 

 the schooling he has been receiving from earliest days. A 

 boy is then placed on his back and the leading-string tuition 

 continued. After a few rolls together they become an fait 

 at the business. This, in my opinion, is the very best 

 method to be followed in teaching lads how to sit a fence, 

 only, in the case of my pupil, I would substitute an active, 

 sharp blood-cob or pony, narrow in the back, for the un- 

 trained colt. Seating him on a 51b. steeplechase saddle, 

 with a blanket rolled up in front, firmly strapped to the D's, 

 and no stirrups, I would have him led by an active groom — a 



