iv.] MECHANICAL AID OF THE RIDER. 63 



you have not sufficient tact to feel which of your horse's 

 feet is on the ground, you must allow him to choose his 

 own time for crossing, which will be when the left foot 

 is on the ground. 



You should habitually choose your horse's ground for 

 him, for, notwithstanding his often vaunted sagacity and 

 safety, the wisest among horses will, to avoid a moving 

 leaf, put his foot over a precipice. This will become as 

 easy to you as choosing your own path in walking. If 

 your horse has made a false step, or is in difficulties, you 

 cannot leave him too much at liberty, or be too quiet 

 with him. The only notice to be taken is to re-assure 

 him by caressing him, if you see that he expects chastise- 

 ment from previous brutal treatment. 



I will add that you should habitually prevent your 

 horse out-walking or lagging behind his companions; 

 he is either very unsociable or a bad horseman, who 

 does not keep abreast of his companions. Besides, 

 horses, being gregarious, are apt to follow one another. 

 This should not be. Your horse should be in perpetual 



