220 RIDING ACROSS COUNTRY. 



ditch on the taking-off side ; the third, a post and rail 

 fence ; and the fourth, another hedge, with a ditch 

 on both sides. We may follow that with a " cut- 

 and-laid " fence with a ditch on the take-off side ; 

 and a stone wall, made up of loose stones or bricks. 

 In the middle of the field, where the rider can 

 obtain a good run at it, we may construct a water 

 jump. The other fences should be built by the 

 side of the boundary fence of the paddock or field, 

 which may have to be artificially heightened for the 

 purpose, but not supplied with wings ; for in hunting, 

 fences are not protected for us in that way. The pupil 

 should first learn to jump them riding from left to right, 

 as horses generally refuse to the left, and that side 

 being blocked by the boundary fence, the horse will be 

 more liable to go straight. The animal should, of 

 course, first be ridden over them by the teacher in the 

 presence of the pupil, who will see exactly at which 

 jump her mount may be likely to give trouble. She 

 should also observe the pace at which the animal is 

 ridden, especially at the water jump. If he is slug- 

 gish, it would be wise for the lady to give him a touch 

 with the whip when riding at timber, which he must 

 not chance, and at cut-and-laid fences, which must 

 also be jumped cleanly ; for if a horse gets a foot in 

 the top binder, the chances are that he will fall. 

 Besides, he must exert himself to clear the ditch on 

 one or both sides. He should be ridden over the 

 course at a canter, and allowed to jump the fences 

 without interference from his rider, for he will try 



