228 HACKING. 



the part of her animal. Loose horses which we meet 

 in fields have such a playful way of galloping up 

 behind, and frequently taking great liberties, that it 

 is often necessary to get into the next enclosure as 

 quickly as possible. Even when quietly cantering 

 on grass by the side of the road, the vagaries of 

 loose horses or cattle, or even the sudden flight of 

 birds on the other side of the dividing boundary, may 

 cause a rider to be taken by surprise, if she has not 

 previously made a mental note of her neighhourhood. 

 Also, she should always have reassuring words on the 

 tip of her tongue for her animal in case of momentary 

 alarm. The quietest horse in the world may occasion- 

 ally exhibit fear, but if his rider uses her eyes and 

 ears, she will generally be prepared for any sudden 

 flight of fancy on his part, and will not be likely to 

 lose her head. 



A lady should avoid trotting on broken or uneven 

 ground, or on a road which is covered with loose stones, 

 as her horse would be liable to fall and perhaps cut his 

 knees. Unless in a hurry to reach her destination, she 

 should not, like a butcher's boy, trot her horse at his 

 fastest speed. The ground chosen for a canter should 

 be soft and, if possible, elastic, and she should, of 

 course, avoid the " 'ammer, 'ammer on the 'ard 'igh 

 road," which is a fruitful cause of lameness. Any soft 

 parts at the side of a road may be used for the canter, 

 or if the ground is very hard and dry, as it sometimes 

 is in summer, and also in frosty weather, only quiet 

 trotting and walking exercise could be taken with 



