FENCES AND FENCING. 



315 



certain size, that horses have to clear an obstacle much in the 

 same fashion whether it is made or whether it was planted and 

 grew. The question is, indeed, not only one of fences them- 

 selves, but of the ground between fences. 



In the ' fair hunting country ' there are spaces of good 

 galloping ground, smooth sound turf, free from ridge and 

 furrow or any sort of traps ; but in other portions of the course 

 inequalities in the fields necessitate circumspection, which 



* Steadying ' f ^-^^' 



and 

 •Drivincr.' -z^-^^"- 



means moderation of speed : if there be a ditch on the taking- 

 off side its position is indicated by the growth about its 

 edge ; men have not to race over a course almost as 

 smooth as a billiard-table, to such traps as an abruptly cut 

 ditch before a fence, into which Lottery would very likely have 

 fallen. 1 



^ Since this was written the ditch has been ' guarded ' by a rail ; the great 

 majority of owners, trainers, and riders of steeple-chasers entirely approve of 



