296 STEEPLE-CHASING. 



CHAPTER III. 



SCHOOLING. 



THE first necessity in teaching a horse to jump is naturally the 

 teacher, and he must be chosen with the greatest care. It is 

 indispensable that he should possess those light firm hands 

 which are a natural gift improved by experience, a strong easy 

 seat, good temper, and an endless supply of patience. 



A very little hunting is quite enough for the embryo chaser, 

 and mischief will be done if he has carried an indifferent horse- 

 man after hounds. A few days in the hunting-field will do 

 good in accustoming him to other horses, in making him get 

 safely over drains, gaps, &c., and giving him courage ; but it 

 must be remembered that hunters and chasers usually jump in 

 different styles. Safety is of course equally indispensable after 

 hounds or between the flags ; but speed is no less requisite in 

 the latter business. Hunters (except in a few ' flying countries ' 

 where hunting nearly approximates to chasing, and where, with 

 a really good man on his back, the chaser may often appear 

 with advantage) are apt to dwell and lose ground at their 

 fences. The animal that is destined for chasing must learn to 

 collect himself with the slightest possible diminution of speed, 

 to fly his fences, to get away from them on the other side with- 

 out a pause, and to do all this with the least effort. Chasers 

 have different ways of crossing a country ; but rapidity in get- 

 ting away from their fences is characteristic of all. 



When the work of teaching him to jump begins and if it 

 has been decided to make a jumper of him, it may well begin 

 when he is two years old the obstacles cannot be too small 

 and easy. A few faggots laid together, anything that will make 



