SCHOOLING THE HUNTER 309 



thoroughly accustomed to the sit of the saddle and the grip of the girths. 

 This done, mounting and dismounting should be quietly repeated again and 

 again until he is thoroughly familiar with what is required of him. The 

 precaution of engaging the services of a light-weight rider if the breaker 

 is a heavy man is most desirable, though it is preferable, if possible, for 

 the colt to be first backed by someone with whom he is familiar. No 

 attempt should be made at this time to bully him into submission if he 

 is disposed to be fractious; a snafrle-bit and light hands, supplemented 

 by verbal remonstrances and a good seat, are all that the breaker requires, 

 provided he is endowed with the golden gift of patience, as all breakers 

 should be. If the colt manages to get him off, the rider will have reason 

 to regret the mishap, for the pupil will have acquired a knowledge of his 

 superior power, and will probably be desirous of repeating the operation; 

 but he must speedily be remounted, and kept well at it, walking about, 

 or trotting if his education has proceeded so far, in order to disabuse 

 his mind of the idea that if he tries he can be master. 



Jumping. When the time arrives for the first jumping lesson he 

 should be accompanied by a steady old horse which can be relied upon not 

 to refuse, but after the pupil has gained confidence, and displays a willing- 

 ness to take his leaps alone, the services of the school-master may be dis- 

 pensed with, and the colt may be schooled by himself. At four years old or 

 earlier his education should be sufficiently advanced for him to be taken 

 out cubbing, where he will get a look at hounds and their belongings; 

 but the greatest care should be taken when he first appears in public 

 to prevent him from being upset by the novelty of the surroundings, 

 as if permitted to have his own way at this time the horse may be 

 ruined for life. Consequently, it is not desirable to bring a promising 

 colt of which great things are expected, and \vhich may probably grow 

 into money, out too soon. A little patience w r ill be amply repaid later 

 by escape from accident and a larger price being obtained for him; 

 and he will find plenty to learn if properly schooled at home, without 

 being subjected to the excitement he will meet with at the covert side, 

 or the strain which will be put upon his immature energies when the 

 hounds are running. 



His schooling being completed, the five-year-old hunter is fit to take 

 his place in the field, but a hard-riding owner should remember that 

 after all he has only a baby under him, and should therefore be careful 

 to spare his mount as much as he can. Anything like stopping on the 

 way home should never be thought of, but if the journey be a long one, 

 or the horse pumped, a drink of gruel is a merciful provision which should 

 be procured at the earliest opportunity. On arrival at the stables the 



