FROM WELSH ROAD GORSE WITH THE WARWICKSHIRE. 203 



of kindling the spirit of a young horse by giving him a share 

 in the enjoyment of the hunting-field — sending him, however, 

 always back to his stable before he has become surfeited or 

 wearied. He then learns to look upon cross-country exercise as 

 a happy pastime. But, again, I am equally of opinion that a 

 hunter can be made more brilliant and perfect by a few finishing 

 lessons at home than by many a rap received and many a diffi- 

 culty barely overcome in the track of hounds. No horses measure 

 their stride so accurately, change their legs so quickly, or jump 

 their fences so clean, as well-schooled steeplechasers — whether 

 you take them at their own game or apply their talents to the 

 field of foxhunting. And these are all tutored at home — taught 

 to look after and collect themselves, however hurried the pace, 

 and however frowning the barriers. I would imply that to 

 jump the big fences of the grass countries, with ease, flippancy 

 and safety, a horse should have been educated to take care of 

 himself without any stop to look. In other words he should 

 have by a few fast and finishing lessons (and of course the 

 encouragement of a lead) acquired quickness, confidence, and 

 freedom from hesitation that in only solitary instances will 

 come to him by means of the hunting field. He should possess 

 the power and readiness to go fast over his fences ; though far 

 be it from me to advocate the desirability of his being at all 

 times allowed to do so, even in the countries of which I am 

 writing. A horse going into his bridle collects himself, and is 

 more under his rider's command as to pace and procedure than 

 the cleverest slug that ever measured to an inch how much 

 he is really obliged to jump. 



FROM WELSH ROAD GORSE WITH THE 

 WARWICKSHIRE. 



A day's hunting is often a vivid lifetime of action and thought. 

 But unless it has brought an event of great mark, you sleep it 

 off, and it is done with. Next day, following the same pursuit, 



