ON THE ROAD. 579 



a horse may stumble over. Most horses are so busy watch- 

 ing objects in the landscape (especially in strange places) 

 with the view of noting and remembering what will assist 

 them in finding their way back, that they fail to always 

 watch their path. But the rider should never omit to do so. 

 He should always be the one to place the horse to a nicety, 

 exactly where he wants him to tread. 



Going over bad, uneven ground collect your horse, see 

 that his legs are well under him, and then interfere with his 

 head as little as you can. He will want it loose for bal- 

 ancing himself. At the same time have all the reins so 

 firm in the fist, thumb on top, that if he blunders you can 

 help him. A sure-footed horse, who can see where he is 

 stepping in addition to watching the country, and looking 

 for objects of alarm, is a treasure. Some never place a foot 

 wrong, others never miss an opportunity of doing so. You 

 can rouse a horse to lift his knees and avoid inequalities 

 of surface and stumbling-blocks of all kinds ; but you are 

 earning your passage, and your ride is not enjoyable. If a 

 horse will lob along the side of a road taking all the inequali- 

 ties as they come, shortening or lengthening his step to 

 meet requirements, never get rid of him. 



It is not important to a man with which foot a horse 

 leads. A lady's horse must lead with the off foot. To effect 

 this, draw his head a little to the near side, touching 

 him with the whip on that side, and vice versa. A horse 

 should never be turned, without first moving him a step 

 forward. 



A good saddle horse goes up to the bit without pulling 

 a pound on your hands, free but not troublesome. His trot 

 must be square. If you find his action becoming mixed - 



