Schooling for Dublin Horse Show 



GIRTHS are tightened, stirrups adjusted, reins gathered; 

 horse jogs off, settles into a hand-gallop, swings right- 

 handed in an easy circle and then, shoots away for 

 the first fence. 



The ground is hoof-torn and slippery owing to con- 

 stant schooling. The take-off is treacherous after the 

 heavy rains. A horse being schooled regularly on the 

 same course is inclined to grow careless and treat the 

 fences he knows so well with flippant contempt. He 

 must have no contempt for the Ballsbridge obstacles, so 

 constant variety in the home fences is essential to keep 

 him on the alert. 



He is approaching the first fence, charging furiously 

 for that same old gorse-built hedge that he knows he 

 can brush through. He is fighting madly for head 

 freedom; anxious to show this bit of artificial greenery 

 what he thinks of it. A surprise awaits him. A heavy 

 pole is concealed in the top of the gorse, loosely of 

 course, and as his hind pasterns bang hard into it, 

 toppling it to the ground, he alters his views about 

 taking liberties with innocent-looking gorse fences. 



On again, fighting against bit-pressure. His raking 

 strides are altogether too nonchalant for the treacherous 

 ground, and he is almost inside the side-wings before 



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