4 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



sudden prostration with the discreet conduct of an 

 Exmoor pony in the same predicament. The one 

 terrified by unaccustomed danger, and relying instinct- 

 ively on the speed that seems his natural refuge, 

 plunges wildly forward, sinks to his girths, his shoulders, 

 finally unseats his rider, and settles down, without 

 further exertion, in the stupid apathy of despair. 



The other, born and bred in the wild west country, 

 picking its scanty keep from a foal off the treacherous 

 surface of a Devonshire moor, either refuses altogether 

 to trust the quagmire, or shortens its stride, collects its 

 energies, chooses the soundest tufts that afford foothold, 

 and failin'g these, flaps its way out on its side, to 

 scramble into safety with scarce a quiver or a snort. 

 It has been there before ! Herein lies the whole secret. 

 Some day your young one will be as calm, as wise, as 

 tractable. Alas ! that when his discretion has reached 

 its prime his legs begin to fail ! 



Therefore cultivate his intellect I use the word ad- 

 visedly even before you enter on the development of his 

 physical powers. Nature and good keep will provide for 

 these, but to make him man's willing friend and partner 

 you must give him the advantage of man's company 

 and man's instruction. From the day you slip a halter 

 over his ears he should be encouraged to look to you, 



