1 6 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



in horses, ought to be a matter of habit, contracted so 

 imperceptibly that its acquirement can scarcely be 

 called a lesson. 



This is why the hunting-field is such a good school 

 for leaping. Horses of every kind are prompted by 

 some unaccountable impulse to follow a pack of hounds, 

 and the beginner finds himself voluntarily performing 

 feats of activity and daring, in accordance with the will 

 of his rider, which no coercion from the latter would 

 have induced him to attempt. Flushed with success, 

 and if fortunate enough to escape a fall, confident in his 

 lately-discovered powers, he finds a new pleasure in 

 their exercise, and, most precious of qualities in a 

 hunter, grows " fond of jumping." 



The same result is to be attained at home, but is far 

 more gradual, requiring the exercise of much care, 

 patience, and perseverance. 



Nevertheless, when we consider the inconvenience 

 created by the vagaries of young horses in the hunting 

 field, to hounds, sportsmen, ladies, pedestrians, and their 

 own riders, we must admit that the Irish system is best, 

 and that a colt, to use the favourite expression, should 

 have been trained into " an accomplished lepper," before 

 he is asked to carry a sportsman through a run. 



Mr. Rarey, no doubt, thoroughly understood the 



