COERCION. 25 



temper valour with discretion, and ride him as skilfully 

 as you can. 



He has probably carried you well and pleasantly 

 during the few happy moments that intervened between 

 freshness and fatigue; now he is beginning to pull 

 again, but in a more set* and determined manner than 

 at first. He does not collect himself so readily, and 

 wants to go faster than ever at his fences, if you would 

 let him* This careless, rushing style threatens a down- 

 fall, and to counteract it will require the exercise of 

 your utmost skill. Carry his head for him, since he 

 seems to require it, and endeavour, by main force if 

 necessary, to bring him to his leaps with his hind legs 

 under him. Half-beaten horses measure distance with 

 great accuracy, and " lob " over very large places, when 

 properly ridden. If, notwithstanding all your precau- 

 tions, he persists in going on his shoulders, blundering 

 through his places, and labouring across ridge and 

 furrow like a boat in a heavy sea, take advantage of the 

 first lane you find, and voting the run nearly over, make 

 up your mind to view the rest of it in safety from the 

 hard road ! 



Ride the same horse again at the first opportunity, and, 

 if sound enough to come out in his turn, a month's open 

 weather will probably make him a very pleasant mount. 



