32 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



If he should drop his hind-legs, sJioot yourself off over 

 his shoulders in an instant, with a fast hold of the bridle, 

 at which tug hardj even though you may not have 

 regained your legs. A very slight help now will enable 

 him to extricate himself, but if he is allowed to subside 

 into the gulf, it may take a team of cart horses to drag 

 him out. 



When in the saddle again give him a timely pull ; 

 after the struggle you will be delighted with each other, 

 and have every prospect of going on triumphantly to 

 the end. 



I have here endeavoured to describe the different 

 methods of coercion by which two opposite natures may 

 be induced to exert themselves on our behalf in the 

 chase. Every horse inclines, more or less, to one or 

 other extreme I have cited as an example. A perfect 

 hunter has preserved the good qualities of each without 

 the faults, but how many perfect hunters do any of us 

 ride in our lives ? The chestnut is as fast as the wind, 

 stout and honest, a safe and gallant fencer, but too light 

 a mouth makes him difficult to handle at blind and 

 cramped places ; the bay can leap like a deer, and climb 

 like a goat, invincible at doubles, and unrivalled at 

 rails, but, as bold Lord Cardigan said of an equally 

 accomplished animal. " it takes him a long time to get 



