52 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



animal intellect a force still untested is a force not 

 lightly to be defied. The loose rein argues confidence, 

 and even the brute understands that confidence is an 

 attribute of power. 



Change your bridle over and over again, till you find 

 one that suits your hand, rather, I should say, that suits 

 your horse's mouth. Do not, however, be too well 

 satisfied with a first essay. He may go delightfully 

 to-day in a bit that he will learn how to counteract by 

 to-morrow. Nevertheless, a long step has been made 

 in the right direction when he has carried you pleasantly 

 if only for an hour. Should that period have been 

 passed in following hounds, it is worth a whole week's 

 education under less exciting conditions. A horse 

 becomes best acquainted with his rider in those 

 situations that call forth most care and circumspection 

 from both. 



Broken ground, fords, morasses, dark nights, all tend 

 to mutual good understanding, but forty minutes over 

 an inclosed country establishes the partnership of man 

 and 'beast on such relations of confidence as much 

 subsequent indiscretion fails to efface. The same 

 excitement that rouses his courage seems to sharpen his 

 faculties and clear his brain. It is wonderful how soon 

 he begins to understand your meaning as conveyed 



