THE USE OF THE BRIDLE. 53 



literally from " hand to mouth," how cautiously he picks 

 his steps amongst stubs or rabbit-holes, when the 

 loosened rein warns him he must look out for himself, 

 how boldly he quickens his stride and collects his 

 energies for the fence he is approaching, when he feels 

 grip and grasp tighten on back and bridle, conscious 

 that you mean to " catch hold of his head and send 

 him at it ! " while loving you all the better for this 

 energy of yours that stimulates his own. 



And now we come to a question admitting of no little 

 discussion, inasmuch as those practitioners differ widely 

 who are best capable of forming an opinion. The 

 advocates of the loose rein, who though outnumbered 

 at the covert-side, are not always in a minority when the 

 hounds run, maintain that a hunter never acquits 

 himself so well as while let completely alone; their 

 adversaries, on the other hand, protest that the first 

 principle of equitation, is to keep fast hold of your 

 horse's head at all times and under all circumstances. 

 " You pull him into his fences," argues Finger. " You 

 will never pull him out of them," answers Fist. " Get 

 into a bucket and try to lift yourself by the handles ! " 

 rejoins Finger, quoting from an apposite illustration of 

 Colonel Greenwood's, as accomplished a horseman as his 

 brother, also a colonel, whose fine handling I have 



