78 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



said poor Jem Mason, when instructing a beginner ; 

 and he certainly practised what he preached. I have 

 seen his hands carried so high as to be level with his 

 elbows, but his horse's head was always in the right 

 place; and to this must be attributed the fact that, 

 while he rode to hounds straighter than anybody else, 

 he got comparatively few falls. A man with long reins 

 not only affords his horse greater liberty at his fences, 

 but allows him every chance of recovery should he 

 get into difficulties on landing, the rider not being 

 pulled with a jerk on the animal's neck and shoulders, 

 so as to throw both of them down, when they ought to 

 have got off with a scramble. 



Let us return to the horse you have lately mounted, 

 not without certain misgivings that he may be tempted 

 to insubordination under the excitement of tumult, 

 rivalry, or noise. When you have discovered the 

 amount of repression, probably very slight, that he 

 accepts without resentment, at a walk, increase your 

 pace gradually, still with your legs keeping him well 

 into his bridle, carrying your hands low down on his 

 withers, and, if you take my advice, with a rein in 

 each. You will find this method affords you great 

 control of your horse's head, and enables you, by 

 drawing the bit through his mouth, to counteract any 



