140 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



in the Badminton country without displacing a stone, 

 and although the rider's consummate horsemanship 

 afforded every chance of success, great credit is due to 

 the good hunter that could make such an effort with 

 so heavy a man on its back. 



The knack of wall-jumping, however, is soon learned 

 even by the most inexperienced animals, and I may here 

 observe that I have often been surprised at the discretion 

 shown by young horses, when ridden close to hounds, 

 in negotiating fences requiring sagacity and common 

 sense. I am aware that my opinion is singular, and I 

 only give it as the result, perhaps exceptional, of my 

 own limited experience ; but I must admit that I have 

 been carried by a pupil, on his first day, over awkward 

 places, up and down banks, in and out of ravines, or 

 under trees, with a docility and circumspection I have 

 looked for from the veterans in vain. Perhaps the old 

 horse knows me as well as I know him, and thinks also 

 that he knows best. I am bound to say he never fails 

 me when I trust him, but he likes his head let alone, 

 and insists on having it all his own way. When his 

 blood is really up, and the hero of a hundred fights 

 considers it worth while to put forth his strength, I am 

 persuaded he is even bolder than his junior. 



Not only at the fences, however^ do we require dis- 



