142 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



of a foot-path, even though its guidance should entail 

 the jumping of half-a-dozen stiles. Sound foothold 

 reduces the size of any leap, and while you are 

 travelling easily above the ground, the rest of the 

 chase, fox and hounds too, as well as horses, though 

 in a less degree, are labouring through the mire. 



When your course is intersected by narrow water- 

 cuts, for purposes of irrigation, by covered drains, or 

 deep, grass-grown cart-ruts, it will be well to traverse 

 them obliquely, so that, if they catch the stride of his 

 gallop, your horse may only get one foot in at a time. 

 He will then right himself with a flounder, whereas, 

 if held by both legs, either before or behind, the 

 result is a rattling fall, very dangerous to his back 

 in the one case, and to your own neck in the other. 



Valour of course insists that a hunter should do 

 what he is bid, but there are some situations in which 

 the beast's discretion pleads reasonably enough for 

 some forbearance from its master. If a good horse, 

 thorough!}?- experienced in the exigencies of the sport, 

 that you have ridden a season or two, and flatter 

 yourself you understand, persistently refuses a fence, 

 depend upon it there is sufficient reason. The animal 

 may be lame from an injury just received, may have 

 displaced a joint, broken a tendon, or even ruptured 



