THOROUGH-BRED HORSES. 167 



quarters run in something under eleven minutes, at 

 anything but feather-weights, and over all sorts of 

 fences, we cannot but admire the speed, gallantry, and 

 endurance, the essentially game qualities of our English 

 horse. And here I may observe that a good steeple- 

 chaser, properly sobered and brought into his bridle, is 

 one of the pleasantest hunters a man can ride,, particu- 

 larly in a flying country. He is sure to be able to 

 " make haste " in all sorts of ground, while the smooth, 

 easy stride that wins between the flags is invaluable 

 through dirt. He does not lose his head and turn 

 foolish, as do many good useful hunters, when bustled 

 along for a mile or two at something like racing pace. 

 Very quick over his fences, his style of jumping is no 

 less conducive to safety than despatch, while his courage 

 is sure to be undeniable, because the slightest tendency 

 to refuse would have disqualified him for success in his 

 late profession, wherein also, he must necessarily have 

 learnt to be a free and brilliant water-jumper. 



Indeed you may always take two liberties with a 

 steeple-chase horse during a run (not more). The first 

 time you squeeze him, he- thinks, " Oh ! this is the 

 brook ! " and putting on plenty of steam, flings himself 

 as far as ever he can. The second, he accepts your 

 warning with equal good will. " All right ! " he seems 



