Hunting and School Hands. 155 



on your foot. In this particular, Tom, I bid you 

 heed my precept, and not study my example, 

 which is by no means of the best, as I am re- 

 duced to jumping with a straight leg, and to fas- 

 tening my stirrup to my foot, lest I should not 

 find it when I land. 



XLVI. 



The Englishman's method and seat for cross- 

 country riding is undeniably the best, and per- 

 haps is hardly to be criticised. But a good seat 

 or hands for hunting are not necessarily good for 

 all other saddle work. That firmness in the sad- 

 dle which will take a man over a five-foot wall 

 may not be of the same quality as will give him 

 absolutely light hands for School-riding. For as 

 a rule, Englishmen prefer hunters who take pretty 

 well hold of the bridle, and work well up to the 

 bit. And for this one purpose, perhaps they are 

 right. Such a hold will not, however, teach a man 

 the uses of light hands in the remotest degree. 



In a sharp run to hounds, a horse must have 

 his head. For high pace or great exertions of 

 mere speed, the horse must be free. A twitch on 

 the curb may check him at a jump and give him 

 a bad fall. As in racing, a horse has to learn that 

 his duty is to put all his courage, speed, and jump- 

 ing ability into his work, subject only to discreet 

 guidance and management. But on the road, the 



