RIDING. 51 



saddle to be placed a handbreadth behind the play of 

 the shoulder. This would, perhaps, be a slight excess 

 in the other direction, were it not considered that, in 

 all probability, out of a hundred troop-horses so sad- 

 dled, ninety-nine would be found after an hour's trot- 

 ting to have shifted the saddle forward, for one on 

 whom it would have remained stationary or gone back. 



It is well known that no rider should ever go fast 

 down-hill on the road, or round a corner, especially on 

 pavement ; but in the field, hunting or racing, down-hill 

 is the place to make play. 



In the absence of an attendant to hold for mounting, 

 some horses are allowed to contract a habit that is liable 

 to cause accidents, of starting before the rider is com- 

 fortably seated in the saddle. Prevent this bad fashion 

 by gathering the snaffle-rein (not the curb) tightly up 

 before mounting, and when across the saddle, and be- 

 fore the right leg is in the stirrup, check any effort to 

 move off. 



When a horse is alarmed, nothing so effectually re- 

 assures him as speaking to him. I have myself expe- 

 rienced the efficacy of gently using my voice on two or 

 three occasions, when I admit having been run away 

 with for a short time. 



Though a horse ought never to be allowed to have his 

 own way, his rider should try every means before resort- 

 ing to actual punishment or fight, which may be some- 

 times unavoidable as the only chance of conquest. 



An animal requiring such treatment should be handed 

 over to the rough-rider for subsequent teaching, if not 

 disposed of for more suitable employment than that of 

 a gentleman's horse. 



Your bearer should not be allowed to keep a perpetual 



