BIDING. 51 



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 be- 

 fore mounting, and when across the saddle, and before 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 

 ow^n 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 

 dis]30sed of for more suitable employment than that of 

 a gentleman's horse. 



Your bearer should not be allowed to keep a per- 

 petual lean upon your hand, more particularly when 

 walking. Should he stumble while thus leaning, he is 

 not likely to recover himself, but will fall helplessly on 

 his knees. 



Keep him as self-dependent as possible, though not 

 with a rein so slack as to leave him to himself alto- 

 gether. It is the business or amusement of the rider 

 to be on the alert for all casualties.* 



* Talking of a horse being self-dependent in his movement on the 

 road, puts me in mind of a challenge once accepted by a very prac- 



