26 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



or exert himself to get out of them ; and expecting chastise- 

 ment, the horse springs to avoid it, before he has recovered 

 his feet, and goes down with a tremendous impetus. If he 

 has to cross a rut to the right, he probably forces his horse 

 across it, when the right foot is on the ground. In this case, 

 unless the horse collects himself and jumps — if he attempts to 

 step across it — the probability is that in crossing his legs, he 

 knocks one against the other, and falls. The reverse of all 

 this should be the case. If you have not sufficient tact to feel 

 which of your horse's feet is on the ground, you must allow 

 liim to choose his own time for crossing, which will be when 

 the left foot is on the ground. You should habitually choose 

 your horse's ground for him, for notwithstanding his often 

 vaunted sagacity and safety, the wisest among horses will, to 

 avoid a moving leaf, put his foot over a precipice. This will 

 become as easy to you as choosing your own path when walking. 

 If your horse has made a stumble or is in difficulties, you cannot 

 leave him too much at liberty, or be too quiet with him. The 



