358 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



It is in extent about a mile long and half a mile wide, 

 and it is rarely dry enough to bear a horse and his 

 rider, though it can generally be crossed by getting 

 down and leading in places. The depth of peat is 

 here from 2ft. to 3ft., and it is obvious that if it is so 

 sodden that the surface will not carry the weight, a 

 horse cannot go plunging for an indefinite distance 

 through 2ft. of black, sticky slime. In fact, if a 

 horse's feet actually sink in ift., a very few strides 

 will bring him to a standstill. Unless in exceptional 

 years, like 1906, when the whole moor was baked as 

 hard as a brick, no one attempts to take a horse 

 across the Chains, for the simple reason that it is 

 quicker to go round. All the really bad places are 

 thoroughly well known, and if a stranger sees none 

 of the local riders venturing he had better follow 

 their example. 



On heather anyone can ride anywhere, as it is 

 always sound, but on the long sedgy grass care 

 must be taken, particularly in avoiding the drainage 

 gutters, which, being half hidden by the long grass, 

 are veritable traps for the unwary. On Exmoor, 

 even more than in most places, it is essential ta keep 

 a horse together in all his paces, because it may be 

 necessary to check his speed, or to turn and twist 

 round rocks or holes at almost everv stride. One 

 good old Exmoor maxim should always be adhered 

 to, namely, to take a pull at one's horse when the 

 colour of the ground changes, as, for instance, from 

 heather to grass, or from green rough grass to grass 



