RIDING TO HOUNDS 335 



fences, and banks. To the latter belong water in all shapes, double posts- 

 and-rails, bullfinches, and those fences with a ditch on both sides, as well 

 as those which have a wide one on the landing side. In addition to these 

 there are the actual standing leap, seldom practised in the present day, the 

 creeping style, the " on and off " leap, and the " di'op," which is a variety 

 of the standing leap. 



In collecting the horse, and properly putting him at his fence, there 

 is a great art, and nothing but practice will give it in perfection. Double 

 posts and-rails require a great deal of collecting and rousing, and the horse 

 must go pretty fast at them, as also must he at all wide jumps, including 

 water in all its forms. One essential is, that the horse shall have confi- 

 dence in his rider ; for if he thinks he may turn to the right or left he will 

 most probably do so, unless he is very fond of jumping. Nervous men 

 communicate their feelings to their horses, and though it may be difficult to 

 explain how it is done, there is no doubt of the fact. It is remarkable how 

 soon horses find out what kind of man they carry, and how they alter under 

 different hands. This is partly owing to a mismanagement of the mouth, 

 but in great measure also to the trepidation of the rider. Unless, therefoi-e, 

 he has full confidence in his own courage, he need never expect his horse to 

 go steadily and straight at his fences. The collecting is much easier than 

 the management of the bit at the leap itself, for there are two opposite 

 things to be done, and the delicate point is to hit the moment of change from 

 one to the other to a nicety. The first is to " catch hold of the horse's head," 

 as it is called — that is, to bear more or less upon the mouth, pull the horse 

 on his haunches, and rouse him, either by voice, heel, or whip. This lasts 

 till the moment of the effort made to rise over the obstacle, when the head 

 should be released, so that the horse may have all his bodily powers at his 

 command. If the head is confined the haunches do not act fully, because in 

 making the spring the head is protruded, and pain is given by the bit if it is 

 still held fast ; and hence, to avoid the pain, the extension does not take 

 place, the leap is not made with sufficient spring or power, and the horse 

 alights too near the ditch, if there is one, or possibly in it. But in releasing 

 the head judgment is required, for if the rein is too loose the horse is apt 

 to alight in such a position that he is " all abroad," and without great help 

 he will often fall ; hence, most good performers, though they do not 

 absolutely confine the head, yet they keep a very gentle and delicate hold of 

 the mouth, and not only thus prevent the horse over-extending himself, but 

 are also prepared to assist him if he is inclined to fall. This is the finished 

 style of riding, and is only in the power of a man with a good seat as well 

 as good hands. Both are wanted, because without the former it is 

 impossible to avoid " riding the bridle " — that is, holding on by it as well 

 as by the saddle ; and without good hands that delicate management of 

 the bridle wliich I have attempted to describe is impracticable. What is 

 called " lifting " the horse is sometimes attempted with the bit, but I do 

 not recognize its utility. When a horse is likely to touch the top bar of 

 a gate, or in any way to use too small an effort, a stroke of the whip down 

 the shoulder is the best lift. Rousing and collecting are quite distinct 

 from lifting, which I believe to be a myth altogether. In creeping, good 

 hands and quietness in the saddle are the chief elements of success, and 

 without them both, no one is likely to do much in this particular style ; 



