RIDING AND DRIVING^ loi 



but ride to get safely over, and your confidence will 

 inspire the same feeling in the horse. 



When there is no other place, you may some- 

 times have to negotiate an obstacle that appears 

 well-nigh impossible for any horse to jump, and 

 a fall appears to be the inevitable result. You must 

 take your chance, ride boldly at it, and hope for 

 the best. Always remember that however bold a 

 horse may be he is naturally a timid animal, and 

 most of his courage is communicated to him by 

 his rider. It is better to get over a fence with a 

 scramble and a tumble than not to get over at all. 



Excepting those instances where the horse rolls 

 over you, the worst falls are when you land on 

 your head, and you may be suffering from a slight 

 concussion without those who pick you up being 

 aware of it. Spirits are then the worst thing you 

 can take, and many accidents, which would have 

 otherwise been attended with only trifling results, 

 have been rendered serious by the ever-ready 

 brandy flask. Therefore remember it is a mistaken 

 kindness to offer any one who has had a fall a 

 drink of either wine or spirits, because you cannot 

 tell at the moment whether or not he has hurt 

 his head. In a case of slight concussion the best 

 plan is to go home and take a dose of cooling 

 medicine, a very light meal — bread and milk for 

 choice — without any spirituous liquor, and get into 

 bed. The combined talent of the whole medical 

 profession could not give you better advice than 

 this. 



