RIDING TO HOUNDS 259 



It is most essential to keep the eyes fixed 

 between the horse's ears the whole time, when 

 falling, until its head reaches the ground, for 

 then the rider's body is instinctively prepared to 

 meet the shock of the contact with the ground, 

 and acts accordingly. If the eyes are looking 

 elsewhere the rider falls in a heap, and the shock 

 of the fall is exaggerated, as in the case of 

 encountering an unexpected step in the dark. 



When a run commences it is impossible to 

 foretell how far off the end may be, and though 

 the immense distances covered by stag-hounds 

 are unknown in fox-hunting, the following 

 valuable hints by Mr. Elsey may well be re- 

 membered : — 



" Keep some wind in your horse, and beware of 

 what you ask him to do if he is blown. Always 

 ' suffer ' a little, and let your horse get a few 

 easies if he is getting pumped, when he will 

 recover his wind in a marvellous way. Even an 

 easy for a few strides, helps a fit horse very much 

 to recover." 



.When the necessity arises for putting into 

 force such advice, it argues that the run has been 

 both sharp, and far, and that the good horse has 

 carried his rider safely to this point, while the 

 end is approaching. Those who find themselves 

 in such happy circumstances are fortunate indeed 

 when the run has been 



•' Forty minutes on the grass, without a check, boys." 



There are few more exhilarating moments in 

 life than these. 



