124 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



horsemanship; but for these there is no help. In 

 Hampshire, and in the western counties, where there are 

 downs, over which hounds run well, the number of cart- 

 ruts is most annoying, and many are the purls which 

 they occasion. A horse must needs roll over his rider ; 

 as it rarely occiu*s, in this sudden circumvolution, that a 

 man is pitched clear of him. The best way of crossing 

 ruts is to take them invariably on the obhque : if you go 

 straight across, both fore-feet get at once entangled in 

 the rut, and the consequence is inevitable ; but, in 

 slanting them, your horse will have one leg to spare, 

 and, probably, escape with that sort of pick, two of 

 which would go to a fall. There are very few good, 

 active horses, fit for hunters, that are not naturally good 

 jumpers. Most of them will take a large leap. The 

 benefit of their tuition consists in their knowledge of 

 their business at cramped places ; at double, and at blind 

 ditches. Much of their safety, in fencing, may depend 

 upon the hand of the rider. They may be either lifted 

 out of a ditch, or pulled into it ; but a perfect hunter 

 should not constantly stand in need of the office. A 

 horse that has plumbed the depth of two or three blind 

 ditches, \^^ll keep a good look out, and jump with all 

 due suspicion and care. It is a good plan to lead young 

 horses across country, with a long rein and a whip, 

 teaching them to leap on and off banks, and over or 

 into the ditches, after the method practised so success- 



