THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 117 



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 knowledo-e of 



o 



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 ofiice. A 

 horse that has plumbed the depth of two or three blind 

 ditches, will 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- 

 fully in Ireland, where the horses are far better and 

 earlier schooled than in any other country ; — for this 

 reason they are all good jumpers ; — it is far better than 

 all the practice they can have at the leaping-bar. 

 Gates, stiles, palings, rails, &c., coming under the de- 

 nomination of timber, are the safest and easiest of all 

 leaps, standing generally fair, clear on both sides, and 

 lower than the stiff fences, which are thought nothing 

 of in comparison, and always preferred to the still 



