1 62 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



hinder ones are, owing to their weakness, absolutely unable 

 to accomplish their natural work. 



It is precisely so with the horse. Where hocks or hind- 

 quarters are in a condition that deprives him of proper 

 propelling power, he will certainly hesitate about exercis- 

 ing or bringing them into muscular play ; nor can we right- 

 fully offer him either chastisement or blame. 



Again, an animal's hesitation about taking a jump may 

 arise from a terror of experiencing painful concussion on 

 landing. Corns will cause this, so will splints, or injured 

 or tender ligaments of any description. It is often the 

 case that w^hen a horse baulks at a fence his rider is able 

 to remember that he jumped the preceding one only half 

 generously, and landed perhaps very gingerly after his 

 effort. Where this is the case the animal should never be 

 pressed. To compel him to take a leap for which he shows 

 unwillingness may entail a bad fall for both him and his 

 rider : the former being, under all circumstances, a good 

 deal the more to be pitied. 



When a horse refuses from timidity, and you yet have 

 reason to know that there is nothing whatever w^rong with 

 him, take him back a bit from the fence, and send him at 

 it again, sitting well down in your saddle, and catching a 

 determined hold of his head, with the hands held low and 

 the reins well apart. Speak encDuragingly to him at the 

 same time, and press him up with your leg on the near side, 

 and the handle of your hunting-crop on the other ; but do 

 not on any account cut or spur him, unless you know him 

 to be a rogue — in which case give him plenty of it, in a 



