FALLING. 175 



valour or ambition, and that no feat may be attempted 

 which will be likely to involve dire, if not fatal results. 

 Better be a live dog than a dead lion ; and a few who are 

 now disabled would rather have their bodies intact to-day, 

 than have ever known the uncertain pleasures that are 

 attendant upon being Kings and Queens of an hour. I do 

 not say that it is so with myself A short life and a merry 

 one is much more suited to my elastic temperament ; but 

 there are others, young, beautiful women, whose feet have 

 only touched the threshold of life's loveliest and brightest 

 doorway, who are nevertheless looking back — with tears. 



To resume, however. The second description of fall on 

 which I have touched : namely, one on the flat, is only 

 dangerous according as the horse may or may not attempt 

 to roll when down. If he falls fairly on his knees and nose, 

 you may manage (as I have explained) to retain your seat 

 in the saddle, and may even assist him to get upon his 

 legs ; many fine horsewomen do it : but if you try the 

 experiment you must not forget to sit well back, not only 

 in order to take the weight off his shoulders, but to save 

 yourself from getting knocked in the face. If you watch 

 the movements of a fallen animal, you will perceive that 

 at the instant that he steadies himself on his knees when 

 rising, he instinctively flings 2ip his head, a motion abso- 

 lutely necessary for the restoration of his balance ; if at 

 such a moment you happen to be leaning forward in the 

 saddle, you will be certain to receive severe punishment, 

 and perhaps be disabled for the remainder of the day. 

 If, in falling, the horse turns over upon his side, you cannot 



