176 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



do any better than strive to get clear of him ; but do not on 

 any account let go the rein if you can possibly help it So 

 long as you can keep hold of it you will not only prevent 

 your mount from getting away over the country, but will 

 save yourself from possible contact with his heels, for 

 it stands to reason that he cannot have both his back and 

 fore-quarters turned to you at one and the same time, and 

 if you have a hold of his head he certainly cannot twist 

 himself round to kick at you. I know quite well that there 

 is an ignorant idea abroad relative to the danger of holding 

 on to the bridle of a fallen horse. " Let him go ! let him 

 go ! " shrieks the multitude, when any mishap is witnessed ; 

 and the poor, unlearned, frightened rider follows the foolish 

 advice, and away goes the steed, with reins and stirrups 

 flying — lashing out, perhaps, in his exuberance at finding 

 himself free — and is perhaps not brought back until the 

 wearied owner has had to relinquish all hope of catching 

 up the hunt, and been compelled also to walk some miles 

 of the road homewards. 



No, never if you can help it, relinquish your hold of the 

 bridle when you and your horse are together making the 

 acquaintance of mother earth, but remember the rule, '' a 

 long rein," even when not upon his back. 



Should a horse peck with you, a very nasty kind of fall, 

 I tell you candidly that you will be almost certain to come 

 off over his head, unless you are sitting glued to your 

 saddle and very far back indeed ; but, as this is a sort of 

 tumble which does not often happen, except when riding a 

 deep drop, or crossing something very wide, you may 



