2i6 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



more helpless in a quick run than a horse that is too light- 

 mouthed, and that flings his head up every time he feels 

 the action of the bit. I would not take a present of such 

 a one for my own use. 



It is an excellent plan for ladies to train their hunters to 

 follow them when on foot. Suppose that in the course of a 

 run you happen to come to some awfully cranky place : 

 cramped, difficult, and highly dangerous to ride, you may 

 find it pleasant and advisable to get off and scramble it, 

 and your steed will follow you beautifully if you have him 

 trained. It is quite easy to do it ; accustom him to the 

 tone of your voice, and if in the country take him out on 

 summer evenings with a leading-rein and a pocketful of 

 carrots. You will not have much difficulty after a while, 

 and it is quite worth the trouble, even if you are disposed 

 to think it such, which I never did. 



There used long ago to be certain counties celebrated for 

 good hunters. Ireland was, and \s,J7istly famous, both for 

 breeding and training youngsters of a style fit for any 

 hunting-field : but posts, telegraphs, and telephones have 

 placed us far more on a level than w^e used to be, and I 

 don't believe that there is now anything like the advantage 

 enjoyed by our fathers and grandfathers in purchasing 

 direct from a breeder. 



I may wind up by saying that no horse is worthy of 

 being called a hunter that cannot be turned in a very 

 small circle, that jumps with his hind-legs stretched out 

 behind him, or that won't at all events attempt any fence at 

 which his owner may wish to turn him. 



