E]SrGLISH VS. IRISH RIDI^-G. 39 



of the training is reduced to a certainty. If we contrast 

 this state of things with the condition of a horse tearing 

 across a rouo-h country for miles — meeting fences and 

 rivers lie never saw before, one field plowed and all mud, 

 the otlier all stones and the fence between — a double 

 ditch or deer-park wall — the horse winded by the heavy 

 canter in the mud and a fence to leave behind him or 

 flounder at its base, he will perceive that it is nice Irain- 

 inor to unite two minds and two bodies at the same 

 moment to accomplish these deeds that nature has left 

 to the horse alone to perform. ^ o other animal can do 

 it and carry one-seventh of his own weight. 



In trainino- horses for the saddle for hunting and 

 steeple chasing purposes, it is necessary to do so in the 

 region where they are to spend their future career, so 

 that they shall be familiar with the peculiarities of the 



Fig. 12.— THE FOUNT) WALL. 



fences and the nature of the country, thus insuring their 

 own and their rider's necks. Owing to the nature of the 

 country the Gal way horse is a famous wall jumper. The 

 favorite place for the sale of these hunters is at the fair 

 of Ballinasloe. There is, next to the fair green, a cattle 

 pound, the paved yard of wdiich is lower by some eighteen 

 inches than the ground outside. If a man wants to sell 

 his hunter, he is asked if he can jump the pound wall. 

 If he can, he will be able to sell his horse, all other points 

 being satisfactory. If he jumps in, it is understood that 

 the jumping out is the necessary test to insure the sale. 

 Hundreds gather around to see the performance. Four 

 feet in, five feet six inches out, sells the horse. The jump 



