202 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



become so much a habit that my arm always 

 went up at a big place, until — one day I got a very 

 bad fall on the open moor, smashed my shoulder 

 and otherwise knocked myself about. I simply 

 could not hail a hansom now ; indeed at the 

 present time it is all I can do to take my hat off 

 with my right hand. And then I found out, 

 when I was obhged to do as I ought to do that I 

 did my w^ork very much easier to myself and very 

 much easier to my horse. I don't know how to 

 cure the habit ; I am however certain that when 

 once thoroughly established it is difficult to 

 eradicate. My cure of course was a heroic one, 

 not to be recommended for imitation. But had 

 I not had that fall I veritably believe the habit 

 would have remained with me to this day. It is 

 done unconsciously. Knowing what I know now 

 of the pernicious effect of it, I would, if I had it 

 now, ride with my arm fastened to my side so that 

 I could not throw it up, but it is a plan I hesitate 

 to advise the reader to adopt, unless in the Riding 

 school, where it may w^ell be tried. I should 

 think a few weeks there would suffice to eradicate 

 the habit but I don't know. I got rid of it to a 

 certain extent, before I had my fall, but in a 

 big country or at a big place it was sure to come 

 out. 



Too much pains cannot be taken by the 

 beginner to secure a strong seat and as light 

 hands as Nature will permit him to have as early 

 as possible and before he goes into the hunting 

 field. As a rule the beginner is keen ; he goes 



