RIDING TO HOUNDS 209 



according to individual circumstances. For in- 

 stance if there is reason to think there is a wide 

 drain at the landing side of that thick uncom- 

 promising hedge the rider is approaching just a 

 reminder that such a thing as a wide drain exists 

 will put his horse on his mettle and make him 

 ' spread ' himself. Very high and stiff timber 

 should as a rule be ridden at slowly and many 

 good horsemen always select the post to ride at, 

 and if the rails are very high ride at them a little 

 aslant. This is a plan which is much to be com- 

 mended, as it ensures the leading leg getting 

 well over the obstacle in the majority of cases, 

 and where this happens the chances of a fall are 

 minimised. It is well when riding at a high fence 

 and especially at rails or a wall to pull the horse 

 back to a trot, get him well balanced and sharpen 

 him the last stride or two.^ 



In a stone wall country the stranger should 

 be careful about quarries, which are a constant 

 source of danger in some districts. I have known 

 natives ride into a quarry more than once though 

 happily without any evil consequences to rider 

 or horse. On one occasion I was riding some 

 fifty yards behind a friend in a country in which 

 he resided but which was strange to me then. 

 We were approaching a wall and just as my 

 friend got to it he threw up his hand and shouted 

 '' Don't come.'' There was a sheer drop of 14 ft. 

 but the horse landed on a heap of loose shale and 



^ A clever hunter may be allowed to go at his fences at his own pace. 

 I have scarcely known one make a mistake when not interfered with. 



14 



