HORSES TO JUMP 69 



previously, on several occasions, followed at 

 the tail of the field, jumping the gaps and 

 fences slowly and deliberately. The time has 

 come for the youngster to be allowed to slip 

 along in a hunt. It is no longer desired to 

 hold him back, nor should it be necessary 

 with his previous training. The young horse 

 must get well away with hounds, so that he 

 sees and hears them. He will soon be keen 

 to keep with them. The music and sight of 

 hounds redoubles a young horse's confidence 

 in himself. A good scent makes a good fox 

 and a good hunter too. With hounds in 

 front a good fit young horse requires no lead 

 at a strong, forbidding-looking fence. An 

 inherent love to be with the hounds is born in 

 every good horse. One finds it again in his 

 later life, even as a doddering old cripple in a 

 field. The music of hounds will make him 

 prick his ears, snort and trot round the field, 

 forgetting his old age, perhaps only remember- 

 ing his first hunt with hounds. 

 But there is more required than a good start, 

 the rider must at times steady his young horse 

 and, whenever possible, save him in this his 

 first hunt. 



With a ditch on the near side of a fence leaning 

 towards one, pace is a secondary consideration. 



