HORSES AND STABLES 247 



is an odd man, of course, who, being aware that he is 

 on a horse which is not to be trusted, will give every- 

 one a wide berth all day long, but the rank and file are 

 not only too fond of the red ribbon, but when anything 

 happens will loudly urge that they cannot possibly be 

 to blame because of their having worn the danger 

 signal. Such a defence is, however, grossly unfair, 

 most unsportsmanlike, and unsound as an argument, 

 for in the excitement of a run people cannot be con- 

 tinually looking for red ribbons, especially when they 

 know that scores of horses so adorned have never been 

 known to kick. 



There are very many, perhaps indeed a majority, of 

 hunting folk who are able to gauge their own riding 

 capacity. Some of these know that they can show a 

 bold front if only they are well mounted ; others are 

 fully aware that they can get along comfortably in a 

 fair place, but feel that they are not exactly fitted to cut 

 out the work ; while a third section are perfectly content 

 to follow on to the best of their ability, seldom near the 

 front, except by accident, but enjoying themselves 

 quite as much as those who are leading the van a field 

 or two ahead. 



But on the other hand there are individuals who seem 

 to be of opinion that what one man can do another can 

 also achieve, and thus *' A," an ordinary hunting man, 

 but not exactly accustomed to go in the first flight, 

 sees " B," an exceptional horseman, doing great things 

 on a young horse which he wishes to sell. "A" is 

 much taken with the performance, and a deal is quickly 

 effected. But to "A's" surprise he finds that the 

 horse when he is riding it is quite a different animal, 

 and as he will not realise that "B" is ten times as 

 good a horseman as he is, he is in a quandary. He 



