loS Horse and Man. 



if you restrain him and all the rest is a mere 

 question of time and degree. You have then 

 got him fairly between your hands and legs ; 

 and what you will do with him while he stays 

 there, or how you can most effectually make 

 him understand what you mean to do with 

 him, are points which you may consider at 

 your leisure. First disable your servant from 

 hurting you, and then teach him to obey you. 

 I need scarcely point out that these argu- 

 ments are not meant to disparage the plan 

 of instruction recommended by M. Baucher. 

 They contain no objection whatever to that 

 plan, when practised, as M. Baucher meant it 

 to be practised, by the patient and cautious 

 ecuyer in his quiet riding-school. But the 

 situation of the English sportsman is a very 

 different one. He cannot and will not sus- 

 pend his accustomed pursuits ; his hack or 

 hunter may require instruction, but in the 

 meantime they must go. It is only reason- 

 able that, in giving advice to horsemen of this 

 character, I should recommend safety first and 

 perfection afterwards. If you cannot prevent 

 your horse from breaking your neck at the 

 gallop, you will find little consolation in his 

 admirable grace and docility at the halt or walk. 



