126 CDe Wensiepdale Rounds 



niwer bog, an' alius give yer hoss a lowse head." 

 I can repeat this advice as the result of expe- 

 rience, which, after all, is the surest teacher. 

 The heather (ling they call it in Wensleydale) is 

 sufficient to support man and horse, no matter 

 how treacherous the ground be underneath. The 

 worst ground is often the most inviting — that 

 with beautiful green grass growing over it, of 

 such patches beware, likewise of inky black plots 

 of ground covered with seeves. I have found 

 that a cobby horse of about 14.2 hands, with 

 some breeding, is the most suitable for the hills 

 and moors. They are quicker and cleverer than 

 a big horse, and sooner rested after climbing 

 steep hills. They are more careful in descending, 

 too, and can nip away through crags and open 

 drains, whilst I always fancy they look more 

 where they are going than a big horse, which 

 may be a perfect low-country hunter, yet continu- 

 ally giving its rider falls on the moorland heights. 

 The difficulties of moorland hunting are no 

 greater than those which await the novice 

 wherever he goes, and will soon be overcome. 



