78 JUMPING PRACTICE. 



he has had enough of it (the time should not ex- 

 ceed an hour in any case), when he should be taken 

 to the water meadow, and trotted sharply all over it 

 with a loose rein for about ten or fifteen minutes at the 

 outside. This will test the quickness of his eye and 

 foot to the utmost, and make him cool and clever in 

 difficulties without having time to consider their 

 nature. On the next day resume this exercise, and 

 have a big tree of some sort drawn across the gateway 

 after the horse has entered, and after trotting about 

 the water meadow as before, let him scramble over it 

 on his way home. And the next and three following 

 days make him jump the tree into the meadow as well 

 as out of it. It will be ten to one, unless very tem- 

 perate and clever, that he strike his legs hard, and this 

 will make him clear them after a day or so ; but he 

 should not be stopped in his work on this account ; cold 

 water bandages will be sufficient to relieve the vessels 

 and prevent injury, and whatever soreness and stiffness 

 there may be will be of use in preventing a recurrence 

 of such carelessness or clumsiness, as the case may be. 

 If during this week he have performed well, either a 

 hurdle gorsed, or some thorns, may be placed on the 

 other side of the tree on his return from the water- 

 meadow on the next five following days. The tree will 

 ensure his rising properly, and prevent his running 

 through the hurdle or thorns, as many horses are very 

 apt to do. Be quite satisfied with this exercise for 

 a fortnight, after which, the horse should follow hounds 

 as soon as possible and opportunity presents itself. 



