100 LEARNING TO JUMP. 



This is a most incorrigible habit, and is altogether 

 the fault of the breaker. 



On this account I have the greatest objection to 

 horses being led over any description of fence with a 

 longeing rein, excepting banks and walls ; for they con- 

 tract that hateful habit of leaning over and then jump- 

 ing the fence. On this account so many Irish horses 

 are spoilt, and I know of no fault so difficult to con- 

 quer as this. A rusher in clever hands can easily be 

 calmed down, and brought up to his fences collectedly 

 and well ; but a doubling, dwelling brute, can scarcely 

 ever be persuaded to have sufficient confidence, even 

 by the most accomplished horseman, either in himself 

 or his rider, to come boldly and straight up to his 

 fence and spread himself without a bungle. 



I have a great objection to what is called ( playing 

 with' colts in the hunting field for the purpose of 

 making them clever and handy. 



It is a bad and senseless practice, and can never teach 

 them how to , cross a country resolutely and quickly, 

 but very frequently makes them careless and indolent. 

 A colt fit and well should be ridden as near the hounds 

 as possible, and should be made to take his fences as 

 they come, at whatever pace hounds go, and not at the 

 pace at which he wishes to take them. 



He will then learn to do a little place as well as a 

 big one, and at a glance to estimate the effort by aid of 

 his rider which each will require. 



Great care should be taken that the colt do not have 

 too much of it. 



