ROAD RIDING. 41 



should run away with you in a field, try and ride him on 

 a circle, if in your power to do so, it will have a great 

 effect on the horse, and if you keep riding round, gradually 

 making the circle smaller, he will either stop or fall down. 

 If out in the country the horse starts to run away, and 

 the road is good, let him run, providing you are not 

 afraid ; and if, when approaching a hill, the horse decides 

 to stop at the foot of it, you must quickly change his 

 plans by laying on the whip as hard as you can, and 

 make him run faster than before, and when at the top you 

 can stop him, and I venture to say that he will never run 

 away again ; but after whipping him, do not pat him on 

 any account, but speak sternly to him, then turn round 

 and walk nearly all the way home. If you have time to 

 ride on him the next day, do so, and take him over the 

 same ground that you rode the day before, it is not at all 

 likely that he will attempt to run away again. 



When riding at a long distance from home, and if 

 your horse should be so unfortunate as to cast a shoe, 

 enquire for the nearest blacksmith and ride your horse 

 slowly to the place then have the shoe nailed on. If you 

 are riding on a school horse, the proprietor of the school 

 will be only too glad to refund you the price of the shoe 

 on your return. Never abuse your horse without just 

 cause. Always remember that the longer you ride, the 

 more you will have to learn. I think the horse is man's 

 greatest teacher. If you should ride much you will find 

 out that every horse is somewhat different to handle and 



