108 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP 



be an important branch of our children's education, 

 and should be so still, did parents do their duty. 

 If horsemen did their duty they would take similar 

 trouble with their horses. Personally, I do not 

 think a horse is worth riding that has not been so 

 trained. A long hack is a wearisome affair on a 

 horse that has never been taught " the aids," and 

 who resents the pressure of the leg and rein. But 

 no hack is too long on a horse that has been properly 

 taught to carry himself. Every step is a delight, 

 and the pride of satisfaction diffuses itself to every 

 passer-by, who, we feel, cannot but help admire 

 the beauty of the complete unison between horse 

 and rider, and the beautiful cadence of balanced 

 action. 



Not only is this matter important as a means of 

 adding to our pleasures when hacking to the meet, 

 but it is equally so from the practical point of 

 view of assisting us throughout the day. The 

 s^vinging gate, the kicking horse, the j ostler and 

 the motor-car can be avoided more easily when 

 riding a trained horse than when on one who does 

 not answer immediately to the pressure of the leg. 

 When hounds are moving fast, he can be better 

 controlled. He may be keen, but "pulling" is 

 unknown. He can be always stopped in a moment, 

 and his jumping should be cleaner and safer. In 

 fact, in every respect he is a better horse. If these 

 things are so (and I do not think there are many 

 who will not admit it), then why shouldn't we take 

 more trouble over the matter than we have done 

 in the past? Many people are prepared to pay, 



