BRIDLING 109 



and do pay, very high prices for trained hunters. 

 But are they really trained ? 



Some horses, we know, bridle naturally, but 

 hundreds of so-called trained hunters are sold who 

 have never had a day's teaching in these matters 

 of such vital importance in a horse's education. 

 If I were a rich man I would never ride a horse 

 that hadn't learnt to carry himself, and I feel sure 

 that if hunting people once realized the advantages 

 and pleasures of riding such horses, they would 

 take good care that none others entered their 

 stables, provided they could afford to buy what 

 they wanted. 



I do not mean it to be supposed that I expect 

 every member of a hunt to arrive at the meet on 

 perfectly broken " chargers." Such an idea would 

 be ridiculous and grotesque. But what I do mean 

 is that the idea of riding a balanced horse to hounds 

 should be considered as the right thing, that it 

 should be looked upon as a matter of just pride 

 and satisfaction, and that it should not be, as 

 at present, regarded as both unnecessary and 

 unpractical. 



