RIDING TO HOUNDS 13 



his hind feet far in advance. It is sur- 

 prising how steep a bank a horse can 

 descend in this manner. I have seen Ital- 

 ian Army officers take almost perpendicu- 

 lar banks. In jumping "on and off" give 

 your horse time to change its feet while 

 on the bank. Irish hunters do this natu- 

 rally, but others have to learn it by ex- 

 perience. 



If bogged dismount at once to lighten 

 your horse, throw the reins over his head ^®^* 

 and standing in front of him but a little 

 to one side encourage him by voice, and 

 rein to extricate himself. 



When riding through woods, accustom 

 your horse to seek naturally the open 

 spaces and to be guided by the manner Woods 

 in which you throw your weight. There 

 is no time to guide him by pulling his head 

 first one way and then the other. Inci- 

 dentally, nothing tends to make a horse 

 more handy and tractable, than schooling 

 him among trees. In passing under low 

 branches lean well forward, bringing your 

 head beside your horse's neck. Never lean 



