RIDING TO HOUNDS 15 



In case of a fall, be sure to hang on to 

 your reins, not merely to keep your horse 

 from running away and leaving you in Falls 

 the lurch, but to prevent your animal from 

 kicking or rolling on you, for a horse is 

 comparatively helpless when his head is 

 under control. 



If you are thrown free of your horse, 

 draw in your arms and legs, curve your 

 back and tighten your muscles. Make 

 yourself as much like a rubber ball as 

 possible. The art of falling has almost 

 as much place on the hunting field as in 

 football. A stiff hat — derby or silk — is a 

 great protection to the head. 



Besides studying the country in front 

 of you, pay particular attention to the 

 character of the ground over which you 

 are passing. Remember that there is a 

 right and a wrong way of traveling over 

 every foot of ground, and that it is not 

 only when jumping that good horseman- . 

 ship is required. Ease your horse where YourMount 

 the going is heavy and speed up on solid 

 and smooth ground. At every oppor- 



