16 RIDING TO HOUNDS 



tunity, bring your horse to a trot. It rests 

 him, not only because it is his natural gait, 

 but because his weight and yours is then 

 more evenly distributed on his feet. If 

 you come to a plowed field keep along one 

 of the fence lines, or if it becomes neces- 

 sary to cross the furrows, ride with them, 

 if possible, rather than diagonally over 

 them, going a little out of your way to do 

 this, if necessary. Watch out for holes 

 made by hedgehogs, rabbits and other 

 animals, and for soft or rough spots. 

 These can nearly always be distinguished 

 by the appearance of the ground. Loose 

 dirt always indicates danger, and a rank 

 growth of vegetation, or change in the 

 color of grass suggests bogs and other pit- 

 falls. In passing over a newly cut corn 

 field or burnt ground, be very careful of 

 your going. Many a horse has been lamed 

 by a sharp corn stalk or the charred stump 

 of a sapling. 



Many accidents occur through turning 

 a horse suddenly at a side fence while 

 galloping along the road. In such cases 

 your horse's mind and attention are fixed 



