Refusing 



18 RIDING TO HOUNDS 



leading with the foreleg towards which 

 you are turning, — otherwise he may cross 

 his feet and give you a dangerous fall. 



If your horse "refuses", your first 

 thought should be to keep out of the way 

 of more fortunate riders. Do not ride 

 down the fence line cutting across the 

 paths of other huntsmen. Remember that 

 you have no right to try the same panel 

 again until everyone else wishing to take 

 it has had a chance. Before putting your 

 horse again at the jump, make up your 

 mind as to why he refused it the first time. 

 Perhaps he misjudged his distance or 

 stepped on a stone as he neared the fence, 

 or possibly he felt the twinge of some old 

 injury and saved you a fall by stopping 

 as he did. If it was laziness, a few good 

 cuts of the whip should wake him up, but 

 before punishing him make allowance for 

 nervousness and give him every chance to 

 try it again pleasantly. But whatever 

 your method, never allow him to go on 

 without jumping that fence. If necessary, 

 meet him half way by lowering the top 



