RIDING TO HOUNDS 3 



attribute in a hunter, other things being 

 equal, is that of intelHgence, for, after all, 

 the horse does most of the work. A safe 

 hunter does a lot of thinking, and learns 

 from experience. Many a rider has been 

 saved a fall by his mount's refusal to try 

 the impossible, or quick change of feet to 

 meet some unexpected difficulty. 



Before mounting, examine your girths, 

 which in the case of a side saddle should 

 be further tightened after the rider is Mounting 

 seated. Also notice carefully your bits, 

 to see that they hang sufficiently low in the 

 horse's mouth to bear against the bars of 

 his jaw and not against his cheeks. Most 

 horses are "over bitted" either in weight 

 or severity. Look especially at the throat 

 latch, which can hardly be too loose. 

 If tight, it will not only distress your 

 horse, but in extreme cases, cause a rush 

 of blood to his head. 



Ride to meet slowly not only to save 

 yourself and your horse, but not to excite ^^ Meet 

 the latter. Let him adjust himself to his 

 work and digest his oats. Nothing is 



