160 THE IRISH HORSE. 



banks, with one or both, which gives them a fresh 

 fulcrum, from which they can extend their leap, in 

 case of their finding an unforeseen difficulty or ob- 

 stacle on the landing side. In the wall counties of 

 Ireland, indeed, the horses are taught to alight on 

 their hinder-legs upon the summit of the wall, after 

 the manner of the dog when he leaps a ^ate, which, 

 if the wall be broad and firm, adds to the facility 

 of the exertion, as also to the safety of the rider. 

 An Irish horse, performing this feat, cleverly 

 sketched by Aiken, forms an introductory illustra- 

 tion to the present Chapter. Irish hunters are 

 generally good brook jumpers, being educated, in- 

 deed bred, amongst drains ; but field gates, or stiles, 

 being of rare occurrence in the pastoral districts of 

 Ireland, they are not to be relied upon as timber 

 leapers, until they have been initiated into that de- 

 scription of fence. 



Persons who have had experience in Irish hunters 

 have found them very shy of having a whip, with 

 a thong to it, made use of by the rider, either for 

 the purpose of smacking it, or to strike an unruly 

 hound. This we fear proceeds from unnecessary 

 severity in the exercise of the whip in breaking, 

 but which would be obviated if breeders were aware 

 of the inconvenience it occasions to servants, who 

 are called upon to ride Irish horses with hounds, 

 in the capacity of huntsmen or whippers-in. We 

 have seen a few of these horses nearly useless from 

 this cause, as servants' horses ; although well suited 

 in every other respect, to this peculiar purpose, 

 from their style of fencing and hardiness. 



