SEAT ON THE ROAD. 237 



delicately alive to every motion of the horse, that 

 the excellence of a good hand consists. That it is 

 associated with the good or bad state of the diges- 

 tive organs, is proved by the necessity all persons 

 find, who are called upon to excel in horsemanship, 

 of living temperately, and keeping early hours. 

 That it is the greatest security to the horseman, 

 under all circumstances in which he can be placed, 

 is also shown by the numerous instances we meet 

 with, of some persons being enabled to ride horses 

 over every variety of ground, and in all paces, with 

 security ; but which, with others not equally 

 gifted, are constantly getting into scrapes, either 

 by falling on the road, running into fences in the 

 field, bolting out of the course in a race, or falling 

 backwards when rearing, which latter accident 

 arises, in most cases, from a rough unskilful hand. 



Seat on the Road. — Of the various, and too 

 often fatal accidents that occur to horsemen, the 

 majority occur on the road. The reason of this is 

 obvious. They are generally, with the exception 

 of cases of inebriation, the result of horses running 

 away with their riders, and either coming in con- 

 tact v/ith something in their course, which suddenly 

 stops their career, when either one or both are 

 thrown headlong to the ground. Accidents of this 

 description are very frequently attended with the 

 most serious consequences, and show the necessity 

 of persons who get on horseback being capable of 

 commanding their horse. Next, come accidents 

 from horses falling on the road, which are often 



