RIDING TO HOUNDS. 253 



good opportunity of recovering him ; and here you 

 may have recourse to the old-fashioned style of 

 riding a hunter. You may stand up in your stir- 

 rups, catching fast hold of your horse^s head, and 

 pulling him well together, when you will find, that, 

 without slackening his pace, he has recovered his 

 wind and can go on. Avoid deep ground as much as 

 possible ; but when in it, keep a good pull on your 

 horse, and by no means attempt to go so fast over 

 it, as you have been going over that which was 

 sound. After Christmas, turnip fields should be 

 skirted if possible ; for, by reason of the many 

 ploughings they receive at seed-time, the land sown 

 with turnips becomes so loose and porous after 

 severe frost, that it cannot carry a horse. Also 

 avoid crossing fallows, or land sown with wheat. 

 If obliged to go athwart them, get on the head- 

 land ; or, if you ride straight down them, choose 

 the wettest furrow you can see. It is sure to have 

 the firmest bottom, which is proved by the water 

 standing in it. 



As no man can say where a fox-chase will end, 

 have an eye to your horse, and endeavour to give 

 him all the advantages in his favour that the coun- 

 try and the pace Avill admit of. Next to a judicious 

 choice of your ground, is quickness in turning with 

 hounds, as the difference between riding inside and 

 outside of them, in their turns, (be it remembered 

 hounds very seldom run straight,) is very consider- 

 able indeed ; and to a certain degree corresponds 

 with what is called " the whip-hand" in a race. 

 Again, if you wish to stand well with the master 



