320 HUNTING. 



ridge and furrow are apt to tire themselves and their 

 horses unnecessarily. The lines of snow in Fig. 131 

 show the presence of ridge and furrow in the 

 distance. As it is requisite for a lady to know 

 how to ride on the flat and over fences, it is equally 

 important that she should obtain all the practice she 

 can in negotiating difficult ground, so that the hunting- 

 field may have no unpleasant surprises in store for her. 

 A very steep incline will stop many people. There is 

 one in the North Cheshire country, near Church Min- 

 shull I think, which is like riding down the side of a 

 house to get to the valley below. The passage from 

 the high ground to the Belvoir Vale is also quite steep 

 enough to give us pause. The best and safest way to 

 ride dow^n such places is for the rider to lean back and 

 take her horse very slowly and perfectly straight down 

 the incline. He should never be taken sideways ; 

 because if he makes a mistake and his hind quarters 

 are not under him, he will be very liable to roll over 

 on his rider. If he is kept perfectly straight and 

 misses his footing, he will try to save himself by 

 putting his weight on his hind quarters, and will pro- 

 bably find himself sitting on his haunches until he 

 recovers his balance. The rider, by leaning back, 

 removes weight from his forehand and is prepared for 

 any mistake he may make. She should remember to 

 lower her head in passing under trees and not hurry her 

 mount In the least, even though she may see the whole 

 field streaming away from her In the valley below. In 

 going up hill, if the ascent be very steep, the rider 



