IN THE FIELD. 335 



can run out to the left, and a touch on the off flank will 

 help to keep him straight. 



If a lady finds herself on dangerous or difficult 

 ground, as for instance, land intersected with rabbit 

 holes, her best plan will be to slacken the pace into a 

 trot or walk, if necessary, and leave the rest to her 

 horse, who will do his best to keep a firm footing. 

 Parts of the South African veldt are dangerous to ride 

 over because of meerkat holes, but the horses in that 

 country are marvellously clever in avoiding them, if 

 they are left alone. Rabbit holes are responsible for 

 many bad accidents in hunting. I was out one day 

 with the Belvoir on a young mare who put her foot 

 into one w^hile going at a smart pace over ridge and 

 furrow. She wrenched off a fore shoe and pecked so 

 badly that I thought she must fall, but I had the sense 

 to lean back and leave her mouth alone, and she ap- 

 peared to save herself with a spare leg at the last 

 moment, recovering her balance by the aid of the 

 ridge which she had breasted. Minus a fore shoe, I 

 had to take her home at a walk, and I smiled to myself 

 when I saw her make a vicious stamp at a rabbit who 

 was in the act of disappearing into another hole. 



A lady should send her horse at a good pace at a 

 brook (Fig. 133), but not at top speed, as he will not 

 be able to collect himself to take off at a long jump if 

 he is sent at it at full gallop. We may see in jump- 

 ing competitions, especially at the Agricultural Hall, 

 that a clever horse can clear a fair expanse of water 

 when allowed a run of only a few lengths. The water 



