1 00 HINTS TO HORSEMEN ; OE, 



had a dread of water, the readiest way would be to 

 jump over it; but, not thus reasoDing, he avoids 

 approaching that which he holds as boding danger ; 

 and this impression or impulse it is, I say, next to im- 

 possible to overcome. 



Wall and timber jumping is to be taught a horse 

 as a knack — for a knack it virtually is, and no natu- 

 ral feat of the horse — for we know the wild horse 

 never saw a wall or gate in his life. He meets, in 

 his wild state, watercourses and ravines ; these he 

 jumps over under the influence of fear, or any other 

 excitement, but leaping artificial impediments must 

 be taught. The Irish horse jumps walls almost natu- 

 rally ; he has seen them and leaped them as a foal ; 

 but shew him an English gate, and he does not know 

 what to do with it till taught. So it is, vice versa, 

 with the English horse as respects walls, unless 

 bred in the very few localities where walls are 

 common. 



I have frequently found men, bold riders too, who 

 disliked walls, or water, or timber, and some who 

 disliked all three of them. Personally, I prefer either 



