HORSES. 215 



clearing the stirrups) might be attended with accidents 

 as disastrous in their effects as remaining in the saddle, 

 to be dashed against an omnibus, through a shop win- 

 dow, or over a precipice ; and above all things, endea- 

 vour to be cool and collected, and stare the danger 

 boldly in the face* Hurry and bustle only increase 

 the danger, and render the rider incapable of making 

 a proper effort to save himself. * 



The jumping-off alternative is only recommended to 

 be adopted where a serious accident appears inevitable ; 

 but where there is plenty of room, in a field or on a 

 good road, and the rider cannot stop the horee, it is the 

 best plan to let him gallop on until he stops of his own 

 accord, first trying to pull him round on one side, which 

 will sometimes stop him ; but this is dangerous unless 

 there be plenty of room or a quickset hedge, which will 

 either stop him or cause him to jump into the field ; 

 and, whether the rider be sent into the hedge, or loses 

 his seat in the leap, or they stick together and continue 

 their course in the fields, it is better than letting him 

 keep his course on the hard road, and run the chance of 

 coming into collision with carts or waggons, or (if it 

 be night) a closed toll-gate. Ladies chiefly commence 

 to scream when in this dilemma. The folly of this 

 course is obvious ; it only serves to increase the speed 

 of the horse, and is sufficient of itself to cause a high- 

 spirited, nervous horse to run away. I should recom- 

 mend inexperienced persons (ladies or gentlemen), if 

 they carry a whip, which may appear to fret the animal 



