PARK AND ROAD RIDITTCf. 59 



that yours has been properly trained, and 

 doubtless you might ride for the greater 

 portion of a lifetime without having to en- 

 counter a decided jibber, but it is as well to 

 be prepared for all emergencies. Should a 

 horse at any time rear with you, throw the 

 rein loose, sit close, and bring your whip 

 sharply across his flank. If this is not 

 effectual, you may give him the butt- end of 

 it between the ears, which will be pretty 

 sure to bring him down. This is a point, 

 however, upon which I write with con-^ 

 siderable reserve, for many really excellent 

 riders find fault with the theory set forth and 

 adopted by me. One old sportsman in 

 particular shows practically how seriously he 

 objects to it by suffering himself to be 

 tumbled back upon almost daily by a vicious 

 animal, in preference to adopting coercive 

 measures for his own safety. 



My reasons for striking a rearing horse are 

 set forth with tolerable clearness in one of 

 the letters which form an appendix to this 

 volume ; but, although I do it myself, I do 

 not imdertake the responsibility of advising 



