JUMPING. 279 



In considering the art of riding over fences, we should draw 

 a sharp line of demarcation between steeplechasing and 

 ordinary riding over a rough or enclosed country, because 

 the respective styles of riding are essentially different. In 

 riding over natural fences (as out hunting) or over broken 

 ground (as in pig-sticking or chasing wild deer), a horse 

 must depend mainly on his own judgment ; for circumstances 

 requiring decision will often come far too rapidly for the rider 

 to maintain the initiative, which he can do fairly well when 

 riding over steeplechase jumps, the nature and position of 

 which are known to him beforehand. When the safety of 

 man and beast has to be entrusted to the honour of the horse, 

 it is manifest that he should be given a free hand within 

 reasonable limits, and consequently his mouth should be 

 interfered with as little as practicable, supposing of course that 

 he is worthy of confidence. If he cannot be relied on, he will 

 require the necessary schooling, which is a branch of horse- 

 manship we are not at present considering. In steeplechase 

 riding and when trying to cross a flying country with the 

 utmost speed, we should keep a steady hold of the horse's 

 head, so as to get some of the weight off his fore-hand, which 

 bears most of the strain, especially when going fast. But out 

 hunting and when crossing broken ground, safety as a rule will 

 be of more consequence than speed. Besides, when a man 

 follows hounds, he cannot enjoy himself if he has to concen- 

 trate all his thoughts on riding. 



One great point about riding over a country, is that one 

 should never put a horse at a fence, unless one is determined 

 to get to the other side ; because indecision in this respect will 

 quickly turn the stoutest hearted animal into a refuser. If a 

 young horse is hunted by a capable man, he will soon learn 

 that the presence of a fence in front of him imposes no obli- 

 gation on him to jump it, unless his rider gives him the signal, 

 on the receipt of which he will know what he has got to do. 



