LIFTING HORSES. 93 



are saying. What tliey really do mean is, that 

 the rider draws his horse on to his haunches at 

 his fence and then, with whip or spur, sends 

 him over. This is all very well — but, for all 

 that, is bad horsemanship — at an easy, clean 

 fence ; but if the leap should be an awkward 

 one, with the taking off or landing (or perhaps 

 both) bad, a horse so ridden would be sure to 

 fall short of his leap, and, through his head 

 being too much confined, when he does come 

 to grief he is unable to help himself. There- 

 fore, make it a rule to give your horse his head 

 and allow him to take his leaps as he thinks 

 best, for depend upon it his instinct will teach 

 him what is required far better than you can. 

 I have seen many a fall in the hunting-field 

 through no fault whatever of the horse, but 

 owing to the meddling of his rider who imagined 

 he was able to lift or assist him. When a horse 

 has over-jumped himself or is in danger of 

 losing his balance, if you pull at the bit it dis- 

 concerts him, draws his attention away from 

 his danger, and down he goes as a rule. I 



