398 THE HORSE 



distance from a fence ; and then the body should be allowed 

 to swing back as the horse rises, when, if exact time is kept 

 with the movements of the horse, there is no shock on his 

 back when he alights. A horse needs to be collected when 

 approaching a high fence, but this does not mean pulling 

 him altogether out of his stride ! If a firm hold is taken 

 about a hundred yards from the fence, and no change in the 

 rider's mind is made from the place first selected, the horse 

 will measure his distance and swing over the fence, and 

 jump both high and wide. Fortunately, when taking our 

 pleasure in an ordinary hunting-field, we are not expected 

 to emulate the 7 ft. 3 in. that was jumped at the Olympia 

 Show by All Fours in 1907, though this shows what it 

 is possible for a horse to clear. 



Xenophon's description of the proper carriage of the head 

 and neck is as true now as when it was written, for it 

 describes symmetry in a few words, and gives a good 

 description of what a hunter should be like. 



" The neck of the horse as it proceeds from the chest should 

 not fall forward like that of the boar, but should grow 

 upward like that of a cock, and should have an easy motion 

 about the arch." 



Advice to Beginners. 



To the beginner a few words of advice may be added. Be 

 on the alert when hounds are running in covert, and get 

 away with them when they break ; and if the scent seems 

 good do not hesitate to jump a big fence to get to them, 

 rather than go some distance to a gate. Give a wide berth 

 to coverts on your way to the meet, lest you disturb a fox, 

 and the hounds in consequence have a long draw before they 

 find. Kide your own line if you are in front, but if you are 

 obliged to follow any one else take care to give him plenty of 

 room when he jumps a fence ; his horse may blunder, or 

 fall, and if you are too close you may cause a bad accident 

 to your leader. If you view a fox hold up your hat if in 

 sight of the field, and do not holloa when the hounds are 

 running. If they should be at fault and there is no other 



