i88 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



Yet still more is to be gained by actual experience. 

 Other things being equal, the man who is most often 

 in the saddle will be the best rider to hounds. For, 

 after all, a great deal depends on natural aptitude 

 and almost as much in most cases on the horse we 

 ride. 



The gifts of nature may be cultivated by taking 

 pains and must be perfected by practice. Every- 

 thing about horses and riding is worth knowing, and 

 each accession of knowledge will be an addition to 

 our pleasure. 



Many hunting men who are fair performers over a 

 country rather despise the niceties of school-riding 

 and the arts of the manege. But in this they are 

 mistaken, A man who understands the refinements 

 of horsemanship is likely to cross a country with more 

 ease and safety than one who does not. There is 

 always a right and a wrong way of meeting every 

 emergency that may arise in the course of a day's 

 hunting. It will depend on our having given time 

 and attention to practise the right way until it be- 

 comes a habit whether we shall in any given case act 

 rightly or wrongly. If we are riding a run with fox- 

 hounds over the grass, the time given for thinking 

 will be very short. A rapid decision must be followed 

 by instant action, and the arts of school-riding should 

 teach us how far we can really help a horse. It very 

 often happens that, with the best intentions, we 

 hinder him when he is in difficulties far more than we 

 help him. Practice will enable us with the help of 

 the legs and the bridle to suggest to the horse what 

 he shall do, as well as tell us how to avoid that inter- 

 ference with him which is so often fatal. 



Then we have to consider the powers and dis- 

 position and even the previous training of the particular 



