84 PINK AND SCARLET 



ride him barebacked, or with a hood, kept on him 

 by a roller, in a snaffle, and with pockets full of 

 carrots, quietly at a walk and trot, over fences, in 

 such a way that he thinks each fence is an obstacle 

 which there is no getting round, and which comes in 

 the days ivork as a matter of course. After each 

 fence he gets over without any fuss, no matter how 

 awkwardly, give him a bit of carrot and make much 

 of him. Taken thus, a young horse learns to con- 

 nect a fence with pleasure and reward, instead of 

 with fuss, hustle, whip and spur, as he does when 

 bustled backwards and forwards over artificial fences 

 by a no doubt iron-nerved, but probably also an 

 \ror\-kanded rough-rider. Of course the line to be 

 taken must be thought out beforehand, and it goes 

 without saying that leave to cross the land must be 

 obtained. 



Should the youngster (the horse is meant) show 

 signs of nervousness and refuse — and this is the 

 only reason that makes a young unspoilt horse re- 

 fuse — he may, at first only, be given a lead by a 

 steady old hunter. 



It may be asked, " Why barebacked or with 

 hood and roller ? " Well, because thus accoutred 

 the rider falls lightly, and falls clear should the 

 horse make a mistake. 



In all these things, the riding on parade, the 

 opening of a gate, the cracking of a whip, and the 

 vaulting-on, the horse is being educated as well as 

 the rider, and during it and all other education, the 

 pockets of the latter should never be without bits 



