82 HINTS ON MANAGING A HORSE 



a horse. I will therefore content myself with one ob- 

 servation, that the man who cannot ride across country 

 without the aid of reins and stirrups has no pretension 

 to the character of a perfect sportsman. This is the best 

 test of a good seat, although not a very agreeable one. 



*' Without the aid of reins ! " I hear someone exclaim ; 

 *' that is impossible." 



But my meaning is, that a silken thread only should be 

 attached to the bridle by which the horse might be 

 guided, but which would break on the least effort of the 

 rider to hold on by. There are hundreds who can and do 

 make a very good fight across country with the assistance 

 of reins and stirrups, by which they are kept upright in 

 the saddle ; but take away these pulleys and props, and 

 many a man who thinks himself an uncommonly fine 

 horseman would be on his back at the very first fence 

 he should charge without them. A firm, free, and easy 

 seat in the saddle being therefore considered as in- 

 dispensable in a fox-hunter, we may proceed to make 

 a few remarks " on riding to hounds." 



The first step to be taken in advance before you can 

 ride to hounds is to get a good start with them, and to 

 effect this most necessary arrangement it is incumbent 

 that your ideas should be collected, and your whole 

 attention engrossed by the preliminary business — the 

 working of the hounds — as soon as the fox is on foot. 

 A good eye and ear are of the greatest importance ; and 

 at the first whimper of a hound all discussion with your 

 friends, whether on politics, horseflesh, or any other 

 interesting topic, should immediately cease. When the 

 hounds begin to throw their tongues, the time has arrived 

 for yours to be silent. Should the pack be working their 

 fox in a piece of gorse, you have little else to do than sit 



