ADVICE TO THE TYRO 87 



intended chiefly as regulators to a horse's speed, or 

 occasional supporters in certain emergencies. For this 

 purpose then, our tyro, when going away with the pack 

 from the gorse, with a crowd of fellows in advance on a 

 line with the fox, will hold his reins tightly in his left 

 hand (which should be forward over the pommel of the 

 saddle), and lightly in regard to the horse's mouth. It 

 is no business of yours how and where other men are 

 riding. Take a line of your own, and, if possible, keep it. 

 Don't be looking about, right and left, for the easiest 

 place, or a gap in the hedge, by which time is lost, and 

 you may be knocked over by crossing some other man's 

 track, which would be only what you deserved. Before 

 approaching the fence, you will perhaps have to regulate 

 your horse's speed by a gentle pull at the bit, as a hint 

 to take it easy ; although, if an experienced hunter, he 

 will know quite as well as yourself, or better, where and 

 how to take off. Horses, when fresh, go fast enough at 

 their leaps, with sufficient impetus to clear a ditch on the 

 off side, without whip or spur. The former should never 

 be used, and the latter very rarely ; a pat on the neck, 

 and a few words of encouragement to a generous animal, 

 being much more efficacious than such unpleasant and 

 unnecessary stimulants. There are some who advise a 

 horse's head to be held firmly till in the act of rising at 

 his fence, from which practice I must beg to dissent. 

 A horse's speed, if necessary to be slackened, should be 

 moderated some few strides before reaching the fence ; but 

 his head should then invariably be at liberty to take it in 

 his own style ; and in the act of leaping, the rider, by 

 throwing himself a little backward in the saddle, may give 

 a sufficient strain on the bit to prevent his horse flounder- 

 ing on the other side, were he inclined to do so. 



