RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



but I may remark in the meantime that many- 

 more horses than people suppose will cross a 

 country safely with a loose rein. The late 

 Colonel William Greenwood, one of the finest 

 riders in the world, might be seen out hunting 

 with a single curb-bridle, such as is called "a 

 hard-and-sharp " and commonly used only in the 

 streets of London or the Park. The present 

 Lord Spencer, of whom it is enough to say 

 that he hunts one pack of his own hounds in 

 Northamptonshire, and is always in the same field 

 with theviy never seems to have a horse pull, or 

 until it is tired, even lean on his hand. I have 

 watched both these gentlemen intently to learn 

 their secret, but I regret to say without avail. 



This, however, is not the present question. 

 Long before a bridle is fitted on the colt's head 

 he should have so thoroughly learned the habit of 

 obedience, that it has become a second instinct, 

 and to do what is required of him seems as natural 

 as to eat when he is hungry or lie down when he 

 wants to sleep. 



This result is to be attained in a longer or 

 shorter time, according to different tempers, but 

 the first and most important step is surely gained 

 when we have succeeded in winning that affection 

 which nurses and children call " cupboard love." 

 Like many amiable characters on two legs, the 

 quadruped is shy of acquaintances but genial with 



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