RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



between man and beast. The latter, as we are 

 considering him, is sure to be fond of jumping, 

 and to ride him over a fence or two away from 

 other horses in cold blood will create in his mind 

 the very desirable impression that you are of a 

 daring spirit, determined to be in front. 



Take him, however, up to his leap as slow as 

 he will permit — if possible at a trot. Even should 

 he break into a canter and become impetuous at 

 last, there is no space for a violent rush in three 

 strides, during which you must hold him in a 

 firm, equable grasp. As he leaves the ground 

 give him his head, he cannot have "too much 

 rope," till he lands again, when, as soon as 

 possible, you should pull him back to a trot, 

 handling him delicately, soothing him with voice 

 and gesture, treating the whole affair as the 

 simplest matter of course. Do not bring him 

 again over the same place, rather take him on 

 for two or three fields in a line parallel to the 

 hounds. By the time they are put into covert 

 you will have established a mutual understanding, 

 and found out how much you dislike one another 

 at the worst! It is well now to avoid the crowd, 

 but beware of taking up a position by yourself 

 where you may head the fox ! No man can ride 

 in good-humour under a sense of guilt, and you 

 must be good-humoured with such a mount as 

 you have under you to-day. 



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