RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



are exceedingly touchy about being ridden over, 

 and not without reason. There is something 

 unpleasantly suggestive in the bit and teeth and 

 tongue of an open mouth at your ear ; while your 

 own horse, quivering high in air, makes the 

 discovery that he has not allowed margin enough 

 for the yawner under his nose ! It is little less 

 inexcusable to pick a man's pocket than to ride in 

 it ; and no apology can exonerate so flagrant an 

 assault as to land on him when down. Reflect, 

 also, that a hunter, after the effort to clear his 

 fence, often loses foothold, particularly over 

 ridge and furrow, in the second or third stride, 

 and falls at the very moment a follower would 

 suppose he was safe over. Therefore, do not 

 begin for yourself till your leader is twenty yards 

 into the next field, when you may harden your 

 heart, set your muscles, and give your horse to 

 understand, by seat and manner, that it must be 

 in, through, or over. 



Beware, however, of hurrying him off his legs. 

 Ride him resolutely, indeed, but in a short, 

 contracted stride ; slower in proportion to the 

 unwillingness he betrays, so as to hold him in a 

 vice, and squeeze him up to the brink of his task, 

 when, forbidden to turn from it, he will probably 

 make his effort in self-defence, and take you 

 somehow to the other side. Not one hunter in 

 a hundred can jump in good form when going at 



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