THE USE OF THE BRIDLE 



Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, then only 

 partially enclosed ; boundary fences of large 

 properties were few and far between, straggling 

 also, and ill-made-up, the high thorn hedges that 

 now call forth so much bold and so much timid 

 riding, either did not exist, or were of such tender 

 growth as required protection by a low rail on 

 each side, and a sportsman, with flying coat-tails, 

 doubling these obstacles neatly, at his own pace, 

 forms a favourite subject for the artist of the time. 

 Twenty or thirty horsemen, at most, comprised 

 the field ; in such an expanse of free country 

 there must have been plenty of room to ride, and 

 we all know how soon a horse becomes amenable 

 to control on a moor or an open down. The 

 surface, too, was undrained, and a few furlongs 

 bring the hardest puller to reason when he goes 

 in over his fetlocks every stride. Hand and heel 

 are the two great auxiliaries of the equestrian, but 

 our grandfathers, I imagine, made less use of the 

 bridle than the spur. 



With increased facilities for locomotion, in the 

 improvement of roads and coaches, hunting, 

 always the English gentleman's favourite pastime, 

 became a passion for everyone who could afford 

 to keep a horse, and men thought little of twelve 

 hours spent in the mail on a dark winter's night 

 in order to meet hounds next day. The numbers 

 attending a favourite fixture began to multiply, 



37 



