76 



THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 



be considered as an impetuous dash, becomes steady, as it 

 were, and every thing proceeds with more regularity. At 

 the commencement of the run, however, young fiery spi- 

 rits are often as impetuous as their steeds, and, to say no- 

 thing of distressing their horses unnecessarily, sometimes 

 mar the sport by riding too forward, or amongst the hounds 

 — perhaps before them. When the hounds have found, 

 they should be suffered to go away with their fox, and get 

 well settled to the scent, without the least interruption — 

 (and yet how often have I witnessed the contrary, in defi- 

 ance of the entreaties, prayers, and ultimately of the deep 

 curses, of the huntsman.) Nor, indeed, after this period 

 should they be ridden too near or pressed by the sports- 

 man : there should always be a sufficient space between 

 the pack and the sportsmen for the hounds to turn ; and, 

 indeed, the sportsman may be said to be sufficiently near 

 so long as he can distinctly observe the working of the 

 hounds. As I have already observed, a horse should be 

 restrained at the commencement of the run ; but it is the 

 judicious application of this restraint that renders it effec- 

 tive : horses should not be pulled about as they frequently 

 are by ignorant horsemen, since the remedy then becomes 

 as bad, if not worse, than the disease ; and for the proper 

 management of the horse at this juncture, good hands will 

 easily perform what nothing else can properly accomplish : 

 the sympathetic sensibility of the hand may be said to 

 give the rider a complete controul over the powers of his 

 horse, and this excellence can never be more beneficially 

 applied, than during the first maddening impetuosity of 

 the run : — and this, particularly, where the animal hap- 

 pens to be high spirited, or of a hot and fiery tempera- 

 ment. Horses of this disposition, like impetuous riders, 

 are anxious to lead ; and indeed, it must be admitted that 

 they go more pleasantly when placed in the front rank ; 

 and therefore, when such an enviable situation can be ob- 

 tained, it is advisable to occupy it. Unfortunately, this 

 taking the lead often produces injudicious, and indeed in- 

 jurious, rivalry ; inasmuch as sportsmen thus approach too 

 near the hounds, force them beyond the scent perhaps, and 

 create the most vexatious confusion. It is no wonder that 

 huntsmen are sometimes unable to restrain their temper 

 within due bounds. 



. ON LEAPING. 



The act of leaping or jumping requires more than ordi- 

 nary exertion in the horse ; and, of course, the extra exer- 

 tion will be regulated by the nature or extent, or both, of 

 the jump. 



Generally speaking, I would advise sportsmen to avoid, 

 as much as possible, all jumps with stiff or unbending tops, 

 since, however perfect a horse may be, mistakes, or mis- 



footings may occur ; and as an elastic or weak fence will 

 give way to the weight of a horse, so I consider it prefer- 

 able to a gate, style, rail, or wall. It is true, there are 

 many horses very clever at jumping timber and walls ; 

 yet, for the reasons already stated, I should prefer the elas- 

 tic fence, and only put the horse's abilities to the test in 

 regard to the former, where it appeared absolutely neces- 

 sary. 



A horse indeed is sure to excel in that species of leap- 

 ing to which he has been the most accustomed. Brooks, 

 when the banks are sound, are no serious obstacles, unless 

 wider than the horse can cover ; but the worst of brook- 

 jumping is, the banks are seldom to be depended on, and 

 hence serious accidents sometimes result — to the horse at 

 least, if not to the rider. If the bank happens to give way, 

 on the side from which the horse is taking his spring, he 

 is very liable to break his back or receive some serious or 

 incurable injury. If in crossing a brook, the sportsman 

 can contrive to put his horse at it where the banks slope 

 towards the water, he is more likely to get safe over, as 

 in such places, the banks are seldom undermined by the 

 action of the water — the hollow banks are, of course, the 

 most to be dreaded. In going at a brook, it is the most 

 advisable to put the horse very smartly and vigorously at 

 it ; the same remark is equally applicable to a gate ; and 

 indeed any large and rasping leap. In regard to gates, I 

 honestly confess I am seldom disposed to jump one, where 

 I can conveniently open it ; and there are few horses that 

 will not, with a little practice, become very handy at open- 

 ing gales. 



In crossing a country, the sportsman should keep a look 

 out forward : as soon as he is over one fence, he should 

 cast his eye to the next, and direct his horse to the most 

 convenient spot to get over, consistently with keeping his 

 place. 



As to the best mode of teaching a horse to leap, which 

 is intended for hunting, I have little hesitation in asserting 

 that the bar is of very little service. In the first instance, 

 I should feel no objection to put a young horse over the 

 bar, to teach him to bend his knees ; but, it is in the fields 

 where he must acquire a knowledge of his business ; and 

 on this account he should receive his instruction in the 

 fields. His lessons, however, should never be unreasona- 

 bly extended, or he will become disgusted ; a horse seldom 

 jumps willingly unless after hounds. When a young horse 

 takes his exercise, he may be put over a few fences, and 

 this perhaps is the best way of imparting the necessary in- 

 struction. 



ON THE SEAT WHEN LEAPING. 



" The place of the legs must be perpendicular from the 

 knee ; if you place them backwarder, the action which 



