240 THE HORSE. 



to the rider, and it is only adopted in racing or in short gallops 

 over bad ground, as in hunting, when there is a deep piece of tal- 

 low, or a steep hill, or any other kind of ground calculated to tire 

 the horse. 



RIDING TO HOUNDS. 



The kind OP seat generally adopted in riding to hounds has 

 been already described, and I need not therefore allude to it again. 

 I may, however, remind the tyro that the less he depends upon 

 balance, and the stronger hold he can get of the saddle with his 

 knees and calves, the more likely he will be to avoid a fall without 

 his horse coming down also. If this accident happens, a loose seat 

 sometimes befriends the rider by causing him to be thrown out of 

 the way of the horse, but in the loDg run the man who has a strong 

 grip of his saddle will fare the best. Good hands and judgment 

 are equally necessary, and the combination of these three qualities 

 makes up the finished performer across country, always supposing 

 the presence of nerve in addition. 



There are certain rules adopted in all hunting countries, 

 which must be stringently carried out in order to insure the safety 

 of the hounds and horsemen, and avoid those disputes which would 

 otherwise constantly occur between riders jealous of each other's 

 prowess. These may be summed up in the following plain direc- 

 tions : — 



When near the hounds keep to the right or left of them, and 

 not directly behind, where you are always in danger of riding over 

 some of the tail hounds. So also when the pack are crossing a 

 thick fence, when there is often only one gap weak enough to allow 

 of their getting over, avoid its proximity, and take a place at least 

 a dozen yards off. 



Independently of hounds, every rider should take a line of 

 his own, or if he is unable to do this and must follow a leader, let 

 him keep such a distance behind that if a fall takes place he can 

 avoid jumping upon him. In a large field of horsemen, every one 

 cannot possibly take a different line, nor is it easy to keep always 

 at a safe distance ; but at big places there is generally some hesita- 

 tion, and a proper interval can be maintained. No one should 

 attempt to pass his neighbor either on the right or left of the line 

 he has chosen, when near a fence; but of course this is not to de- 

 prive him of his chance of taking the lead in the middle of a large 

 enclosure, when a little racing can do no harm. By the adoption 

 of this rule, jostling and crowding at a weak place are avoided, 

 which without it would be sure to lead to serious accidents. 



Use your judgment in saving your horse in deep ground, 

 making up for the apparent loss by putting him along whenever a 

 sound headland or good turf can be obtained. It is not going 

 sticiight over sound land that distresses a horse, but the making 



