Always await your turn at a gate or gap; do not try and push
forward in a crowd.
If you follow a pilot, do not "ride in his pocket"; give him plenty
of room, say fifteen lengths, at fences, or if he falls you might
jump on him.
If your horse kicks, tie a knot of red ribbon in his tail. N.B.--Do
not be guilty of using this "rogue's badge" for the sake of getting
room in a crowd, as some men have been known to do.
If a man is down and in danger of being kicked, put your own saddle
over his head.
HINTS CONCERNING THE HUNTER
It should be remembered that in the ordinary routine the horse is
fed three or four times a day. On a hunting day he gets one good
feed early in the morning and loses one or two feeds. Moreover, he
is doing hard work for hours together, with a weight on his back.
Carry a couple of forage biscuits in your pocket to give him during
the day. Also get off and relieve him of your weight when you can
do so.
When he is brought home, put him in his stall or box, slack the
girths, take off the bridle and give him his gruel at once. Throw a
rug over his loins and pull his ears for a minute or two.
An old horse needs more clothing than a young one.
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