It was said of an old friend of mine, the keenest of the keen, that he
always rode as if he had never seen a run before, and should never see a
run again! This, I believe, is something of the feeling with which we
ought to be possessed, impelling us to take every legitimate advantage
and to throw no possible chance away. It cannot be too often repeated
that judicious choice of ground is the very first essential for success.
Therefore the hunting-field has always been considered so good a school
for cavalry officers. There seems no limit to the endurance of a horse
in travelling over a hard and tolerably level surface, even under heavy
weight, but we all know the fatal effect of a very few yards in a
steam-ploughed field, when the gallant animal sinks to its hocks every
stride. Keep an eye forward then, and shape your course where the
foothold is smooth and sound. In a hilly country choose the sides of the
slopes, above, rather than below, the pack, for, if they turn away from
you, it is harder work to gallop up, than down. In the latter case, and
for this little hint I am indebted to Lord Wilton, do not increase your
speed so as to gain in distance, rather preserve the same regular pace,
so as to save in wind. Descending an incline at an easy canter, and held
well together, your horse is resting almost as if he were standing
still. It is quite time enough when near the bottom to put on a spurt
that will shoot him up the opposite rise.