THE HACK. 175 



the riders choose according to their habits, temperament, and 

 style of riding. Horses have certain innate qualities which 

 cannot be given or replaced by breeding, rearing, or 

 breaking. 



The first thing to require is surefootedness, which is a 

 sine qua non. It is absolutely necessary that the animal will 

 make no mistake at any of his paces. Hence we like our 

 horses to raise their feet freely and to place them in a well- 

 balanced manner on the ground. A horse which drags his 

 legs, or " daisy cuts," is apt to make a false step by striking 

 a stone or other inequality on the ground, and may conse- 

 quently fall down. 



A horse which brings his toe first on the ground will be 

 very apt to stumble, which is a fault we find among animals 

 which " daisy cut." A horse which raises his feet properly, 

 cannot dig his toes into the ground, and must necessarily 

 place them flat. 



A hack should have pluck. That is to say, he should not 

 be restless or nervous. No amount of training can cure a 

 horse of stumbling, or give pluck to an animal which is 

 always ready to shy or spin round. 



As long as a good rider holds his horse between his hands 

 and knees, and is on the alert,* he will save him from break- 



* We should not only watch a skittish horse, but should also engage his atten- 

 tion as soon as he shows any signs of nervousness. In such cases many riders 

 will not use their legs for fear of exciting the animal, and they continually hang on 

 to the reins, especially those of the snaffle. By allowing him to be a prey to his 

 fear, the rider does the very thing to increase it. By giving the animal a support 

 on the bit, he is placed in the most favourable condition to play up. 



We should act in an entirely different manner, and, by the energetic use of the 

 legs, should drive the horse forward ; because, at the first show of uneasiness, his 

 tendency will necessarily be to get behind his bit, which is a preparation for 

 shying, spinning round, and rearing. We should at the same time profit by the 

 impulse given, in order to place the horse vigorously but lightly in hand, by 

 means of the alternate effects of the curb and snaffle. Having got him in 

 hand, we should give him a lateral flexion to the side opposite to which his 

 object of terror is on. Finally, while keeping him well in hand, we should 

 press him boldly forward, which is, in every case, the least dangerous thing ta 



