174 ORDINARY RIDING. 



ing his knees or from meeting with any other accident. But, 

 if he relaxes his attention, he will run a good chance of 

 bringing back a blemished horse to his stable. Under these 

 conditions, hacking ceases to be a pleasure and becomes a 

 labour, a continual preoccupation, and an ennui which soon 

 makes one hate riding. 



We see that the two first good qualities of a hack are 

 surefootedness and pluck. 



In my opinion there is a third quality which excels the 

 first two, because it includes them and everything else which 

 we desire from a horse. This supreme quality in every 

 horse is impetuosity, namely, energy, fire, courage, and 

 constant readiness to go forward. 



A horse which is not surefooted knows his defect, will 

 always be hesitating, and will not dare to rush forward. A 

 horse which is not plucky is always ready to get behind his 

 bit. A horse which is a free goer is confident in being able 

 to keep his feet, and, though glad to go forward, he does not 

 get disturbed by the things which he passes. No matter 

 what may be the breed or shape, a horse, like a man, takes 

 his value from his mental qualities. Energy and heart make 

 the horse. What use is the most beautiful railway engine, if 

 it has no steam to drive it along the rails ? 



Above all theories, there is the fact that the only good horse 

 for every kind of work, whether for high school equitation or 

 outside, is the horse which will go forward : that is to say, an 

 impetuous horse. By this, I of course do not mean an 

 animal which has irregular paces, is restless, vicious, apt to 

 ^' play up " on no provocation, and is ready to run away. 



do. These manoeuvres will turn the attention of the startled animal from his 

 cause of fear, and will place him in the most favourable position to avoid 

 violence or disorder. It is evident that we should use these means in pro- 

 portion to the skittishness shown by the animal. As a general rule, when a 

 horse becomes impatient, we should send him up to his bit by the vigorous 

 application of the legs, and he will instantly become quiet. 



