50 RIDING 



to make much of him. Also, the shrill crie of a hedgehog being 

 strait tied by the foot under the horse's taile is a reminder of like 

 force, which was proved by Master Vincentio Respino, a Neapolitan, 

 who corrected by this means an old restive horse of the King's in 

 such sort, as he had much ado afterward to keepe him from the 

 contrarie vice of running awaie. The like correction also may be 

 given with a whelpe, or some other loud-crieing and biting beast, 

 being tied to the crupper, so as he may hang downe under the 

 horse's taile, having a long ende fastened unto him, which ende, 

 passing between the horse's thighs, the rider shall hold in his right 

 hand to molest the horse therewith by pulling it and letting it go 

 as he shall see it needful. Or, instead of such a beast, there may 

 be tied a piece of iron of a foote in length, or more, and three 

 fingers broade, made full of prickes like thornes. 



Let it be added, however, that Blundevill did not recommend 

 these strong measures as a rule and probably Maister 

 Vincentio Respino must at times have wondered whether he 

 was altogether on the right track when the old restive horse of 

 the King's, after being treated as described, did precisely what 

 it was most natural to expect. The ' waies rehearsed are not 

 to be commonlie used, but only in time of neede, and then 

 with goode discretion ; for otherwise you should but amaze your 

 horse and drive him to despair, for he shall never understand 

 your meaning.' The horse's amazement and despair are 

 certainly comprehensible. Such, however, were some of the 

 methods in vogue in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 



At the present day, though certain men have prejudices 

 with regard to the colour of their horses, there are no hard 

 and fast rules 'laid down by authorities as to what colour 

 should be avoided and what chosen. Three hundred years 

 ago this was considered a very important point, it being sup- 

 posed that, according to its colour, a horse was influenced by 

 the four elements earth, air, fire, and water another, quaint 

 theory long extinct. Horses that h,ad more of the earth 

 than of the rest -were by disposition 'melancholic, heavie, and 

 faint hearted, and of colour black, russet, bright or dark 

 dunne.' The horse that was influenced for the most part by 



