6o 



HORSEMANSHIP. 



make him go more " collectedly " before it takes place. 

 Besides this, the habit of throwing up the head and 

 dancing about after a stumble is quite as disagreeable, 

 though not as dangerous, a trick as the fault itself. As 

 much may be done to prevent stumbling by a little 

 attention to shoeing, it may not be out of place, if I 

 advise the same precautions as to slope of the hoof, etc., 

 which I have detailed on page 49. The trick of " knuck- 

 ing over behind," which is a stumble with one of the 

 hind feet, can generally be cured by lowering the foot, 

 if it be too long, and reducing it under the toe, so as to 

 get the slope of the hoof at an angle of about 5 5°. Weak- 

 ness, the awkwardness common among young horses, and 

 the practice of wearing too heavy shoes, often induce 

 stumbling. 



