c ABERLORNA'S ' HORSE. 101 



viously the universal rule. On this account some 

 horses are better prepared than others for the 

 change. Some, again, have naturally stronger and 

 better formed hoofs than others ; and all these 

 circumstances weigh. What work one horse would 

 be able easily to perform might be quite too much 

 for another. At any rate, to ride a horse, on the 

 second day after putting on tips, twenty miles 

 ' over a road covered with new metal, in a simply 

 abominable state,' is, without doubt, a hazardous 

 proceeding, and one courting a failure for the trial 

 (not intentionally so, of course). Twenty miles at the 

 present season over the road described is, in fact, a 

 day's work for any horse. 



It is not easy, having regard to the various 

 possible existing combinations of the aforesaid cir- 

 cumstances, to lay down any rule. Discretion and 

 intelligence here come into play ; it is astonishing 

 what a wide difference there is between people in 

 this respect. Some will carry things to the opposite 

 extreme, and go poking about only a mile or two 

 daily, for weeks, on the grass by the side of the 

 road or even in a field: something between the 

 two is the correct thing moderate distances, on 

 hard smooth roads, for a few days. 



In the case of ' Aberlorna ' all we know is that his 

 horse had ' naturally rather flat and tender feet ;' and 

 that, after this rough trip, ' he went tender ; but this 

 appears to be wearing away in a great degree, and it 

 is surprising how hard and firm the soles of his feet 

 have got.' 



