GENERAL PJJLES. 309 



is ap23lied, and the way in which it is used. One or 

 two strokes given at the proper moment, and in the 

 right i^lace, will sometimes work wonders, whilst a 

 severe flogging almost always does mischief. It lias 

 been pointed out that, in lounging, the whip may be 

 made to do the work which the rider does with his 

 legs and spurs, and that, for this purpose, it should 

 always be applied under the horse's chest, about where 

 the girth lies, and never to the buttocks or hind legs, 

 as this usually ends in kicking. The same rule applies 

 equally to the riding-whip ; but this may be also used 

 to great advantage on the horse's shoulders — as, for in- 

 stance, in cases where the horse is preparing to rear — 

 the effect being to unfix its fore legs from the ground 

 and make it put them forward, just as, when applied, 

 imder the belly, it brings the hind legs in the same 

 direction. Therefore it is absurd, when a horse de- 

 fends itself by gathering its legs under it, to strike it 

 under the belly, whereas one or two strokes smartly 

 applied to the shoulders may probably have the effect 

 of getting the fore legs stretched ahead. The prompt- 

 ness and rapidity with which the stroke is given, 

 w^herever applied, determines, to a great extent, its 

 value ; for if the horse sees it coming, it will flinch 

 away if possible, just as it does from a far-fetched stab 

 with the spur ; and it can do this much more easily 

 with the hind quarters than with its forehand, which 

 is precisely the reason why a flogging — that is, repeated 

 blows aimed at the same place — is generally useless, 

 to say the least, whilst one or two on the shoulders 

 tell at once. The manner of holding the whip or rod 

 has much to do with this. We have often been 

 amused at hearing would-be sportsmen turn Continental 



