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from disuse of the pace at the outset, since all are capable of it, and 

 some, mostly those having good shoulders, are calculated to excel in 

 the performances with gracefulness and ease to themselves, and such 

 are emphatically styled cantering hacks. All colts should be accus- 

 tomed to canter steadily, and with the right foot foremost. It is 

 certainly an excellent substitute for the artificial ambling of former 

 days, and is the proper pace of ladies' pads, and useful for bred hackneys, 

 and such as cannot trot with much expedition. 



With respect to the trot, nothing can be taught ; but the colt should 

 be accustomed to perform the pace steadily, and with the knee suffi- 

 ciently bent, were any remedy to be found for a defect of that kind. 

 Should he appear probable to become a fast trotter, he should never be 

 urged, whilst young, to his speed in that pace, which even the limbs of 

 full aged Horses endure with difficulty; indeed are seldom able to endure 

 at all, for any great length of time. It has long been the custom in the 

 breeding districts, to use their young saddle stock in draught, chiefly at 

 plough. The work being light, this never did them any prejudice, but 

 it is now become a custom of peculiar utility, since light Horses are in 

 such general use for draught, and it is advantageous to teach every colt 

 of sufficient size to go in harness. Another point of education I have 

 often insisted upon, for humanity sake, but I fear not hitherto with 

 success. It is, the propriety and advantage of teaching every cart colt 

 to BACK, and that with care and perseverance, that he may ever after 

 do it readily, and so escape much of the accustomed brutal usage during 

 his life, which will be also, in consequence, additionally useful. These 

 several qualifications acquired by a Horse in his youth, certainly ought, 

 and doubtless would be remembered afterwards in his price. 

 • The AGE of a Horse is well known to be ascertainable by the cavitv in 

 his teeth, until he is rising eight j^ears old, after which the cavity is filled 

 np. It is asserted, however, by the French writers, that in the teeth of 

 the upper jaw, this mark remains in most Horses until their twelfth year ; 

 and that certain Horses, more particularly among those of Poland, retain 

 the mark in both jaws, to old age. The teeth being filled, a Horse's ao-e 

 can only be guessed by the following appearances: plumpness of the 

 muscles, a lively gloss upon the coat,, fullness and cheerfulness in and 



u about 



