ERRORS IN DRIVING. 141 



he may have in other places, if a horse has bad feet, a 

 light heart, a weak back, and short back-ribs, he 

 should always be ranked amongst the veriest of weeds. 



EERORS IN DRIVINa. 



The common practice of laying on the whip at starting, 

 and thus springing a spirited horse into sudden and 

 rapid action, is hable to sprain the sinews, and if the 

 gi'ound be slippery, the poor animal is nearly certain of 

 coming to his knees. I have often seen horses brouglit 

 down in tliis way under their load. If a high-tem- 

 pered but tender-mouthed horse is treated in this man- 

 ner, whUst he is hauled up with a severe and powerful 

 bit just as the whip is being laid on, he is very likely 

 to acquire the habit of rusting. The whip makes him 

 dash forward, the heavy curb-bit stops his progress, 

 he is bewildered and becomes fractious, and then takes 

 the convenient course of going backwards. The start 

 should always be effected as gently as possible, and 

 the horse should be reined with a very tender hand. 

 There should also be a deal of caution used at the ter- 

 mination of the di'ive. It is much better to ease the 

 momentum by degrees, than to compel the unfortunate 

 animal to exert every muscle and sinew in his body, 

 whilst he endeavours to stop his own progi'ess and the 



