:l6 HORSEMAXSHIP. 



flight across the big pastures of the Shires, when they change 

 their hunters for the blood hack, and discard leathers and 

 top-boots for trousers and "Wellingtons, let down their 

 stirrups and adopt a medium seat adapted to road riding. 



With so many blood galloways about, there is no excuse 

 for a boy of riding proclivities not making himself thoroughly 

 efficient in the saddle. Under his light weight these beauti- 

 ful and clever animals can go anywhere and do almost any- 

 thing. If his friends are prepared to pay the piper he can 

 be mounted to perfection, for, irrespective of these multiim 

 in parvo pieces of equine perfection, he has many a clever 

 thoroughbred at his disposal. Many a disappointing selling- 

 plater is to be picked up for an old song which would carry 

 him on the road or in the park to perfection, and make light 

 of his burden in the fastest and longest run of the season. 



CHAPTER VI. 



VICE. 



Rearing. 



Rough handling of the bit rein in the case of a high- 

 tempered horse is often an incentive to rearing. Some rear 

 from excitement, impatience, or in play. Slight rearing, 

 except on smooth flag-stones, though decidedly disagreeable, 

 is not dangerous; but confirmed high "getting up," the 

 protest of a stubborn horse, is one of the most dangerous of 

 equine vices. There are violent modes of frightening young 

 horses out of the habit, but with old confirmed offenders a 

 radical cure is very problematical. A well directed stunning 

 blow on the ear brings some to their senses, but the danger 



