DANCING AND PRANCING. 437 



condition if he be allowed to stand in a wet and dirty 

 stall or loose-box. The feet should always be carefully 

 picked out after an animal has been exercised on tan, 

 which contains matter that is injurious to the feet if it 

 be allowed to remain in them. We have had bad cases 

 of thrush caused by carelessness in this respect. As 

 regards conformation, it is evident that horses with 

 upright pasterns and heavy shoulders are far more apt 

 to stumble than well-shaped ones, besides being rough 

 and unpleasant to ride. Young horses which are shod 

 for the first time, often stumble a great deal, until they 

 get accustomed to their artificial foot-gear, and learn to 

 go in a collected manner. Animals that are punished 

 for stumbling by ignorant or bad-tempered riders, fre- 

 quently acquire the detestable habit of dancing about 

 every time they make a false step. 



DANCING AND PRANCING. 



This vice, which some badly-broken horses possess, 

 of refusing to walk when required, and ''blowing their 

 noses " when spoken to, proceeds generally from temper, 

 and a desire on the animal's part to show his authority. 

 It is sometimes caused by the rider hanging on to the 

 reins, especially if she uses a sharp curb or Pelham. I 

 have known cases of horses which had been sold at a 

 great sacrifice on account of this trick, become perfectly 

 steady in a few days when properly handled. On the 

 other hand, there are animals which prance from vice, 

 and refuse to obey even the best horsewomen. I know 

 of nothing more annoying to a lady, for it causes her 



