FOREWORD TO COLT-TRAINING 33 



countenance that she only wanted gentle handling, I 

 left two nice warm rugs on her back ; when I jumped 

 in the buggy the groom ran alongside, ready to pull 

 them off. I took the reins gently, just holding them 

 lightly between my little fingers. I dropped my hands 

 and said, " Come along, little woman " ; she pricked 

 her ears, blew her nose, cocked her tail, gave one little 

 plunge, and off down the road, trotting a three-minute 

 gait . The mare was the admiration of everyone wherever 

 she went. I soon got her to go quite easily, because she 

 had always been used to a big, ugly Liverpool port bit 

 with a bearing rein and full set of fittings that go with 

 these absurd devices, and probably a big uncomfortable 

 collar. She had been kept in a warm, stuffy stable (I 

 suppose with the idea to keep her coat nice and sleek), 

 harnessed, and driven to the front door, where she stood 

 and got cold ; her mouth was snatched by the rough- 

 handed, mutton-fisted coachman, and by the time the 

 owner was ready to start the mare was cold and in a 

 little temper, and unwilling to go. Then she was sold 

 because she jibbed, and I was very pleased, too, for no 

 man could wish for a better trapper sweet- tempered 

 and willing in the right hands. The mare was sold 

 to a lady, who may, for all I know, be driving her 

 to-day. 



