THE HEAVY HARNESS HORSE. 601 



profits, the chances are all against it. Freight and express 

 charges for such an outfit run to large figures, to be further 

 augmented if the owner intrust the conditioning and show- 

 ing of his steeds to professional hands, thereby depending 

 upon others for what he may, at least expense, learn to do 

 equally well himself, hugely profiting by his own mistakes. 



The old methods of laying down rails at intervals for the 

 horse to trot over, etc., the using wet clay beds, corn stalks, 

 shallow water, deep snow, etc., for exercise, increase action 

 at the time, but the effect rarely, or never, lasts. If a cord is 

 run through the horse's mouth, through the check-loops and 

 back under tail (like a crupper), and used as a check, the hock 

 action may be helped ; and if his exercise (always for a few 

 minutes only) is given him, short and sharp, and thus rigged, 

 it may assist matters. If several pounds of lead are placed 

 on the feet of a common horse (this will not answer if intel- 

 ligent) and he is led about at a walk with it, and then trotted 

 (without the lead), he will go very high for a few moments. 

 To continue the high action, however, the whole balance and 

 poise must be changed a matter for hands and head to 

 insure. Given any animal of suitable conformation, may his 

 action be improved to horse show grade ? This is so purely 

 a matter of individual adaptability, balance, activity, etc., that 

 no absolute laws can be laid down, or it would be all too 

 easy. It can only be affirmed that where one animal im- 

 proves steadily, an hundred will fail to advance, to show 

 " form," be processes what they may. 



Restrained speed, that in which the shoulder plays an im- 

 portant part, affords the most brilliant action ; for if a horse, 

 by sharp bitting, etc., cannot go on he may go up, and if he gets 

 the idea, and the possibly needful heel-or-toe- weight assistance, 



