OF HORSEMANSHIP. 15 



Vegetius defcribes the horfes of this country to have 

 been moft valuable for the faddle, fafe, gentle, and 

 very agreeable to the rider ; conftituting a confiderable 

 part of their owners revenue, and being very profitable 

 to thofe who could fupport a fine breed. They fur- 

 pafTed other horfes in the pride and gracefalnefs of 

 their paces, which were naturally foft and eafy ; fo as 

 rather to pleafe and relieve the rider, than diflurb or 

 fatigue him. They flopped fhort, but their motions 

 were very quick and nimble. Not patient of labour^ 

 but fubjecfl to tire upon a long march or journey ; 

 and of a temper which, unlefs awed and fubdued by 

 difcipline and exercife, inclined them to obflinacy and 

 rebellion, but with all their heat and anger, not diffi- 

 cult to be pacified, always maintaining a graceful 

 carriage, arching their neck, and bending it to fuch a 

 degree, as almofl to make their chins lean upon their 

 breafls *; while their pace was foraething between a 

 gallop t and an amble.. 



* This, in the modern phrafe, is called arming, and is a very faulty- 

 method of placing the head, contrary to the truth of nature, and the 

 mecha i i'm of the animal. The word is derived from the French, who 

 when an horfe carries his head in this pofture, is faid I'arwer, or to arm 

 himfcli igainft the hand of his rider; but more properly from the Ita- 

 lian >yord armatwa, which fignifies the lower end of the branches of the 

 bitt . ". French it is alfo called encafuchonner, from its refemblance Jo • 

 the av jearance of a monk's head, when his cowl is pulled over it. 



-f- A vile and broken pace, anfwering to v/hat the French call aukin, 

 and we a rack. 



The 



