THE USE OF THE BRIDLE. 47 



during ten minutes at least I know who was not master ! 

 He calmed, however, before the end of the burst, which 

 was a very brilliant gallop, over a practicable country, 

 and when I sent him home at two o'clock, I felt satisfied 

 I had a game, good horse, that would soon make a 

 capital hunter. 



Now I am persuaded our timely escapade was of the 

 utmost service. It gave him confidence in his rider's 

 hand ; which, with this light Pelham bridle he found 

 could inflict on him no pain, and only directed him the 

 way he delighted to go. On his next appearance in the 

 hunting-field, he was not afraid to submit to a little more 

 restraint, and so by degrees, though I am bound to 

 admit, the process took more than one season, he 

 became a steady, temperate conveyance, answering the 

 powerful conventional double-bridle with no less doci- 

 lity than the most sedate of his stable companions. We 

 have seen a great deal of fun together since, but never 

 such a game of romps as our first ! 



Why are so many brilliant horses difficult to ride ? It 

 ought not to be so. The truest shape entails the truest 

 balance, consequently the smoothest paces and the best 

 mouth. The fault is neither of form nor temper, but 

 originates, if truth must be told, in the prejudices of the 

 breaker, who will not vary his system to meet the 



