ESSEX SOCIETY. 91 



how wo should manage a contrary horse ? " Never let him 

 know but that he behaves just as you want to have him." 



Horses are often made vicious in breaking, as it is called, and 

 in training, when young, by bad management. In breaking 

 colts into the harness, they should never know that they can 

 break away. When convenient, the younger you begin with 

 them the better. Accustom them gradually to the halter and 

 harness. The halter should be so strong that they cannot 

 break it when made fast to a substantial post. They will 

 seldom try its strength more than once or twice ; and the same 

 with any part of a harness. If they find they can break a hal- 

 ter, it is seldom forgotten, and becomes a very vicious habit. 

 After two years old, they may be placed by the side of a 

 steady horse, and afterwards in a light carriage, followed up 

 every day for some little length of time. In shoeing the first 

 time, be sure you get a good strong smith, that will hold the 

 foot as long as he wishes ; not too long at first, lest he should 

 be weary. Horses are not unfrequently very troublesome 

 through life, by a fault in first shoeing. 



The sign of a good road horse, and for speed, are a small, 

 head, a short back, and flat legs. Something may be known by 

 the countenance, which cannot well be described. A bright, 

 full eye, wide nostrils, and a projecting, wide forehead, may 

 be considered some of the signs of courage and long wind. 

 The color of horses depends somewhat upon fancy; but bay, 

 dapple-gray and black, are the most preferred in our country. 



The three greatest and most common faults to which horses 

 are liable, are stumbling, kicking, and shying. We know of 

 no remedy for the first. The second may be avoided by 

 using him to the harness about his haunches and head, when 

 out of the carriage, and when he can do no mischief. Shy- 

 ing may be quite benefitted, if not cured, by stopping and 

 moving slowly by the object, instead of urging the horse to 

 breast it at once. 



The Arabian breed of horses are attracting some attention 

 in our county. They have not yet come to years, quite suf- 

 ficient for use. They promise speed, courage, docility, and 

 an exemption from most of the principal faults of road horses. 



