HORSES AND RIDING. 



CHAPTEE I. 



BUYING OR CHOOSING. 



Before riding a horse it is necessary to obtain one, 

 and I will therefore devote the first chapter to some 

 observations and hints on the choice of a horse. 



The various distinctions between horses may be 

 enumerated as distinctions in size, shape, colour, 

 action, quality or beauty, and breeding. 



The different purposes for which horses are 

 generally wanted are, racing on the racecourse — 

 racing across country, or steeplechasing — hunting — 

 hacking or riding on the road — driving in single or 

 double harness, and working on a farm. 



Or, to j)ut it shortly, a horse is either a racehorse, 

 hunter, hack, harness horse, or a cart horse. 



The first thing with reference to a horse's breed- 

 ing which I would point out is, that, taking the 

 different breeds in the order I have enumerated, 

 each horse, if well-shaped and strong, is qualified to 

 perform every duty performed by one of a lower 

 breed. 



