Driving Saddle Horses. 87 



her. This is a good height and weight for you, 

 who ride pretty heavy for a youngster, and are apt 

 soon to run up to " twel' stun eight." 



You say Penelope is six years old. From five 

 to eight is the best age, the nearer five the better. 

 An old horse does not supple so readily. And she 

 was well broken to harness .? A good harness 

 training is no harm to any horse, nor occasional 

 use in light harness, whatever pride one may take 

 in a horse which has never looked through a col- 

 lar. In fact, many hunters in the Old Country are 

 purposely used as tandem, or four-in-hand leaders 

 during the summer, to give them light work, and 

 bring them towards the season in firmer condi- 

 tion than if they had run at large and eaten their 

 heads off. It is only the pulling or holding back 

 of heavy weights which injures saddle gaits, and 

 this because a saddle beast should be taught to 

 keep his hind legs well under him, and remain 

 in an elastic equilibrium ; and dragging a load 

 brings about the habit of extending the legs too 

 much to the rear, while holding back gives a 

 habit of sprawling and stiffening which is sadly 

 at variance with a " collected " action. 



XXVII. 



You ask about dress. Wear anything which is 

 usual among riders. Enamel boots as now worn 

 are convenient to the constant rider, as the mud 



