CHAPTER XII. 



DEFENSES OF THE HORSE. CRITICAL SITUATIONS. 



" High pampered steeds, ere tamed, the lash disdain, 

 And proudly foam, impatient of the rein." 



VIRGIL, Sotheby's Translation. 

 " The startling steed was seized with sudden fright." 



DRYDEN. 



A LADY'S horse is generally selected for his 

 gentleness, soundness, good training, and free- 

 dom from vice, and the rider's management of 

 him is usually so kind and considerate that he 

 is seldom roused to rebellion; hence, she is 

 rarely called upon to enter into a contention 

 with him. The docility of a lady's steed is al- 

 most proverbial, and when purchasing a horse 

 the highest recommendation as to his gentleness 

 and safeness is the assurance that he has " been 

 used to carry a woman." Horse-dealers are 

 well acquainted with this fact, and attach a 

 high value to it, as a sure criterion of the ani- 

 mal's kindly nature. No lady rider, however 

 expert she may be, will, if she be wise and have 

 a regard for her own safety, ride or endeavor 

 to conquer a really vicious horse ; yet there 



