230 VICIOUS HORSES 



Those who have watched the pair have felt puzzled 

 to know which was the better sportsman, horse 

 or rider. 



Perhaps it is worth mentioning that this kicker 

 was perfectly quiet in harness, and an excellent 

 leader in a team. This fact leads one to sup- 

 pose that at one period in his life a rider got 

 on him, and applied a sharp pair of spurs, and 

 was immediately rebuked by being kicked off. 

 Certainly a great number of horses who kick 

 badly would be much quieter if hacked, hunted, or 

 raced without rowels being used. In nine cases 

 out of ten "persuaders" are more ornamental 

 than useful on a high-mettled hunter who iumps 

 "big." 



Whoever has tried to stop a runaway has ex- 

 perienced a most disagreeable sensation, and the 

 following anecdote may show that sharp spurs 

 ought not to be worn on horses that pull like 

 blazes, and finally get out of hand. A success- 

 ful steeplechase trainer had an unusually fast 

 thoroughbred cob, who, with a feather-weight 

 on his back, was accustomed to lead second- 

 class 'chasers in their gallops. To describe his 

 disposition as being as hot as mustard would 

 be scarcely doing it justice. When galloping he 

 fretted because he could not cover the ground 

 more quickly ; he was troublesome to pull up, 

 and would prefer to break a blood-vessel rather 

 than be passed. It is superfluous to add that he 

 was not a novice's mount. Nevertheless, a con- 

 ceited young gentleman, with a loose seat and 

 indifferent hands, one morning induced the owner 



