52 THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 



being such a thing as a naturally vicious horse, I am 

 perfectly aware that some are much better disposed than 

 others. This does not shake my belief that most of their 

 tricks and dangerous habits may be traced to ignorance or 

 undue severity in training. They may either have had 

 demands made upon them to which their strength was not 

 equal, or been required to perform lessons for which they 

 had not been properly prepared, and punished for their 

 failure ; and thus, in self-defence, have been driven into 

 habits they would never have contracted under kinder 

 and more judicious management. These generally con- 

 sist of a rapid variation of plunges, rearing, running side- 

 ways against walls, and carriages, or bolting altogether ; 

 in fact, doing all they can to get rid of their tormentor ; 

 and the oftener they succeed, the more dangerous they 

 become, and more difficult to redeem, and are by no means 

 pleasant customers to the best rider ; for to have any chance 

 with them the greatest judgment and discretion are neces- 

 sary. In the first place, a good rider will not challenge 

 such a horse as this ; but endeavour by all fair means to 

 win him to quietness. He should have confidence in his 

 seat, a good hand, and above all, a good temper, as I am 

 certain a bad tempered man will never defeat a bad tem- 

 pered horse ; for as soon as he loses his temper he loses his 

 judgment, and then he is lost altogether. 



The pace at first should be very gentle as well to give 

 an opportunity of discovering his tricks, as also not to 

 provoke him to quarrel ; on the contrary, every means 

 should be employed to induce him to go quietly : let fight- 

 ing be your last resource, and the more he loses his tem- 

 per, the more you keep yours. I do not, however, mean to 

 say that chastisement is altogether to be withheld ; but 

 whenever it cannot be avoided, it should be administered 

 with judgment and decision ; still, I am of opinion, that 

 nothing so soon beats a restive horse as a long lesson and 

 untiring patience. 



The rider must be on his guard with a horse of this 



