THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 53 



description : I mean, that he should not sit carelessly nor 

 loosely in the saddle; for when the horse perceives that to 

 be the case, he knows it is a good opportunity to com- 

 mence his favourite pranks, whatever they may be ; for all 

 that are of this temper, mostly have a favourite way of 

 their own in commencing their tricks, and it is quite un- 

 certain to the rider, until he has ridden him once or twice, 

 in what way he will begin; therefore, he must always be 

 prepared. In nine cases out of ten, he will find the horse 

 begin the attack by stopping suddenly, and twisting 

 sharply round, either to the right or left, but mostly to 

 the latter, so that the rider should, as I have said, be al- 

 ways on his guard; for if the horse can take him by sur- 

 prise in this way, he will most likely be loosened in his 

 seat, and before he can recover it, the horse will repeat 

 the move, whatever it may be, and the rider may find him- 

 self on the ground before he is aware of it. 



Where a horse has the habit of turning suddenly round, 

 which those of this temper will do when they feel a fresh 

 rider on their back, he should turn him quietly to his for- 

 mer position, and try him again, for he most likely feels 

 an inclination to test his rider's skill, who must therefore 

 endeavour to persuade him not to resist, but give him to 

 understand that he wishes him to go quietly, by trying him 

 again and again. If he will not come to the rider's terms 

 by fair means, he should attack him on his own ground ; 

 but it should be where he cannot hurt himself or his rider, 

 taking care to avoid the streets as much as possible, until 

 he answers readily the hand and leg. As I said just now, 

 the rider should be willing to go his way for a little time ; 

 what I mean by this, is, if he turns round once for his own 

 pleasure, without any provocation, make him turn round three 

 or four times for yours in the same direction that he turned 

 for himself; and as long as you are turning him round to 

 the right, keep the right spur well against his side ; if to 

 the left, the left spur ; always taking care to let him be a 

 turn or two in your debt. Attacking him on his own 

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