36 WORK. 



in the morning and late in the afternoon ; the pace 

 an alternate walk and trot at the rate of abont five 

 miles an hour ; and it is good for both horse and man 

 that the latter should dismount and take the whole, or 

 nearly the whole, of the walking part on his own feet, 

 thus not only relieving his bearer from the continual 

 pressure of the rider's weight on the saddle on his 

 back, but as a man when riding and walking brings 

 into play two completely distinct sets of muscles, he 

 will, though a little tired from walking, find himself 

 on remounting positively refreshed from that change 

 of exercise. 



This recommendation is equally applicable to the 

 hunting-field at any check, or when there is the least 

 opportunity. So well is the truth of the above remark 

 known to the most experienced horsemen, that some of 

 them, steeplechase riders, make it a practice before 

 riding a severe race to walk rapidly from five to ten 

 miles to the course, in preference to making use of any 

 of the many vehicles always at their disposal on such 

 occasions. 



It is only surprising that the expediency of making 

 dragoons dismount and walk beside their horses on a 

 march, at least part of the way, for distances of one or 

 two miles at a time, is not more apj)arent to those in 

 authority (many of them practical men), in whose 

 power it lies to make a regulation so very salutary for 

 both man and horse. The more the beneficial effect of 

 such an arrangement is considered, the more desirable 

 it would appear to be, especially in dry weather. The 

 great occasional relief to an overweighted horse of 

 being divested of his rider now and then, would rather 

 serve than injure the latter, on account of the variety 



