HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 103 



Such things as the above, which relate to the future and 

 permanent well-being of the horse, should be attended to by 

 the master ; for even good grooms are too apt to confine 

 their cares to the present state and condition of the horse ; 

 and are careless or ignorant that their daily treatment of him 

 is surely, though imperceptibly, laying the foundation of 

 broken wind, stiffened sinews and joints, crippled and con- 

 tracted feet, &c. 



I cannot finish without one word to deprecate a piece of in- 

 humanity, practised as much, perhaps more, by ladies than 

 gentlemen — the riding the horse fast on hard ground. I pray 

 them to consider that horses do not die of old age, but are 

 killed because they become crippled ; and that he who cripples 

 them is the cause of their death, not he who pulls the trigger. 

 The practice is as unhorsemanlike as it is inhuman. It is 

 true that money will replace the poor slaves as you use them 

 up, and if the occasion requires it, they must, alas ! be used 

 up ; but, in my opinion, nothing but a case of life and death 



