Titi: irvKSi:. 49 



tmd because tlierc are few qualified to teach, and still 

 fewer to use them judiciously afterwards : but if 

 once set by a good hand and accustomed to a good 

 jockey, it will be long before they lose the habits 

 they have been taught. But if only recently set, 

 and then put to hard work, under an inferior hand, 

 their good carriage will speedily vanish. This is 

 also another reason, in addition to those already 

 adduced, for preferring aged horses — the age re- 

 commended for work — as the can'iage they have at 

 that time they will probo.bly continue to retain, un- 

 less dreadfully overworked indeed, or used in a way 

 contrary to nature, instead of being left, as recom- 

 mended, as much as possible to themselves; for the 

 best carriage in the world may be easily spoiled. 



First, then, as you cannot accommodate your hand 

 to the horse's mouth, nor are able to make his mouth 

 acquainted with your hand, furnish him with a bit 

 in which he can go comfortably ; then let him keep 

 on at his natural pace, never urging him forward, 

 except you find him coming joitli'ui your hojid ; that 

 is, if he keeps himself from letting you feel that he 

 is touching the bit, do not make him press hard upon 

 it, as by so doing he would l>e knocked up. To 

 urge him to pull one or two pounds at your hand is 

 pull enough. Keep- in mind the words of Lord 

 rembroke already quoted, *' Do not mind how the 

 horse carries himself, so that he carries you." The. 

 grace and elegance of a parade horse would soon 

 be lost, if he had to perform journeys. It would be 

 impossible for the dancing master, if compelled to 

 work as a ploughman, to preserve his elasticity of 

 gait. Why, then, expect it in the horse ] Rather 

 use mild bits thaiji severe ones, less harm resulting 

 fi'om the former than the latter. 



