ON THE HACKNEY AND HUNTER. l8l 



into her burden and fundament, and whipping 

 her in a mod cruel manner. The foolifh prac- 

 tice of the boys in the running (fables, of teach- 

 ing their horfes to kick, is alfo well known ; I 

 cannot tell whether it prevails, at prefent, in 

 the degree it formerly did ; but I have often 

 wondered it did not attract the attention of the 

 proprietors of thofe horfes, probable, as it was, 

 to be attended with fuch ferious mifchiefs. 

 Many years ago, I had occafion to accompany 

 a friend to fee a horfe, called King Priam. It 

 appeared, the horfe had learned his leffon per- 

 fectly, for the inftant we flood behind him, he 

 faluted us with both his heels, which very for- 

 tunately brufhed my friend's hat off — one half- 

 inch farther, and he had never wanted another 

 hunter. There are many, no doubt, who will 

 ridicule thefe obfervations ; but how patiently 

 would I bear their mirth, could I be certain 

 that only one perfon were benefited by my 

 cautions, or one fmgle animal more humanely 

 treated. 



If there be any fafe method of approaching 

 vicious animals, it is to warn them with a fome- 

 what loud and fevere voice, but to avoid all 

 appearance of offence. 



Since habits are retained with fuch invincible 

 bbflinacy by Horfes, it is furely of the utmoft 

 importance to inculcate good ones very early, 

 and to (rifle evil ones in the birth. I have 



n 3 known 



