RIDING ON THE ROAD. 127, 



when setting out as I was on returning, I would have seen 

 that the animal was differently bitted, and have clothed 

 myself in sackcloth— to say nothing of ashes — instead of 

 in the best hunting-gear of which I was possessed. " Well, 

 you never asked me a word about him," his owner said, 

 still in a roar, " or I'd have told you that he was a rum 

 one when once he got going ! " and as I had nothing to 

 say in reply to this, I took myself and my rags upstairs 

 out of sight, and spent the next day in bed, with a leech 

 to my eye, and plasters all over my body. 

 To return to the subject of road-riding. 

 Always strive to make your horse start from the door at a 

 walk. If he is properly trained he will step nicely out, 

 nodding his head as he goes ; but no matter how quiet he 

 may appear, it will not be well to leave him an entirely 

 loose rein. You should keep a light but firm hold upon 

 the bridle, so as to be ready at a second's warning to bring 

 restraining pressure to bear upon his mouth. 



If you want a horse to walk fast, ride him with the 

 snaffle only ; but when in the park, or desirous of showing 

 off, you will best bring out his action by a light use of the curb. 

 If he is a very highly-mettled animal, and anxious to get 

 off on first setting out, do not irritate him by keeping him 

 back with too tight a rein. Allow him to trot away pretty 

 freely at the beginning, and after awhile he will be almost 

 certain to settle down and walk collectedly for you with a 

 slack bridle. To hold a horse in, and then whip or spur 

 him to make him walk, is but to turn his courage to vice. 

 My counsel is, leave him his head, and when he attempts 



