WHIPPED BEFOREHAND. 261 



give him if time allows a night's rest, and let him start with his 

 trial fresh and with cold shoulders. Drive him about first with 

 long reins, that will keejD you at sufficient distance from his 

 heels, before you hitch him to any vehicle. Get a rein under 

 his tail and draw on it. Get some one to put a smooth pole 

 between his legs and to rest it gently against his hocks and thighs. 

 This will soon prove what you have to expect from his heels, 

 "without any risk to yourself or the horse. Take him close to a 

 railway train, or any other frightful object you want him to pass. 

 Beat a drum, or fire a gun behind him, and see how far his 

 education in such directions has been carried. 



G32. — Put liim m a vehicle and let on© or both wheels be 

 held before you ask him to start, and notice if he puts his 

 head up or down to do so. Use no whip for awhile, he will then 

 soon show you if he is naturally lazy, and has only been kept 

 going by a dread of severe applications of the whip, chain, or 

 some other torture, as is often the case when you get a lazy 

 horse from a dealer. Like the lady's coachman in Bath they 

 whip them before hand, but often in a far more cruel manner. 

 Jog him about slowly, as that is the pace at which he is most 

 likely to stumble if there is any defect in his action. Drive him 

 towards his own home, if he has one near, and you know it, as 

 you will then see if he has any self-will in turning away from it. 



633. — If you find the disposition will do, you must next try 

 the powers. Get to ascertain the capacity of the lungs. Unless 

 these are sound and capacious the best legs will not long carry 

 him fast. On a good level road, or on an uphill slope, and 

 without much load, either on him, or behind him, get him to 

 trot a mile in five minutes. Then get down and watch his 

 breathing. See if the nostrils easily open quite wide enough for 

 their w^ork. Listen at the windpipe and take care that there is 

 no sign of wheezhig there. Look at the flanks, and see if they 

 are working hard, or if they quiet down as they should do, 

 directly after the horse stops. Especially notice if their working 

 is regular, and with no double spasmodic effort to expel the wind. 

 Any sign of such uncomfortable action should be a fatal objection 

 to any horse, and your trial need proceed no farther. 



