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A horse should be mounted steadily, but 

 romptly ; and when mounted, should be allowed 

 p walk away quietly for the first hundred yards : 

 listead of this, nothing is more common than to see 

 man, as soon as his foot is in the stirrup, apply the 

 pur, and check the curb, to show off his horse's 

 pirit. Thus he becomes irritable and impatient 

 tie moment he is led out of the stable, and some- 

 imes acquires a habit of rearing and plunging 

 •efore the rider is well settled in his seat. Some 

 (loughtless blockheads can never pass a carriage, 

 specially if ladies are in it, without the same am- 

 (ition of display ; hence the animal views an ap- 

 •roaching carriage as the forerunner of punishment, 

 ind resists every attempt to pass it. Many who 

 »ught to know better, (I have myself been among 

 he number,) challenge every stage they overtake ; 

 iager to " give it the go by," they put the horse to 

 lis speed, and the horse is taught a foolish and dan- 

 gerous competition, till his trot breaks into a gallop, 

 it the sound of wheels. In harness, horses fre- 

 |uently acquire the habit of gihhingy or swerving 

 rom the direct line, by inattention to the collar ; 

 f it galls the shoulder, or presses on the windpipe, 

 "IS often happens when it has not been made ex- 

 pressly for him, he resists the draught; when 

 punished for resistance, he rears, or kicks ; and if 



