OK, The Turn Out. 97 



The writer once started out late (with a favourite mare) 

 one November evening in '72, to see a sick friend some eight 

 miles away, and had to cross a wild region (The Chase), 

 which has lost many a horseman in broad day-light. 

 Soon after starting for the return journey a fog collected 

 and thickened till it became an absolute black, wall-like 

 mass ; nothing could be seen or heard besides the breathing 

 and feet of the horse and the creaking of the saddle. Many 

 are the riders who can follow this experience. It was a regular 

 out-and-out " Tam o'Shanter " night, and only w^anted the 

 witches to complete the solitary surroundings. It was, 

 indeed, "darkness that might be ielt," and fog that "could 

 be cut with a knife." To proceed seemed impossible, and to 

 turn back was out of the question ; the state of the road 

 was simply no road at all, being wild, rugged, and as it were 

 self made, the luxury of a lane being remote until ncaring 

 the towai. The horse slipped and snorted, and the rider 

 cheered the faithful animal on, at the same time wanting a 

 cheer much himself. On coming to a canal bridge he deter- 

 mined his programme, namely, to raise up his great coat 

 collar still higher, if possible, pull his gloves up his wrists, 

 pull down his broad brimmed soft hat, slacken his grip of 

 the saddle, and leave the steering home tu the horse. Never 

 did faithful creature come straighter or safer ; therefore, the 

 writer would advise all horsemen, under similar circum- 

 stances, to " keep awake and leave the rest to the horse," 

 and bj^ no means to communicate the least sign of nervous- 

 ness through the reins, which can be easily done, as before 

 said, whether in riding or driving. 



We will now take a few of the most conspicuous or 

 frequent of the !-h )rtcomings and failings peculiar to the 

 horse, known as "The Vices,'' and, in as brief a manner as 

 possible, for easy perusal and reference, consider how best to 

 treat them. 



A LIST OF VICES. 



Defects in the tempers of horses often arise from their 

 being in their earl}^ days either in ignorant or brutal hands. 



The defects naturally are few, the excellent qualities 

 many. 



Hestiveness, arises either from bad temper or worse educa- 

 tion, and shows itself in various ways — by kicking, rearing, 



