CHOICE OF HACKS. 129 



soothed her. After once or twice she consented to face 

 the train, watching it with crested neck and ears erect; 

 by degrees she walked slowly forwards, and in the course 

 of a few days passed under the bridge in the midst of 

 the thunder of a train with perfect indifference. 



If you can distinctly ascertain that a horse shies and 

 turns round from mere skittishness, correct him when 

 he turns, not as long as he faces the object : he will soon 

 learn that it is for turning that he is visited with whip 

 and spurs. A few days' practice and patience essentially 

 alter the character of the most nervous horses. 



Books contain very elaborate descriptions of what a 

 hack or a hunter should be in form, &c. To most 

 persons these descriptions convey no practical ideas. 

 The better plan is to take lessons on the propor- 

 tions and anatomy of a horse from some intelligent 

 judge or veterinary surgeon You must study, and 

 buy, and lose your money on many horses before you 

 can safely, if ever, depend on your own judgment in 

 choosing a horse. And, after all, a natural talent for 

 comparison and eye for proportion are only the gift of 

 a few. Some men have horses all their lives, and yet 

 scarcely know a good animal from a bad one, although 

 they may know what they like to drive, or ride or hunt. 

 The safe plan is to distrust your own judgment until you 

 feel you have had experience enough to choose for 

 yourself. 



Hacks for long distances are seldom required in Eng-. 

 land in these railway days. A town hack should be 

 good-looking, sure footed, not too tall, and active, for 

 you are always in sight, you have to ride over slippery 

 pavement, to turn sharp corners, and to mount and dis- 

 mount often. Earey's system of making the horse obey 

 the voice, stand until called, and follow the rider, may 



