SIDE-SADDLE WORK 49 



an inch in his saddle. What a little child with care 

 and obedience can do others can do, too. 



When you come to a nice strip of grass beside the 

 road, take a canter on it, if you wish, but never 

 canter on the hard highroad. You all know the old 

 jingle : 



' It's not the hunting that hurts the hack, 

 But the hammer, hammer, hammer on the hard high road.' 



This will cause the unsightly windgalls, start splints, 

 and probably end in lameness, besides stamping you 

 as an unwise and inconsiderate rider. If you are 

 riding a hired horse, always remember he has every 

 bit as much feeling as if he were your own property, 

 and don't ride him every inch of the way, to get your 

 pennyworth out of him, by tearing along at top speed 

 and doing in one hour what ought to occupy two 

 hours' proper riding. In military riding-schools the 

 pupils are ordered to ' make much of your horses,' 

 which is obeyed by patting them on the neck. Make 

 a practice of doing this ; as I have said before, horses 

 love to be petted. Always remember, too, that he is 

 as much the work of our Creator as you and I, and 

 treat him as a God-given friend, and not as a 

 machine that can be supplied w r ith new machinery 

 when different parts are worn out or broken by care- 

 less and cruel use. Study his character and tempera- 

 ment, and act accordingly. 



CHAPTER VI 



DRAUGHT WORK 



The life of a draught horse might and should be 

 a happy one, and it is only through the carelessness 

 and ignorance of men that it is so often otherwise. 

 He has grand muscles, or should have, which it is 



