2o5 The Book oi- the Horse. 



thirteen-hand pony of placid habits. Tliat being the case, in spite of the exceptional and ex- 

 traordinary horsemen of threescore and ten and fourscore years, it is much more necessary to 

 consider temperament when selecting horses for men who never have been famous for their 

 skill in equestrian arts, and for ladies whose courage is so often greater than their experience. 



No one will willingly select a vicious horse for pleasure purposes. I mean a horse that 

 from hereditary disposition, or imperfect breaking in early life, or cruel treatment, has become 

 incurably spiteful : seeking opportunities to bite or kick those who approach it ; kicking per- 

 sistently in harness ; rearing, kicking, plunging, and bolting, when mounted, not from excess of 

 high spirits, but with the deliberate intention of dismounting the rider. 



There are persons who, confident in their strength and skill, will tackle such brutes when 

 they possess extraordinary qualities as hunters or trappers, and with success, when the horses 

 are not confirmed in vice by age, and are treated by persons who have patience and time to 

 spare, as well as strength and skill. This was the practice of a very famous master of the 

 Pytchley and Atherstone hounds. But such accomplished equestrians want no advice from me. 



I know no social offence more unpardonable than that of the man who takes a horse 

 known to be a kicker amongst other horsemen. Next to a really vicious horse a nervous horse 

 is the most dangerous, because he is uncontrollable when once he takes fright, and will in an 

 instant spring into a chalk-pit, or dash against the vehicles of a cfowdcd street. Nervousness 

 may be much mitigated by care and kindness ; but where it is hereditary — and this is not un- 

 frequently the case with very beautiful high-bred animals — they are not fit for town use. 

 Nervousness is sometimes the result of cruelty. Certain Irish dealers, who bring over strings 

 of superior horses to English fairs, make a practice before bringing one out for a customer of 

 putting the unfortunate animal against a wall, and flogging it for several minutes; then only, 

 after a considerable application of " ginger," is the horse considered fit to be shown.* 



The reverse of a high-couraged animal is a slug. Slugs suit a certain class of customers very 

 well — dowagers, and their fat, sleepy, autocratic coachmen ; single ladies, who make pets of 

 their ponies, and pass most of their drives at the walk ; and the middle-aged stout men who 

 ride, not for pleasure, but on medical advice. There are also naturally sensible horses, that 

 seem to understand what they are wanted to do with a very little showing ; and others so 

 stupid that they are only fit for a mill-horse round. 



The best class of horse unites the greatest willingness to go at a walk, trot, canter, or 

 gallop, when called upon, with immediate obedience when starting, stopping, or turning, is 

 required, and perfect indifference to Strange sights and sounds. With such horses you may 

 thread your way, driving off a racecourse, yet make an excellent pace when you reach a clear 

 road. With such a hack you may walk up the most crowded streets of London in the height 

 of the season ; steadily he will proceed, noticing nothing, and obeying the slightest indication 

 of your hands or legs. 



The spirit or courage of a horse is a good deal affected by his breed, age, food, and work. 

 Coarse-bred horses, if inclined to be restive, are generally stupid and stubborn ; high-bred 

 horses are more sensible, and, if violent at all, more violent. The most sensible, tractable, 

 and yet high-couraged horses, are to be found amongst blood-horses, English or Oriental. 

 But many horses have their tempers destroyed by the tricks of stable-boys. 



Young horses, as a rule, require more exercise to keep them " within themselves " as 



• Mr. Grout, the dealer, of Woodbriclge, Suffolk, who is my authority for this st.itemcnt, tells that, on the last d.iy of a 

 York fair, he requested an Irish dealer to .show a particular horse without floggint; or ginger. "Faith!" was the Irishman's 

 reply, "the divil'c mine, and as long as he is mine I shall do as I like ; wlien he is yours you can show him as you like." 



