26o The Book of the Hokse. 



Ill nine cases out of ten tlie adult invalid would do best by purchasing a school-horse that 

 he has found to suit him, at about double its market value ; but he must take care that he 

 is not saddled with an animal so inferior in feet and legs that it cannot move anywhere except 

 on a bed of soft tan and sawdust. 



There is at least one firm which sells horses on commission, and declares the peculiar 

 infirmities and defects, if any, of each occupant of their stalls in the most candid manner. 

 The head of the firm will say, " This cob has been carrying Mr. BulHonist for five years. He 

 makes a little noise, and he is as slow as a top ; but he is a capital walker, and as quiet as 

 a sheep." Such a recommendation may be depended on. At any rate, the adult invalid should 

 have nothing to do with any animal recommended by a polite recently-introduced stranger 

 at a dinner party, unless he can get as satisfactory a character with the nag for discreet 

 behaviour as he would require from a butler who was to have charge of a closet full of plate ; 

 he will act most wisely in selecting a respectable dealer, and trusting to his judgment. 



After having purchased a safe and pleasant equine conveyance, it requires care to keep 

 it in proper condition for a novice who is at first not able to " sit down " on an over-frisky horse 

 and "ride" him into sobriety. If the owner does not like the hack to be ridden by a groom, 

 let it be lunged at a slow pace for an hour before being dressed. 



The best-tempered horse in the world may be spoiled, rendered dangerous, even vicious, 

 if not regularly exercised. "Idleness," with horses as with men, is "the root of all evil." A 

 great personage in finance, who had risen from the ranks, and knew a great deal more of the 

 arts by which money is made than of the art of horsemanship, was so much pleased with a 

 hack that he had hired and ridden every " lawful " day during a month at Brighton, that he 

 purchased it and sent it to join company with a very miscellaneous stud at his country house. 

 There " Brighton," while his master stayed in town, grew fat on regular feeds of corn and the 

 irregular exercise of a badly-managed establishment. 



At length, one day the master arrived for a holiday, and ordered Brighton to be saddled 

 for a morning ride over the farm. As soon as he attempted to put his foot in the stirrup 

 the seaside model hack, with a cow-kick forward, sent his master head over heels. The groom, 

 as peremptorily ordered, not without difficulty reached the saddle, to be immediately kicked 

 over the brute's head. Brighton, who had cost a pretty stiff price considering his appearance, 

 was sent to the next market town, and sold for a song to a little tradesman. Within a few 

 weeks he was to be seen sometimes carrying a boy with a letter-bag, sometimes drawing a 

 baker's cart at a fair pace, quiet as a sheep. 



BRIDLE AND SADDLE. 



The ordinary double bridle with well-fitted standing martingale is the best for a beginner. 

 The reins of the snaffle should reach no further than the cantle of the saddle when the horse's 

 neck is fully extended, and the reins of the curb, which are only to be used on an emergency, 

 should be short enough to hang on the horse's neck. This is best done by an arrangement 

 of two buckles, like those on a bearing-rein. The rein of the snaffle is the one on which 

 the rider will rely to guide his steed and to steady his seat. A pupil whose great object is 

 constitutional exercise has quite enough to do in keeping his seat and directing his horse, 

 without attempting to solve the mystery of managing the reins of a double bridle. This 

 snaffle rein should be broad, soft, and the bit smooth and thick. 



