THE LADY^S HOKSE. 5 



of any man but a dragoon^ and therefore calculated to 

 make either of these faults worse. 



Troopers and chargers are the most carefully trained 

 of all horses. Much trouble is taken in bitting them^ 

 and getting their heads properly placed ; and this train- 

 ing is done by men mounted on " stripped^' saddles^ in 

 which they have as much the use of their hands as on a 

 hunting one. In marching or field-day order — in fact, 

 whenever the cloak is on the saddle — a dragoon's hand is 

 in much the same place as a lady's. (Fig. 2.) 



The engraving (Fig. 3) represents a lady doing all 

 that can be done with a stargazer, which, it will be 

 observed, is not much. The same result being wished 

 for with the trooper's and the lady's horse, a little train- 

 ing of the hack, similar to that undergone by his war- 

 like brother, will not be amiss ; but of training I will 

 speak presently. 



It being settled that his fore hand must be good, his 

 legs are the next consideration. They must be of the 

 best, and he cannot be pardoned if he hits himself any- 

 where. His hocks must be under him, or he will seldom 

 canter well. Action is a matter of taste. Some people 

 like nothing short of the knee in the curb-chain ; but as 

 these gaudy steppers are often rough in their paces, a 

 trial is advisable when possible. I presume the animal to 

 be perfectly quiet and sound ; and a very few minutes on 

 his back will show the purchaser whether he is free from 

 stumbling and shying. 



A nervous horse will never be made fit to carry a lady. 

 Of course horses can be bought which are used to side 

 saddles, but their former owners seldom have parted with 

 them for their good qualities ; and I am at present sup- 

 posing the case of a gentleman buying a clever young 



