HORSE-TAMING AND BREAKING 209 



' In passing the shop of a blacksmith, who lived 

 opposite to the Golden Kettle, the manner in which 

 he tackled and shod a vicious horse always amused 

 me. On the outside wall of the house two rings 

 were firmly fixed, to one of which the head of the 

 patient was lashed close to the ground ; the hind 

 foot to be shod, stretched out to the utmost extent 

 of the leg, was then secured to the other ring about 

 five feet high by a cord which passed through a 

 cloven hitch fixed to the root of the poor creature's 

 tail. The hind foot was consequently higher than 

 the head ; indeed, it was exalted, and pulled so 

 heavily at the tail that the animal seemed to be quite 

 anxious to keep his other foot on terra firma. With 

 one hoof in the heavens it did not suit him to kick ; 

 with his nose pointing to the infernal regions he 

 could not conveniently rear ; and as the devil himself 

 was apparently pulling at his tail, the horse at last 

 gave up the point, and quietly submitted to be 

 shod. 5 



But, after all, this chapter cannot be better ended 

 than by reiterating that kindness and firmness com- 

 bined are the best qualifications for a horse-breaker. 



