246 ON DRESSING RACE-HORSES. 



or what is very much worse, in the fore legs. It 

 is therefore necessary just at this time to pay the 

 strictest attention to the boy, that he may not do 

 mischief. I have often watched the groom to the 

 lower end of the stable, and then kicked an un- 

 ruly horse I have been looking after in his fore legs. 

 A boy while dressing a horse of this kind, should 

 have a small ash plant in his hand, but should not 

 strike the horse with it if he can possibly avoid it. 

 Fighting with a horse of this description in any 

 way, seldom answers. Holding the stick up occa- 

 sionally, with a view to check him a little, is the 

 better mode ; and when the horse makes any attempt 

 to press the boy against the sides of the stall, he 

 has nothing more to do than to push him quietly 

 from him. 



The cautions and directions given by a groom to 

 a young boy on his first being put to dress this sort 

 of horse, mostly puts him on his guard ; and if he 

 is not very stupid, from his former practice with other 

 horses, he soon finds out at what part of the stall he 

 can safely stand, and judges with great nicety the 

 different lengths of his horse's kicking and lashing out 

 with his hind legs, as well also as his pawing, stamp- 

 ing, and striking with his fore legs. 



A boy, looking after a horse of this sort, soon be- 

 comes familiar with his tricks ; he then generally keeps 

 his temper sufficiently well, so as not to abuse him, 

 which gives the horse confidence in the boy. The 



