FAULTS CONTRACTED. 101 



When he begins to get shorter in his stride, or to 

 exhibit any other symptoms of distress, he should be 

 pulled up immediately, and taken home quietly. Of 

 all things he must not be overdone. 



The unusual excitement, shocks, strains, &c., from 

 galloping and jumping must, before his muscles become 

 trained to bear them, take a deal of steel out of him ; 

 and further, it must be borne in mind that the shorter 

 the time he is out the oftener will he be able to come, 

 and the greater his practice will be. No doubt in bank- 

 ing, and perhaps in stonewall countries, it is desirable to 

 have a high-mettled colt led over some fences with a 

 leading rein previously to being ridden over them. 



When this is done, however, it is highly desirable 

 that he be not allowed to dwell, and to prevent this, the 

 best plan is as follows : Let one man take the leading 

 rein at full length and proceed over the fence, and 

 let another hold the colt by the check-strap, about ten 

 yards from the fence, and getting him straight let him 

 send him at the fence, giving the colt at the same time 

 some encouragement. If he goes at it readily, do not 

 urge him ; but if he shirk it or dwell, touch him gently 

 with the whip, and speak harshly to him ; but on no 

 account suffer him to come back to his former position, 

 but force him over there and then. He will be sure, 

 if forced over in this way, to do it in a bungling 

 clumsy manner ; but it will show him that when once 

 sent at a fence he must get over it, be the manner in 

 which he does so what it may. This will soon ensure 

 his going straight at his fences, and he should be taken 



