AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 241 



The method so much practised formerly in this country, 

 of teaching liorses to pace swiftly, and racing in that gait, is 

 highly pernicious. It puts them to a much greater strain 

 than running ; and numbers have been thus ruined. Some 

 colts naturally amble, and others trot. But all may be made 

 to trot, if due care and pains be taken with them while they 

 are young, or as soon as they are first ridden. In a carriage 

 an amble is tiresome to a horse, appears highly improper, and 

 is disgusting to every one ; and I do not see why it should 

 appear at all more tolerable in the saddle. 



When any change of gait is wanted for the ease of the 

 rider, the canter is to be preferred, than which none can be 

 more easy. 



The way of breaking a young horse that is mostly used in 

 this country is highly absurd, hurtful, and dangerous. He 

 is mounted and ridden before he has been used to the bridle 

 or to bearing any weight on his back. If he will not go for- 

 ward, he is most unmercifully beaten ; by which his spirits 

 are broken and his strength impaired. If he rears up, he is 

 pulled backwards, with the risk of hurting both horse and 

 man. If he runs and starts, as he probably will under such 

 management, he flings the rider, perhaps is frightened, gains 

 his liberty, and is encouraged to do just so the next opportu- 

 nity ; and the unfortunate rider blesses himself, as he has 

 reason to do, if he escapes without broken limbs. Or if 

 the horse should chance to go kindly, the rider continues 

 the exercise till the horse is fatigued, discouraged, and injured. 



Instead of this niv^d management, the way practised in the 

 older countries should be adopted. Let a horse first of all 

 be tamed with the bridle, by leading him again and again ; 

 in the first place, after or by the side of another horse ; and 

 after he walks well, bring him to trot after his leader. In 

 the next place, put on the saddle, and lead him in that, time 

 after time. Then lay a small weight on the saddle, and if 

 he be apt to start, fasten it, that it may not be flung off; in- 

 creasing the weight from time to time, till he learns to carry 

 what is equal to a man's weight. Lastly, let a man gently 

 mount him, while another holds him by the bridle, and fix 

 himself firmly on the saddle. The place of riding is recom- 

 mended to be a ploughed field. Let him thus be ridden with 

 a horse going before iiim, till he learn the use of the bit, and 

 will stop or go forward at the pleasure of the rider, and 

 without the application of much force. Being exercised in 

 this manner a few times, and treated with all possible gentle- 

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