130 LIGHT HORSES : BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



horse or horses passing it at a canter, or from a lady's habit 

 flapping in its face. It is no difficult task to make a horse 

 familiar with these things, and no hack can be considered as 

 fit for use till he is proof against the fear or surprise which 

 anything unexpected may engender. Throughout the length 

 and breadth of England traction engines, railways, gipsy vans, 

 and bands of music are so common that no matter where a 

 horse may be bred, he should possess a good knowledge of the 

 world by the time his preparatory education is completed. 

 We may here warn both breakers and horsemen against a very 

 common fault. Very many people on the approach of a train, 

 a band, or on passing within reasonable distance of a shooting 

 party, are at infinite pains to inform their horses that some- 

 thing is about to happen which may frighten them. That is 

 to say, they pull up to a walk, begin to say " Whoa," take tight 

 hold of the reins, and so far as acts can effect the purpose, 

 give their steeds every encouragement to begin to prance and 

 fidget before anything happens, and to make a halt when the 

 sound is heard or the sight encountered. This, it is respect- 

 fully submitted, is wholly wrong and quite opposed to the 

 common sense of horse-breaking. The effect of giving a 

 horse a signal in advance is well illustrated in the musical 

 ride at the Royal Military Tournament at the Agricultural 

 Hall. After the cantering ride is finished the horses are 

 drawn up in two lines at the upper end of the arena, there 

 to await the sound of the trumpet which is the signal for the 

 charge. Before the last horse has taken his place the others 

 show their eagerness to start ; they know what is coming, and 

 can hardly be restrained. So it is with the civilian's horse ; 

 once gather up your reins and begin the whoaing process, and 

 you plainly tell your horse that something is about to happen. 

 The common sense plan is not to upset him by grasping with 

 the legs, and tightening the reins, and beginning a nervous 

 conversation with him. Sit as you were sitting, leave the 

 reins as they were, and hold your tongue. You will, of course, 

 be ready to restrain your horse should he attempt to get 



