214 MODERN FAllRIEJl. 



Whenever a horse makes resistance, one oiig'lit, 

 before remedy or correction is thought of, to exa- 

 mine very minutely all the tackle about him, if any 

 thing hurts or tickles him, whether he has any na- 

 tural or accidental weakness, or in short the least 

 impediment in any part. For want of this precau- 

 tion, many fatal disasters happen : the poor dumb 

 animal is frequentl}^ accused falsely of being restive 

 and vicious ; is used ill without reason ; and, being 

 forced into despair, is in a manner obliged to act 

 accordingly, be his temper and inclination ever so 

 well disposed. It is very seldom the case, that a 

 horse is really and by nature vicious ; but if such be 

 found, he will despise all caresses, and then chastise- 

 ments become necessary. 



Correction, according as you use it, throws a horse 

 into more or less violent action, which, if he be 

 weak, he cannot support : but a vicious strong horse 

 is to be considered in a very different light, being 

 able both to undergo and consequently to profit by 

 all lessons, and is far preferable to the best-natured 

 weak one upon earth. Patience and attention are 

 never-failing means to reclaim such a horse. In 

 whatsoever manner he defends himself, bring him 

 back frequently with gentleness (not, however, 

 without having given him proper chastisement if 

 necessary) to the lesson wliicli he seems most averse 

 to. Horses are by degrees made obedient, through 

 the hope of recompence and the fear of punishment. 

 How to mix these two motives judiciously together, 

 it is a very difficult matter : it requires much 

 thought and practice, and not only a good head, but 

 a good heart likewise. The coolest and best na- 

 tured rider will always succeed best. By a dexte- 

 rous use of the incitements above mentioned, you 

 will gradually bring the horse to temper and obe- 

 dience ; mere force, and want of skiU and coolness, 

 would only tend to confirm him in bad tricks. If 



