34 THE HORSE. 



ness and delicacy of mouth, given to horses educated 

 for military purposes, do not so well befit those in- 

 tended for any other. A speedier trot, canter, and 

 gallop follow all natural paces ; but each of which, 

 the horse must be accustomed to perform steadily, 

 on the intimation of his rider, and without shuffling 

 the one into the other. It will soon appear whether 

 the colt be naturally inclined to the trot and to ex- 

 cel in it ; but should that be apparent, the colt should 

 never be pushed forward to any excess, from the risk 

 of injury to his joints. A graceful canter should be 

 encouraged, commencing with the proper or off leg- 

 foremost, and the nag accustomed to be pulled up from 

 the canter to the trot, without unsightly and un- 

 pleasant blundering. The same of the gallop, which, 

 like the trot, should not be pushed to speed, with 

 colts. The lessons should not be too long or fatiguing, 

 but the young animal kept in as cheerful and easy a 

 state as possible. The utmost care is necessary in his 

 first shoeing, that he be not treated roughly, and that 

 he be as little alarmed as possible. 



There subsists a perfect analogy of temperament and 

 disposition between these most important animals, and 

 their lords and masters and their ladies and mistresses. 

 Some few are naturally of so kind a disposition, and so 

 docile, that they require nothing more than mild treat- 

 ment, plain andpatient lessons; others, though of ahigh 

 and resentful temper, may yet be reduced to perfect 

 obedience, by time and unwearied exertion under the 

 guidance of common sense : but there are a few others, 

 those far too many, which the devil himself, in the 

 guise of a horse breaker, would be utterly unable to 



