22 HORSES AND HOTJNDS. 



lads used to exercise their horses, with a thick rug only, 

 doubled to sit upon. A single snaffle and a sharp curb bit were 

 placed in the horse's mouth ; the former to ride and guide by. 

 To the curb was attached a long single rein, which was placed 

 in the boy s hand, or attached to his wrist. When the horse 

 was in motion, either walking, trotting, or cantering, the lad 

 would throw himselt off, holding only the long rein attached to 

 the curb, the sudden pull upon which, when the lad was on the 

 ground, would cause the horse's head to be turned round, and 

 stop him in his career. The boy would then gradually shorten 

 the rein, until the horse was brought up to him, then patting 

 and caressing him, he would again mount. After a very few 

 lessons of this kind, the horse would always stop the instant the 

 boy fell, and remain stationary beside him. The lads, as well 

 as the horses, were rewarded by my father for their proper per- 

 formance of this rather singular manoeuvre, but I never saw or 

 knew any accident occur. The horses thus trained^ proved 

 excellent hunters, and would never run away from their riders 

 when thrown, always standing by them until remounted. From 

 the lads constantly rubbing and pulling their legs about, we 

 had no kickers. When a boy of only fifteen, I was allowed to 

 ride a fine mare which had been thus broken in, in company 

 with the hounds. Being nearly sixteen hands high, I had some 

 difficulty in clambering up and down, but wlien dislodged from 

 my seat, she would stand quietly by until remounted, and 

 appeared as anxious for me to get up again as I was myself. 



It may be said that all this was time and trouble thrown 

 away, and that the present plan of riding a young four-year- 

 old, straight across country at once, will answer the same pur- 

 pose. My reply is, that a good education, either upon man, 

 horse, or dog, will never be thrown away ; and, notwithstanding 

 the number of horses now brought into the hunting field, there 

 are still few well trained hunters to be met with. The horse, 

 the most beautiful and useful of animals to man, is seldom suffi- 

 ciently instructed or familiarised, although certainly capable of 

 the greatest attachment to his master when well used, and 

 deserving to be treated more as a friend than a slave. It is a 

 general remark how quiet some high-spirited horses will become 

 when ridden by ladies. The cause of this is, that they are 

 more quietly handled, patted, and caressed by them, and 

 become soon sensible of this difference of treatment, from the 

 rough whip and spur system, too generally adopted by men. 

 Our own plan of treatment combmes the suaviter in modo 

 with i\\Qfortiter in re. Gentle and simple usage persevered in, 

 even witii bad tempers, finally becomes triumphant. When a 



