114 THE HACKNEY. 



above all, well-bent hinder-legs ; in which case, if 

 the position of his fore-legs enable him to put his 

 feet down properly, which will be explained in de- 

 scribing the general action of the hackney, he will 

 be, if good tempered, and not given to fret, the 

 perfect park hack. 



The Lady's Horse is, after all, the most difficult 

 to obtain, because he ought to approach very near 

 to perfection. His paces, mouth, and temper, 

 should each be proportioned to the power and capa- 

 bility of his rider ; and he should be proof against 

 alarm from either noises or sights, which otherwise 

 might cause him to run away. This description of 

 horse should likewise be well bred, as in that case 

 his action will be easier, and his appearance and 

 carriage more in character with the generally ele- 

 gant appearance of his rider. His pace should be 

 the canter; the trot causes an ungraceful move- 

 ment in the person of a woman, to enable her to 

 rise to it ; and if she do not rise to it, she is much 

 shaken in her seat. Neither is the form of the 

 side-saddle fitted for the trot ; and the canter of a 

 well-bitted horse is more safe, because his haunches 

 are more under him in that pace than they can be 

 in the trot. A good bold walk, however, with the 

 head in proper place, is essential to a horse that 

 has to carry a woman ; and his action should be 

 very true, that is, he should not " dish," or throw 

 his legs outward, as the term is, in any of his 

 paces, or he will cover the lower garments of his 

 rider with mud when the roads are wet and dirtv. 



