91 STARTING. 



his ears, eyes, manner of going, &c. as they generally 

 do in rearing, jumping, kicking, sullenness, and such 

 vices. Some few horses are broke of starting by mild 

 means, others by cruel treatment ; but whoever engages 

 in it, at least runs the risk of breaking his own neck 

 before his object is accomplished. 



A horse subject to starting, labours under an ocular 

 deception, or rather an optic defect, seeing nothing 

 perfectly, or in proper shape or colour ; and can as 

 easily make a scare-crow of a little bush or chunk, that 

 may happen to lay in his road, as the most frightful 

 object that could meet his sight. 



To ascertain that a horse starts, is very easy indeed. 

 Mount him yourself, ride first slow, and then fast, 

 towards and by such objects as are offensive to the eye, 

 and you will readily discover if he possesses that bad 

 habit. 



Some horses that are free from this objection, will 

 notice particularly all objects they meet, and may sidle 

 a little ; but a starting horse, on approaching any object 

 that may displease him, whether frightful or not, will 

 either suddenly spring from one side of the road to the 

 other, jump back, or when going in a full gallop, stop 

 suddenly, turn round, and run in an opposite direction 

 from the one he was going. Such horses are neither 

 agreeable or safe for any kind of service. 



