66 VICES. 



him again, and he will start round more violently than 

 before. After this, it will be exceedingly difficult to 

 bring him up to the object. Astley, however, whom 

 we have before quoted, says, that should the first trial 

 prove unsuccessful, it must be repeated, until you suc- 

 ceed; adding, that the second attempt should not be 

 made until the horse's fears have subsided, and his 

 confidence returned. 



A horse that is rather shy, may, in many cases, be 

 prevented from starting, by the rider turning his head 

 a little away from those objects, which, she knows by 

 experience, are likely to alarm him, as well before she 

 approaches as while she passes them. 



A lady, certainly, should not ride a horse addicted 

 to shying, stumbhng, rearing, or any other vice : but she 

 ought, nevertheless, to be prepared against the occur- 

 rence of either; for, however careful and judicious 

 those persons, by whom her horse is selected, may be, 

 and however long a trial she may have had of his tem- 

 per and merits, she cannot be stu-e, when she takes the 

 reins, that she may not have to use her defences against 

 rearing or kicking, or be required to exercise her skill 

 to save herself from the dangers attendant on starting 

 or stumbhng, before she dismounts. The quietest horse 

 may exhibit symptoms of vice, even without any appa- 

 rent cause, after many years of good behaviour; the 

 best-tempered are not immaculate, nor the surest- 

 footed infallible : it is wise, therefore, to be prepared. 



