VICES. 6T 



Stumbling is not merely unpleasant, but dangerous. 

 To ride a horse that is apt to trip, is like dwelling in a 

 ruin ; we cannot be comfortable if we feel that we are 

 unsafe ; and, truly, there is no safety on the back of 

 a stumbling nag. The best advice we can offer our 

 reader, as to such an animal, is never to ride him after 

 his demerits are discovered : although the best horse 

 in the world, may, we must confess, make a false step, 

 and even break his knees. 



When a horse trips, his head should be raised and 

 supported, by elevating the hand ; and the lady should 

 instantly throw herself back, so as to reheve his shoul- 

 ders from her weight. It is useless to whip a horse 

 after stumbHng (as it is, also, after shying) ; for, it is 

 clear, he would not run the risk of breaking his knees, 

 or his nose, if he could help it. If a horse be constantly 

 punished for stumbling, the moment he has recovered 

 from a false step, he will start forward, flurried and dis- 

 united, in fear of the whip, and not only put the rider 

 to inconvenience, but run the risk of a repetition of his 

 mishap, before he regains his self-possession. It being 

 generally the practice, — and a very bad practice it is, — 

 for riders to correct horses after hanng made a false 

 step, an habitual stumbler may be easily detected. 

 When a horse, that is tolerably safe, makes a false step, 

 he gathers himself up, and is slightly animated for a 

 moment or two only, or goes on as if nothing had hap- 

 pened; but if he be an old offender, he will remember 



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