210 CONFESSIONS OP A HORSE DEALER. 



them, it causes a jigging style, or unsteadiness in their 

 going, more especially in company with horses of a 

 similar temperament ; and, when ridden with a loose, 

 unsteady seat, a sharp curb bridle, or a harassing, un- 

 even hand, it increases as the horse gets warmer, and 

 gradually feels his power over the rider ; and at last 

 his impatience overcomes the rider's ability to manage 

 him. From the fretful prancing he bounces into an 

 uneven canter, and the now nervous and helpless rider 

 despairingly clutches at the reins, and commences a 

 strong, steady, dead pull with both hands, which pre- 

 vents him from guiding the horse, who now gets the 

 bit between his teeth, and fixing his head and neck upon 

 it for support, the rider's control over him is lost. He 

 might as well pull at a monument, for the horse gallops 

 away, and carries him wherever he pleases. Very bad 

 riders draw their heels up into the horse's sides to 

 assist them in keeping their seat, and frequently hold 

 on by them alone, with an occasional grab at the pom- 

 mel of the saddle. This pressure of the heels is the 

 signal for a well-broken horse to increase his speed, and 

 of course they fancy they are doing right, and gallop on 

 until exhausted, or some accident occurs. 



The prevailing remedy for runaway horses, is to let 

 them gallop until they commence to slacken their pace, 

 and then to apply the whip and spur severely, to make 

 them hold on still longer. This is not only cruel, but 

 will sometimes cause a rupture of the cells in the lungs, 

 and thereby a permanent injury to the wind, especially 



