THE CHARACTER OF THE HOUSE. 227 



feet down as true as a well-broken horse. It is also a 

 common but erroneous opinion that the broken horse 

 when walking or trotting lifts simultaneously the off 

 fore-leg and the near hind one, or vice versa. It is a 

 difficult matter to keep the eye upon four legs at once, 

 but if the tyro will carefully observe the horse when 

 he is going at a slow pace, it will be seen that if one 

 foot is aised from the ground the other three are on the 

 ground, though all are prepared to leave it in their turn, 

 it will be evident that this process is carried out in his 

 quicker motions. In some movements the two fore-legs 

 are raised together, while the two hind ones are on the 

 ground, and the latter are raised together when the 

 former are put down, and so on successively ; and in 

 cantering both pairs of legs are often raised from the 

 ground at each strike the animal gives to the surface. 



There is as much difference in the tempers, disposi- 

 tion, and intelligence of horses as in human beings ; a 

 good horseman can instantly tell the disposition of a 

 horse at first sight, by the eyes and motion of the ears. 

 Small, rather than large ears, placed not too far apart, 

 erect and quick in their motion, indicate both spirit, 

 breeding, and intelligence ; and if a horse is in the fre- 

 quent habit of carrying one ear forward and the other 

 backward, especially on a journey, I have always found 

 him enduring. The stretching of the ears in contrary 

 directions also shows that he is attentive to everything 

 that is passing around him, and while he is doing this 

 he cannot be much fatigued, nor likely soon to become 



