254 CONFESSIONS OF A HOKSE DEALER.. 



as the horse frequently changes hands, or if he remain 

 with the same owner for years, he may still he ridden 

 by various persons, and every one of these may have 

 their own peculiar way of managing him ; indeed, it is 

 a very common practice for one man to spur or whip a 

 horse for an imaginary fault, which the last person who 

 rode him considered a virtue. 



In conclusion, I would recommend all inexperienced 

 horsemen to try a light hand and easy snaffle bridle on 

 every description of horse, no matter what character 

 they may have with him, before they adopt the prevalent 

 fashion of riding him with a severe curb bridle, more 

 especially if the horse be high-couraged, for in that case 

 it is not likely he will submit to be punished with im- 

 punity; neither will he work to the rider's will, unless 

 the indications of the hand are made so distinct as to be 

 understood by him. In a word, the'correspondence be- 

 tween the rider's hand and the horse's mouth must be 

 uninterrupted by either pain or ill-feeling, so that they 

 may work with confidence and perfect unison with each 

 other. 



