5 



(as the wise man says, in another case) train him 

 up in the way he should go, and he will not for- 

 get it all his days. 



A horse is a tractable animal, and is subjected 

 to many servile employments, when used with 

 gentleness and good humour ; yet they remem- 

 ber injuries, and have recollection to avoid ap- 

 pearances which once gave them pain. A horse 

 that'stumbles (and 'tis a good horse that never 

 stumbles) if he is frequently chastised for it, will 

 at the least mistep, exert himself to an uncommon 

 degree, fearing the lash, and often plunges him- 

 self and rider to the earth. This conduct must 

 arise from the remembrance of his stripes, on 

 similar occasions. 



If your horse espies an object of fear in his 

 way, heighten not the sensation with a whip or 

 harsh words ; for he will presently imagine them 

 all connected, and double his flight. Gentlemen 

 who intend a horse for the carriage, should fa- 

 miliarise him to the harness in some coach or 

 wagon, where he cannot get away, till he sub- 

 mits himself tamely to be checked and forwarded 

 at pleasure. 



I now think it proper to give a few directions 

 relative to docking, nicking, &c. 



The curtailing of horses is both ornamental 

 and useful ; a long tail, if the roads are muddy, 

 gathers much dirt, and impedes the horse's travel- 

 ling. Many horses of worth make but little fig- 

 ure- on account of their low carriage ; the eleva- 

 tion of the tail therefore, is the object of enquiry. 

 For this purpose the horse should be cast on some 

 easy spot, that you may act w^ith caution, then 

 place a block under the tail, and hold your di- 

 '^ding instrument obliquely, so as to cut the un- 

 er sinews the shortest ; then their antagonists 



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