68 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



along at the rate his ambition dictates, commended 

 by his owner as a wonder if he happen to go fast, 

 and sworn at and overdriven by every one if he 

 chance to be slow. No colt should ever be harnessed 

 beside other than a quick, free mover; and every 

 saddle-horse should be ridden as persistently and 

 carefully at the walk as at any pace — nor is any 

 gait more susceptible of improvement, if requisite 

 care is taken. Breeders, trainers, and owners are 

 wholly to blame for the failure oi their charges to 

 attain proficiency at this, the most useful, enjoyable, 

 practical, and most neglected gait the horse employs 

 for the purposes of locomotion. A prompt walker 

 is almost invariably a free roadster, or if he is not, 

 he may be greatly improved by common sense 

 methods. 



If all horses were generous, and if one could only 

 form mutually satisfactory alliances with them, their 

 management .would be all too easy. As this is not 

 the case, and as discipline must be preserved (and 

 as arguments are useless), one must attain one's ends 

 at times by punishment; always requiting proper 



