The Poor Man s Hunter 



nose. A horse that does this soon and easily is 

 probably all right in his wind and fairly fit to go. 



Now for the harness. Watch him carefully as 

 he is put to ; note if he or she seems nervous and 

 ticklish. A horse that tucks its tail down and 

 winces as the cart is brought on to it, or that lays 

 back its ears, should be regarded with suspicion. 

 Now take the reins, settle yourself quietly in your 

 seat, and speak to the horse. If he walks off easily 

 and steadily that is a point to the good. Watch 

 his ears and his action. If the former move easily 

 and freely, not with a quick, twitching, nervous 

 action, that is another point gained. So, too, the 

 action should be free, level, and easy. If you are 

 not a very good coachman, I would allow some 

 one to drive him whom he knows. Horses, other- 

 wise quiet, are often shy with strangers. 



For these reasons you should always speak to a 

 strange horse before riding or driving him. All 

 horses are very much affected by the voice, and I 

 think too by a gentle, firm touch of the hand. 

 The nervousness of a timid man is soon communi- 

 cated to a horse. A certain quiet firmness is one 

 of the secrets of success in dealing with horses. 

 Women are often able to ride and drive horses 

 that rebel against the rougher handling of a man. 



But I must acknowledge that I have gone a 

 little too fast, for I have not said where the re- 

 quired animals, useful and not too expensive, are 

 to be found. In order to be successful, a certain 



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