THE HORSE ON A JOURNEY 155 



time by tlio forelock' than distress your liorse by forcing 

 him to make up by pace for the hours you have consumed 

 in the enjoyment of creature comforts, let him be fed full 

 two hours before the time of starting, and that you begin 

 your journey very leisurely, and proceed at an easy pace, 

 well within your horse's powers, for the first ten miles ; 

 after which, as old Markbara somewhat quaintly says, ' In 

 God's name, begin your journey.' If you have a strong, 

 active, and hardy animal under you, step out moderately 

 for another ten miles, ever taking advantage for this 

 purpose of the level parts of the road, and easing your 

 beast both up and down hill ; for a declivity occasions 

 almost as great a strain on the forelegs as proportionally 

 rising ground will upon the hind. Having ridden thus far, 

 pull bridle, and walk your horse for a couple of miles or 

 so, that he may recover himself in some measure, and get 

 tolerably cool. 



Now put him into his stable, or a box if you can get one, 

 and trust not to the tender mercies of an ostler to rub him 

 perfectly dry. These gentry are too much accustomed to 

 the rough treatment of farmers' nags and post-horses to 

 pay any extraordinary degree of attention to a valuable 

 iiack without supervision. Moreover, if your horse be of 

 full blood, it is ten to one but he will have the common 

 trick of lashing out behind while being cleaned, which 

 almost all these horses have, and which to me is ' right 

 pleasant to behold.' I love to see their little waywardness 

 of temper disdainfully displayed in this manner ; more 

 especially as it very rarely arises from vice, for they 

 constantly kick with the leg that is farthest from the 

 person cleaning them, and seems to be only done as a vent 

 for feelings which they cannot control. Your ostler, how- 

 ever, w^ho seldom handles an aniujal of this stamp, sees 

 broken ribs and legs in every kick ; and unless you stand 

 by and assure him your horse, with gentle usage, v/ill not 

 kick him, either bullies him and knocks him about ' to 

 make him quiet,' or leaves him to dry as he best may. 



Having, then, superintended the cleaning of your horse, 

 water him moderately if perfectly cool, and give him about 

 a quartern and a half of corn and beans, not more on any 

 account, for that would only distend his stomach, and do 

 him harm ; then leave him to himself for a couple of hours 

 ere you resume your journey. I confess I am one of those 



