PREPARATION FOR FAST WORK. 32? 



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it, and it hazards the legs, though the rider may have judgment 

 enough to save the lungs. Rough irregular ground gives the 

 legs so many twists, that, a fast pace is very apt to produce a 

 sprain. The best is that which resembles a race-course — 

 soft, yet firm. 



The kind and degree of exertion must vary with the con- 

 dition of the horse ; the mode of giving it must vary a little 

 according to his disposition. A lazy horse is generally robust, 

 and not much disposed to over-exert himself; he may require 

 a good deal of urging to keep him at the pace, and make him 

 go the distance. He is apt to stop when not inclined to run. 

 If allowed to have his own way a few times at the beginning, 

 it becomes a difficult process to train him, and still more dif- 

 ficult to work him. On the course he may choose to lose a 

 race, and in the field he may fancy he has done enough be- 

 fore he has well begun. A horse of this kind requires to be 

 well mounted. In his training exertion he must be ridden by 

 one who has strength to manage him, and judgment enough to 

 distinguish between laziness and distress. 



There are many other horses quite different from this kind. 

 They are timid, easily agitated, easily injured, and very apt 

 to over-exert themselves. The least harsh treatment alarms 

 them ; they tremble, the limbs totter, the stride is irregular, 

 unsteady ; the horse is so precipitate in his movements that 

 he is often lamed or thrown down. Without whip or spur, 

 such a horse would run till he died. Even a little extra ex- 

 ertion puts him off his feed. These horses are generally less 

 robust than those of phlegmatic temperament : they should 

 seldom carry much weight ; yet a thoughtless boy is almost 

 sure to abuse such a horse. He ought to be treated with 

 great gentleness. Some are least alarmed when ridden alone, 

 others when they have companions, which, however, ought 

 not to be sluggards, for a timid horse is in terror when he 

 sees or hears another punished. In general, severe exertion 

 should not always be given on the same ground. After once 

 or twice, the horses get alarmed whenever they arrive there, 

 and know what is coming. But the same place may be used 

 for both the severe and the gentle exertion ; and, by stealing 

 slowly away at first, the horse may do his work before he 

 knows that he has begun it. The warning of severe exertion 

 gives him more alarm than the exertion itself. 



Indeed all horses should start slowly. A gentle pace pre- 

 pares the legs, and puts every organ in order for a severe task. 

 It gives the horse time to empty his bowels, and to see the 



