OF FI O R S E M A N S H I P. 21 



Elements, of which he is compofed, that we are enabled to 

 fix his Chara6ler ; it is therefore the Part of every Horfeman 

 never to work but with Difcretion and Caution, and to a- 

 dapt his Rules and Leflons to the Nature and Ability of 

 the Horfe he undertakes, and which he ought to know. 



A Horse may be difficult to be mounted, examine the 

 Source of this Vice ; it may be owing either to the Ignorance 

 or the Brutality of thofe who have fir/l had to do with him, 

 or perhaps tliat the Saddle may have hurt him, or elfe to a 

 Temper naturally bad. To whatever Caufe it may be owing, 

 Femember never to beat him, for inftead of curing him, you 

 would certainly confirm him in his Vice ; clap him gently 

 when you approach him, ftroke his Head and Mane, talk to 

 him, and as you talk, clap the Seat of the Saddle ; keep- 

 yourfelf ftill all the while, put your Foot only in the Stirrup^ 

 to encourage your Horfe, without doing any more, in order 

 to make him flimiliar, and lofe all Apprehenfion and Fear 

 when he is going to be mounted ; by degrees at laft he will 

 let you mount him, you will immediately get down and re- 

 mount, and fo fucceflively for feveral Times together, with- 

 out attempting to do any thing elfe, but fend him back to 

 the Stable. If it happens that then when you are upon him, 

 he runs from the Place where you got upon him, bring him 

 .to it immediately, keep him there fome Time, coax him, 



and fend him away. The firft Leffons ought to be well 



weigh'd ; when you undertake to bring a young Horfe to 

 Obedience, and to reclaim him from Liberty to the Sub- 

 jedion of the Bridle, Saddle, and the Weight of his Rider,, 



fo> 



