Dick Christian again, 43 



and a fence too, if the water was from him. Blame 

 me ! the other way he wouldn't face it at all. I never 

 used thick bits. Nearly all horses ride better with a 

 curb than a snaffle ; but mind you never uses too sharp 

 a one ; they only irritates the horse. I always puts 

 the hunting curb on the first time with young horses ; 

 you must let 'em have plenty of liberty to play with 

 the bridle, but mind as his tongue don't slip under the 

 bit ; this is the most consequence of anything. Don't 

 be a-feared when these restive horses bolt against a 

 hedge, or a wall to try and rub you off; pull his head 

 slap against it ; and he'll not try that game twice. It's 

 nothing when you're used to it. Dal ! if them old 

 words of mine hasn't slipped out. When your horse 

 refuses his fence, never spur him, or maul him about ; 

 they doesn't know where they are, and Riding School 

 comes to no good. They want a bit of Practice, 

 riding after all this, to get them into form for a lady 

 or gentleman. You should have seen the one I made 

 for Lady Lennard, last year. I trot 'em with the right 

 leg first, head a little to the left, and quarters to the 

 right. Then I takes them into some riding-school, 

 and rides them round and round, right-hand way ; 

 first walking, then trotting, not too much of it. Pet 

 him and chat to him a bit, and give him a piece of 

 carrot with your left hand ; I've had a good ton or 

 two of carrots about me one time or another. When 

 you begin to canter him round, get him on to his 

 hind legs, and go as slow as you possibly can. Be 

 uncommon quiet with him ; keep him right leg first ; 

 if he changes, take hold of both your reins level, pull 

 lightly with your right, and put your left hand forward 

 on both reins, leaning down as much as required. I 

 can make 'em walk backwards, and sideways, and 

 canter the figure of 8, aye ! twenty times running. I 

 have indeed ; it's truth every word I'm telling you ; 

 Lord Scarbro' would tell you, if he was alive, poor 

 man. 



