THE HACK. 179 



ought to be, and if he is asked to do what may be expected 

 from his conformation and propelHng power. 



The fact is that the horses which are selected for the turf 

 are long-striding animals, which consequently " daisy cut."* 

 A horse which has high action is not admitted into a train- 

 ing stable, which fact enables me to obtain in him all the 

 generosity and heat which I value above all things, whether 

 for hacking or for high school riding. 



People say that the thorough-bred does not make a good 

 trotter ; but the reason for this statement would be difficult to 

 give. On the contrary, the make and shape of the thorough- 

 bred are admirably suited for all three paces. It is merely 

 a question of education. We can train thorough-breds to the 

 trot, as well as to the canter, and I have known thorough- 

 breds which were wonderfully good trotters. 



Breaking will develop in a sound well-built horse all his 

 innate qualities, and by its course of rational gymnastics, 

 will partly replace absent qualities. It will make him clever, 

 light, and well-balanced. 



A horse which can walk, trot, canter, turn easily, rein back 

 and move from one side to the other, is sufficiently broken for 

 work in the open ; but he should first be made quiet to mount, 

 at which he should not require to be held. He should have 

 a free long-striding walk. The trot and canter should be 

 lengthened and shortened, according to the wish of the rider ; 

 this is a question of breaking. 



At the walk a horse should be allowed to have his head 

 free, so that he may get confidence and may be able to 

 lengthen his stride at his ease, and his neck should be 

 nearly horizontal. Above all things, he should not be 

 allowed to jog. 



* My answer to the objection that many thorough-breds are " daisy 

 cutters," is that such animals will not make good hacks ; but this fault in 

 a hack is a good quahty in a race-horse. Although a horse which gallops 

 high will be turned out of a training stable, he will be gladly bought by a 

 man who wants a nice hack. 



12* 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



