HORSE RACE. 



83 



March 29, Passed the day at Baranquilla, 

 arranging for our departure. 



At moonlight our friends accompanied us 

 part of the way back to Solidad. We took 

 this opportunity to try the paces of our 

 horses, those of the country, about fourteen 

 hands high, active, and strong on their legs. 

 Their usual quick step is called pacing, a 

 motion which at first shakes the rider, but to 

 which he soon gets accustomed, and finds it 

 agreeable. At this rate horses will go about 

 fourteen miles an hour, and if not urged 

 beyond their speed, travel thirty-five miles 

 without stopping, and when turned into a 

 court-yard with a little grass, they will re- 

 fresh themselves by rolling on the sand, and 

 after a couple of hours rest, will return the 

 same distance without being distressed. On 

 this occasion I witnessed the advantage of 

 wearing spurs, and of management in riding. 

 A race was run between two of the horses. 



