296 
MISCELLANEA. 
Restive Horses. 
“ No horse becomes restive in the colt- breaker’s hands ; nor do 
any, when placed in their hands, remain so. The reason is, that 
they invariably ride with one bridle and two hands. When they 
wish to go to the right, they pull the right rein stronger than the 
left ; and when to the left, the left stronger than the right. These 
are indications which, if the colt does not obey, he will at least 
understand, the first moment he is mounted, and which the most 
obstinate will not long resist. But, as may be supposed, it takes 
a long time to make him understand he is to turn to the right when 
the left rein is pulled) and it is only the most spirited and docile 
that will do this at all. Such, however, is the great docility of the 
animal, that a great proportion are, after long ill usage, taught to 
answer these false indications, in the same way that a cart-horse 
is taught to turn right and left by the touch of the whip on the 
opposite side of the neck, or by word of his driver ; and, indeed, 
such is the nicety to which it may be brought, that you constantly 
hear persons boast that their horses will ‘ turn by the weight of the 
reins on the neck’. This, however, only proves the docility of the 
horse, and how badly he has been ridden ; for a horse which has 
been finely broken should take notice only of the indications* of 
his rider’s hand on his mouth, not of any feeling of the reins against 
his neck. 
“ This is a common error, both in theory and practice, with re- 
gard to the restive horse. He is very apt to rear sideways against 
the nearest wall or paling. It is the common way to suppose that 
he does so with a view of rubbing his rider off. Do not give him 
credit for intellect sufficient to generate such a scheme. It is, that 
when there, the common error is to pull his head from the wall 
This brings the rider’s knee in contact with it ; consequently, all 
further chastisement ceases ; for, were the rider to make his horse 
plunge, his knee would be crushed against the wall. The horse, 
finding this, probably thinks it is the very thing desired, and re- 
mains there ; at least, he will always again fly to a wall for shelter. 
Instead of from the wall, pull his head towards it, so as to place his 
eye, instead of your knee, against it ; continue to use the spur, and 
he will never go near a wall again.” — Hints on Horsemanship. 
* By indications, are meant the motions -and applications of the hands, 
legs, and whip, to direct and determine the paces, turnings, movements, and 
carriage of the horse. I have used the word instead of “ aids.” 
