pride in exerting every energy in obedience to his command.

Bad habits are speedily acquired by the horse, and when once learned, are very difficult to break him of.

In nine cases out of ten they arise from the stupidity, joined to the brutality, of an idle, drunken, ill-tempered groom; who, when out of temper, invariably vents his rage upon the unoffending animal, which, at last, to protect (or revenge) itself from the besotted tormentor, acquires a habit of kicking and biting at every person and thing coming within its reach, fearing that they are about to maltreat it.

Many horses are condemned as vicious, and actually are rendered so through timidity on the part of the rider.

The animal may be playful from rest, or a lively temper by nature; the rider, whose judgment may not enable him to discriminate between playfulness, nervousness, or vice, becomes alarmed, and, consequently, loses his self-command; and, perhaps, not having learned the correct mode of using his hands and reins, in his boisterous endeavours to save himself from falling, imparts fear to his horse. The animal naturally imagines he has been guilty of some great fault, and is fearful of punishment; and should he not be familiar with the voice of his rider, then a mutual struggle for safety takes place, and causes an accident. The horse is then condemned as “vicious,” though the rider was alone in fault. The same horse, in the hands of an experienced horseman, would become as QUIET as ever. We often find that really dangerous horses have been reclaimed by ladies riding them! This is entirely owing to their using them gently, but firmly, and speaking to them kindly; by these means confidence is imparted, and makes them

A few minutes’ riding will be sufficient to discover the nature and temper of a horse, likewise what system of treatment has been pursued towards him (which, in consequence, must be still followed).

There are very many persons who are considered good horsemen, who have no fear, and will ride anything, or at anything, yet have no idea, beyond the mere fact of riding, whether the saddle, bridle, and accoutrements are properly placed. The neglect of attending to these matters has caused many serious accidents.

The method of gracefully holding and using the reins is very important, although but little understood or attended to; in fact, it seems but a secondary consideration with Riding-masters, where it should be a SINE QUA NON. One person may pull at a runaway horse with all his strength, but to no purpose; another possessing that knowledge shall be able to manage, and hold him with a pack-thread.

Runaway horses are most frequently made so by bad and timid riders, who make use of a whip and spurs without having a firm seat. Such persons are easily unseated on the horse shying, or jumping about in a playful mood; then, in their endeavours to recover themselves, they slacken their reins, and at the same time unintentionally goad him with their spurs, or strike him with their whip. In clutching at the reins, the horse becoming frightened, naturally increases his speed, until, from the continued irritation of whip and spur, in the terrified horseman’s futile attempts to subdue him, the horse becomes maddened with terror and excitement, and ultimately throws his rider.

Shying is often the result of skittishness or affectation at first. This may be easily overcome and cured, at its commencement, by the judicious treatment of the rider, in using firmness tempered with kindness; avoiding all harsh measures, and passing the horse several times quietly by the object which caused him to shy. A word, half-scolding, half-encouraging, with a gentle pressure of the heel, or a slight touch of the spur or whip, will convince him there is nothing to fear; and, further, will give the animal confidence in his rider on future occasions.

Kicking is a dangerous vice, and generally the result of an idle groom or stable-boy playing with the horse, and pinching him on the loins; so that, should any extraneous substance be in the padding of the saddle, or the flaps of a coat touch him there, or even a hand be thoughtlessly laid on his quarters, he immediately commences kicking to dislodge the cause. Once succeeding, he has invariably recourse to the same remedy, until the habit becomes confirmed.

There are many valuable horses ruined by thoughtlessness and folly.—This is more frequently the case with animals of high courage. In many instances, a very trivial alteration in the adjustment of the saddle or bridle, &c. (had the rider been properly instructed, and therefore possessing the knowledge how such alterations should be made), would have saved great danger and annoyance to the rider, and unnecessary pain to the horse.

When a Horse is kicking, the rider should throw his body well back, raise the horse’s head, and apply the whip smartly over his shoulders.

Rearing is very dangerous, and most difficult to break. It is often caused by the bit being too sharp for the horse, his mouth being tender, or perhaps sore.

When rearing, the whole weight of horse and rider being thrown perpendicularly on the animal’s hind legs, the most trifling check from the rider’s hand would cause him to fall backwards; the rider must drop his hand as before, loosen the reins, and throw his whole weight on his shoulders, at the same time catching him ’round the neck with his right hand. These directions will much assist in bringing him down on his feet again, and prevent the rider’s body from falling backwards.

Unsteadiness in mounting is very often the consequence of the horse’s eagerness and anxiety to start. It is generally the fault with thorough-bred, high-couraged, young and nervous horses. It is a most annoying fault, especially with elderly and timid riders, many of whom are frequently thrown before they can firmly seat themselves.

This is only to be cured by an active and good horseman, combined with firm, though gentle and kind, usage; by approaching him gently and patting him, mounting at the first effort, and when seated, restraining him, patting his neck, and speaking kindly to him, but, at the same time, not allowing him to move until he is perfectly quiet. In a few days he will be quite cured of his fault. Remember! harshness must never be used in this case, as great mischief may be done by such a course, and the habit will be confirmed.

Kindness will succeed generally in most cases of vice; HARSHNESS never will in any!

The position of the saddle should be in accordance with the formation of the horse’s shoulders, and about a hand’s breadth from them, so as not in any way to interfere with or impede the free action of the muscles.

The malposition of the saddle, particularly in horses with upright shoulders, is the cause of many horses falling, from its pressing too much on the shoulders, and by that means confining the action of the muscles, which thus become benumbed, and lose their elasticity. A partial deadening of the limbs having taken