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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/28612-8.txt b/28612-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..60a7674 --- /dev/null +++ b/28612-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8300 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. Rarey's +Art of Taming Horses, by J. S. Rarey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. Rarey's Art of Taming Horses + With the Substance of the Lectures at the Round House, and + Additional Chapters on Horsemanship and Hunting, for the + Young and Timid + +Author: J. S. Rarey + +Release Date: April 26, 2009 [EBook #28612] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAREY'S ART OF TAMING HORSES *** + + + + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + +Transcriber's Note + +Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. A list of corrections +is found at the end of the text. Inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been maintained. A list of inconsistently spelled +and hyphenated words is found at the end of the text. + +Oe ligatures have been expanded. + + + + +[Illustration: Zebra strapped up.] + + + + + HORSE-TAMING--HORSEMANSHIP--HUNTING. + + + A New Illustrated Edition of + + J. S. RAREY'S + + ART OF TAMING HORSES; + + + WITH THE SUBSTANCE OF + THE LECTURES AT THE ROUND HOUSE, + AND ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS ON + HORSEMANSHIP AND HUNTING, + FOR THE YOUNG AND TIMID. + + + BY THE SECRETARY + TO THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION OF FIVE THOUSAND GUINEAS, + + AUTHOR OF "GALLOPS AND GOSSIPS," AND + HUNTING CORRESPONDENT OF THE "ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS." + + + LONDON: + ROUTLEDGE, WARNES, AND ROUTLEDGE, + FARRINGDON STREET. + 1859. + + + [_The right of Translation is reserved._] + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + PAGE + + Mr. Rarey's pamphlet first published in Ohio.--Experience of + old system.--Compiled and invented new.--Tying up the + fore-leg known many years ago, _see_ Stamford + Almanack.--Forgotten and not valued.--Reference to Captain + Nolan's and Colonel Greenwood's works on horsemanship.--Dick + Christian missed the discovery.--Baucher's plan of laying + down a horse explained.--Mademoiselle Isabel's whip-and-spur + plan.--Account of the Irish whisperer Dan Sullivan.--Usual + modes of taming vicious horses.--Starving.--Physic.--Sleepless + nights.--Bleeding.--Biting the ear.--Story of Kentish + coachman.--The Ellis system.--Value of the Rarey system as + compared with that of ordinary horse-tamers.--Systems of + Australia and Arabia compared.--The South American plan + explained.--A French plan.--Grisoné the Neapolitan's + advice.--The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.--Visit + to Canada.--To England.--Lord Alfred Paget.--Sir Richard + Airey.--System made known to them.--To Mr. Jos. + Anderson.--Messrs. Tattersall.--Sir Matthew Ridley's black + horse tamed.--Subscription list of 500 opened.--Stafford + tamed.--Description of.--Teaching commenced with Lords + Palmerston, Granville, &c.--Cruiser tamed.--History + of.--Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser exhibition.--System + approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton Sykes.--Close + of first subscription list.--Anecdote of Mr. Gurney's + colt--Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey 1 + + +CHAPTER II. + + Mr. Rarey's Introduction.--Remarks on 26 + + +CHAPTER III. + + The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.--Heads + of the Rarey Lectures.--Editor's paraphrase.--That any horse + may be taught docility.--That a horse should be so handled + and tied as to feel inferior to man.--That a horse should be + allowed to see, smell, and feel all fearful objects.--Key + note of the Rarey system 32 + + +CHAPTER IV. + + How to drive a colt from pasture.--How to drive into a + stable.--The kind of halter.--Experiment with a robe or + cloak.--Horse-taming drugs.--The Editor's remarks.--Importance + of patience.--Best kind of head-stall.--Danger of approaching + some colts.--Hints from a Colonel of the Life Guards 39 + + +CHAPTER V. + + Powell's system of approaching a colt.--Rarey's remarks + on.--Lively high-spirited horses tamed easily.--Stubborn + sulky ones more difficult.--Motto, "Fear, love and + obey."--Use of a whalebone gig-whip.--How to frighten and + then approach.--Use kind words.--How to halter and lead a + colt.--By the side of a horse.--To lead into a stable.--To + tie up to a manger.--Editor's remarks.--Longeing.--Use and + abuse of.--On bitting.--Sort of bit for a colt.--Dick + Christian's bit.--The wooden gag bit 51 + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Taming a colt or horse.--Rarey's directions for strapping up + and laying down detailed.--Explanations by Editor.--To + approach a vicious horse with half door.--Cartwheel.--No. 1 + strap applied.--No. 2 strap applied.--Woodcuts of.--How to + hop about.--Knot up bridle.--Struggle described.--Lord B.'s + improved No. 2 strap.--Not much danger.--How to steer a + horse.--Laid down, how to gentle.--To mount, tied up.--Place + and preparations for training described 67 + + +CHAPTER VII. + + The Drum.--The Umbrella.--Riding-habit.--How to bit a colt.--How + to saddle.--To mount.--To ride.--To break.--To harness.--To + make a horse follow and stand without holding.--Baucher's + plan.--Nolan's plan 90 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.--On teaching + children.--Anecdote.--Havelock's opinion.--Rarey's plan to + train ponies.--The use of books.--Necessity of regular + teaching for girls; boys can be self-taught.--Commence + without a bridle.--Ride with one pair of reins and two + hands.--Advantage of hunting-horn on side-saddle.--On the + best plan for mounting.--Rarey's plan.--On a man's + seat.--Nolan's opinion.--Military style.--Hunting style.--Two + examples in Lord Cardigan.--The Prussian style.--Anecdote by + Mr. Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.--Hints for men + learning to ride.--How to use the reins.--Pull right for + right, and left for left.--How to collect your horse 111 + + +CHAPTER IX. + + On bits.--The snaffle.--The use of the curb.--The Pelham.--The + Hanoverian bit described.--Martingales.--The gentleman's + saddle to be large enough.--Spurs.--Not to be too sharp.--The + Somerset saddle for the timid and aged.--The Nolan saddle + without flaps.--Ladies' saddle described.--Advantages of the + hunting-horn crutch.--Ladies' stirrup.--Ladies' dress.--Hints + on.--Habit.--Boots.--Whips.--Hunting-whips.--Use of the + lash.--Gentleman's riding costume.--Hunting dress.--Poole, + the great authority.--Advantage of cap over hat in + hunting.--Boot-tops and Napoleons.--Quotation from + Warburton's ballads 135 + + +CHAPTER X. + + Advantage of hunting.--Libels on.--Great men who have + hunted.--Popular notion unlike reality.--Dick Christian and + the Marquis of Hastings.--Fallacy of "lifting" a horse + refuted.--Hints on riding at fences.--Harriers + discussed.--Stag-hunting a necessity and use where time an + object.--Hints for novices.--"Tally-ho!" expounded.--To feed + a horse after a hard ride.--Expenses of horse-keep.--Song by + Squire Warburton, "A word ere we start" 154 + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The Fitzwilliam.--Brocklesby.--A day on the Wolds.--Brighton + harriers.--Prince Albert's harriers 176 + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Hunting Terms 199 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + The origin of Fox-hunting 210 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + The wild ponies of Exmoor 218 + +POSTSCRIPT 232 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + TO FACE + 1. ZEBRA STRAPPED UP Drawn by Louis Huard, Esq. Title-page + 2. HORSE WITH STRAP NO. 1 Ditto " 67 + 3. HORSE WITH STRAPS NOS. 1 AND 2 Ditto " 76 + 4. THE HORSE STRUGGLING Ditto " 79 + 5. THE HORSE EXHAUSTED Ditto " 80 + 6. THE HORSE TAMED Ditto " 82 + 7. SECOND LESSON IN HARNESS Ditto " 100 + 8. RAILS AND DOUBLE DITCH Ditto " 153 + + +VIGNETTES. + + PAGE + WILD HORSE'S HEAD 25 + HALTER OR BRIDLE 39 + WOODEN GAG BIT 66 + STRAP NO. 1 74 + STRAP NO. 2 76 + LORD B.'S IMPROVED NO. 2 77 + SURCINGLE STRAP FOR NO. 2 78 + SIDE SADDLE, AND LADY'S SEAT ON 111 + SIDE SADDLE, OFFSIDE VIEW OF 135 + CURB, OR HARD AND SHARP 136 + PLAIN SNAFFLE 137 + PELHAM 138 + HANOVERIAN 139 + SITZ, OR HUNTSMAN'S BATH 232 + HOT-AIR OR INDIAN BATH 235 + + + + + THE + ART OF TAMING HORSES. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Mr. Rarey's pamphlet first published in Ohio.--Experience of old + system.--Compiled and invented new.--Tying up the fore-leg known + many years ago, _see_ Stamford Almanack.--Forgotten and not + valued.--Reference to Captain Nolan's and Colonel Greenwood's works + on horsemanship.--Dick Christian missed the discovery.--Baucher's + plan of laying down a horse explained.--Mademoiselle Isabel's + whip-and-spur plan.--Account of the Irish whisperer Dan + Sullivan.--Usual modes of taming vicious + horses.--Starving.--Physic.--Sleepless nights.--Bleeding.--Biting + the ear.--Story of Kentish coachman.--The Ellis system.--Value of + the Rarey system as compared with that of ordinary + horse-tamers.--Systems of Australia and Arabia compared.--The South + American plan explained.--A French plan.--Grisoné the Neapolitan's + advice.--The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.--Visit to + Canada.--To England.--Lord Alfred Paget.--Sir Richard + Airey.--System made known to them.--To Mr. Jos. Anderson.--Messrs. + Tattersall.--Sir Matthew Ridley's black horse tamed.--Subscription + list of 500 opened.--Stafford tamed.--Description of.--Teaching + commenced with Lords Palmerston, Granville, &c.--Cruiser + tamed.--History of.--Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser + exhibition.--System approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton + Sykes.--Close of first subscription list.--Anecdote of Mr. Gurney's + colt.--Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey. + + +Mr. Rarey is a farmer from Ohio, in the United States. Five years ago he +wrote the little book which forms the _text_ of the following complete +account of his system, with pictorial illustrations, which are +essential for explaining the means he now employs for subduing the most +refractory animals. Without these explanations, it would be extremely +difficult for any one who had not enjoyed the advantage of hearing Mr. +Rarey's explanations, to practise his system successfully, or even +safely. The original work contains a mere outline of the art, since +perfected by five years' further study and practice. The author did not +revise his first sketch, for very obvious reasons. + +He was living in obscurity, teaching his system for a few dollars in +Ohio and Texas. He never taught in the great cities or seabord states of +the United States. When he had imparted his art to a pupil, he bound him +to secrecy, and presented him with a copy of his pamphlet. He did not +dream, then, of becoming the great Lion of the London Season, and +realising from English subscribers nearly 20,000_l._ It will be +observed, that in the original American edition, the operation of tying +up the foot is described in one chapter, and, at an interval of some +pages, that of laying a horse down, in another; and that neither the +difficulties nor the necessary precautions, nor the extraordinary +results, are described with the clearness their importance requires. + +Mr. Rarey has now very properly released his subscribers from the +contract which bound them to secrecy; and it is now in every point of +view important that this valuable system of rendering horses docile and +affectionate, fit for hacks or chargers, ladies' pads or harness, or the +safe conveyance of the aged, crippled, and sick, should be placed within +the reach of the thousands whose business it is to deal with horses, as +well as of that large class of gentlemen who are obliged to observe +economy while keeping up their equestrian tastes. After all, it is to +the horse-breeding farmers and grooms to whom Mr. Rarey's art will be of +the most practical use. + +As it is, enough of the system has oozed out to suggest to the ignorant +new means of cruelty. A horse's leg is strapped up, and then the +unlearned proceed to bully the crippled animal, instead of--to borrow an +expressive Americanism--"to gentle him." + +Before entering into the details for practising the Rarey system, it may +be interesting to give a sketch of the "facts" that have placed Mr. +Rarey in his present well-deserved position, as an invincible +Horse-Tamer, as well as a Reformer of the whole modern system of +training horses--a position unanimously assigned to him by all the first +horsemen of the day. + +Mr. Rarey has been a horse-breaker in the United States from his +earliest youth, and had frequently to break in horses five or six years +old, that had run wild until that mature undocile age. + +At first he employed the old English rough-rider method, and in the +course of his adventures broke almost every bone in his body, for his +pluck was greater than his science. But he was not satisfied with +following old routine; he inquired from the wandering horsemen and +circus trainers into their methods (it may be that he was at one time +attached to a circus himself), and read every book he could lay his +hands on. By inquiry and by study--as he says in one of his +advertisements--"he thought out" the plan and the principles of his +present system. + +The methods he uses for placing a colt or horse completely in his power +are not absolutely new, although it is possible that he has re-invented +and has certainly much improved them. The Russian (_i. e._ Courland) +Circus Riders have long known how, single-handed, to make a horse lie +down by fastening up one fore-leg, and then with a rope suddenly pulling +the other leg from under him. The trick was practised in England more +than forty years ago, and forgotten. That no importance was attached to +this method of throwing a horse is proved by the fact, that in the works +on horsemanship, published during the last twenty years, no reference is +made to it. When Mr. Starkey, of Wiltshire, a breeder and runner of +race-horses,[4-*] saw Mr. Rarey operate for the first time, he said, +"Why I knew how to throw a horse in that way years ago, but I did not +know the use of it, and was always in too great a hurry!" Lord Berners +made nearly the same remark to me. Nimrod, Cecil, Harry Hieover, +Scrutator--do not appear to have ever heard of it. The best modern +authority on such subjects (British Rural Sports), describes a number of +difficulties in breaking colts which altogether disappear under the +Rarey system--especially the difficulty of shoeing. + +Captain Nolan, who was killed at Balaklava, served in an Hungarian +regiment, in the Austrian service, afterwards in our own service in +India, and visited Russia, France, Denmark, and South Germany, to +collect materials for his work on the "History of Cavalry and on the +Training of Horses," although he set out with the golden rule laid down +by the great Greek horseman, Xenophon, more than a thousand years +ago--"HORSES ARE TAUGHT, NOT BY HARSHNESS, BUT BY GENTLENESS," only +refers incidentally to a plan for throwing a horse down, in an extract +from Baucher's great work, which will presently be quoted, but attaches +no importance to it, and was evidently totally ignorant of the +foundation of the Rarey system. + +The accomplished Colonel Greenwood, who was equally learned in the +_manége_ of the _Haute Ecole_, and skilled in the style of the English +hunting-fields, gives no hint of a method which reduces the time for +taming colts from months to hours, and makes the docility of five horses +out of six merely a matter of a few weeks' patience. + +The sporting newspapers of England and America were so completely off +the true scent when guessing at the Rarey method, that they put faith in +recipes of oils and scents for taming horses. + +Dick Christian--a genius in his way--when on horseback unmatched for +patience and pluck, but with no taste for reading and no talent for +generalizing, used to conquer savages for temporary use by tying up one +fore-foot, and made good water-jumpers of horses afraid of water by +making them smell it and wade through it; so that he came very near the +Rarey methods, but missed the chain of reasoning that would have led him +to go further with these expedients.[5-*] + +Mons. Baucher, of Paris (misprinted Faucher in the American edition), +the great modern authority in horse-training and elaborate school +equitation, under whom our principal English cavalry generals have +studied--amongst others, two enthusiastic disciples of Mr. Rarey, Lord +Vivian and General Laurenson, commanding the cavalry at +Aldershott--admitted Mr. Rarey's system was not only "most valuable," +but "quite new to him." + +After Mr. Rarey had taught five or six hundred subscribers, some of whom +of course had wives, Mr. Cooke, of Astley's, began to exhibit a way of +making a horse lie down, which bore as much resemblance to Mr. Rarey's +system, as Buckstone's or Keeley's travestie of Othello would to a +serious performance by a first-rate tragedian. Mr. Cooke pulling at a +strap over the horse's back, was, until he grew, by practice, skilful, +more than once thrown down by the extension of the off fore-leg. + +Indeed, the proof that the circus people knew neither the Rarey plan, +nor the results to be obtained from it, is to be found in the fact, that +they continually failed in subduing unruly horses sent to them for that +purpose. + +A friend of mine, an eminent engineer, sent to Astley's, about two years +ago, a horse which had cost him two hundred pounds, and was useless from +a habit of standing still and rearing at the corner of streets; he was +returned worse rather than better, and sold for forty pounds. Six +lessons from Mr. Rarey would have produced, at least, temporary +docility. + +Monsieur Baucher, in his _Méthode d'Equitation_, says, _speaking of the +surprise created by the feats_ he performed with trained +horses,--"According to some, I was a new 'Carter,'[6-*] taming my horses +by depriving them of rest and nourishment: others would have it, that I +tied ropes to their legs, and suspended them in the air; some again +supposed that I fascinated them by the power of the eye; and part of the +audience, seeing my horses (Partisan, Capitaine, Neptune, and Baridan) +work in time to my friend Monsieur Paul Cuzent's charming music, +seriously argued that the horses had a capital ear for music, and that +they stopped when the clarionets and trombones ceased to play, and that +the music had more power over the horse than I had. That the beast +obeyed an '_ut_' or a '_sol_' or '_staccato_,' but my hands and legs +went for nothing. + +"Could any one imagine that such nonsense could emanate from people who +passed for horsemen? + +"Now from this, although in some respects the same class of nonsense +that was talked about Mr. Rarey, it does not seem that any Parisian +veterinary surgeon staked his reputation on the efficacy of oils and +scents." + +M. Baucher then proceeds to give what he calls sixteen "_Airs de +Manége_," which reflect the highest credit on his skill as a rational +horseman, using his hands and legs. But he proceeds to say--"It is with +regret I publish the means of making a horse kneel, limp, lie down, and +sit on his haunches in the position called the '_Cheval Gastronomie_,' +or 'The Horse at Dinner.' This work is degrading to the poor horse, and +painful to the trainer, who no longer sees in the poor trembling beast +the proud courser, full of spirit and energy, he took such pleasure in +training. + +"To make a horse kneel, tie his pastern-joint to his elbow, make fast a +longer line to the other pastern-joint, have this held tight, and strike +the leg with the whip; the instant he raises it from the ground, pull at +the longeing line to bend the leg. He cannot help it--he must fall on +his knees. Make much of the horse in this position, and let him get up +free of all hindrance. + +"As soon as he does this without difficulty, leave off the use of the +longeing line, and next leave both legs at liberty: by striking him on +the shins with the whip, he will understand that he is to kneel down. + +"When on his knees, send his head well to the off-side, and, supporting +him with the left rein, pull the right rein down against his neck till +he falls to the near side; when down at full length, you cannot make +too much of him; _have his head held that he may not get up too +suddenly_, or before you wish him. You can do this by placing your right +foot on the right reins; this keeps the horse's nose raised from the +ground, and thus deprives him of the power of struggling successfully +against you. Profit by his present position to make him sit up on his +haunches, and in the position of the 'Cheval Gastronomie.'" + +The difference between this and Rarey's plan of laying down a horse is +as great as between Franklin's kite and Wheatstone's electrical +telegraph; and foremost to acknowledge the American's merits was M. +Baucher. + +So little idea had cavalry authorities that a horse could be trained +without severity, that, during the Crimean war, a Mademoiselle Isabel +came over to this country with strong recommendations from the French +war minister, and was employed at considerable cost at Maidstone for +some months in spoiling a number of horses by _her system_, the +principal features of which consisted in a new dumb jockey, and a severe +spur attached to a whip! + +It is true that Mademoiselle Isabel's experiment was made contrary to +the wishes and plans of the head of the Cavalry Training Department, the +late General Griffiths; but it is not less true that within the last two +years influential cavalry officers were looking for an improvement in +training horses from an adroit use of the whip and spur. + +From the time of Alexander the Great down to the Northumberland +Horse-Breaker, there have been instances of courageous men who have been +able to do extraordinary things with horses. But they may be divided +into two classes, neither of which have been able to originate or impart +a system for the use of ordinary horsemen. + +The one class relied and relies on personal influence over lower +animals. They terrify, subdue, or conciliate by eye, voice, and touch, +just as some wicked women, not endowed with any extraordinary external +charms, bewitch and betray the wisest men. + +The other class rely on the infliction of acute pain, or, stupefaction +by drugs, or other similar expedients for acquiring a temporary +ascendancy. + +In a work printed in 1664, quoted by Nolan, we have a melancholy account +of the fate of an ingenious horse-tamer. "A Neapolitan, called Pietro, +had a little horse, named Mauroço, doubtless a Barb or Arab, which he +had taught to perform many tricks. He would, at a sign from his master, +lie down, kneel, and make as many courvettes (springs on his hind-legs +forward, like rearing), as his master told him. He jumped over a stick, +and through hoops, carried a glove to the person Pietro pointed out, and +performed a thousand pretty antics. He travelled through the greater +part of the Continent, but unfortunately passing through Arles, the +people in that 'age of faith,' took him for a sorcerer, and burned him +and poor Mauroço in the market-place." It was probably from this +incident that Victor Hugo took the catastrophe of La Esmeralda and her +goat. + +Dan Sullivan, who flourished about fifty years ago, was the greatest +horse-tamer of whom there is any record in modern times. His triumph +commenced by his purchasing for an old song a dragoon's horse at Mallow, +who was so savage "that he was obliged to be fed through a hole in the +wall." After one of Sullivan's lessons the trooper drew a car quietly +through Mallow, and remained a very proverb of gentleness for years +after. In fact, with mule or horse, one half-hour's lesson from Sullivan +was enough; but they relapsed in other hands. Sullivan's own account of +the secret was, that he originally acquired it from a wearied soldier +who had not money to pay for a pint of porter he had drunk. The landlord +was retaining part of his kit as a pledge, when Sullivan, who sat in the +bar, vowed he would never see a hungry man want, and gave the soldier so +good a luncheon, that, in his gratitude, he drew him aside at parting, +and revealed what he believed to be an Indian charm. + +Sullivan never took any pupils, and, as far as I can learn, never +attempted to train colts by his method, although that is a more +profitable and useful branch of business than training vicious horses. +It is stated in an article in "Household Words" on Horse-Tamers, that he +was so jealous of his gift that even the priest of Ballyclough could not +wring it from him at the confessional. His son used to boast how his +reverence met his sire as they both rode towards Mallow, and charged him +with being a confederate of the wicked one, and how the "whisperer" laid +the priest's horse under a spell, and forthwith led him a weary chase +among the cross roads, till he promised in despair to let Sullivan alone +for ever. Sullivan left three sons: one only practised his art, with +imperfect success till his death; neither of the others pretended to any +knowledge of it. One of them is to this day a horse-breaker at Mallow. + +The reputation of Mr. Rarey brought to light a number of provincial +horse-tamers, and, amongst others, a grandson of Sullivan has opened a +list under the auspices of the Marquis of Waterford, for teaching his +grandfather's art of horse-taming. It is impossible not to ask, why, if +the art is of any value, it has not been taught long ago? + +In Ireland as in England, the accepted modes of taming a determined +colt, or vicious horse, are either by a resolute rider with whip and +spur, and violent longeings, or by starving, physic, and sleepless +nights. It was by these means combined that the well-known horseman, +Bartley the bootmaker, twenty years ago, tamed a splendid thorough-bred +horse, that had defied all the efforts of all the rough-riders of the +Household Cavalry regiments. + +Bleeding a vicious horse has been recommended in German books on +equitation. In the family Robinson Crusoe, paterfamilias conquers the +quagga by biting its ear, and every farrier knows how to apply a twitch +to a horse's ear or nose to secure his quietness under an operation. A +Mr. King, some years since, exhibited a learned horse, which he said he +subdued by pinching a nerve of its mouth, called "_the nerve of +susceptibility_." + +The writer in the "Household Words" article, to which I have already +referred, tells how "a coachman in Kent, who had been quite mastered by +horses, called in the assistance of a professed whisperer. After his +ghostly course the horses had the worst of it for two months, when their +ill-humour returned, and the coachman himself immediately darkened his +stable, and held what he termed a little conversation with them, which +kept them placid till two more months had passed. He did not seem +altogether to approve of the system, and plainly confessed that it was +cruel." Putting shot in the ear is an old stupid and fatal trick of +ignorant carters to cure a gibbing horse--it cures and kills him too. + +The latest instantaneous system which acquired a certain degree of +temporary popularity was that introduced from the western prairies, by +Mr. Ellis, of Trinity College, Cambridge, which consisted in breathing +into the nostrils of a colt, or buffalo colt, while its eyes were +covered. But although on some animals this seemed to produce a soothing +effect, on others it totally failed. + +There can be very little doubt that most of the mysterious +"horse-whisperers" relied for their power of subduing a vicious horse +partly on the special personal influence already referred to, and partly +on some one of those cruel modes of intimidating the animal. It has been +observed that idiots can sometimes manage the most savage horses and +bulls, and conciliate the most savage dogs at first sight. + +The value of Mr. Rarey's system consists in the fact that it may be +taught to, and successfully practised by, a ploughboy of thirteen or +fourteen for use on all except extremely vicious and powerful horses. + +It requires patience--it requires the habit of dealing with horses as +well as coolness; but the real work is rather a matter of skill than +strength. Not only have boys of five or six stone become successful +horse-tamers, but ladies of high rank have in the course of ten minutes +perfectly subdued and reduced to death-like calmness fiery blood-horses. + +Therefore, in dealing with Mr. Rarey's plan we are not wasting our time +about a trick for conquering these rare exceptions--incurably-savage +horses--but considering the principles of a universally applicable +system for taming and training horses for man's use, with a perfection +of docility rarely found except in aged pet horses, and with a rapidity +heretofore quite unknown. + +The system of Arabia and Australia are the two extremes. In Australia, +where the people are always in a hurry, the usual mode of breaking in +the bush horses is _to ride them quiet_; that is, to let the man fight +it out with the horse until the latter gives in; for the time, at any +rate. The result is, that nine-tenths of the Australian horses are +vicious, and especially given to the trick of "buck-jumping." This vile +vice consists in a succession of leaps from all-fours, the beast +descending with the back arched, the limbs rigid, and the head as low +down between the legs as possible. Not one horseman in a hundred can sit +three jumps of a confirmed buck-jumper. Charles Barter, who was one of +the hardest riders in the Heythrope Hunt, in his "Six Months in Natal," +says, "when my horse began buck-jumping I dismounted, and I recommend +every one under the same circumstances to do the same." + +The Guachos on the South American Pampas lasso a wild horse, throw him +down, cover his head with one of their ponchos, or cloaks, and, having +girthed on him one of their heavy demi-piqued saddles, from which it is +almost impossible to be dislodged, thrust a curb-bit, capable of +breaking the jaw with one tug, into the poor wretch's mouth, mount him +with a pair of spurs with rowels six inches long, and ride him over the +treeless plains until he sinks exhausted _in a fainting state_. But +horses thus broken are almost invariably either vicious or stupid; in +fact, idiotic. There is another milder method sometimes adopted by these +Pampas horsemen, on which, no doubt, Mr. Rarey partly founded his +system. After lassoing a horse, they blind his eyes with a poncho, tie +him fast to a post, and girth a heavy saddle on him. The animal +sometimes dies at once of fright and anger: if not, he trembles, sweats, +and would, after a time, fall down from terror and weakness. The Guacho +then goes up to him, caresses him, removes the poncho from his eyes, +continues to caress him; so that, according to the notion of the +country, the horse becomes grateful and attached to the man for +delivering him from something frightful; and from that moment the +process of training becomes easy, and, with the help of the long spurs, +is completed in a few days. This plan must spoil as many horses as it +makes quiet, and fail utterly with the more nervous and high-spirited; +for the very qualities that render a horse most useful and beautiful, +when properly trained, lead him, when unbroken, to resist more +obstinately rough violent usage. + +In a French newspaper article on Mr. Rarey's system, it is related that +a French horse-breaker, in 1846, made a good speculation by purchasing +vicious horses, which are more common in France than in England, and +selling them, after a few days' discipline, perfectly quiet. His remedy +lay in a loaded whip, freely applied between the ears when any symptom +of vice was displayed. This expedient was only a revival of the method +of Grisoné, the Neapolitan, called, in the fifteenth century, the +regenerator of horsemanship, predecessor of the French school, who +says--"In breaking young horses, put them into a circular pit; be very +severe with those that are sensitive, and of high courage; beat them +between the ears with a stick." His followers tied their horses to the +pillars in riding-schools, and beat them to make them raise their +fore-legs. We do not approve of Grisoné's maxims at the present day in +print, but we leave our horses too much to ignorant colt-breakers, who +practise them. + +The Arabs alone, who have no need to hurry the education of their +horses, and who live with them as we do with our pet dogs, train their +colts by degrees, with patient gentleness, and only resort to severe +measures to teach them to gallop and stop short. For this reason Arabs +are most docile until they fall into the hands of cruel grooms. + +It was from considering the docility of the high-bred Arab horse and +intractableness of the quibly, roughly broken prairie or Pampas horse, +that Mr. Rarey was led to think over and perfect the system which he has +repeatedly explained and illustrated by living examples in his lectures, +and very imperfectly explained in his valuable, original, but crude +little book. + +It is very fortunate that this book did not find its way to England +before Mr. Rarey himself came and conquered Cruiser, and in face-to-face +interviews gained the confidence and co-operation of all our +horse-loving aristocracy. For had the book appeared unsupported by +lectures (or such explanations written and pictorial as this edition +will supply), there would have been so many accidents and so many +failures, that Mr. Rarey would have had great difficulty in obtaining a +hearing, and for many years our splendid colts would have been left to +the empirical treatment of ignorant rough-riders. + +An accident withdrew the great reformer of horse-training from +obscurity. + +In the course of his travels as a teacher of horse-taming he met with +Mr. Goodenough, a sharp, hard-fisted New Englander, of the true "Yankee" +breed, so well-described by Sam Slick, settled in the city of Toronto, +Canada, as a general dealer. In fact, a "sort of Barnum." Mr. Goodenough +saw that there was money to be made out of the Rarey system--formed a +partnership with the Ohio farmer--conducted him to Canada--obtained an +opportunity of exhibiting his talents before Major Robertson, +Aide-de-camp to General Sir William Eyre, K.C.B., Commander of the +forces, and, through the Major, before Sir William himself, who is (as I +can say from having seen him with hounds) an accomplished horseman and +enthusiastic fox-hunter. From these high authorities the partners +obtained letters of introduction to the Horse Guards in England, and to +several gentlemen attached to the Court; in one of the letters of +introduction, General Eyre said, "that the system was new to him, and +valuable for military purposes." On arriving in England, Mr. Rarey made +known his system, and was fortunate enough to convert and obtain the +active assistance of Sir Richard Airey, Quarter-Master General, Lord +Alfred Paget,[16-*] and Colonel Hood, the two first being noted for +their skill as horsemen, and the two latter being attached to the Court. +From these gentlemen of high degree, Mr. Rarey proceeded, under good +advice, to make known his art to Mr. Joseph Anderson of Piccadilly, and +his prime minister, the well-known George Rice--tamed for them a black +horse that had been returned by Sir Matthew White Ridley, as unridable +from vice and nervousness. The next step was an introduction to Messrs. +Tattersall of Hyde Park, whose reputation for honour and integrity in +most difficult transactions is world wide and nearly a century old. +Introduced at Hyde Park Corner with the strongest recommendations and +certificates from such authorities as Lord Alfred Paget, Sir Richard +Airey, Colonel Hood, &c., &c., Messrs. Tattersall investigated Mr. +Rarey's system, and became convinced that its general adoption would +confer an invaluable benefit on what may be called "the great horse +interest," and do away with a great deal of cruelty and unnecessary +severity now practised on the best-bred and most high-spirited animals +through ignorance of colt-breakers and grooms. They, therefore, decided, +with that liberality which has always distinguished the firm, to lend +Mr. Rarey all the assistance in their power, without taking any +commission, or remuneration of any kind. + +As the methods used by Mr. Rarey are so exceedingly simple, the question +next arose of how Mr. Rarey was to be remunerated when teaching in a +city where hundreds live by collecting and retailing news. His previous +lessons had been given to the thinly-populated districts of Ohio and +Texas, where each pupil was a dealer in horses, and kept his secret for +his own sake. Had he been the inventor of an improved corkscrew or +stirrup-iron, a patent would have secured him that limited monopoly +which very imperfectly rewards many invaluable mechanical inventions. +Had his countrymen chosen to agree to a reciprocity treaty for copyright +of books, he might have secured some certain remuneration by a printed +publication of his Lectures. But they prefer the liberty of borrowing +our copyrights without consulting the author, and we occasionally return +the compliment. In this instance the author cannot say that the British +nation has not paid him handsomely. + +After a consultation with Mr. Rarey's noble patrons, it was decided that +a list should be opened at Hyde Park Corner for subscribers at £10 +10_s._ each, paid in advance, the teaching to commence as soon as five +hundred subscriptions had been paid, each subscriber signing an +engagement, under a penalty of £500, not to teach or divulge Mr. Rarey's +method, and Messrs. Tattersall undertaking to hold the subscriptions in +trust until Mr. Rarey had performed his part of the agreement.[17-*] To +this fund, at the request of my friends Messrs. Tattersall, I agreed to +act as Secretary. My duties ceased when the list was filled, and the +management of the business passed from those gentlemen to Mr. Rarey's +partner, Mr. Goodenough, on the 3rd of May, 1858. + +This list was opened the first day at Mr. Jos. Anderson's, after Mr. +Rarey had exhibited, not his method, but the results of his method on +the celebrated black, or rather iron-gray, horse already mentioned. + +Leaving the list to fill, Mr. Rarey went to Paris, and there tamed the +vicious and probably half-mad coaching stallion, Stafford.[18-*] It is +not generally known that having omitted the precautions of gagging this +wild beast with the wooden bit, which forms one of the vignettes of this +book, he turned round suddenly, while the tamer was soothing his legs, +caught his shoulder in his mouth, and would have made an end of the +Rarey system if assistance had not been at hand in the shape of Mr. +Goodenough and a pitchfork. + +Intense enthusiasm was created in Paris by the conquest of Stafford, but +250 francs was too large a sum to found a long subscription list in a +city so little given to private horsemanship, and a French experiment +did not produce much effect in England. + +In fact, the English list, which started so bravely under distinguished +patronage, after touching some 250 names, languished, and in spite of +testimonials from great names, only reached 320, when Mr. Rarey, at the +pressing recommendation of his English friends, returned from Paris, and +fixed the day for commencing his lessons in the private riding-school of +the Duke of Wellington, the use of which had been in the kindest manner +offered by his Grace as a testimony of his high opinion of the value of +the new system. + +The course was commenced on the 20th March, by inviting to a private +lesson a select party of noblemen and gentlemen, twenty-one in all, +including, amongst other accomplished horsemen and horse-breeders, Lord +Palmerston, the two ex-masters of the Royal Buckhounds, Earls Granville +and Bessborough, the Marquis of Stafford, Vice-President of the +Four-Horse Driving Club, and the Honourable Admiral Rous, the leading +authority of the Jockey Club on all racing matters. The favourable +report of these, perhaps, among the most competent judges of anything +appertaining to horses in the world, settled the value of Mr. Rarey's +lessons, and the list began to fill speedily; many of the subscribers, +no doubt, being more influenced by the prevailing fashion and curiosity, +than by an inclination to turn horse-tamers. + +But early in April, when it became known that Mr. Rarey had tamed +Cruiser,[20-*] the most vicious stallion in England, "who could do more +fighting in less time than any horse in the world," and that he had +brought him to London on the very day after, that he first backed him +and had ridden him within three hours after the first interview, slow +conviction swelled to enthusiasm. The list filled up rapidly. + +The school in Kinnerton Street, to which Mr. Rarey was obliged to +remove, was crowded, the excitement increasing with each lesson. On the +day that Cruiser was exhibited for the first time, long before the doors +were open, the little back street was filled with a fashionable mob, +including ladies of the highest rank. An admission by noble +non-subscribers with notes, gold, and cheques in hands, was begged for +with a polite insinuating humility that was quite edifying. A hatful of +ten-guinea subscriptions was thrust upon the unwilling secretary at the +door with as much eagerness as if he had been the allotter of shares in +a ten per cent railway in the day of Hudsonian guarantees. And it must +be observed that this crowd included among the mere fashion-mongers +almost every distinguished horseman and hunting-man in the three +kingdoms. + +It is quite too late now to attempt to depreciate a system the value of +which has been repeatedly and openly acknowledged by authorities above +question. As to the "secret," the subscribers must have known that it +was impossible that a system that required so much space, and involved +so much noise, could long remain a secret. + +The Earl of Jersey, so celebrated in this century as a breeder of +race-horses, in the last century as a rider to hounds, _stood_ through +a long lesson, and was as much delighted as his son the Honourable +Frederick Villiers, Master of the Pytchley Hounds. Sir Tatton Sykes of +Sledmere, perhaps the finest amateur horseman that ever rode a race, +whose equestrian performances on the course and in the hunting-field +date back more than sixty years, was as enthusiastic in his approval as +the young Guardsman who, fortified by Mr. Rarey's lessons, mastered a +mare that had defied the efforts of all the farriers of the Household +Cavalry. + +In a word, the five-hundred list was filled, and overflowed, the +subscribers were satisfied, and the responsibility of Messrs. Tattersall +as stakeholders for the public ceased, and the Secretary and Treasurer +to the fund, having wound up the accounts and retired, the connection +between Mr. Rarey and the Messrs. Tattersall resolved itself into the +use of an office at Hyde Park Corner. + +The London subscription list had passed eleven hundred names, and, in +conjunction with the subscription received in Yorkshire, Liverpool, +Manchester, Dublin, and Paris, besides private lessons at £25 each, had +realised upwards of £20,000 for Mr. Rarey and his partner, when the +five-hundred secrecy agreement was extinguished by the re-publication of +the little American pamphlet already mentioned. + +It was high time that it should, for, while Mr. Rarey had been +handsomely paid for his instruction, the more scrupulous of his +subscribers were unable to practise his lessons for want of a place +where they could work in secrecy. + +But although the re-publication of Mr. Rarey's American pamphlet +virtually absolved his subscribers from the agreement which he gave up +formally a few days later in his letter to the _Times_, it is quite +absurd to assert that the little pamphlet teaches the Art of +Horse-Taming as now practised by Mr. Rarey. Certainly no one but a +horseman skilled in the equitation of schools could do much with a horse +without great danger of injuring the animal and himself, if he had no +other instruction than that contained in Mr. Rarey's clever, original, +but vague chapters. + +In the following work I shall endeavour to fill up the blanks in Mr. +Rarey's sketch, and with the help of pictures and diagrams, show how a +cool determined man or boy may break in any colt, and make him a docile +hack, harness horse, or hunter; stand still, follow, and obey the voice +almost as much as the reins. + +To say that written or oral instructions will teach every man how to +grapple with savages like Stafford, Cruiser, Phlegon, or Mr. Gurney's +gray colt, would be sheer humbug--that must depend on the man; but we +have an instance of what can be done that is encouraging. When Mr. Rarey +was so ill that he was unable to sit Mr. Gurney's gray colt, the +boasting Mr. Goodenough tried his hand, and was beaten pale and +trembling out of the circus by that equine tiger; but Mr. Thomas Rice, +the jobmaster of Motcombe Street, who had had the charge of Cruiser in +Mr. Rarey's absence up to that time, although he had never before tried +his hand at Rareyfying a horse, stuck to the gray colt, laid down, made +him fast, and completely conquered him in one evening, so that he was +fit to be exhibited the next day, when Mr. Goodenough, _more suo_, +claimed the benefit of the victory. + +Several ladies have succeeded famously in horse-taming; but they have +been ladies accustomed to horses and to exercise, and always with +gentlemen by, in case a customer proved too tough. + +Before concluding this desultory but necessary introductory sketch of +the rise, progress, and success of the Rarey system, it will be as well, +perhaps, for the benefit of lady readers, to give a personal sketch of +Mr. Rarey, who is by no means the athletic giant that many imagine. + +Mr. Rarey is about thirty years of age, of middle height, and +well-proportioned figure, wiry and active rather than muscular--his +complexion is almost effeminately fair, with more colour than is usually +found in those of his countrymen who live in the cities of the +sea-coast. And his fair hair, large gray eyes, which only light up and +flash fire when he has an awkward customer to tackle, give him +altogether the appearance of a Saxon Englishman. His walk is remarkably +light and springy, yet regular, as he turns round his horse; something +between the set-up of a soldier and the light step of a sportsman. +Altogether his appearance and manners are eminently gentlemanly. +Although a self-educated and not a book-educated man, his conversation, +when he cares to talk, for he is rather reserved, always displays a good +deal of thoughtful originality, relieved by flashes of playful humour. +This may be seen in his writing. + +It may easily be imagined that he is extremely popular with all those +with whom he has been brought in contact, and has acquired the personal +friendship of some of the most accomplished noblemen and gentlemen of +the day. + +Mr. Rarey's system of horse-training will infallibly supersede all +others for both civil and military purposes, and his name will take rank +among the great social reformers of the nineteenth century. May we have +many more such importations from America! + +[Illustration] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[4-*] Owner of Fisherman. + +[5-*] See "The Post and the Paddock," by "The Druid." + +[6-*] Carter, one of the Van Amburgh showmen. + +[16-*] Son of the late Marquis of Anglesea, one of the finest horsemen +of his day, even with one leg, after he left the other at Waterloo. + +[17-*] The list itself is one of the most extraordinary documents ever +printed, in regard to the rank and equestrian accomplishments of the +subscribers. + +[18-*] "Stafford is a half-bred carriage stallion, six years old. For +three years he has formed one of the breeding-stud at Cluny, where he +has acquired the character of being a most dangerous animal. He was +about to be withdrawn from the stud and destroyed, in consequence of the +protests of the breeders--for a whole year he had obstinately refused to +be dressed, and was obliged to be closely confined in his box. He rushed +at every one who appeared with both fore-feet, and open mouthed. Every +means of subduing and restraining him was adopted; he was muzzled, +blindfolded, and hobbled. In order to give Mr. Rarey's method a trial, +Stafford was sent to Paris, and there a great number of persons, +including the principal members of the Jockey Club, had an opportunity +of judging of his vicious disposition. + +"After being alone with Stafford for an hour and a half, Mr. Rarey rode +on him into the Riding School, guiding him with a common snaffle-bridle. +The appearance of the horse was completely altered: he was calm and +docile. His docility did not seem to be produced by fear or constraint, +but the result of perfect confidence. The astonishment of the spectators +was increased when Mr. Rarey unbridled him, and guided the late savage +animal, with a mere motion of his hands or indication with his leg, as +easily as a trained circus-horse. Then, dashing into a gallop, he +stopped him short with a single word. + +"Mr. Rarey concluded his first exhibition by beating a drum on +Stafford's back, and passing his hand over his head and mouth. Stafford +was afterwards ridden by a groom, and showed the same docility in his +hands as in those of Mr. Rarey. + +"Mr. Rarey succeeded on the first attempt in putting him in harness with +a mare, although he had never had his head through a collar before; and +he went as quietly as the best-broken carriage-horse in Paris. Mr Rarey +concluded by firing a six-chambered revolver from his back."--_Paris +Illustrated Journal._ + +[20-*] "Cruiser was the property of Lord Dorchester, and was a good +favourite for the Derby in Wild Dayrell's year, but broke down before +the race. Like all Venison horses, his temper was not of the mildest +kind, and John Day was delighted to get rid of him. When started for +Rawcliffe, he told the man who led him on no account to put him into a +stable, as he would never get him out. This injunction was of course +disregarded, for when the man wanted some refreshment, he put him into a +country public-house stable, and left him, and to get him out, the roof +of the building had to be pulled off. At Rawcliffe, he was always +exhibited by a groom with a ticket-of-leave bludgeon in his hand, and +few were bold enough to venture into his yard. This animal, whose temper +has depreciated him perhaps a thousand pounds in value, I think would be +'the right horse in the right place' for Mr. Rarey. Phlegon and Vatican +would also be good patients. I am sorry to hear that the latter has been +blinded: if leathern blinds had been put on his eyes, the same effect +would have been produced."--_Morning Post_, March 2, 1858. + +"Mr. Rarey, when here, first subjugated a two-year old filly, perfectly +unbroken. This he accomplished under half an hour, riding on her, +opening an umbrella, beating a drum upon her, &c. He then took Cruiser +in hand, and in three hours Mr. Rarey and myself mounted him. He had not +been ridden for nearly three years, and was so vicious that it was +impossible even to dress him, and it was necessary to keep him muzzled +constantly. The following morning Mr. Rarey led him behind an open +carriage, on his road to London. This horse was returned to me by the +Rawcliffe and Stud Company on account of his vice, it being considered +as much as a man's life was worth to attend to him. + +"Greywell, April 7." "DORCHESTER." + + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Mr. Rarey's Pamphlet.--Introduction. + + +Mr. Rarey's American Pamphlet would make about fifty pages of this type, +if given in full; but, in revising my Illustrated Edition, I have +decided on omitting six pages of Introduction, which, copied from Mr. +Rollo Springfield, an American author, do not contain any reliable facts +or useful inferences. + +The speculations of the American author, as to the early history of the +horse, are written without sufficient information. So far from the +"polished Greeks" having, as he states, "ridden without bridles," we +have the best authority in the frieze of the Parthenon for knowing that, +although they rode barebacked on their compact cobby ponies, they used +reins and handled them skilfully and elegantly. + +To go still further back, the bas-reliefs in the British Museum, +discovered by Mr. Layard in the Assyrian Palace of Nimroud, contain +spirited representation of horses with bridles, ridden in hunting and in +pursuit of enemies, as well as driven in war-chariots. These horses are +Arabs, while those of the Elgin Marbles more resemble the cream-coloured +Hanoverians which draw the state carriage of our sovereigns. In one of +the Nimroud bas-reliefs, we have cavalry soldiers standing with the +bridles of their horses in their hands, "waiting," as Mr. Bonomi tells +us, "for the orders to mount;" but, as they stand on the left side, with +the bridles in their left hands, it is difficult to understand how they +could obey such an order with reasonable celerity. + +The Arabian stories, as to the performances of Arab horses and their +owners, must be received with considerable hesitation, for the horse is +one of the subjects on which Orientals love to found their poetical +fireside stories. This is certain, that the Arab horse being highly +bred, is very intelligent, being reared from its birth in the family of +its master, extremely docile, and, being always in the open air and fed +on a moderate quantity of dry food, very hardy. + +If we lived with our horses, as we do with our dogs, they would be +equally affectionate and tractable. + +In Norway, in consequence of the severity of the climate, the ponies are +all housed during the winter, and thus become so familiar with their +owner that there is scarcely any difficulty in putting them into +harness, even the first time. + +English thoroughbred horses, when once acclimatized and bred in the open +air on the dry pastures of Australia and South Africa, are found, if not +put to work too early, as enduring as the Arab. Experiments in the +Indian artillery have proved that the Australian horse and the +Cape[27-*] horse, which has also been improved by judicious crosses +with English blood, are superior for strength and endurance to the +Eastern horses bred in the stud establishments of the East India +Company. + +The exaggerated idea that long prevailed of the value of the Arab horse, +as compared with the English thorough-bred, which is an Eastern horse +improved by long years of care and ample food, has been to a great +extent dissipated by the large importation of Arabs that took place +after the Crimean war--in fact, they are on the average pretty ponies of +great endurance, but of very little use in this country, where size is +indispensable for profit. In the East they are of great value for +cavalry; they are hardy and full of fire and spirit. "But," says Captain +Nolan, "no horse can compare with the English--no horse is more easily +broken in to anything and everything--there is no quality in which the +English horse does not excel--no performance in which he cannot beat all +competition;" and Nolan was as familiar with the Eastern, Hungarian, and +German crosses with the Arab as with the English thorough-bred. + +We spoil our horses, first by pampering them in hot stables under warm +clothing; next, by working them too young; and, lastly, by entrusting +their training to rude, ignorant men, who rely for leading colt the way +he should go on mere force, harsh words, a sharp whip, and the worrying +use of the longeing rein. Rarey has shown how easily, quietly, and +safely horses may be tamed; but we must also train men before we can +obtain full benefit from our admirable breeds of horses. + +Proof that our horses have become feeble from pampering may be found in +Devonshire. There the common hacks of the county breed on the moors, +and, crossed with native ponies, are usually undersized and coarse and +heavy about the shoulders, like most wild horses, and all the inferior +breeds of Arabs, but they are hardy and enduring to a degree that a +Yorkshire breeder would scarcely believe. Mean-looking Galloways will +draw a heavy dog-cart over the Devonshire hills fifty miles a-day for +many days in succession. + +A little common sense has been introduced into the management of our +cavalry, since the real experience of the Crimean war. General Sir +Charles Napier was not noticed when, nearly ten years ago, he wrote, +"The cavalry charger, on a Hounslow Heath parade, well fed, well +groomed, goes through a field-day without injury, although carrying more +than twenty stone weight; he and his rider presenting together, a kind +of alderman centaur. But if in the field, half starved, they have, at +the end of a forced march, to charge an enemy! The biped full of fire +and courage, transformed by war-work to a wiry muscular dragoon, is able +and willing, but the overloaded quadruped cannot gallop--he staggers." + +Our poor horses thus loaded, are expected to bound to hand and spur, +while the riders wield their swords worthily. They cannot; and both man +and horse appear inferior to their Indian opponents. The Eastern +warrior's eye is quick, but not quicker than the European's; his heart +is big, yet not bigger than the European's; his arm is strong, but not +so strong as the European's; the swing of his razor-like scimitar is +terrible, but an English trooper's downright blow splits the skull. Why +then does the latter fail? The light-weighted horse of the dark +swordsman carries him round his foe with elastic bounds, and the strong +European, unable to deal the cleaving blow, falls under the activity of +an inferior adversary! + +Since the war, light men with broad chests have been enlisted for Indian +service. The next step, originally suggested by Nolan, that every +cavalry soldier should train his own horse, will be made easy by the +introduction of the Rarey system. Country horse-breakers are too +ignorant, too prejudiced, and too much interested in keeping up a +mystery that gives them three months employment, instead of three weeks, +to adopt it. The reform will probably commence in the army and in racing +stables. + + * * * * * + +In the following pages, I have given the text of the American edition of +Mr. Rarey's pamphlet, and added the information I have derived from +hearing his lectures, seeing his operations on "Cruiser," and other +difficult horses, and from the experience of my friends and self in +taming horses. Thus, in Chap. VI. to Mr. Rarey's five pages I have added +sixteen, and nine woodcut illustrations. In Chap. VII. the directions +for the drum, umbrella, and riding habit are in print for the first +time, as well as the directions for mounting with slack girths. Chaps. +VIII. to XIV. have been added, in order to make this little work a +complete manual for those who wish to benefit in riding as well as +training horses from the experience of others. + +In my opinion, the Rarey system is invaluable for training colts, +breaking horses into harness, and curing kickers and jibbers. I do not +profess to be a horse-tamer, my pursuits are too sedentary during the +greater part of the year, but I have succeeded with even colts. I tried +my hand on two of them wild from the Devonshire moors, in August last, +and succeeded perfectly in an hour. I made them as affectionate as pet +ponies, ready to follow me everywhere, as well as to submit to be +mounted and ridden. + +As to curing vicious horses, all that can be safely said is, that it +puts it into the power of a _courageous, calm-tempered horseman_ to +conquer any horse. "Cruiser" was quiet in the hands of Mr. Rarey and Mr. +Rice, but when insulted in the circus of Leicester Square by a violent +jerk, he rushed at his tormentor with such ferocity that he cleared the +ring of all the spangled troupe, yet, in the midst of his rage, he +halted and ran up on being called by Rarey. + +From this we learn that such a horse won't be bullied and must not be +feared. But such vicious horses are rare exceptions. It is curious, that +Mr. Rarey should have made his reputation by the least useful exercise +of his art. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[27-*] The Cape horse has recently come into notice, in consequence of +the publication of "Papers relating to the Purchase of Horses at the +Cape for the Army of India." It seems that not less than 3300 have been +purchased for that purpose; that Cape horses purchased by Colonel +Havelock arrived from India in the Crimea in better condition than any +other horses in the regiment; and that in the Caffre War Cape horses +condemned by the martinets of a Remount Committee, carried the 7th +Dragoons, averaging, in marching order, over nineteen stone, and no +privation or fatigue could make General Cathcart's horses succumb. These +horses are bred between the Arabs introduced by the Dutch and the +English thoroughbred. I confess I see with, surprise that Colonel +Apperley, the remount agent, recommends crosses with Norfolk trotting +and Cleveland stallions. No such cross has ever answered in this +country. Had he recommended thoroughbred weight-carrying stallions in +preference to Arabs, I could have understood his condemnation of the +latter. I should have hesitated to set my opinion against Colonel +Apperley, had I not found that he differs entirely from the late General +Sir Walter Gilbert, the greatest horseman, take him for all in all, as a +cavalry officer, as a flat and steeple-chase rider, and rider to hounds +of his day.--_See Napier's Indian Misgovernment_, p. 286 _et seq._ + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.--Heads of the + Rarey Lectures.--Editor's paraphrase.--That any horse may be taught + docility.--That a horse should be so handled and tied as to feel + inferior to man.--That a horse should be allowed to see, smell, and + feel all fearful objects.--Key note of the Rarey system. + + +FIRST.--That he is so constituted by nature that he will not offer +resistance to any demand made of him which he fully comprehends, if made +in a way consistent with the laws of his nature. + +SECOND.--That he has no consciousness of his strength beyond his +experience, and can be handled according to our will without force. + +THIRD.--That we can, in compliance with the laws of his nature, by which +he examines all things new to him, take any object, however frightful, +around, over, or on him, that does not inflict pain--without causing him +to fear. + +To take these assertions in order, I will first give you some of the +reasons why I think he is naturally obedient, and will not offer +resistance to anything fully comprehended. The horse, though possessed +of some faculties superior to man's, being deficient in reasoning +powers, has no knowledge of right or wrong, of free will and independent +government, and knows not of any imposition practised upon him, however +unreasonable these impositions may be. Consequently, he cannot come to +any decision as to what he should or should not do, because he has not +the reasoning faculties of man to argue the justice of the thing +demanded of him. If he had, taking into consideration his superior +strength, he would be useless to man as a servant. Give him _mind_ in +proportion to his strength, and he will demand of us the green fields +for his inheritance, where he will roam at leisure, denying the right of +servitude at all. God has wisely formed his nature so that it can be +operated upon by the knowledge of man according to the dictates of his +will; and he might well be termed an unconscious, submissive servant. +This truth we can see verified in every day's experience by the abuses +practised upon him. Any one who chooses to be so cruel can mount the +noble steed and run him till he drops with fatigue, or, as is often the +case with the more spirited, falls dead beneath his rider. If he had the +power to reason, would he not rear and pitch his rider, rather than +suffer him to run him to death? Or would he condescend to carry at all +the vain impostor, who, with but equal intellect, was trying to impose +on his equal rights and equally independent spirit? But, happily for us, +he has no consciousness of imposition, no thought of disobedience except +by impulse caused by the violation of the law of his nature. +Consequently, when disobedient, it is the fault of man. + +Then, we can but come to the conclusion that, if a horse is not taken in +a way at variance with the laws of his nature, he will do anything that +he fully comprehends, without making any offer of resistance. + +Second--The fact of the horse being unconscious of the amount of his +strength can be proven to the satisfaction of any one. For instance, +such remarks as these are common, and perhaps familiar to your +recollection. One person says to another, "If that wild horse there was +conscious of the amount of his strength, his owner would have no +business with him in that vehicle: such light reins and harness, too--if +he knew, he could snap them asunder in a minute, and be as free as the +air we breathe;" and, "That horse yonder, that is pawing and fretting to +follow the company that is fast leaving him--if he knew his strength, he +would not remain long fastened to that hitching post so much against his +will, by a strap that would no more resist his powerful weight and +strength than a cotton thread would bind a strong man." Yet these facts, +made common by every-day occurrence, are not thought of as anything +wonderful. Like the ignorant man who looks at the different phases of +the moon, you look at these things as he looks at her different changes, +without troubling your mind with the question, "Why are these things +so?" What would be the condition of the world if all our minds lay +dormant? If men did not think, reason, and act, our undisturbed, +slumbering intellects would not excel the imbecility of the brute; we +should live in chaos, hardly aware of our existence. And yet, with all +our activity of mind, we daily pass by unobserved that which would be +wonderful if philosophized and reasoned upon; and with the same +inconsistency wonder at that which a little consideration, reason, and +philosophy, would make but a simple affair. + +Third--He will allow any object, however frightful in appearance, to +come around, over, or on him, that does not inflict pain. + +We know, from a natural course of reasoning, that there has never been +an effect without a cause; and we infer from this that there can be no +action, either in animate or inanimate matter, without there first being +some cause to produce it. And from this self-evident fact we know that +there is some cause for every impulse or movement of either mind or +matter, and that this law governs every action or movement of the animal +kingdom. Then, according to this theory, there must be some cause before +fear can exist; and if fear exists from the effect of imagination, and +not from the infliction of real pain, it can be removed by complying +with those laws of nature by which the horse examines an object, and +determines upon its innocence or harm. + +A log or stump by the road-side may be, in the imagination of the horse, +some great beast about to pounce upon him; but after you take him up to +it, and let him stand by it a little while, and touch it with his nose, +and go through his process of examination, he will not care anything +more about it. And the same principle and process will have the same +effect with any other object, however frightful in appearance, in which +there is no harm. Take a boy that has been frightened by a false face, +or any other object that he could not comprehend at once; but let him +take that face or object in his hands and examine it, and he will not +care anything more about it. This is a demonstration of the same +principle. + +With this introduction to the principles of my theory, I shall next +attempt to teach you how to put it into practice; and whatever +instructions may follow, you can rely on as having been proven +practically by my own experiments. And knowing, from experience, just +what obstacles I have met with in handling bad horses, I shall try to +anticipate them for you, and assist you in surmounting them, by +commencing with the first steps to be taken with the colt, and +accompanying you through the whole task of breaking. + +These three principles have been enlarged upon and explained in a fuller +and more familiar manner by Mr. Rarey in his Lectures, of which the +following are the heads. + +"Principles on which horses should be treated and educated--not by fear +or force--By an intelligent application of skill with firmness and +patience--How to approach a colt--How to halter--How teach to lead in +twenty minutes--How to subdue and cause to lie down in fifteen +minutes--How to tame and cure fear and nervousness--How to saddle and +bridle--How to accustom to be mounted and ridden--How to accustom to a +drum--to an umbrella--to a lady's habit, or any other object, in a few +minutes--How to harness a horse for the first time--How to drive a horse +unbroken to harness, and make go steady, single or double, in a couple +of hours--How to make any horse stand still until called--How to make a +horse follow his owner." + + * * * * * + +In plain language, Mr. Rarey means, that-- + +1st. That any horse may be taught to do anything that a horse can do if +taught in a proper manner. + +2nd. That a horse is not conscious of his own strength until he has +resisted and conquered a man, and that by taking advantage of man's +reasoning powers a horse can be handled in such a manner that he shall +not find out his strength. + +3rd. That by enabling a horse to examine every object with which we +desire to make him familiar, with the organs naturally used for that +purpose, viz. _seeing_, _smelling_, and _feeling_, you may take any +object around, over, and on him that does not actually hurt him. + +Thus, for example, the objects which affright horses are the feel of +saddles, riding-habits, harness, and wheeled carriages; the sight of +umbrellas and flags; loaded waggons, troops, or a crowd; the sound of +wheels, of drums, of musketry. There are thousands of horses that by +degrees learn to bear all these things; others, under our old imperfect +system, never improve, and continue nervous or vicious to the end of +their lives. Every year good sound horses are drafted from the cavalry, +or from hunters' barbs and carriage-horses, into omnibuses and Hansom +cabs, because they cannot be made to bear the sound of drums and +firearms, or will not submit to be shod, and be safe and steady in +crowded cities, or at covert side. Nothing is more common than to hear +that such a horse would be invaluable if he would go in harness, or +carry a lady, or that a racehorse of great swiftness is almost valueless +because his temper is so bad, or his nervousness in a crowd so great +that he cannot be depended on to start or to run his best. + +All these varieties of nervous and vicious animals are deteriorated in +value, because they have not been educated to confide in and implicitly +obey man. + +The whole object of the Rarey system is, to give the horse full +confidence in his rider, to make him obedient to his voice and gestures, +and to impress the animal with the belief that he could not successfully +resist him. + +Lord Pembroke, in his treatise on Horsemanship, says, "His hand is the +best whose indications are so clear that his horse cannot mistake them, +_and whose gentleness and fearlessness_ alike induce obedience to them." +"The noblest animal," says Colonel Greenwood, "will obey such a rider; +and it is ever the noblest, most intelligent horses, that rebel the +most. In riding a colt or a restive horse we should never forget that he +has the right to resist, and that as far as he can judge we have not the +right to insist. The great thing in horsemanship is to get the horse to +be your party, not to obey only, but to obey willingly. For this reason +the lessons cannot be begun too early, or be too progressive." + +The key-note to the Rarey system is to be found in the opening sentence +of his early lectures in England: "Man has reason in addition to his +senses. A horse judges everything by SEEING, SMELLING, and FEELING." It +must be the business of every one who undertakes to train colts that +they shall _see_, _smell_, and _feel_ everything that they are to wear +or to bear. + + + + +[Illustration: HALTER OR BRIDLE FOR COLTS.] + +CHAPTER IV. + + How to drive a colt from pasture.--How to drive into a stable.--The + kind of halter.--Experiment with a robe or cloak.--Horse-taming + drugs.--The Editor's remarks.--Importance of patience.--Best kind + of head-stall.--Danger of approaching some colts.--Hints from a + Colonel of the Life Guards. + + +HOW TO DRIVE A COLT FROM PASTURE. + +Go to the pasture and walk around the whole herd quietly, and at such a +distance as not to cause them to scare and run. Then approach them very +slowly, and if they stick up their heads and seem to be frightened, +stand still until they become quiet, so as not to make them run before +you are close enough to drive them in the direction you want them to go. +And when you begin to drive, do not flourish your arms or halloo, but +gently follow them off, leaving the direction open that you wish them to +take. Thus taking advantage of their ignorance, you will be able to get +them into the pound as easily as the hunter drives the quails into his +net. For, if they have always run in the pasture uncared for (as many +horses do in prairie countries and on large plantations), there is no +reason why they should not be as wild as the sportsman's birds, and +require the same gentle treatment, if you want to get them without +trouble; for the horse, in his natural state, is as wild as a stag, or +any of the undomesticated animals, though more easily tamed. + + +HOW TO STABLE A COLT WITHOUT TROUBLE. + +The next step will be, to get the horse into a stable or shed. This +should be done as quietly as possible, so as not to excite any suspicion +in the horse of any danger befalling him. The best way to do this, is to +lead a broken horse into the stable first and hitch (tie) him, then +quietly walk around the colt and let him go in of his own accord. It is +almost impossible to get men who have never practised on this principle +to go slowly and considerately enough about it. They do not know that +in handling a wild horse, above all other things, is that good old adage +true, that "haste makes waste;" that is, waste of time--for the gain of +trouble and perplexity. + +One wrong move may frighten your horse, and make him think it necessary +to escape at all hazards for the safety of his life--and thus make two +hours' work of a ten minutes' job; and this would be all your own fault, +and entirely unnecessary--_for he will not run unless you run after him, +and that would not be good policy unless you knew that you could outrun +him, for you will have to let him stop of his own accord after all_. But +he will not try to break away unless you attempt to force him into +measures. If he does not see the way at once, and is a little fretful +about going in, do not undertake to drive him, but give him a little +less room outside, by gently closing in around him. Do not raise your +arms, but let them hang at your side, for you might as well raise a +club: _the horse has never studied anatomy, and does not know but that +they will unhinge themselves and fly at him_. If he attempts to turn +back, walk before him, but do not run; and if he gets past you, encircle +him again in the same quiet manner, and he will soon find that you are +not going to hurt him; and then you can walk so close around him that he +will go into the stable for more room, and to get farther from you. As +soon as he is in, remove the quiet horse and shut the door. This will be +his first notion of confinement--not knowing how he got into such a +place, nor how to get out of it. That he may take it as quietly at +possible, see that the shed is entirely free from dogs, chickens, or +anything that would annoy him. Then give him a few ears of corn, and let +him remain alone fifteen or twenty minutes, until he has examined his +apartment, and has become reconciled to his confinement. + + +TIME TO REFLECT. + +And now, while your horse is eating those few ears of corn, is the +proper time to see that your halter is ready and all right, and to +reflect on the best mode of operations; for in horse-breaking it is +highly important that you should be governed by some system. And you +should know, before you attempt to do anything, just what you are going +to do, and how you are going to do it. And, if you are experienced in +the art of taming wild horses, you ought to be able to tell, within a +few minutes, the length of time it would take you to halter the colt, +and teach him to lead. + + +THE KIND OF HALTER. + +Always use a leather halter, and be sure to have it made so that it will +not draw tight around his nose if he pulls on it. It should be of the +right size to fit his head easily and nicely; so that the nose-band will +not be too tight or too low. Never put a rope halter on an unbroken +colt, under any circumstances whatever. Rope halters have caused more +horses to hurt or kill themselves than would pay for twice the cost of +all the leather halters that have ever been needed for the purpose of +haltering colts. It is almost impossible to break a colt that is very +wild with a rope halter, without having him pull, rear, and throw +himself, and thus endanger his life; and I will tell you why. It is just +as natural for a horse to try to get his head out of anything that hurts +it, or feels unpleasant, at it would be for you to try to get your hand +out of a fire. The cords of the rope are hard and cutting; this makes +him raise his head and draw on it, and as soon as he pulls, the slip +noose (the way rope-halters are always made) tightens, and pinches his +nose, and then he will struggle for life, until, perchance, he throws +himself; and who would have his horse throw himself, and run the risk of +breaking his neck, rather than pay the price of a leather halter? But +this is not the worst. _A horse that has once pulled on his halter can +never be as well broken as one that has never pulled at all._ + +But before we attempt to do anything more with the colt, I will give you +some of the characteristics of his nature, that you may better +understand his motions. Every one that has ever paid any attention to +the horse, has noticed his natural inclination to smell everything which +to him looks new and frightful. This is their strange mode of examining +everything. And when they are frightened at anything, though they look +at it sharply, they seem to have no confidence in their eyesight alone, +but must touch it with their nose before they are entirely satisfied; +and, as soon as they have done that, all seems right. + + +EXPERIMENT WITH THE ROBE. + +If you want to satisfy yourself of this characteristic of the horse, and +to learn something of importance concerning the peculiarities of his +nature, &c., turn him into the barn-yard, or a large stable will do, and +then gather up something that you know will frighten him--a red blanket, +buffalo robe, or something of that kind. Hold it up so that he can see +it, he will stick up his head and snort. Then throw it down somewhere in +the centre of the lot or barn, and walk off to one side. Watch his +motions, and study his nature. If he is frightened at the object, he +will not rest until he has touched it with his nose. You will see him +begin to walk around the robe and snort, all the time getting a little +closer, as if drawn up by some magic spell, until he finally gets within +reach of it. He will then very cautiously stretch out his neck as far as +he can reach, merely touching it with his nose, as though he thought it +was ready to fly at him. But after he has repeated these touches a few +times, for the first time (though he has been looking at it all the +while) he seems to have an idea what it is. But now he has found, by the +sense of feeling, that it is nothing that will do him any harm, and he +is ready to play with it. And if you watch him closely, you will see him +take hold of it with his teeth, and raise it up and pull at it. And in a +few minutes you can see that he has not that same wild look about his +eye, but stands like a horse biting at some familiar stump. + +Yet the horse is never so well satisfied when he is about anything that +has frightened him, as when he is standing with his nose to it. And, in +nine cases out of ten, you will see some of that same wild look about +him again, as he turns to walk from it. And you will, probably, see him +looking back very suspiciously as he walks away, as though he thought it +might come after him yet. And in all probability, he will have to go +back and make another examination before he is satisfied. But he will +familiarize himself with it, and, if he should run in that field a few +days, the robe that frightened him so much at first will be no more to +him than a familiar stump. + +We might very naturally suppose from the fact of the horse's applying +his nose to everything new to him, that he always does so for the +purpose of smelling these objects. But I believe that it is as much or +more for the purpose of feeling, and that he makes use of his nose, or +muzzle (as it is sometimes called), as we would of our hands; because it +is the only organ by which he can touch or feel anything with much +susceptibility. + +I believe that he invariably makes use of the four senses, SEEING, +HEARING, SMELLING, and FEELING, in all of his examinations, of which the +sense of feeling is, perhaps, the most important. And I think that in +the experiment with the robe, his gradual approach and final touch with +his nose was as much for the purpose of feeling as anything else, his +sense of smell being so keen that it would not be necessary for him to +touch his nose against anything in order to get the proper scent; for it +is said that a horse can smell a man at a distance of a mile. And if the +scent of the robe was all that was necessary he could get that several +rods off. But we know from experience, that if a horse sees and smells a +robe a short distance from him he is very much frightened (unless he is +used to it) until he touches or feels it with his nose; which is a +positive proof that feeling is the controlling sense in this case. + + +HORSE-TAMING DRUGS (?). + +It is a prevailing opinion among horsemen generally that the sense of +smell is the governing sense of the horse. And Baucher, as well as +others, has with that view got up receipts of strong smelling oils, &c., +to tame the horse, sometimes using the chestnut of his leg, which they +dry, grind into powder, and blow into his nostrils, sometimes using the +oils of rhodium, origanum, &c., that are noted for their strong smell; +and sometimes they scent the hand with the sweat from under the arm, or +blow their breath into his nostrils, &c., &c. All of which, as far as +the scent goes, have no effect whatever in gentling the horse, or +conveying any idea to his mind; _though the acts that accompany these +efforts--handling him, touching him about the nose and head, and patting +him, as they direct you should, after administering the articles, may +have a very great effect, which they mistake for the effect of the +ingredients used_. And Baucher, in his work, entitled "The Arabian Art +of Taming Horses," page 17, tells us how to accustom a horse to a robe, +by administering certain articles to his nose; and goes on to say that +these articles must first be applied to the horse's nose, before you +attempt to break him, in order to operate successfully. + +Now, reader, can you, or any one else, give one single reason how scent +can convey any idea to the horse's mind of what we want him to do? If +not, then of course strong scents of any kind can be of no use in taming +the unbroken horse. For, everything that we get him to do of his own +accord, without force, must be accomplished by conveying our ideas to +his mind. I say to my horse, "Go-'long!" and he goes; "Ho!" and he +stops, because these two words, of which he has learned the meaning by +the tap of the whip and the pull of the rein that first accompanied +them, convey the two ideas to his mind of _go_ and _stop_. + +It is impossible to teach the horse a single thing by the means of scent +alone; and as for affection, that can be better created by other means. + +How long do you suppose a horse would have to stand and smell a bottle +of oil, before he would learn to bend his knee and make a bow at your +bidding, "Go yonder and bring my hat," or "Come here and lie down?" The +absurdity of trying to break or tame the horse by the means of receipts +for articles to smell at, or of medicine to swallow, is self-evident. + +The only science that has ever existed in the world, relative to the +breaking of horses, that has been of any value, is that method which, +taking them in their native state, improves their intelligence. + + +EDITOR'S REMARKS. + +The directions for driving colts from the pasture are of less importance +in this country where fields are enclosed, and the most valuable colts +wear headstalls, and are handled, or ought to be, from their earliest +infancy; but in Wales, and on wastes like Exmoor[47-*] or Dartmoor, the +advice may be found useful. + +Under all circumstances it is important that the whole training of a +colt (and training of the boy who is to manage horses) should be +conducted from first to last on consistent principles; for, in the mere +process of driving a colt from the field to the fold-yard, ideas of +terror may be instilled into the timid animal, for instance, by idle +drumming on a hat, which it will take weeks or months to eradicate. + +The next step is to get the colt into a stable, barn, or other building +sufficiently large for the early operations, and secluded from those +sights and sounds so common in a farm-yard, which would be likely to +distract his attention. In training a colt the squeaking of a litter of +pigs has lost me the work of three hours. An outfield, empty barn, or +bullock-shed, is better than any place near the homestead. + +It is a good plan to keep an intelligent old horse expressly for the +purpose of helping to train and lead the young colts. I have known +horses that seemed to take a positive pleasure in helping to subdue a +wild colt when first put in double harness. + +The great point is not to force or frighten a colt into the stable, but +to edge him into it quietly, and cause him to glide in of his own +accord. In this simple operation, the horse-trainer will test himself +the indispensable quality of a horse trainer--_patience_. A word I shall +have to repeat until my readers are almost heartily sick of the +"_damnable iteration_." There is a world of equestrian wisdom in two +sentences of the chapter just quoted, "he will not run unless you run +after him," and "the horse has not studied anatomy." + +The observations about rope halters are very sound, and in addition I +may add, that the mouths of hundreds of horses are spoiled by the +practice of passing a looped rope round the lower jaw of a fiery horse, +which the rider often makes the stay for keeping himself in his seat. + +The best kind of head-stall for training colts is that delineated at the +head of this chapter,[48-*] called the Bush Bridle, to which any kind of +bit may be attached, and by unbuckling the bit it is converted into a +capital halter, with a rope for leading a colt or picketing a horse at +night. + +The long rope is exactly what Mr. Rarey recommends for teaching a colt +to lead. Every one of any experience will agree that "a horse that has +once pulled on his halter can never be so well broken as one that has +never pulled at all." + +The directions for stroking and patting the body and limbs of a colt +are curious, as proving that an operation which we have been in the +habit of performing as a matter of course without attaching any +particular virtue to it, has really a sort of mesmeric effect in +soothing and conciliating a nervous animal. The directions in Chapter V. +for approaching a colt deserve to be studied very minutely, remembering +always the maxim printed at p. 57--_Fear and anger, a good horseman +should never feel._ + +It took Mr. Rarey himself two hours to halter a savage half-broken colt +in Liverpool, but then he had the disadvantage of being surrounded by an +impatient whispering circle of spectators. At Lord Poltimore's seat in +Devonshire, in February last (1858), Lord Rivers was two hours alone +with a very sulky biting colt, but finally succeeded in haltering and +saddling him. Yet his lordship had only seen one lesson illustrated on a +very difficult horse at the Duke of Wellington's school. But this +operation is much more easily described than executed, because some +colts will smell at your hand one moment, and turn round as quick as +lightning, and plant their heels in your ribs if you are not very +active, and don't stand very close to them. On the directions for using +the whip, p. 55, with colts of a stubborn disposition, I can say +nothing, never having seen it so employed; but it is evident, that it +must be employed with very great discretion. + +The directions for haltering are very complete, but to execute them with +a colt or horse that paws violently, even in play, with his fore-feet, +requires no common agility. But I may mention that I saw Mr. Rarey alone +put a bridle on a horse seventeen bands high that was notoriously +difficult to bridle even with two men assisting in the operation. + +In reference to the hints for treating a colt in a little work from +which I have already quoted, a colonel in the Life Guards says, "The +great thing in horsemanship is to get your horse to be of your party; +not only to obey, but to obey willingly. For this reason, a young horse +cannot be begun with too early, and his lessons cannot be too gradually +progressive. He should wear a head-stall from the beginning, be +accustomed to be held and made fast by the head, to give up all four +feet, to bear the girthing of a roller, to be led, &c." But if all this +useful preliminary education, in which climbing through gaps after an +old hunter, and taking little jumps, be omitted, then the Rarey system +comes in to shorten your domesticating labours. + +"A wild horse, until tamed, is just as wild and fearful as a wild stag +taken for the first time in the toils. + +"When a horse hangs back and leads unwillingly, the common error is to +get in front of him and pull him. This may answer when the man is +stronger than the horse, but not otherwise. + +"In leading you should never be further forward than your horse's +shoulder: with your right-hand hold his head in front of you by the +bridle close to his mouth or the head-stall, and with your left hand +touch him with a whip as far back as you can; if you have not a whip you +can use a stirrup-leather." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[47-*] See page 215--"The Wild Ponies of Exmoor." + +[48-*] Made by Stokey, North Street, Little Moorfields, London. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Powell's system of approaching a colt.--Haley's remarks on.--Lively + high-spirited horses tamed easily.--Stubborn sulky ones more + difficult.--Motto, "Fear, love and obey."--Use of a whalebone + gig-whip.--How to frighten and then approach.--Use kind words.--How + to halter and lead a colt.--By the side of a horse.--To lead into a + stable.--To tie up to a manger.--Editor's remarks.--Longeing.--Use + and abuse of.--On bitting.--Sort of bit for a colt.--Dick + Christian's bit.--The wooden gag bit. + + +But, before we go further, I will give you Willis J. Powell's system of +approaching a wild colt, as given by him in a work published in Europe, +about the year 1814, on the "Art of Taming Wild Horses."[51-*] He says, +"A horse is gentled by my secret in from two to sixteen hours." The time +I have most commonly employed has been from four to six hours. He goes +on to say, "Cause your horse to be put in a small yard, stable, or room. +If in a stable or room, it ought to be large, in order to give him some +exercise with the halter before you lead him out. If the horse belongs +to that class which appears only to fear man, you must introduce +yourself gently into the stable, room, or yard, where the horse is. He +will naturally run from you, and frequently turn his head from you; for +you must walk about extremely slow and softly, so that he can see you +whenever he turns his head towards you, which he never fails to do in a +short time, say in a quarter or half an hour. I never knew one to be +much longer without turning towards me. + +"At the very moment he turns his head, hold out your left hand towards +him, and stand perfectly still, keeping your eyes upon the horse, +watching his motions, if he makes any. If the horse does not stir for +ten or fifteen minutes, advance as slowly as possible, and without +making the least noise, always holding out your left hand, without any +other ingredient in it than what nature put in it." He says, "I have +made use of certain ingredients before people, such as the sweat under +my arm, &c., to disguise the real secret, and many believed that the +docility to which the horse arrived in so short a time was owing to +these ingredients: but you see from this explanation that they were of +no use whatever. The implicit faith placed in these ingredients, though +innocent of themselves, becomes 'faith without works.' And thus men +remained always in doubt concerning the secret. If the horse makes the +least motion when you advance towards him, stop, and remain perfectly +still until he is quiet. Remain a few moments in this condition, and +then advance again in the same slow and almost imperceptible manner. +Take notice--if the horse stirs, stop, without changing your position. +It is very uncommon for the horse to stir more than once after you begin +to advance, yet there are exceptions. He generally keeps his eyes +steadfast on you, until you get near enough to touch him on the +forehead. When you are thus near to him, raise slowly and by degrees +your hand, and let it come in contact with that part just above the +nostrils, as lightly as possible. If the horse flinches (as many will), +repeat with great rapidity these light strokes upon the forehead, going +a little farther up towards his ears by degrees, and descending with +the same rapidity until he will let you handle his forehead all over. +Now let the strokes be repeated with more force over all his forehead, +descending by lighter strokes to each side of his head, until you can +handle that part with equal facility. Then touch in the same light +manner, making your hands and fingers play around, the lower part of the +horse's ears, coming down now and then to his forehead, which may be +looked upon as the helm that governs all the rest. + +"Having succeeded in handling his ears, advance towards the neck, with +the same precautions, and in the same manner; observing always to +augment the force of the strokes whenever the horse will permit it. +Perform the same on both sides of the neck, until he lets you take it in +your arms without flinching. + +"Proceed in the same progressive manner to the sides, and then to the +back of the horse. Every time the horse shows any nervousness, return +immediately to the forehead, as the true standard, patting him with your +hands, and thence rapidly to where you had already arrived, always +gaining ground a considerable distance farther on every time this +happens. The head, ears, neck, and body being thus gentled, proceed from +the back to the root of the tail. + +"This must be managed with dexterity, as a horse is never to be depended +on that is skittish about the tail. Let your hand fall lightly and +rapidly on that part next to the body a minute or two, and then you will +begin to give it a slight pull upwards every quarter of a minute. At the +same time you continue this handling of him, augment the force of the +strokes as well as the raising of the tail, until you can raise it and +handle it with the greatest ease, which commonly happens in a quarter of +an hour in most horses, in others almost immediately, and in some much +longer. It now remains to handle all his legs; from the tail come back +again to the head, handle it well, as likewise the ears, breast, neck, +&c., speaking now and then to the horse. Begin by degrees to descend to +the legs, always ascending and descending, gaming ground every time you +descend, until you get to his feet. + +"Talk to the horse in Latin, Greek, French, English, or Spanish, or in +any other language you please; but let him hear the sound of your voice, +which at the beginning of the operation is not quite so necessary, but +which I have always done in making him lift up his feet. 'Hold up your +foot'--'Lève le pied'--'Alza el pié'--'Aron ton poda,' &c.; at the same +time lift his foot with your hand. He soon becomes familiar with the +sounds, and will hold up his foot at command. Then proceed to the hind +feet, and go on in the same manner; and in a short time the horse will +let you lift them, and even take them up in your arms. + +"All this operation is no magnetism, no galvanism; it is merely taking +away the fear a horse generally has of a man, and familiarizing the +animal with his master. As the horse doubtless experiences a certain +pleasure from this handling, he will soon become gentle under it, and +show a very marked attachment to his keeper." + + +RAREY'S REMARKS ON POWELL'S TREATMENT. + +These instructions are very good, but not quite sufficient for horses of +all kinds, and for haltering and leading the colt; but I have inserted +them here because they give some of the true philosophy of approaching +the horse, and of establishing confidence between man and horse. He +speaks only of the kind that fear man. + +To those who understand the philosophy of horsemanship, these are the +easiest trained; for when we have a horse that is wild and lively, we +can train him to our will in a very short time--for they are generally +quick to learn, and always ready to obey. But there is another kind that +are of a stubborn or vicious disposition; and although they are not +wild, and do not require taming, in the sense it is generally +understood, they are just as ignorant as a wild horse, if not more so, +and need to be taught just as much: and in order to have them obey +quickly, it is very necessary that they should be made to fear their +master; for, in order to obtain perfect obedience from any horse, we +must first have him fear us, for our motto is, "_Fear, love and obey_;" +and we must have the fulfilment of the first two before we can expect +the latter; for it is by our philosophy of creating fear, love, and +confidence, that we govern to our will every kind of horse whatever. + +Then, in order to take horses as we find them, of all kinds, and to +train them to our liking, we should always take with us, when we go into +a stable to train a colt, a long switch whip (whalebone buggy-whips are +the best), with a good silk cracker, so as to cut keenly and make a +sharp report. This, if handled with dexterity, and rightly applied, +accompanied with a sharp, fierce word, will be sufficient to enliven the +spirits of any horse. With this whip in your right hand, with the lash +pointing backward, enter the stable alone. It is a great disadvantage, +in training a horse, to have any one in the stable with you; you should +be entirely alone, so as to have nothing but yourself to attract his +attention. If he is wild, you will soon see him on the opposite side of +the stable from you; and now is the time to use a little judgment. I +should not require, myself, more than half or three-quarters of an hour +to handle any kind of colt, and have him running about in the stable +after me; though I would advise a new beginner to take more time, and +not be in too much of a hurry. If you have but one colt to gentle, and +are not particular about the length of time you spend, and have not had +any experience in handling colts, I would advise you to take Mr. +Powell's method at first, till you gentle him, which, he says, takes +from two to six hours. But as I want to accomplish the same, and, what +is more, teach the horse to lead, in less than one hour, I shall give +you a much quicker process of accomplishing the same end. Accordingly, +when you have entered the stable, stand still, and let your horse look +at you a minute or two, and as soon as he is settled in one place, +approach him slowly, with both arms stationary, your right hanging by +your side, holding the whip as directed, and the left bent at the elbow, +with your hand projecting. As you approach him, go not too much towards +his head or croup, so as not to make him move either forward or +backward, thus keeping your horse stationary; if he does move a little +either forward or backward, step a little to the right or left very +cautiously; this will keep him in one place. As you get very near him, +draw a little to his shoulder, and stop a few seconds. If you are in his +reach he will turn his head and smell your hand, not that he has any +preference for your hand, but because that is projecting, and is the +nearest portion of your body to the horse. This all colts will do, and +they will smell your naked hand just as quickly as they will of anything +that you can put in it, and with just as good an effect, however much +some men have preached the doctrine of taming horses by giving them the +scent of articles from the hand. I have already proved that to be a +mistake. As soon as he touches your hand with his nose, caress him as +before directed, always using a very light, soft hand, merely touching +the horse, always rubbing the way the hair lies, so that your hand will +pass along as smoothly as possible. As you stand by his side, you may +find it more convenient to rub his neck or the side of his head, which +will answer the same purpose as rubbing his forehead. Favour every +inclination of the horse to smell or touch you with his nose. _Always +follow each touch or communication of this kind with the most tender and +affectionate caresses, accompanied, with a kind look, and pleasant word +of some sort_, such as, "Ho! my little boy--ho! my little boy!" "Pretty +boy!" "Nice lady!" or something of that kind, constantly repeating the +same words, with the same kind, steady tone of voice; for the horse soon +learns to read the expression of the face and voice, and will know as +well when fear, love, or anger prevails, as you know your own feelings; +two of which, FEAR AND ANGER, A GOOD HORSEMAN SHOULD NEVER FEEL. + + +IF YOUR HORSE IS OF A STUBBORN DISPOSITION. + +If your horse, instead of being wild, seems to be of a stubborn or +_mulish_ disposition; if he lays back his ears as you approach him, or +turns his heels to kick you, he has not that regard or fear of man that +he should have, to enable you to handle him quickly and easily; and it +might be well to give him a few sharp cuts with the whip, about the +legs, pretty close to the body. It will crack keenly as it plies around +his legs, and the crack of the whip will affect him as much as the +stroke; besides, one sharp cut about his legs will affect him more than +two or three over his back, the skin on the inner part of his legs or +about his flank being thinner, more tender, than on his back. But do +not whip him much--just enough to frighten him; _it is not because we +want to hurt the horse that we whip him_--we only do it to frighten vice +and stubbornness out of him. But whatever you do, do quickly, sharply, +and with a good deal of fire, but always without anger. If you are going +to frighten him at all, you must do it at once. Never go into a pitched +battle with your horse, and whip him until he is mad and will fight you; +it would be better not to touch him at all, for you will establish, +instead of fear and respect, feelings of resentment, hatred, and +ill-will. It will do him no good, but harm, to strike him, unless you +can frighten him; but if you can succeed in frightening him, you can +whip him without making him mad; _for fear and anger never exist +together in the horse_, and as soon as one is visible, you will find +that the other has disappeared. As soon as you have frightened him, so +that he will stand up straight and pay some attention to you, approach +him again, and caress him a good deal more than you whipped him; thus +you will excite the two controlling passions of his nature, love and +fear; he will love and fear you, too; and, as soon as he learns what you +require, will obey quickly. + + +HOW TO HALTER AND LEAD A COLT. + +As soon as you have gentled the colt a little, take the halter in your +left hand, and approach him as before, and on the same side that you +have gentled him. If he is very timid about your approaching closely to +him, you can get up to him quicker by making the whip a part of your +arm, and reaching out very gently with the butt end of it, rubbing him +lightly on the neck, all the time getting a little closer, shortening +the whip by taking it up in your hand, until you finally get close +enough to put your hands on him. If he is inclined to hold his head from +you, put the end of the halter-strap around his neck, drop your whip, +and draw very gently; he will let his neck give, and you can pull his +head to you. Then take hold of that part of the halter which buckles +over the top of his head, and pass the long side, or that part which +goes into the buckle, under his neck, grasping it on the opposite side +with your right hand, letting the first strap loose--the latter will be +sufficient to hold his head to you. Lower the halter a little, just +enough to get his nose into that part which goes around it; then raise +it somewhat, and fasten the top buckle, and you will have it all right. +The first time you halter a colt you should stand on the left side, +pretty well back to his shoulder, only taking hold of that part of the +halter that goes around his neck; then with your two hands about his +neck you can hold his head to you, and raise the halter on it without +making him dodge by putting your hands about his nose. You should have a +long rope or strap ready, and as soon as you have the halter on, attach +this to it, so that you can let him walk the length of the stable +without letting go of the strap, or without making him pull on the +halter, for if you only let him feel the weight of your hand on the +halter, and give him rope when he runs from you, he will never rear, +pull, or throw himself, yet you will be holding him all the time, and +doing more towards gentling him than if you had the power to snub him +right up, and hold him to one spot; because he does not know anything +about his strength, and if you don't do anything to make him pull, he +will never know that he can. In a few minutes you can begin to control +him with the halter, then shorten the distance between yourself and the +horse by taking up the strap in your hand. + +As soon as he will allow you to hold him by a tolerably short strap, and +to step up to him without flying back, you can begin to give him some +idea about leading. But to do this, do not go before and attempt to pull +him after you, but commence by pulling him very quietly to one side. He +has nothing to brace either side of his neck, and will soon yield to a +steady, gradual pull of the halter; and as soon as you have pulled him a +step or two to one side, step up to him and caress him, and then pull +him again, repeating this operation until you can pull him around in +every direction, and walk about the stable with him, which you can do in +a few minutes, for he will soon think when you have made him step to the +right or left a few times, that he is compelled to follow the pull of +the halter, not knowing that he has the power to resist your pulling; +besides, you have handled him so gently that he is not afraid of you, +and you always caress him when he comes up to you, and he likes that, +and would just as lief follow you as not. And after he has had a few +lessons of that kind, if you turn him out in a field, he will come up to +you every opportunity he gets. + +You should lead him about in the stable some time before you take him +out, opening the door, so that he can see out, leading him up to it and +back again, and past it. + +See that there is nothing on the outside to make him jump when you take +him out, and as you go out with him, try to make him go very slowly, +catching hold of the halter close to the jaw with your left hand, while +the right is resting on the top of the neck, holding to his mane. After +you are out with him a little while, you can lead him about as you +please. + +Don't let any second person come up to you when you first take him out; +a stranger taking hold of the halter would frighten him, and make him +run. There should not even be any one standing near him, to attract his +attention or scare him. If you are alone, and manage him rightly, it +will not require any more force to lead or hold him than it would to +manage a broken horse. + + +HOW TO LEAD A COLT BY THE SIDE OF A BROKEN HORSE. + +If you should want to lead your colt by the side of another horse, as is +often the case, I would advise you to take your horse into the stable, +attach a second strap to the colt's halter, and lead your horse up +alongside of him. Then get on the broken horse and take one strap around +his breast, under his martingale (if he has any on), holding it in your +left hand. This will prevent the colt from getting back too far; +besides, you will have more power to hold him with the strap pulling +against the horse's breast. The other strap take up in your right hand +to prevent him from running ahead; then turn him about a few times in +the stable, and if the door is wide enough, ride out with him in that +position; if not, take the broken horse out first, and stand his breast +up against the door, then lead the colt to the same spot, and take the +straps as before directed, one on each side of his neck, then let some +one start the colt out, and as he comes out, turn your horse to the +left, and you will have them all right. This is the best way to lead a +colt; you can manage any kind of colt in this way, without any trouble; +for if he tries to run ahead, or pull back, the two straps will bring +the horses facing each other, so that you can very easily follow up his +movements without doing much holding, and as soon as he stops running +backward you are right with him, and all ready to go ahead; and if he +gets stubborn and does not want to go, you can remove all his +stubbornness by riding your horse against his neck, thus compelling him +to turn to the right; and as soon as you have turned him about a few +times, he will be willing to go along. The next thing after you have got +through leading him, will be to take him into a stable, and hitch him in +such a way as not to have him pull on the halter; and as they are often +troublesome to get into a stable the first few times, I will give you +some instructions about getting him in. + + +TO LEAD INTO A STABLE. + +You should lead the broken horse into the stable first, and get the +colt, if you can, to follow in after him. If he refuses to go, step unto +him, taking a little stick or switch in your right hand; then take hold +of the halter close to his head with your left hand, at the same time +reaching over his back with your right arm so that you can tap him on +the opposite side with your switch; bring him up facing the door, tap +him slightly with your switch, reaching as far back with it as you can. +This tapping, by being pretty well back, and on the opposite side, will +drive him ahead, and keep him close to you; then by giving him the right +direction with your left hand you can walk into the stable with him. I +have walked colts into the stable this way in less than a minute, after +men had worked at them half an hour, trying to pull them in. If you +cannot walk him in at once in this way, turn him about and walk him +around in every direction, until you can get him up to the door without +pulling at him. Then let him stand a few minutes, keeping his head in +the right direction with the halter, and he will walk in in less than +ten minutes. Never attempt to pull the colt into the stable; that would +make him think at once that it was a dangerous place, and if he was not +afraid of it before he would be then. Besides, we do not want him to +know anything about pulling on the halter. Colts are often hurt and +sometimes killed, by trying to force them into the stable; and those who +attempt to do it in that way go into an up-hill business, when a plain +smooth road is before them. + +If you want to tie up your colt, put him in a tolerably wide stall, +which should not be too long, and should be connected by a bar or +something of that kind to the partition behind it; so that, after the +colt is in he cannot go far enough back to take a straight, backward +pull on the halter; then by tying him in the centre of the stall, it +would be impossible for him to pull on the halter, the partition behind +preventing him from going back, and the halter in the centre checking +him every time he turns to the right or left. In a stall of this kind +you can break any horse to stand tied with a light strap, anywhere, +without his ever knowing anything about pulling. For if you have broken +your horse to lead, and have taught him the use of the halter (which you +should always do before you hitch him to anything), you can hitch him in +any kind of a stall, and if you give him something to eat to keep him up +to his place for a few minutes at first, there is not one colt in fifty +that will pull on his halter. + + +EDITORS REMARKS. + +Mr. Rarey says nothing about "longeing," which is the first step of +European and Eastern training. Perhaps he considers his plan of pulling +up the leg to be sufficient; but be that as it may, we think it well to +give the common sense of a much-abused practice. + +Ignorant horse-breakers will tell you that they _longe_ a colt to supple +him. That is ridiculous nonsense. A colt unbroken will bend himself with +most extraordinary flexibility. Look at a lot of two-years before +starting for a run; observe the agility of their antics: or watch a colt +scratching his head with his hind foot, and you will never believe that +such animals can require suppling. But it is an easy way of teaching a +horse simple acts of obedience--of getting him to go and stop at your +orders: but in brutal hands more horses are spoiled and lamed by the +longe than any other horse-breaking operation. A stupid fellow drags a +horse's head and shoulders into the circle with the cord, while his +hind-quarters are driven out by the whip. + +"_A colt should be longed at a walk only, until he circles without +force._ + +"He should never be compelled to canter in the longe, though he may be +permitted to do it of himself. + +"He must not be stopped by pulling the cord, which would pull him +across, but by meeting him, so that he stops himself straight. A skilful +person will, single-handed, longe, and, by heading him with the whip, +change him without stopping, and longe him in the figure of 8. No man is +fit to be trusted with such powerful implements as the longe-cord and +whip who cannot do this. + +"The snaffle may be added when he goes freely in the head-stall." + +A colt should never be buckled to the pillar reins by his bit, but by +the head-stall; for if tightly buckled to the bit, he will bear +heavily--even go to sleep: raw lip, which, when cured, becomes callous, +is the result. Yet nothing is more common than to see colts standing for +hours on the bit, with reins tightly buckled to the demi-jockey, under +the ignorant notion of giving him a mouth, or setting up his head in the +right place. The latter, if not done by nature, can only be done, if +ever, by delicate, skilful hands. + +A colt's bit should be large and smooth snaffle, with players to keep +his mouth moist. + +Dick Christian liked a bit for young horses as thick as his thumb--we +don't know how thick that was--and four and a half inches between the +cheeks; and there was no better judge than Dick. + +The Germans use a wooden bit to make a horse's mouth, and good judges +think they are right, as it may not be so unpleasant as metal to begin +with; but wood or iron, the bridle should be properly put on, a point +often neglected, and a fertile source of restiveness. There is as much +need to fit a bridle to the length of a horse's head, as to buckle the +girths of the saddle. + +For conquering a vicious, biting horse, there is nothing equal to the +large wooden gag-bit, which Mr. Rarey first exhibited in public on the +zebra. A muzzle only prevents a horse from biting; a gag, properly used, +cures; for when he finds he cannot bite, and that you caress him and rub +his ears kindly with perfect confidence, he by degrees abandons this +most dangerous vice. Stafford was driven in a wooden gag the first +time. Colts inclined to crib-bite, should be dressed with one on. + +[Illustration: WOODEN GAG BIT.] + +Our woodcut is taken from the improved model produced by Mr. Stokey; no +doubt Mr. Rarey took the idea of his gag-bit from the wooden gag, which +has been in use among country farriers from time immemorial, to keep a +horse's mouth while they are performing the cruel and useless operation +of firing for lampas. + +[Illustration: Leg strapped up.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[51-*] Is there such a work? I cannot find it in any English +catalogue.--EDITOR. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Taming a colt or horse.--Rarey's directions for strapping up and + laying down detailed.--Explanations by Editor.--To approach a + vicious horse with half door.--Cartwheel.--No. 1 strap + applied.--No. 2 strap applied.--Woodcuts of.--How to hop + about.--Knot up bridle.--Struggle described.--Lord B.'s improved + No. 2 strap.--Not much danger.--How to steer a horse.--Laid down, + how to gentle.--To mount, tied up.--Place and preparations for + training described. + + +In this chapter I change the arrangement of the original work, and unite +two sections which Mr. Rarey has divided, either because when he wrote +them he was not aware of the importance of what is really the cardinal +point, the mainstay, the foundation of his system, or because he wished +to conceal it from the uninitiated. The Rarey system substitutes for +severe longeing, for whipping and spurring, blinkers, physic, starving, +the twitch, tying the tail down, sewing the ears together, putting shot +in the ears, and all the cruelties hitherto resorted to for subduing +high-spirited and vicious animals (and very often the high-spirited +become, from injudicious treatment, the most vicious), a method of +laying a horse down, tying up his limbs, and gagging, if necessary, his +mouth, which makes him soon feel that man is his superior, and yet +neither excites his terror or his hatred. + +These two sections are to be found at pp. 48 and 51 and at pp. 59 and +60, _orig. edit._, under the titles of "How to drive a Horse that is +very wild, and has any vicious Habits," and "How to make a Horse lie +down." It is essential to unite these sections, because, if you put a +well-bred horse in harness with his leg up, without first putting him +down, it is ten to one but that he throws himself down violently, breaks +the shafts of the vehicle, and his own knees. + +The following are the sections verbatim, of which I shall afterwards +give a paraphrase, with illustrative woodcuts:-- + +"Take up one fore-foot and bend his knee till his hoof is bottom +upwards, and nearly touching his body; then slip a loop over his knee, +and up until it comes above the pastern-joint, to keep it up, being +careful to draw the loop together between the hoof and pastern-joint +with a second strap of some kind to prevent the loop from slipping down +and coming off. This will leave the horse standing on three legs; you +can now handle him as you wish, for it is utterly impossible for him to +kick in this position. There is something in this operation of taking up +one foot, that conquers a horse quicker and better than anything else +you can do to him. There is no process in the world equal to it to break +a kicking horse, for several reasons. First, there is a principle of +this kind in the nature of the horse; that by conquering one member, you +conquer, to a great extent, the whole horse. + +"You have perhaps seen men operate upon this principle, by sewing a +horse's ears together to prevent him from kicking. I once saw a plan +given in a newspaper to make a bad horse stand to be shod, which was to +fasten down one ear. There were no reasons given why you should do so; +but I tried it several times, and thought that it had a good +effect--though I would not recommend its use, especially stitching his +ears together. The only benefit arising from this process is, that by +disarranging his ears we draw his attention to them, and he is not so +apt to resist the shoeing. By tying up one foot we operate on the same +principle to a much better effect. When you first fasten up a horse's +foot, he will sometimes get very mad, and strike with his knee, and try +every possible way to get it down; but he cannot do that, and will soon +give up. + +"This will conquer him better than anything you could do, and without +any possible danger of hurting himself or you either, for you can tie up +his foot and sit down and look at him until he gives up. When you find +that he is conquered, go to him, let down his foot, rub his leg with +your hand, caress him, and let him rest a little; then put it up again. +Repeat this a few times, always putting up the same foot, and he will +soon learn to travel on three legs, so that you can drive him some +distance. As soon as he gets a little used to this way of travelling, +put on your harness, and hitch him to a sulky. If he is the worst +kicking horse that ever raised a foot, you need not be fearful of his +doing any damage while he has one foot up, for he cannot kick, neither +can he run fast enough to do any harm. And if he is the wildest horse +that ever had harness on, and has run away every time he has been +hitched, you can now hitch him in a sulky, and drive him as you please. +If he wants to run, you can let him have the lines, and the whip too, +with perfect safety, for he can go but a slow gait on three legs, and +will soon be tired, and willing to stop; only hold him enough to guide +him in the right direction, and he will soon be tired and willing to +stop at the word. Thus you will effectually cure him at once of any +further notion of running off. Kicking horses have always been the dread +of everybody; you always hear men say, when they speak about a bad +horse, 'I don't care what he does, so he don't kick.' This new method is +an effectual cure for this worst of all habits. There are plenty of ways +by which you can hitch a kicking horse, and force him to go, though he +kicks all the time; but this doesn't have any good effect towards +breaking him, for we know that horses kick because they are afraid of +what is behind them, and when they kick against it and it hurts them, +they will only kick the harder; and this will hurt them still more and +make them remember the scrape much longer, and make it still more +difficult to persuade them to have any confidence in anything dragging +behind them ever after. + +"But by this new method you can harness them to a rattling sulky, +plough, waggon, or anything else in its worst shape. They may be +frightened at first, but cannot kick or do anything to hurt themselves, +and will soon find that you do not intend to hurt them, and then they +will not care anything more about it. You can then let down the leg and +drive along gently without any further trouble. By this new process a +bad kicking horse can be learned to go gentle in harness in a few hours' +time."[70-*] + + +"HOW TO MAKE A HORSE LIE DOWN. + +"Everything that we want to teach the horse must be commenced in such a +way as to give him an idea of what you want him to do, and then be +repeated till he learns it perfectly. To make a horse lie down, bend +his left fore-leg and slip a loop over it, so that he cannot get it +down. Then put a surcingle around his body, and fasten one end of a long +strap around the other fore-leg, just above the hoof. Place the other +end under the before-described surcingle, so as to keep the strap in the +right direction; take a short hold of it with your right hand; stand on +the left side of the horse, grasp the bit in your left hand, pull +steadily on the strap with your right; bear against his shoulder till +you cause him to move. As soon as he lifts his weight, your pulling will +raise the other foot, and he will have to come on his knees. Keep the +strap tight in your hand, so that he cannot straighten his leg if he +rises up. Hold him in this position, and turn his head towards you; bear +against his side with your shoulder, not hard, but with a steady, equal +pressure, and in about ten minutes he will lie down. As soon as he lies +down, he will be completely conquered, and you can handle him as you +please. Take off the straps, and straighten out his legs; rub him +lightly about the face and neck with your hand the way the hair lies; +handle all his legs, and after he has lain ten or twenty minutes, let +him get up again. After resting him a short time, make him lie down as +before. Repeat the operation three or four times, which will be +sufficient for one lesson. Give him two lessons a day, and when you have +given him four lessons, he will lie down by taking hold of one foot. As +soon as he is well broken to lie down in this way, tap him on the +opposite leg with a stick when you take hold of his foot, and in a few +days he will lie down from the mere motion of the stick." + + +EDITORS DETAILED EXPLANATIONS. + +Although, as I before observed, the tying up of the fore-leg is not a +new expedient, or even the putting a horse down single-handed, the two +operations, as taught and performed by Mr. Rarey, not only subdue and +render docile the most violent horses, but, most strange of all, inspire +them with a positive confidence and affection after two or three lessons +from the horse-tamer. "How this is or why this is," Mr. Langworthy, the +veterinary surgeon to Her Majesty's stables, observed, "I cannot say or +explain, but I am convinced, by repeated observation on many horses, +that it is a fact." + +If, however, a man, however clever with horses, were to attempt to +perform the operations without other instruction than that contained in +the American pamphlet, he would infallibly break his horse's knees, and +probably get his toes trodden on, his eyes blacked, and his arm +dislocated--for all these accidents have happened within my own +knowledge to rash experimentalists; while under proper instructions, not +only have stout and gouty noblemen succeeded perfectly, but the +slight-built, professional horsewoman, Miss Gilbert, has conquered +thorough-bred colts and fighting Arabs, and a young and beautiful +peeress has taken off her bonnet before going to a morning _féte_, and +in ten minutes laid a full-sized horse prostrate and helpless as a sheep +in the hands of the shearer. + +Having, then, in your mind Mr. Rarey's maxim that a horseman should know +neither fear nor anger, and having laid in a good stock of patience, you +must make your approach to the colt or stallion in the mode prescribed +in the preceding chapters. In dealing with a colt, except upon an +emergency, he should be first accustomed to be handled and taught to +lead; this, first-rate horse-tamers will accomplish with the wildest +colt in three hours, but it is better to give at least one day up to +these first important steps in education. It will also be as well to +have a colt cleaned and his hoof trimmed by the blacksmith. If this +cannot be done the operation will be found very dirty and disagreeable. + +In approaching a spiteful stallion you had better make your first +advances with a half-door between you and him, as Mr. Rarey did in his +first interview with Cruiser: gradually make his acquaintance, and teach +him that you do not care for his open mouth; but a regular biter must be +gagged in the manner which will presently be described. + +Of course there is no difficulty in handling the leg of a quiet horse or +colt, and by constantly working from the neck down to the fetlock you +may do what you please. But many horses and even colts have a most +dangerous trick of striking out with their fore-legs. There is no better +protection against this than a cart-wheel. The wheel may either be used +loose, or the animal may be led up to a cart loaded with hay, when the +horse-tamer can work under the cart through one of the wheels, while the +colt is nibbling the load. + +Having, then, so far soothed a colt that he will permit you to take up +his legs without resistance, take the strap No. 1[73-*]--pass the tongue +through the loop under the buckle so as to form a noose, slip it over +the near fore-leg and draw it close up to the pastern-joint, then take +up the leg as if you were going to shoe him, and passing the strap over +the fore-arm, put it through the buckle, and buckle the lower limb as +close as you can to the arm without hurting the animal. + +[Illustration: STRAP NO. 1.] + +Take care that your buckle is of the very best quality, and the leather +sound. It is a good plan to stretch it before using it. The tongues of +buckles used for this purpose, if not of the very best quality, are very +likely to come out, when all your labour will have to be gone over +again. Sometimes you may find it better to lay the loop open on the +ground, and let the horse step into it. It is better the buckle should +be inside the leg if you mean the horse to fall toward you, because then +it is easier to unbuckle when he is on the ground. + +In those instances in which you have had no opportunity of previously +taming and soothing a colt, it will frequently take you an hour of +quiet, patient, silent perseverance before he will allow you to buckle +up his leg--if he resists you have nothing for it but _patience_. You +must stroke him, you must fondle him, until he lets you enthral him. Mr. +Rarey always works alone, and disdains assistance, and so do some of his +best pupils, Lord B., the Marquis of S., and Captain S. In travelling in +foreign countries you may have occasion to tame a colt or wild horse +alone, but there is no reason why you should not have assistance if you +can get it, and in that case the process is of course much easier. But +it must never be forgotten that to tame a horse properly no unnecessary +force must be employed; it is better that he should put down his foot +six times that he may yield it willingly at last, and under no +circumstances must the trainer lose patience, or give way to temper. + +The near fore-leg being securely strapped, and the horse, if so +inclined, secured from biting by a wooden bit, the next step is to make +him hop about on three legs. This is comparatively easy if the animal +has been taught to lead, but it is difficult with one which has not. The +trainer must take care to keep behind his horse's shoulder and walk in a +circle, or he will be likely to be struck by the horse's head or +strapped-up leg. + +Mr. Rarey is so skilful that he seldom considers it necessary to make +his horses hop about; but there is no doubt that it saves much +after-trouble by fatiguing the animal; and that it is a useful +preparation before putting a colt or kicking horse into harness. Like +every other operation it must be done very gently, and accompanied by +soothing words--"Come along"--"Come along, old fellow," &c. + +A horse can hop on three legs, if not severely pressed, for two or three +miles; and no plan is more successful for curing a kicker or jibber. + +When the horse has hopped for as long as you think necessary to tire +him, buckle a common single strap roller or surcingle on his body +tolerably tight. A single strap surcingle is the best. + +It is as well, if possible, to teach colts from a very early age to bear +a surcingle. At any rate it will require a little management the first +time. + +You have now advanced your colt so far that he is not afraid of a man, +he likes being patted and caressed, he will lead when you take hold of +the bridle, and you have buckled up his leg so that he cannot hop faster +than you can run. + +[Illustration: NO. 2 STRAP, FOR OFF FORE-LEG.] + +Shorten the bridle (the bit should be a thick plain snaffle) so that the +reins, when laid loose on his withers, come nearly straight. This is +best done by twisting the reins twice round two fore-fingers and passing +the ends through in a loop, because this knot can be easily untied. Next +take strap No. 2, and, making a loop, put it round the off fore-leg. +With a very quiet horse this can easily be done; with a wild or vicious +horse you may have to make him step into it; at any rate, when once the +off fore-leg is caught in the noose it must be drawn tight round the +pastern-joint. Then put a stout glove or mitten on your right hand, +having taken care that your nails have been cut short, pass the strap +through the belly part of the surcingle, take a firm short hold of it +with your gloved right hand, standing close to the horse behind his +shoulders, and with your left hand take hold of the near rein; by +pulling the horse gently to the near side he will be almost sure to hop; +if he will not he must be led, but Mr. Rarey always makes him hop +alone. The moment he lifts up his off fore-foot you must draw up strap +No. 2 tightly and steadily. The motion will draw up the off leg into the +same position as the near leg, and the horse will go down on his knees. +Your object is to hold the strap so firmly that he will not be able to +stretch his foot out again. Those who are very confident in their skill +are content to hold the strap only with a twist round their hand, but +others take the opportunity of the horse's first surprise to give the +strap a double turn round the surcingle. + +[Illustration: Horse with Straps Nos. 1 and 2.] + +Another way of performing this operation is to use with difficult +violent horses the strap invented by Lord B----h, which consists first +of the loop for the off fore-leg shown in our cut. A surcingle strap, at +least seven feet long, with a buckle, is thrown across the horse's back; +the buckle end is passed through the ring; the tongue is passed through +the buckle, and the moment the horse moves the Tamer draws the strap +tight round the body of the horse, and in buckling it makes the leg so +safe that he has no need to use any force in holding it up. + +[Illustration: LORD B.'S IMPROVED STRAP NO. 2.] + +As soon as a horse recovers from his astonishment at being brought to +his knees, he begins to resist; that is, he rears up on his hind-legs, +and springs about in a manner that is truly alarming for the spectators +to behold, and which in the case of a well-bred horse in good condition +requires a certain degree of activity in the Trainer. (See page of Horse +Struggling.) + +[Illustration: SURCINGLE FOR LORD B.'S STRAP NO. 2.] + +You must remember that your business is not to set your strength against +the horse's strength, but merely to follow him about, holding the strap +just tight enough to prevent him from putting out his off fore-leg. As +long as you keep _close to him_ and _behind his shoulders_ you are in +very little danger. The bridle in the left hand must be used like +steering lines: by pulling to the right or left as occasion requires, +the horse, turning on his hind-legs, maybe guided just as a boat is +steered by the rudder lines; or pulling straight, the horse may be +fatigued by being forced to walk backwards. The strap passing through +the surcingle keeps, or ought to keep, the Trainer in his right +place--he is not to pull or in any way fatigue himself more than he can +help, but, standing upright, simply follow the horse about, guiding +him with the bridle away from the walls of the training school when +needful. It must be admitted that to do this well requires considerable +nerve, coolness, patience, and at times agility; for although a +grass-fed colt will soon give in, a corn-fed colt, and, above all, a +high-couraged hunter in condition, will make a very stout fight; and I +have known one instance in which a horse with both fore-legs fast has +jumped sideways. + +[Illustration: The Horse struggling.] + +The proof that the danger is more apparent than real lies in the fact +that no serious accidents have as yet happened; and that, as I before +observed, many noblemen, and some noble ladies, and some boys, have +succeeded perfectly. But it would be untrue to assert that there is no +danger. When held and guided properly, few horses resist more than ten +minutes; and it is believed that a quarter of an hour is the utmost time +that any horse has ever fought before sinking exhausted to the earth. +But the time seems extremely long to an inexperienced performer; and it +is a great comfort to get your assistant to be tune-keeper, if there is +no clock in a conspicuous situation, and tell you how you are getting +on. Usually at the end of eight minutes' violent struggles, the animal +sinks forward on his knees, sweating profusely, with heaving flanks and +shaking tail, as if at the end of a thirty minutes' burst with +fox-hounds over a stiff country. + +Then is the time to get him into a comfortable position for lying down; +if he is still stout, he may be forced by the bit to walk backwards. +Then, too, by pushing gently at his shoulder, or by pulling steadily the +off-rein, you can get him to fall, in the one case on the near side, on +the other on the off side; but this assistance should be so slight that +the horse must not be able to resist it. The horse will often make a +final spring when you think he is quite beaten; but, at any rate, at +length he slides over, and lies down, panting and exhausted, on his +side. If he is full of corn and well bred, take advantage of the moment +to tie up the off fore-leg to the surcingle, as securely as the other, +in a slip loop knot. + +Now let your horse recover his wind, and then encourage him to make a +second fight. It will often be more stubborn and more fierce than the +first. The object of this tying-up operation is, that he shall +thoroughly exhaust without hurting himself, and that he shall come to +the conclusion that it is you who, by your superior strength, have +conquered him, and that you are always able to conquer him. + +Under the old rough-riding system, the most vicious horses were +occasionally conquered by daring men with firm seats and strong arms, +who rode and flogged them into subjection; but these conquests were +temporary, and usually _personal_; with every stranger, the animal would +begin his game again. + +One advantage of this Rarey system is, that the horse is allowed to +exhaust himself under circumstances that render it impossible for him to +struggle long enough to do himself any harm. It has been suggested that +a blood-vessel would be likely to be broken, or apoplexy produced by the +exertion of leaping from the hind legs; but, up to the present time, no +accident of any kind has been reported. + +When the horse lies down for the second or third time thoroughly beaten, +the time has arrived for teaching him a few more of the practical parts +of horse-training. + +[Illustration: The Horse exhausted.] + +When you have done all you desire to the horse tied up,--smoothed his +ears, if fidgety about the ears--the hind-legs, if a kicker--shown +him a saddle, and allowed him to smell it, and then placed it on his +back--mounted him yourself, and pulled him all over--take off all the +straps. In moving round him for the purpose of gentling him, walk slowly +always from the head round the tail, and again to the head: scrape the +sweat off him with a scraper; rub him down with a wisp; smooth the hair +of his legs, and draw the fore one straight out. If he has fought hard, +he will lie like a dead horse, and scarcely stir. You must now again go +over him as conscientiously as if you were a mesmeric doctor or +shampooer: every limb must be "_gentled_," to use Mr. Rarey's expressive +phrase; and with that operation you have completed your _first_ and +_most_ important lesson. + +You may now mount on the back of an unbroken colt, and teach him that +you do not hurt him in that attitude: if he were standing upright he +might resist, and throw you from fright; but as he is exhausted and +powerless, he has time to find out that you mean him no harm. You can +lay a saddle or harness on him, if he has previously shown aversion to +them, or any part of them: his head and his tail and his legs are all +safe for your friendly caresses; don't spare them, and speak to him all +the time. + +If he has hitherto resisted shoeing, now is the time for handling his +fore and hind legs; kindly, yet, if he attempts to resist, with a voice +of authority. If he is a violent, savage, confirmed kicker, like +Cruiser, or Mr. Gurney's gray colt, or the zebra, as soon as he is down +put a pair of hobbles on his hind-legs, like those used for mares during +covering. (Frontispiece of Zebra.) These must be held by an assistant on +whom you can depend; and passed through the rings of the surcingle. With +his fore-legs tied, you may usefully spend an hour, in handling his +legs, tapping the hoofs with your hand or hammer--all this to be done in +a firm, measured, soothing manner; only now and then, if he resist, +crying, as you paralyze him with the ropes, "_Wo ho!_" in a determined +manner. It is by this continual soothing and handling that you establish +confidence between the horse and yourself. After patting him as much as +you deem needful, say for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, you may +encourage him to rise. Some horses will require a good deal of helping, +and their fore-legs drawing out before them. + +It may be as well to remark, that the handling the limbs, of colts +particularly, requires caution. A cart colt, tormented by flies, will +kick forward nearly up to the fore-legs. + +If a horse, unstrapped, attempts to rise, you may easily stop him by +taking hold of a fore-leg and doubling it back to the strapped position. +If by chance he should be too quick, don't resist; it is an essential +principle in the Rarey system, never to enter into a contest with a +horse unless you are certain to be victorious. + +In all these operations, you must be calm, and not in a hurry. + +Thus, under the Rarey system, all indications are so direct, that the +horse must understand them. You place him in a position, and under such +restraint, that he cannot resist anything that you chose to do to him; +and then you proceed to caress him when he assents, to reprove him when +he _thinks_ of resisting--resist, with all his legs tied, he +cannot--repeated lessons end by persuading the most vicious horse that +it is useless to try to resist, and that acquiescence will be followed +by the caresses that horses evidently like. + +[Illustration: The Horse tamed.] + +The last instance of Mr. Rarey's power was a beautiful gray mare, which +had been fourteen years in the band of one of the Life Guards regiments, +and consequently at least seventeen years old; during all that time she +would never submit quietly to have her hind-legs shod; the farriers had +to put a twitch on her nose and ears, and tie her tail down: even then +she resisted violently. In three days Mr. Rarey was able to shoe her +with her head loose. And this was not done by a trick, but by proving to +her that she could not resist even to the extent of an inch, and that no +harm was meant her; her lessons were repeated many times a day for three +days. Such continual impressive perseverance is an essential part of the +system. + +When you have to deal with a horse as savage a kicker as Cruiser, or the +zebra, a horse that can kick from one leg as fiercely as others can from +two, in that case, to subdue and compel him to lie down, have a leather +surcingle with a ring sewed on the belly part, and when the hobbles are +buckled on the hind-legs, pass the ropes through the rings, and when the +horse rises again, by buckling up one fore-leg, and pulling steadily, +when needful, at the hind-legs, or tying the hobble-ropes to a collar, +you reduce him to perfect helplessness; he finds that he cannot rear, +for you pull his hind-legs--or kick, for you can pull at all three legs, +and after a few lessons he gives in in despair. + +These were the methods by which Cruiser and the zebra were subdued. They +seem, and are, very simple; properly carried out they are effective for +subduing the most spirited colt, and curing the most vicious horse. But +still in difficult and exceptional cases it cannot be too often repeated +that a MAN is required, as well as a method. Without nerve nothing can +be attempted; without patience and perseverance mere nerve will be of +little use; all the quackery and nonsense that has been talked and +written under the inspiration of the Barnum who has had an interest in +the success of the silent, reserved, practical Rarey, must be dismissed. +Horse-training is not a conjuror's trick. The principles may certainly +be learned by once reading this book; a few persons specially organised, +accustomed to horses all their lives, may succeed in their first +attempts with even difficult horses. The success of Lord Burghersh, +after one lesson from Rarey, with a very difficult mare; of Lord Elvers, +Lord Vivian, the Hon. Frederick Villiers, and the Marquess of Stafford, +with colts, is well known in the sporting world. Mr. Thomas Rice, of +Motcombe Street, who has studied everything connected with the horse, on +the Continent as well as in England, and who is thoroughly acquainted +with the Spanish school, as well as the English cross-country style of +horsemanship, succeeded, as I have already mentioned, the very first +time he took the straps in hand in subduing Mr. Gurney's gray colt--the +most vicious animal, next to Cruiser, that Mr. Rarey tackled in England. +This brute tore off the flaps of the saddle with his teeth. + +But it is sheer humbug to pretend that a person who knows no more of +horses than is to be learned by riding a perfectly-trained animal now +and then for an hour or two, can acquire the whole art of horse-taming, +or can even safely tackle a violent horse, without a previous +preparation and practice. + +As you must not be nervous or angry, so you must not be in a hurry. + +Many ladies have attended Mr. Rarey's lessons, and studied his art, but +very few have tried, and still fewer have succeeded. It is just one of +those things that all ladies fond of horses should know, as well as +those who are likely to visit India, or the Colonies, although it is not +exactly a feminine occupation; crinoline would be sadly in the way-- + + "Those little hands were never made + To hold a leather strap." + +But it may be useful as an emergency, as it will enable any lady to +instruct a friend, or groom, or sailor, or peasant, how to do what she +is not able to do herself, and to argue effectively that straps will do +more than whips and spurs. + +At the Practice Club of noblemen and gentlemen held at Miss Gilbert's +stables, it has been observed that every week some horse more determined +than the average has been too much for the wind, or the patience, of +most of the subscribers. One only has never been beaten, the Marquess of +S----, but then he was always in condition; a dab hand at every athletic +sport, extremely active, and gifted with a "calmness," as well as a +nerve, which few men of his position enjoy. + +In a word, the average horse may be subdued by the average horseman, and +colts usually come within the average; but a fierce, determined, vicious +horse requires a man above the average in temper, courage, and activity; +activity and skill in _steering_ being of more importance than strength. +It is seldom necessary to lay a colt down more than twice. + +Perhaps the best way is to begin practising the strap movements with a +donkey, or a quiet horse full of grass or water, and so go on from day +to day with as much perseverance as if you were practising skating or +walking on a tight rope; until you can approach, halter, lead, strap +up, and lay down a colt with as much calmness as a huntsman takes his +fences with his eye on his hounds, you are not perfect. + +Remember you must not hurry, and you must _not chatter_. When you feel +impatient you had better leave off, and begin again another day. And the +same with your horse: you must not tire him with one lesson, but you +must give him at least one lesson every day, and two or three to a +nervous customer; we have a striking example of patience and +perseverance in Mr. Rarey's first evening with Cruiser. He had gone +through the labour of securing him, and bringing him up forty miles +behind a dog-cart, yet he did not lose a moment, but set to work the +same night to tame him limb by limb, and inch by inch, and from that day +until he produced him in public, he never missed a day without spending +twice a day from two to three hours with him, first rendering him +helpless by gag-bit, straps and hobbles, then caressing him, then +forcing him to lie down, then caressing him again, stroking every limb, +talking to him in soothing tones, and now and then, if he turned +vicious, taking up his helpless head, giving it a good shake, while +scolding him as you would a naughty boy. And then again taking off the +gag and rewarding submission with a lock of sweet hay and a drink of +water, most grateful after a tempest of passion, then making him rise, +and riding him--making him stop at a word. + +I mention these facts, because an idea has gone abroad that any man with +Mr. Rarey's straps can manage any horse. It would be just as sensible to +assert that any boy could learn to steer a yacht by taking the tiller +for an hour under the care of an "old salt." + +The most curious and important fact of all in connection with this +strapping up and laying down process, is, that the moment the horse +rises _he seems to have contracted a personal friendship for the +operator_, and with a very little encouragement will generally follow +him round the box or circus; this feeling may as well be encouraged by a +little bit of carrot or bread and sugar. + + +PLACE AND PREPARATIONS FOR TRAINING A COLT. + +It is almost impossible to train or tame a horse quickly in an open +space. As his falls are violent, the floor must be very soft. The best +place is a space boarded off with partitions six or seven feet high, and +on the floor a deep layer of tan or sand or saw-dust, on which, a thick +layer of straw has been spread; but the floor must not be too soft; if +it is, the horse will sink on his knees without fighting, and without +the lesson of exhaustion, which is so important. To throw a horse for a +surgical operation, the floor cannot be too soft: the enclosure should +be about thirty feet from side to side, of a square or octagonal shape; +but not round if possible, because it is of great advantage to have a +corner into which a colt may turn when you are teaching him the first +haltering lesson. A barn may be converted into a training-school, if the +floor be made soft enough with straw. But in every case, it is extremely +dangerous to have pillars, posts, or any projections against which the +horse in rearing might strike; as when the legs are tied, a horse is apt +to miscalculate his distance. And if the space is too narrow, the +trainer, in dealing with a violent horse, may get crushed or kicked. It +is of great advantage that the training-school should be roofed, and if +possible, every living thing, that might distract the horse's attention +by sight or sound, should be removed. Other horses, cattle, pigs, and +even dogs or fowls moving about or making a noise, will spoil the +effect of a good lesson. + +In an emergency, the first lesson may be given in an open straw-yard. +Lord Burghersh trained his first pupil on a small space in the middle of +a thick wood; Cruiser was laid down the first time in a bullock-yard. +But if you have many colts to train, it is well worth while to dig out a +pit two feet deep, fill it with tan and straw, and build round it a shed +of rough poles, filled in with gorse plastered with clay, on the same +plan as a bullock feeding-box. The floor should not be too deep or soft, +because if it is, the colt will sink at once without fighting, and a +good lesson in obedience is lost. + +This may be done for from 30_s._ to 2_l._ on a farm. In a riding-school +it is very easy to have lofty temporary partitions. It is probable that +in future every riding-school will have a Rarey box for training hacks, +as well as to enable pupils to practise the art. + +It is quite out of the question to attempt to do anything with a +difficult horse while other horses can be seen or heard, or while a +party of lookers-on are chattering and laughing. + +As to the costume of the trainer, I recommend a close cap, a stout pair +of boots, short trousers or breeches of stout tweed or corduroy, a short +jacket with pockets outside, one to hold the straps and gloves, the +other a few pieces of carrot to reward the pupil. A pocket-handkerchief +should be handy to wipe your perspiring brow. A trainer should not be +without a knife and a piece of string, for emergencies. Spare straps, +bridles, a surcingle, a long whalebone whip, and a saddle, should be +hung up outside the training inclosure, where they can be handed, when +required, to the operator as quickly and with as little delay and fuss +as possible. A sort of dumb-waiter, with hooks instead of trays, could +be contrived for a man who worked alone. + +If a lady determines to become a horse-trainer, she had better adopt a +Bloomer costume, without any stiff petticoats, as long robes would be +sure to bring her to grief. To hold the long strap No. 2, it is +necessary to wear a stout glove, which will be all the more useful if +the tips of the fingers are cut off at the first joint, so as to make it +a sort of mitten. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[70-*] I should not recommend this plan with a well-bred horse without +first laying him down, as he would be likely to throw himself +down.--EDITOR. + +[73-*] All these straps may be obtained from Mr. Stokey, saddler, North +Street, Little Moorfields, who supplied Mr. Rarey, and has patterns of +the improvements by Lord B---- and Colonel R----. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + The Drum.--The Umbrella.--Riding-habit.--How to bit a colt.--How to + saddle.--To mount.--To ride.--To break.--To harness.--To make a + horse follow and stand without holding.--Baucher's plan.--Nolan's + plan. + + +It is an excellent practice to accustom all horses to strange sounds and +sights, and of very great importance to young horses which are to be +ridden or driven in large towns, or used as chargers. Although some +horses are very much more timid and nervous than others, the very worst +can be very much improved by acting on the first principles laid down in +the introduction to this book--that is, by proving that the strange +sights and sounds will do them no harm. + +When a railway is first opened, the sheep, the cattle, and especially +the horses, grazing in the neighbouring fields, are terribly alarmed at +the sight of the swift, dark, moving trains, and the terrible snorting +and hissing of the steam-engines. They start away--they gallop in +circles--and when they stop, gaze with head and tail erect, until the +monsters have disappeared. But from day to day the live stock become +more accustomed to the sight and sound of the steam horse, and after a +while they do not even cease grazing when the train passes. They have +learned that it will do them no harm. The same result may be observed +with respect to young horses when first they are brought to a large +town, and have to meet great loads of hay, omnibuses crowded with +passengers, and other strange or noisy objects--if judiciously treated, +not flogged and ill-used, they lose their fears without losing their +high courage. Nothing is more astonishing in London than the steadiness +of the high-bred and highly-fed horses in the streets and in Hyde Park. + +But until Mr. Rarey went to first principles, and taught "the reason +why" there were horses that could not be brought to bear the beating of +a drum, the rustling of an umbrella, or the flapping of a riding-habit +against their legs--and all attempts to compel them by force to submit +to these objects of their terror failed and made them furious. Mr. +Rarey, in his lectures, often told a story of a horse which shied at +buffalo-robes--the owner tied him up fast and laid a robe on him--the +poor animal died instantly with fright. And yet nothing can be more +simple. + +_To accustom a horse to a drum._--Place it near him on the ground, and, +without forcing him, induce him to smell it again and again until he is +thoroughly accustomed to it. Then lift it up, and slowly place it on the +side of his neck, where he can see it, and tap it gently with a stick or +your finger. If he starts, pause, and let him carefully examine it. Then +re-commence, gradually moving it backwards until it rests upon his +withers, by degrees playing louder and louder, pausing always when he +seems alarmed, to let him look at it and smell, if needful. In a very +few minutes you may play with all your force, without his taking any +notice. When this practice has been repeated a few times, your horse, +however spirited, will rest his nose unmoved on the big drum while the +most thundering piece is played. + +_To teach a horse to bear an umbrella_, go through the same cautious +forms, let him see it, and smell it, open it by degrees--gain your +point inch by inch, passing it always from his eyes to his neck, and +from his neck to his back and tail; and so with a riding-habit, in half +an hour any horse may be taught that it will not hurt him, and then the +difficulty is over. + +_To fire off a horse's back._--Begin with caps, and, by degrees, as with +the drum, instead of lengthening the reins, stretch the bridle hand to +the front, and raise it for the carbine to rest on, with the muzzle +clear of the horse's head, a little to one side. Lean the body forward +without rising in the stirrups. _Avoid interfering with the horse's +mouth, or exciting his fears by suddenly closing your legs either before +or after firing--be quiet yourself and your horse will be quiet._ The +colt can learn, as I have already observed, to bear a rider on his bare +back during his first lessons, when prostrate and powerless, fast bound +by straps. The surcingle has accustomed him to girths--he leads well, +and has learned that when the right rein is pulled he must go to the +right, and when the left rein to the left. You may now teach him to bear +the BIT and the SADDLE--if you have not placed it upon his back while on +the ground, and for this operation I cannot do better than return, and +quote literally from Mr. Rarey. + + +"HOW TO ACCUSTOM A HORSE TO A BIT. + +"You should use a large, smooth, snaffle bit, so as not to hurt his +mouth, with a bar to each side, to prevent the bit from pulling through +either way. This you should attach to the head-stall of your bridle, and +put it on your colt without any reins to it, and let him run loose in a +large stable or shed some time, until he becomes a little used to the +bit, and will bear it without trying to get it out of his mouth. It +would be well, if convenient, to repeat this several times, before you +do anything more with the colt; as soon as he will bear the bit, attach +a single rein to it. You should also have a halter on your colt, or a +bridle made after the fashion of a halter, with a strap to it, so that +you can hold or lead him about without pulling on the bit much. (See +Woodcut, p. 39.) He is now ready for the saddle. + + +"THE PROPER WAY TO BIT A COLT. + +"Farmers often put bitting harness on a colt the first thing they do to +him, buckling up the bitting as tight as they can draw it, to make him +carry his head high, and then turn him out in a field to run a half-day +at a time. This is one of the worst of punishments that they could +inflict on the colt, and very injurious to a young horse that has been +used to running in pasture with his head down. I have seen colts so +injured in this way that they never got over it. + +"A horse should be well accustomed to the bit before you put on the +bitting harness, and when you first bit him you should only rein his +head up to that point where he naturally holds it, let that be high or +low; he will soon learn that he cannot lower his head, and that raising +it a little will loosen the bit in his mouth. This will give him the +idea of raising his head to loosen the bit, and then you can draw the +bitting a little tighter every time you put it on, and he will still +raise his head to loosen it; by this means you will gradually get his +head and neck in the position you want him to carry it, and give him a +nice and graceful carriage without hurting him, making him mad, or +causing his mouth to get sore. + +"If you put the bitting on very tight the first time, he cannot raise +his head enough to loosen it, but will bear on it all the time, and paw, +sweat, and throw himself. Many horses have been killed by falling +backward with the bitting on; their heads being drawn up strike the +ground with the whole weight of the body. Horses that have their heads +drawn up tightly should not have the bitting on more than fifteen or +twenty minutes at a time. + + +"HOW TO SADDLE A COLT. + +"The first thing will be to tie each stirrup-strap into a loose knot to +make them short, and prevent the stirrups from flying about and hitting +him. Then double up the skirts and take the saddle under your right arm, +so as not to frighten him with it as you approach. When you get to him +rub him gently a few times with your hand, and then raise the saddle +very slowly, until he can see it, and smell and feel it with his nose. +Then let the skirt loose, and rub it very gently against his neck the +way the hair lies, letting him hear the rattle of the skirts as he feels +them against him; each time getting a little farther backward, and +finally slipping it over his shoulders on his back. Shake it a little +with your hand, and in less than five minutes you can rattle it about +over his back as much as you please, and pull it off and throw it on +again, without his paying much attention to it. + +"As soon as you have accustomed him to the saddle, fasten the girth. Be +careful how you do this. It often frightens the colt when he feels the +girth binding him, and making the saddle fit tight on his back. You +should bring up the girth very gently, and not draw it too tight at +first, just enough to hold the saddle on. Move him a little, and then +girth it as tight as you choose, and he will not mind it. + +"You should see that the pad of your saddle is all right before you put +it on, and that there is nothing to make it hurt him, or feel unpleasant +to his back. It should not have any loose straps on the back part of it, +to flap about and scare him. After you have saddled him in this way, +take a switch in your right hand to tap him up with, and walk about in +the stable a few times with your right arm over your saddle, taking hold +of the reins on each side of his neck with your right and left hands, +thus marching him about in the stable until you teach him the use of the +bridle and can turn him about in any direction, and stop him by a gentle +pull of the rein. Always caress him, and loose the reins a little every +time you stop him. + +"You should always be alone, and have your colt in some light stable or +shed, the first time you ride him; the loft should be high, so that you +can sit on his back without endangering your head. You can teach him +more in two hours' time in a stable of this kind, than you could in two +weeks in the common way of breaking colts, out in an open place. If you +follow my course of treatment, you need not run any risk, or have any +trouble in riding the worst kind of horse. You take him a step at a +time, until you get up a mutual confidence and trust between yourself +and horse. First teach him to lead and stand hitched; next acquaint him +with the saddle, and the use of the bit; and then all that remains is to +get on him without scaring him, and you can ride him as well as any +horse. + + +"HOW TO MOUNT THE COLT. + +"First gentle him well on both sides, about the saddle, and all over +until he will stand still without holding, and is not afraid to see you +anywhere about him. + +"As soon as you have him thus gentled, get a small block, about one foot +or eighteen inches in height, and set it down by the side of him, about +where you want to stand to mount him; step up on this, raising yourself +very gently: horses notice every change of position very closely, and, +if you were to step up suddenly on the block, it would be very apt to +scare him; but, by raising yourself gradually on it, he will see you, +without being frightened, in a position very nearly the same as when you +are on his back. + +"As soon as he will bear this without alarm, untie the stirrup-strap +next to you, and put your left foot into the stirrup, and stand square +over it, holding your knee against the horse, and your toe out, so as +not to touch him under the shoulder with the toe of your boot. Place +your right hand on the front of the saddle, and on the opposite side of +you, taking hold of a portion of the mane and the reins, as they hang +loosely over his neck, with your left hand; then gradually bear your +weight on the stirrup, and on your right hand, until the horse feels +your whole weight on the saddle: repeat this several times, each time +raising yourself a little higher from the block, until he will allow you +to raise your leg over his croup and place yourself in the saddle. + +"There are three great advantages in having a block to mount from. +First, a sudden change of position is very apt to frighten a young horse +who has never been handled: he will allow you to walk up to him, and +stand by his side without scaring at you, because you have gentled him +to that position; but if you get down on your hands and knees and crawl +towards him, he will be very much frightened; and upon the same +principle, he would be frightened at your new position if you had the +power to hold yourself over his back without touching him. Then the +first great advantage of the block is to gradually gentle him to that +new position in which he will see you when you ride him. + +"Secondly, by the process of leaning your weight in the stirrups, and on +your hand, you can gradually accustom him to your weight, so as not to +frighten him by having him feel it all at once. And, in the third place, +the block elevates you so that you will not have to make a spring in +order to get on the horse's back, but from it you can gradually raise +yourself into the saddle. When you take these precautions, there is no +horse so wild but what you can mount him without making him jump. I have +tried it on the worst horses that could be found, and have never failed +in any case. When mounting, your horse should always stand without being +held. _A horse is never well broken when he has to be held with a tight +rein when mounting_; and a colt is never so safe to mount as when you +see that assurance of confidence, and absence of fear, which cause him +to stand without holding." [Mr. Rarey's improved plan is to press the +palm of the right hand on the off-side of the Saddle, and as you rise +lean your weight on it; by this means you can mount with the girths +loose, or without any girths at all.--EDITOR.] + + +"HOW TO RIDE THE COLT. + +"When you want him to start do not touch him on the side with your heel, +or do anything to frighten him and make him jump. But speak to him +kindly, and if he does not start pull him a little to the left until he +starts, and then let him walk off slowly with the reins loose. Walk him +around in the stable a few times until he gets used to the bit, and you +can turn him about in every direction and stop him as you please. It +would be well to get on and off a good many times until he gets +perfectly used to it before you take him out of the stable. + +"After you have trained him in this way, which should not take you more +than one or two hours, you can ride him anywhere you choose without ever +having him jump or make any effort to throw you. + +"When you first take him out of the stable be very gentle with him, as +he will feel a little more at liberty to jump or run, and be a little +easier frightened than he was while in the stable. But after handling +him so much in the stable he will be pretty well broken, and you will be +able to manage him without trouble or danger. + +"When you first mount him take a little the shortest hold on the left +rein, so that if anything frightens him you can prevent him from jumping +by pulling his head round to you. This operation of pulling a horse's +head round against his side will prevent any horse from jumping ahead, +rearing up, or running away. If he is stubborn and will not go, you can +make him move by pulling his head round to one side, when whipping would +have no effect. And turning him round a few times will make him dizzy, +and then by letting him have his head straight, and giving him a little +touch with the whip, he will go along without any trouble. + +"Never use martingales on a colt when you first ride him; every movement +of the hand should go right to the bit in the direction in which it is +applied to the reins, without a martingale to change the direction of +the force applied. You can guide the colt much better without it, and +teach him the use of the bit in much less time. Besides, martingales +would prevent you from pulling his head round if he should try to jump. + +"After your colt has been ridden until he is gentle and well accustomed +to the bit, you may find it an advantage, if he carries his head too +high or his nose too far out, to put martingales on him. + +"_You should be careful not to ride your colt so far at first as to +heat, worry, or tire him._ Get off as soon as you see he is a little +fatigued; gentle him and let him rest; this will make him kind to you, +and prevent him from getting stubborn or mad. + + +"TO BREAK A HORSE TO HARNESS. + +"Take him in a light stable, as you did to ride him; take the harness +and go through the same process that you did with the saddle, until you +get him familiar with it, so that you can put it on him, and rattle it +about without his caring for it. As soon as he will bear this, put on +the lines, caress him as you draw them over him, and drive him about in +the stable till he will bear them over his hips. The _lines_ are a great +aggravation to some colts, and often frighten them as much as if you +were to raise a whip over them. As soon as he is familiar with the +harness and lines, take him out and put him by the side of a gentle +horse, and go through the same process that you did with the balking +horse. _Always use a bridle without blinkers when you are breaking a +horse to harness._ + +"Lead him to and around a light gig or phaeton; let him look at it, +touch it with his nose, and stand by it till he does not care for it; +then pull the shafts a little to the left, and stand your horse in front +of the off-wheel. Let some one stand on the right side of the horse, and +hold him by the bit, while you stand on the left side, facing the sulky. +This will keep him straight. Run your left hand back, and let it rest on +his hip, and lay hold of the shafts with your right, bringing them up +very gently to the left hand, which still remains stationary. Do not let +anything but your arm touch his back, and as soon as you have the shafts +square over him, let the person on the opposite side take hold of one of +them, and lower them very gently to the shaft-bearers. Be very slow and +deliberate about hitching; the longer time you take the better, as a +general thing. When you have the shafts placed, shake them slightly, so +that he will feel them against each side. As soon as he will bear them +without scaring, fasten your braces, &c., and start him along very +slowly. Let one man lead the horse, to keep him gentle, while the other +gradually works back with the lines till he can get behind and drive +him. After you have driven him in this way a short distance, you can get +into the sulky, and all will go right. It is very important to have your +horse go gently when you first hitch him. After you have walked him +awhile, there is not half so much danger of his scaring. Men do very +wrong to jump up behind a horse to drive him as soon as they have him +hitched. There are too many things for him to comprehend all at once. +The shifts, the lines, the harness, and the rattling of the sulky, all +tend to scare him, and he must be made familiar with them by degrees. If +your horse is very wild, I would advise you to put up one foot the first +time you drive him." + +[Illustration: Second Lesson in Harness.] + +With the leg strapped up, the lighter the break or gig the better, and +four wheels are better than two. + + +TO MAKE A HORSE FOLLOW YOU. + +The directions make simple what have hitherto been among the mysteries +of the circus. I can assert from personal observation that by the means +described by Mr. Rarey a very nervous thorough-bred mare, the property +of the Earl of Derby, was taught to stand, answer to her name, and +follow one of his pupils in less than a week. + +No hack, and certainly no lady's horse, is perfect until he has been +taught to stand still, and no hunter is complete until he has learned to +follow his master. Huntsmen may spend a few hours in the summer very +usefully in teaching their old favourites to wait outside cover until +wanted. + +Turn him into a large stable or shed, where there is no chance to get +out, with a halter or bridal on. Go to him and gentle him a little, take +hold of his halter, and turn him towards you, at the same time touching +him lightly over the hips with a long whip. Lead him the length of the +stable, rubbing him on the neck, saying in a steady tone of voice as you +lead him, "Come along, boy!" or use his name instead of "boy," if you +choose. Every time you turn, touch him slightly with the whip, to make +him step up close to you, and then caress him with your hand. He will +soon learn to hurry up to escape the whip and be caressed, and you can +make him follow you around without taking hold of the halter. If he +should stop and turn from you, give him a few sharp cuts about the hind +legs, and he will soon turn his head towards you, when you must always +caress him. A few lessons of this kind will make him run after you, when +he sees the motion of the whip--in twenty or thirty minutes he will +follow you about the stable. After you have given him two or three +lessons in the stable, take him out into a small field and train him; +and from thence you can take him into the road and make him follow you +anywhere, and run after you. + +To make a horse stand without holding, after you have him well broken to +follow you, place him in the centre of the stable--begin at his head to +caress him, gradually working backwards. If he move, give him a cut with +the whip, and put him back to the same spot from which he started. If he +stands, caress him as before, and continue gentling him in this way +until you can get round him without making him move. Keep walking around +him, increasing your pace, and only touch him occasionally. Enlarge your +circle as you walk around, and if he then moves, give him another cut +with the whip, and put him back to his place. If he stands, go to him +frequently and caress him, and then walk around him again. Do not keep +him in one position too long at a time, but make him come to you +occasionally, and follow you around the stable. Then make him stand in +another place, and proceed as before. You should not train your horse +more than half an hour at a time. + +The following is Baucher's method of making a horse stand to be mounted, +which, he says, may be taught in two lessons, of half an hour each. I +do not know any one who has tried, but it is worth trying. + +"Go up to him, pat him on the neck (_i. e._ gentle him), and speak to +him; then taking the curb reins a few inches from the rings with the +left hand, place yourself so as to offer as much resistance as possible +to him when he tries to break away. Take the whip in the right hand with +the point down, raise it quietly and tap the horse on the chest; he will +rein back to avoid punishment; resist and follow him, continuing the +tapping of the whip, but without anger or haste. The horse, soon tired +of running back, will endeavour to avoid the infliction by rushing +forward; then stop and make much of him. This repeated once or twice +will teach the horse that, to stand still, is to avoid punishment, and +will move up to you on a slight motion of the whip." + +I doubt whether high-spirited horses would stand this treatment. + +_To teach a horse to stand in the field._--Nolan's plan was, to draw the +reins over the horse's head and fasten them to the ground with a peg, +walk away, return in a few minutes and reward him with bread, salt, or +carrot; in a short time the horse will fancy himself fast whenever the +reins are drawn over his head. It may be doubted whether, in the +excitement of the hunting-field, either Rarey's or Nolan's plan would +avail to make a huntsman's horse stand while hounds were running. +Scrutator gives another method which is not within everyone's means to +execute. + +"In my father's time we had a large field, enclosed by a high wall, +round which the lads used to exercise their horses, with a thick rug +only, doubled, to sit upon. A single snaffle and a sharp curb-bit were +placed in the horse's mouth; the former to ride and guide by. To the +curb was attached a long single rein, which was placed in the boy's +hand, or attached to his wrist. When the horse was in motion, either +walking, trotting, or cantering, the lad would throw himself off, +holding only the long rein attached to the curb, the sudden pull upon +which, when the lad was on the ground, would cause the horse's head to +be turned round, and stop him in his career. The boy would then +gradually shorten the rein, until the horse was brought up to him, then +patting and caressing him, he would again mount. After a very few +lessons of this kind, the horse would always stop the instant the boy +fell, and remain stationary beside him. The lads, as well as the horses, +were rewarded by my father for their proper performance of this rather +singular manoeuvre, but I never saw or knew any accident occur. The +horses thus trained proved excellent hunters, and would never run away +from their riders when thrown, always standing by them until re-mounted. +From the lads constantly rubbing and pulling their legs about, we had no +kickers. When a boy of only fifteen, I was allowed to ride a fine mare +which has been thus broken in, in company with the hounds. Being nearly +sixteen hands high, I had some difficulty in clambering up and down; but +when dislodged from my seat, she would stand quietly by until +re-mounted, and appeared as anxious for me to get up again as I was +myself. + +"It may be said that all this was time and trouble thrown away, and that +the present plan of riding a young four-year-old, straight across +country at once, will answer the same purpose. My reply is, that a good +education, either upon man, horse, or dog, will never be thrown away; +and, notwithstanding the number of horses now brought into the +hunting-field, there are still few well-trained hunters to be met with. +The horse, the most beautiful and useful of animals to man, is seldom +sufficiently instructed or familiarised, although certainly capable of +the greatest attachment to his master when well used, and deserving to +be treated more as a friend than a slave. It is a general remark how +quiet some high-spirited horses will become when ridden by ladies. The +cause of this is, that they are more quietly handled, patted, and +caressed by them, and become soon sensible of this difference of +treatment, from the rough whip-and-spur system, too generally adopted by +men." + + +ON BAULKING OR JIBBING HORSES. + +Horses are taught the dangerous vice of baulking, or jibbing, as it is +called in England, by improper management. When a horse jibs in harness, +it is generally from some mismanagement, excitement, confusion, or from +not knowing how to pull, but seldom from any unwillingness to perform +all that he understands. High-spirited free-going horses are the most +subject to baulking, and only so because drivers do not properly +understand how to manage this kind. A free horse in a team may be so +anxious to go, that when he hears the word he will start with a jump, +which will not move the load, but give him such a severe jerk on the +shoulders that he will fly back and stop the other horse. The teamster +will continue his driving without any cessation, and by the time he has +the slow horse started again, he will find that the free horse has made +another jump, and again flown back. And now he has them both badly +baulked, and so confused that neither of them knows what is the matter, +or how to start the load. Next will come the slashing and cracking of +the whip, and hallooing of the driver, till something is broken, or he +is through with his course of treatment. But what a mistake the driver +commits by whipping his horse for this act! Reason and common sense +should teach him that the horse was willing and anxious to go, but did +not know how to start the load. And should he whip him for that? If so, +he should whip him again for not knowing how to talk. A man that wants +to act with reason should not fly into a passion, but should always +think before he strikes. It takes a steady pressure against the collar +to move a load, and you cannot expect him to act with a steady, +determined purpose while you are whipping him. There is hardly one +baulking horse in five hundred that will pull truly from whipping: it is +only adding fuel to fire, and will make him more liable to baulk another +time. You always see horses that have been baulked a few times turn +their heads and look back as soon as they are a little frustrated. This +is because they have been whipped, and are afraid of what is behind +them. This is an invariable rule with baulked horses, just as much as it +is for them to look around at their sides when they have the +bots.[106-*] In either case they are deserving of the same sympathy and +the same kind, rational treatment. + +When your horse baulks, or is a little excited, if he wants to start +quickly, or looks around and doesn't want to go, there is something +wrong, and he needs kind treatment immediately. Caress him kindly, and +if he doesn't understand at once what you want him to do, he will not be +so much excited as to jump and break things, and do everything wrong +through fear. As long as you are calm, and keep down the excitement of +the horse, there are ten chances that you will make him understand you, +where there would not be one under harsh treatment; and then the little +_flare up_ will not carry with it any unfavourable recollections, and he +will soon forget all about it, and learn to pull truly. Almost every +wrong act the horse commits is from mismanagement, fear, or excitement: +one harsh word will so excite a nervous horse as to increase his pulse +ten beats in a minute. + +When we remember that we are dealing with dumb brutes, and reflect how +difficult it must be for them to understand our motions, signs, and +language, we should never get out of patience with them because they +don't understand us, or wonder at their doing things wrong. With all our +intellect, if we were placed in the horse's situation, it would be +difficult for us to understand the driving of some foreigner, of foreign +ways and foreign language. We should always recollect that our ways and +language are just as foreign and unknown to the horse as any language in +the world is to us, and should try to practise what we could understand +were we the horse, endeavouring by some simple means to work on his +understanding rather than on the different parts of his body. All +baulked horses can be started true and steady in a few minutes' time: +they are all willing to pull as soon as they know how, and I never yet +found a baulked horse that I could not teach to start his load in +fifteen, and often less than three, minutes' time. + +Almost any team, when first baulked, will start kindly if you let them +stand five or ten minutes as though there was nothing wrong, and then +speak to them with a steady voice, and turn them a little to the right +or left, so as to get them both in motion before they feel the pinch of +the load. But if you want to start a team that you are not driving +yourself, that has been baulked, fooled, and whipped for some time, go +to them and hang the lines on their hames, or fasten them to the waggon, +so that they will be perfectly loose; make the driver and spectators (if +there are any) stand off some distance to one side, so as not to attract +the attention of the horses; unloose their check-reins, so that they can +get their heads down if they choose; let them stand a few minutes in +this condition until you can see that they are a little composed. While +they are standing, you should be about their heads, gentling them: it +will make them a little more kind, and the spectators will think that +you are doing something that they do not understand, and will not learn +the secret. When you have them ready to start, stand before them, and, +as you seldom have but one baulky horse in a team, get as near in front +of him as you can, and, if he is too fast for the other horse, let his +nose come against your breast: this will keep him steady, for he will go +slow rather than run on you. Turn them gently to the right, without +letting them pull on the traces as far as the tongue will let them go: +stop them with a kind word, gentle them a little, and then turn them +back to the left, by the same process. You will then have them under +your control by this time; and as you turn them again to the right, +steady them in the collar, and you can take them where you please. + +There is a quicker process that will generally start a baulky horse, but +not so sure. Stand him a little ahead, so that his shoulders will be +against the collar; and then take up one of his fore feet in your hand, +and let the driver start them, and when the weight comes against his +shoulders he will try to step: then let him have his foot, and he will +go right along. If you want to break a horse from baulking that has long +been in that habit, you ought to set apart a half-day for that purpose. +Put him by the side of some steady horse; have driving reins on them; +tie up all the traces and straps, so that there will be nothing to +excite them; do not rein them up, but let them have their heads loose. +Walk them about together for some time as slowly and lazily as possible; +stop often, and go up to your baulky horse and gentle him. Do not take +any whip about him, or do anything to excite him, but keep him just as +quiet as you can. He will soon learn to start off at the word, and stop +whenever you tell him. + +As soon as he performs rightly, hitch him in an empty waggon; have it +standing in a favourable position for starting. It would be well to +shorten the trace-chain behind the steady horse, so that, if it is +necessary, he can take the weight of the waggon the first time you start +them. Do not drive more than a few rods at first; watch your jibbing +horse closely, and if you see that he is getting excited, stop him +before he stops of his own accord, caress him a little, and start again. +As soon as they go well, drive them over a small hill a few times, and +then over a larger one, occasionally adding a little load. This process +will make any horse true to pull. + +The following anecdote from Scrutator's "Horses and Hounds," illustrates +the soundness of Mr. Rarey's system:--"A gentleman in our neighbourhood +having purchased a very fine carriage horse, at a high price, was not a +little annoyed, upon trial, to find that he would not pull an ounce, and +when the whip was applied he began plunging and kicking. After one or +two trials the coachman declared he could do nothing with him, and our +neighbour, meeting my father, expressed his grievances at being thus +taken in, and asked what he had better do. The reply was 'Send the horse +to me tomorrow morning, and I will return him a good puller within a +week.' The horse being brought, was put into the shafts of a wagon, in a +field, with the hind wheels tied, and being reined up so that he could +not get his head between his legs, was there left, with a man to watch +him for five or six hours, and, of course, without any food. When my +father thought he had enough of standing still, he went up to him with a +handful of sweet hay, let down the bearing rein, and had the wheels of +the wagon released. After patting the horse on the neck, when he had +taken a mouthful or two of hay, he took hold of the bridle and led him +away--the wagon followed--thus proving stratagem to be better than +force. Another lesson was scarcely required, but, to make sure, it was +repeated, and, after that, the horse was sent back to the owner. There +was no complaint ever made of his jibbing again. The wagon to which he +was attached was both light and empty, and the ground inclined rather +towards the stable." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[106-*] A much more severe disease in America than in England.--EDIT. + + + + +[Illustration: LADY'S SEAT, WITH HUNTING-HORN POMMEL.] + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.--On teaching + children.--Anecdote.--Havelock's opinion.--Rarey's plan to train + ponies.--The use of books.--Necessity of regular teaching for + girls, boys can be self-taught.--Commence without a bridle.--Ride + with one pair of reins and two hands.--Advantage of hunting-horn on + side-saddle.--On the best plan for mounting.--Rarey's plan.--On a + man's seat.--Nolan's opinion.--Military style.--Hunting style.--Two + examples in Lord Cardigan.--The Prussian style.--Anecdote by Mr. + Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.--Hints for men learning to + ride.--How to use the reins.--Pull right for right, and left for + left.--How to collect your horse. + + +You cannot learn to ride from a book, but you may learn how to do some +things and how to avoid many things of importance. Those who know all +about horses and horsemanship, or fancy they do, will not read this +chapter. But as there are riding-schools in the City of London, where an +excellent business is done in teaching well-grown men how to ride for +health or fashion, and as papas who know their own bump-bump style very +well often desire to teach their daughters, I have collected the +following instructions from my own experience, now extending over full +thirty years, on horses of all kinds, including the worst, and from the +best books on the subject, some of the best being anonymous +contributions by distinguished horsemen, printed for private +circulation. Every man and woman, girl and boy, who has the opportunity, +should learn to ride on horseback. It is almost an additional sense--it +is one of the healthiest exercises--it affords amusement when other +amusements fail--relaxation from the most severe toil, and often, in +colonies or wild countries, the only means of travelling or trading. + +A man feels twice a man on horseback. The student and the farmer meet, +when mounted, the Cabinet Minister and the landlord on even terms--good +horsemanship is a passport to acquaintances in all ranks of life, and to +make acquaintances is one of the arts of civilised life; to ripen them +into use or friendship is another art. On horseback you can call with +less ceremony, and meet or leave a superior with less form than on +foot. Rotten Row is the ride of idleness and pleasure, but there is a +great deal of business done in sober walks and slow canters, commercial, +political, and matrimonial. + +For a young lady not to be able to ride with a lover is a great loss; +not to be able to ride with a young husband a serious privation. + +The first element for enjoying horse exercise is good horsemanship. +Colonel Greenwood says very truly:--"_Good_ riding is worth acquiring by +those whose pleasure or business it is to ride, because it is soon and +easily acquired, and, when acquired, it becomes habitual; and it is as +easy, nay, much more easy, and infinitely more safe, than bad riding." +"Good riding will last through age, sickness, and decrepitude, but bad +riding will last only as long as youth, health, and strength supply +courage; _for good riding is an affair of skill, but bad riding is an +affair of courage_." + +A bold bad rider must not be merely brave; he must be fool-hardy; for he +is perpetually in as much danger as a blind man among precipices. + +In riding, as in most other things, danger is for the timid and the +unskilful. The skilful rider, when apparently courting danger in the +field, deserves no more credit for courage than for sitting in an +arm-chair, and the unskilful no more the imputation of timidity for +backwardness than if without practice he declined to perform on the +tight-rope. Depend upon it, the bold bad rider is the hero. + +There is nothing heroic in good riding, when dissected. The whole thing +is a matter of detail--a collection of trifles--and its principles are +so simple in theory and so easy in practice that they are despised. + +It is an accomplishment that may, to a certain extent, be acquired late +in life. I know instances in both sexes of a fair firm seat having been +acquired under the pressure of necessity after forty years of age (I +could name lawyers, sculptors, architects, and sailors), but it may be +acquired with ease and perfection in youth, and it is most important +that no awkward habits should be acquired. + +Children who have courage may be taught to ride almost as soon as they +can walk. On the Pampas of South America you may see a boy seven years +old on horseback, driving a herd of horses, and carrying a baby in his +arms! + +I began my own lessons at four, when I sat upon an old mare in the stall +while the groom polished harness or blacked his boots. Mr. Nathaniel +Gould, who, at upwards of seventy years, and sixteen stone weight, can +still ride hunting for seven or eight hours at a stretch, mentions, in +his observations on horses and hunting,[114-*] that a nephew of his +followed the Cheshire fox-hounds at seven years of age. "His manner of +gathering up his reins was most singular, and his power of keeping his +seat, with his little legs stretched horizontally along the saddle, +quite surprising." The hero Havelock, writing to his little boy, says, +"You are now seven years old, and ought to learn to ride. I hope to hear +soon that you have made progress in that important part of your +education. Your uncle William (a boy-hero in the Peninsula) rode well +before he was seven years old." The proper commencement for a boy is a +pony in which he can interest himself, and on which he may learn to sit +as a horseman should. + +I particularly warn parents against those broad-backed animals which, +however suitable for carrying heavy old gentlemen, or sacks to market, +are certainly very uncomfortable for the short legs of little boys, and +likely to induce rupture. On a narrow, well-bred pony, of 11 or 12 hands +high, a boy of six can sit like a little man. It is cruel to make +children ride with bare legs. + +Before Rarey introduced his system, there was no satisfactory mode of +training those ponies that were too small for a man to mount, unless the +owner happened to live near some racing stable, where he could obtain +the services of a "feather-weight doll," and then the pony often learned +tricks more comic than satisfactory. + +By patiently applying the practices explained in the preceding chapters, +the smallest and most highly-bred pony may be reduced to perfect +docility without impairing its spirit, and taught a number of amusing +tricks. + +Young ladies may learn on full-sized horses quite as well as on ponies, +if they are provided with suitable side-saddles. + +A man, or rather a boy, may learn to ride by practice and imitation, and +go on tumbling about until he has acquired a firm and even elegant seat, +but no lady can ever learn to ride as a lady should ride, without a good +deal of instruction; because her seat on horseback is so thoroughly +artificial, that without some competent person to tell her of her +faults, she is sure to fall into a number of awkward ungraceful tricks. +Besides, a riding-school, with its enclosed walls and trained horses, +affords an opportunity of going through the preliminary lessons without +any of those accidents which on the road, or in a field, are very likely +to occur with a raw pupil on a fresh horse. For a young lad to fall on +the grass, is not a serious affair, but a lady should never be allowed +to run the chance of a fall, because it is likely to destroy the nerve, +without which no lessons can be taught successfully. All who have +noticed the performances of Amazones in London, or at Brighton, must +have in remembrance the many examples of ladies who, with great courage, +sit in a manner that is at once fearful and ridiculous to behold; +entirely dependent on the good behaviour of horses, which they, in +reality, have no power of turning, and scarcely of stopping. + +Little girls who learn their first lessons by riding with papa, who is +either absorbed in other business, or himself a novice in the art of +horsemanship, get into poky habits, which it is extremely difficult to +eradicate when they reach the age when every real woman wishes to be +admired. + +Therefore, let everyone interested in the horsemanship of a young lady +commence by placing her, as early as possible, under the tuition of a +competent professional riding-master, unless he knows enough to teach +her himself. There are many riding-schools where a fair seat is acquired +by the lady pupils, but in London, at any rate, only two or three where +they learn to use the reins, so as to control an unruly horse. + +Both sexes are apt to acquire the habit of holding on by the bridle. To +avoid this grave error, the first lessons in walking and cantering +should be given to the pupil on a led horse, without taking hold of the +bridle; and this should be repeated in learning to leap. The +horsemanship of a lady is not complete until she has learned to leap, +whether she intends to ride farming or hunting, or to confine herself to +Rotten Row canters; for horses will leap and bound at times without +permission. + +I have high authority for recommending lessons without holding the +bridle. Lady Mildred H----, one of the most accomplished horsewomen of +the day, taught her daughter to walk, trot, canter, gallop, and leap, +without the steadying assistance of the reins. + +A second point is, that every pupil in horsemanship should begin by +holding the rein or reins (one is enough to begin with) in both hands, +pulling to the right when they want to go to the right, and to the left +when they wish to go to the left, that is the proper way of riding every +strange horse, every colt, and every hunter, that does not perfectly +know his business, for it is the only way in which you have any real +command over your horse. But almost all our riding-school rules are +military. Soldiers are obliged to carry a sword in one hand, and to +rely, to a great extent, on the training of their horses for turning +right or left. Ladies and gentlemen have no swords to carry, and neither +possess, nor can desire to possess, such machines as troop-horses. +Besides other more important advantages which will presently be +described by commencing with two-handed riding, a lady is more likely to +continue to sit squarely, than when holding the reins with one hand, and +pretending to guide a horse who really guides himself. A man has the +power of turning a horse, to a certain extent, with his legs and spurs; +a woman must depend on her reins, whip, and left leg. As only one rein +and the whip can be well held in one hand, double reins, except for +hunting, are to a lady merely a perplexing puzzle. The best way for a +lady is to knot up the snaffle, and hang it over the pommel, and ride +with a light hand on the curb. + +In order to give those ladies who may not have instruction at hand an +idea of a safe, firm, and elegant seat, I have placed at the head of +this chapter a woodcut, which shows how the legs should be placed. The +third or hunting-horn pommel must be fitted to the rider, as its +situation in the saddle will differ, to some extent, according to the +length of the lady's legs. I hope my plain speaking will not offend +American friends. + +The first step is to sit well down on the saddle, then pass the right +leg over the upstanding pommel, and let it hang straight down,--a little +back, if leaping; if the foot pokes out, the lady has no firm hold. The +stirrup must then be shortened, so as to bring the bent thigh next to +the knee of the left leg firmly against the under side of the +hunting-horn pommel. If, when this is done, an imaginary line were drawn +from the rider's backbone, which would go through the centre of the +saddle, close to the cantle, she is in her proper place, and leaning +rather back than forward, firm and close from the hips downwards, +flexible from her hips upwards, with her hands holding the reins apart, +a little above the level of her knee, she is in a position at once +powerful and graceful. This is a very imperfect description of a very +elegant picture. The originals, few and far between, are to be found for +nine months of the year daily in Rotten Row. A lady in mounting, should +hold the reins in her left hand, and place it on the pommel, the right +hand as far over the cantle as she can comfortably reach. If there is no +skilful man present to take her foot, make any man kneel down and put +out his right knee as a step, and let down the stirrup to be shortened +afterwards. Practise on a high chest of drawers! + +After all the rules of horsemanship have been perfectly learned, nothing +but practice can give the instinct which prepares a rider for the most +sudden starts, leaps, and "kickings up behind and before." + +The style of a man's seat must, to a certain extent, be settled by his +height and shape. A man with short round legs and thighs cannot sit down +on his horse like tall thin men, such as Jim Mason, or Tom Oliver, but +men of the most unlikely shapes, by dint of practice and pluck, go well +in the hunting-field, and don't look ridiculous on the road. + +There are certain rules laid down as to the length of a man's +stirrup-leathers, but the only good rule is that they should be short +enough to give the rider full confidence in his seat, and full power +over a pulling horse. For hunting it is generally well to take them up +one hole shorter than on the road. + +The military directions for mounting are absurd for civilians; in the +first place, there ought to be no right side or wrong side in mounting; +in both the street and hunting-field it is often most convenient to +mount on what is called the wrong side. In the next place horses trained +on the Rarey plan (and very soon all horses will be), will stand without +thinking of moving when placed by the rider, so that the military +direction to stand before the stirrup becomes unnecessary. + +The following is Mr. Rarey's plan of mounting for men, which is +excellent, but is not described in his book, and indeed is difficult to +describe at all. + +_To mount with the girths slack without bearing on the stirrup._--Take +up the reins and a lock of the mane, stand behind the withers looking at +your horse's head, put your foot in the stirrup, and while holding the +reins in one hand on the neck, place the other open and flat on the +other side of the saddle as far down as the edge of the little flap, +turn your toe out, so as not to touch the horse's belly, and rise by +leaning on your flat hand, thus pressing hard on the side of the saddle +opposite to that on which you are mounting. The pressure of your hands +will counterbalance your weight, and you will be able to mount without +straining the girths, or even without any girths at all. If you are not +tall enough to put your foot fairly in the stirrup, use a horse-block, +or, better still, a piece of solid wood about eighteen inches high, that +can be moved about anywhere. + +Young men should learn to leap into the saddle by placing both hands on +the cantle, as the horse moves. I have seen Daly, the steeplechaser, who +was a little man, do this often in the hunting-field, before he broke +his thigh. + +With respect to the best model for a seat, I recommend the very large +class who form the best customers of riding-school masters in the great +towns of England, I mean the gentlemen from eighteen to +eight-and-twenty, who begin to ride as soon as they have the means and +the opportunity, to study the style of the first-class steeplechase +jockeys and gentlemen riders in the hunting-field whenever they have the +opportunity. Almost all riding-masters are old dragoons, and what they +teach is good as far as it goes, as to general appearance and carriage +of the body, but generally the military notions about the use of a +rider's arms and legs are utterly wrong. + +On this point we cannot have a better authority then that of the late +Captain Nolan, who served in the Austrian, Hungarian, and in the English +cavalry in India, and who studied horsemanship in Russia, and all other +European countries celebrated for their cavalry. He says-- + +"The difference between a school (viz. an ordinary military horseman) +and a real horseman is this, the first depends upon guiding and managing +his horse for maintaining his seat; the second depends upon his seat for +controlling and guiding his horse. At a _trot_ the school rider, instead +of lightly rising to the action of the horse, bumps up and down, +falling heavily on the horse's loins, and hanging on the reins to +prevent the animal slipping from under him, whilst he is thrown up in +his seat." + +It is a curious circumstance that the English alone have two styles of +horsemanship. The one, natural and useful, formed in the hunting-field; +the other, artificial and military, imported from the Continent. If you +go into Rotten Row in the season you may see General the Earl of +Cardigan riding a trained charger in the most approved military +style--the toes in the stirrups, long stirrup-leathers, heels down, legs +from the knee carefully clear of the horse's sides--in fact, the balance +seat, handed down by tradition from the time when knights wore complete +armour and could ride in no other way, for the weight of the armour +rendered a fall certain if once the balance was lost; a very grand and +graceful style it is when performed by a master of the art of the length +of limb of the Earl, or his more brilliant predecessor, the late +Marquess of Anglesea. But if you go into Northamptonshire in the hunting +season, you may see the same Earl of Cardigan in his scarlet coat, +looking twice as thick in the waist, sailing away in the first flight, +sitting down on the part intended by nature for a seat, with his knees +well bent, and his calves employed in distributing his weight over the +horse's back and sides. In the one case the Earl is a real, in the other +a show, horseman. + +Therefore, when a riding-master tells you that you must ride by balance, +"with your body upright, knee drawn back, and the feet in a +perpendicular line with the shoulder, and your legs from the knee +downward brought away to prevent what is called _clinging_," listen to +him, learn all you can--do not argue, that would be useless--and then +take the first opportunity of studying those who are noted for combining +an easy, natural seat with grace--that is, if you are built for +gracefulness--some people are not. In Nolan's words, "Let a man have a +roomy saddle, and sit close to the horse's back; let the leg be +supported by the stirrup in a natural position, without being so short +as to throw back the thigh, and the nearer the whole leg is brought to +the horse the better, so long as the foot is not bent below the +ankle-joint." + +Soon after the battle of Waterloo, by influence of the Prince Regent, +who fancied he knew something about cavalry, a Prussian was introduced +to teach our cavalry a new style of equitation, which consisted in +entirely abandoning the use of that part of the person in which his +Royal Highness was so highly gifted, and riding on the fork like a pair +of compasses on a rolling pin, with perfectly straight legs. For a +considerable period this ridiculous drill, which deprived the soldiers +of all power over their horses, was carried on in the fields where +Belgrave Square now stands, and was not abandoned until the number of +men who suffered by it was the cause of a serious remonstrance from +commanding officers. It is a pity that the reverse system has never been +tried, and a regiment of cavalry taught riding on English fox-hunting +principles, using the snaffle on the road, and rising in the trot. But +it must be admitted that since the war there has been a great +improvement in this respect, and there will probably be more as the +martinets of the old school die off. + +It was not for want of examples of a better style that the continental +military style was forced upon our cavalry. Mr. Nathaniel Gould relates +in his little book as an instance of what determined hunting-men can +do, that-- + +"When, in the year 1815, Blucher arrived in London and drove at once to +Carlton House, I was one of a few out of an immense concourse of +horsemen who accompanied his carriage from Shooter's Hill, riding on +each side; spite of all obstacles we forced ourselves through the Horse +Guards gate and the troop of guardsmen, in like manner through the Light +Cavalry and gate at Carlton House, as well as the posse of constables in +the court-yard, and drove our horses up the flight of stone steps into +the salon, though the guards, beefeaters, and constables arrayed +themselves against this irruption of Cossacks, and actually came to the +charge. The Prince, however, in the noblest manner waved his hand, and +we were allowed to form a circle round the Regent while Blucher had the +blue ribbon placed on his shoulders, and was assisted to rise by the +Prince in the most dignified manner. His Royal Highness then slightly +acknowledged our presence, we backed to the door, and got down the steps +again with only one accident, that arising from a horse, which, on being +urged forward, took a leap down the whole flight of stairs." + +But to return to the subject of a man's seat on horseback. Nolan, +quoting Baucher, says, "When first put on horseback, devote a few +lessons to making his limbs supple, in the same way that you begin drill +on foot with extension motions. Show him how to close up the thigh and +leg to the saddle, and then work the leg backwards and forwards, up and +down, _without stirrups_; _make him swing a weight round in a circle +from the shoulder as centre_; the other hand placed on the thigh, thence +to the rear, change the weight to the opposite hand, and same." + +"_Placing one hand on the horse's mane_, make him lean down to each side +in succession, till he reaches to within a short distance of the +ground." "These exercises give a man a firm hold with his legs, on a +horse, and teach him to move his limbs without quitting his seat. Then +take him in the circle in the longe, and, by walking and trotting +alternately, teach him the necessity of leaning with the body to the +side the horse is turning to. This is the necessary balance. Then put +him with others, and give him plenty of trotting, to shake him into his +seat. By degrees teach him how to use the reins, then the leg." + +These directions for training a full-grown trooper may be of use to +civilians. + + +HANDS AND REINS. + +Presuming that you are in a fair way to obtain a secure seat, the next +point is the use of the reins and the employment of your legs, for it is +by these that a horseman holds, urges, and turns his horse. To handle a +horse in perfection, you must have, besides instruction, "good hands." +Good or light hands, like the touch of a first-rate violinist, are a +gift, not always to be acquired even by thought and practice. The +perfection of riding is to make your horse understand and obey your +directions, as conveyed through the reins--to halt, or go fast or slow; +to walk, trot, canter, or gallop; to lead off with right or left leg, to +change leg, to turn either way, and to rise in leaping at the exact +point you select. No one but a perfect horseman, with naturally fine +hands, can do this perfectly, but every young horseman should try. + +The golden rule of horsemanship is laid down by Colonel Greenwood, in a +sentence that noodles will despise for its "trite simplicity:"--"When +you wish to turn to the right, pull the right rein stronger than the +left." This is common sense. No horse becomes restive in the +colt-breaker's hands. The reason is, that they ride with one bridle and +two hands, instead of two bridles and one hand. "When they wish to go to +the left, they pull the left rein stronger than the right. When they +wish to go to the right, they pull the right rein stronger than the +left. If the colt does not obey these indications, at least he +understands them, even the first time he is mounted, and the most +obstinate will not long resist them. Acting on these plain principles, I +saw, in August last, a three-year-old colt which, placed absolutely raw +and unbridled in Mr. Rarey's hands, within seven days answered every +indication of the reins like an old horse--turned right or left, brought +his nose to the rider's knee, and backed like an old trooper. + +"But it takes a long time to make a colt understand that he is to turn +to the right when the left rein is pulled;" and if any horse resists, +the rider has no power one-handed, as the reins are usually held, to +compel him. + +The practice of one-handed riding originated in military schools; for a +soldier has to carry a sword or lance, and depends chiefly on his +well-trained horse and the pressure of his legs. No one ever attempts to +turn a horse in harness with one hand, although there the driver has the +assistance of the terrets, and it is equally absurd to attempt it with a +colt or horse with a delicate mouth. Of course, with an old-trained hack +even the reins are a mere form; any hint is enough. + +The advantage of double-handed riding is, that, in a few hours, any +colt and any pupil in horsemanship may learn it. + +To make the most of a horse, the reins must be held with a smooth, even +bearing, not hauling at a horse's mouth, as if it were made of Indian +rubber, nor yet leaving the reins slack, but so feeling him that you can +instantaneously direct his course in any direction, "as if," to use old +Chifney's phrase, "your rein was a worsted thread." Your legs are to be +used to force your horse forward up to the bit, and also to guide him. +That is, when you turn to the right pull the right rein sharpest and +press with the left leg; when to the left, _vice versâ_. Unless a horse +rides up to the bit you have no control over him. + +A good horseman chooses his horse's ground and his pace for him. "To +avoid a falling leaf a horse will put his foot over a precipice. When a +horse has made a stumble, or is in difficulties at a fence, you cannot +leave him too much at liberty, or be too quiet with him." Don't believe +the nonsense people talk about holding a horse up _after_ he has +stumbled. + +The pupil horseman should remember to drop his hands as low as he can on +each side the withers, without stooping, when a horse becomes restive, +plunging or attempting to run away. The instinct of a novice is to do +exactly what he ought not to do--raise his hands. + +By a skilful use of the reins and your own legs, with or without spurs, +you collect, or, as Colonel Greenwood well expresses it, you condense +your horse, at a stand, that is, you make him stand square, yet ready to +move in any direction at any pace that you require; this is one use of +the curb bit. It is on the same principle that fashionable coachmen "hit +and hold" their high-bred horses while they thread the crowded streets +of the West end in season, or that you see a hard rider, when starting +with three hundred companions at the joyful sound of Tally-ho, pricking +and holding his horse, to have him ready for a great effort the moment +he is clear of the crowd. + +By a judicious use of the curb rein, you collect a tired horse; tired +horses are inclined to sprawl about. You draw his hind-legs under him, +throw him upon his haunches, and render him less liable to fall even on +his weary or weak fore-legs. But a pull at the reins when a horse is +falling may make him hold up his head, but cannot make him hold up his +legs. + +"When a horse is in movement there should be a constant touch or feeling +or play between his mouth and the rider's hands." Not the hold by which +riders of the foreign school retain their horses at an artificial parade +pace, which is inconceivably fatiguing to the animal, and quite contrary +to our English notions of natural riding; but a gradual, delicate firm +feeling of the mouth and steady indications of the legs, which keep a +fiery well-broken horse always, to use a school phrase, "between your +hands and legs." + +You cannot take too much pains to acquire this art, for although it is +not exercised on an old hack, that you ride with reins held any how, and +your legs dangling anywhere, it is called into action and gives +additional enjoyment to be striding the finest class of high-couraged +delicate-mouthed horses--beautiful creatures that seem to enjoy being +ridden by a real horseman or light-handed Amazone, but which become +frantic in ignorant or brutal hands. + +"A horse should never be turned without being made to collect himself, +without being retained by the hands and urged by the legs, as well as +guided by both; that is, in turning to the right both hands should +retain him, and the right hand guide him, by being used the strongest; +in turning to the left, both legs should urge him, and the left guide +him by being pressed the strongest. Don't turn into the contrary +extreme, slackening the left rein, and hauling the horse's head round to +the right." + +The same rules should be observed for making a horse canter with the +right leg, but the right rein should be only drawn enough to develop his +right nostril. + +_Reining Back._--You must collect a horse with your legs before you rein +him back, because if you press him back first with the reins he may +throw all his weight on his hind legs under him, stick out his nose, hug +his tail, and then he cannot stir--you must recover him to his balance, +and give him power to step back. This rule is often neglected by carters +in trying to make the shaft-horse back. + +_Rearing._--Knot the snaffle rein--loose it when the horse rears--put +your right arm round the horse's neck, with the hand well up and close +under the horse's gullet; press your left shoulder forward so as to +bring your chest to the horse's near side, for, if the horse falls, you +will fall clear; the moment he is descending, press him forward, take up +the rein, which, being knotted, is short to your hands, and ply the +spurs. But a horse, after being laid down and made walk, tied up like +the zebra a few times, will seldom persist, because the moment he +attempts to rise you pull his off hind leg under him and he is +powerless. + +_Leaping._--The riding-school is a bad place to teach a horse to leap. +The bar, with its posts, is very apt to frighten him; if a colt has not +been trained to leap as it should be by following its dam before it is +mounted, take it into the fields and let it follow well-trained horses +over easy low fences and little ditches, slowly without fuss, and, as +part of the ride, not backwards and forwards--always leap on the +snaffle. Our cavalry officers learn to leap, not in the school, but +"across country." Nolan tells a story that, during some manoeuvres in +Italy, an Austrian general, with his staff, got amongst some enclosures +and sent some of his aide-de-camps to find an outlet. They peered over +the stone walls, rode about, but could find no gap. The general turned +to one of his staff, a Yorkshireman, and said, "See if you can find a +way out of this place." Mr. W----k, mounted on a good English horse, +went straight at the wall, cleared it, and, while doing so, turned in +his saddle and touched his cap and said, "This way, general;" but his +way did not suit the rest of the party. + +There is a good deal taught in the best military schools, well worth +time and study, which, with practice in horse-taming, would fill up the +idle time of that numerous class who never read, and find time heavy on +their hands, when out of town life. + +"But a military riding-school," says Colonel Greenwood, "is too apt to +teach you to sit on your horse as stiff as a statue, to let your right +hand hang down as useless as if God had never gifted you with one, to +stick your left hand out, with a stiff straight wrist like a boltsprit, +and to turn your horse invariably on the wrong rein." I should not +venture to say so much on my own authority, but Captain Nolan says +further, speaking of the effect of the foreign school (not Baucher's), +on horses and men, "The result of this long monotonous course of study +is, that on the uninitiated the school rider makes a pleasing +impression, his horse turns, prances, and caracoles without any visible +aid, or without any motion in the horseman's upright, imposing +attitude. But I have lived and served with them. I have myself been a +riding-master, and know, from experience, the disadvantages of this +foreign seat and system." + +There is nothing that requires more patience and firmness than a shying +horse. Shying arises from three causes--defective eyesight, +skittishness, and fear. If a horse always shies from the same side you +may be sure the eye on that side is defective. + +You may know that a horse shies from skittishness if he flies one day +snorting from what he meets the next with indifference; dark stables +also produce this irregular shying. + +Nervousness, which is often increased by brutality, as the horse is not +only afraid of the object, but of the whipping and spurring he has been +accustomed to receive, can be alleviated, to some extent, by the +treatment already described in the horse-training chapter. But horses +first brought from the country to a large town are likely to be alarmed +at a number of objects. You must take time to make them acquainted with +each. For instance, I brought a mare from the country that everything +moving seemed to frighten. I am convinced she had been ill-used, or had +had an accident in harness. The first time a railway train passed in her +sight over a bridge spanning the road she was travelling, she would turn +round and would have run away had I not been able to restrain her; I +could feel her heart beat between my legs. Acting on the principles of +Xenophon and Mr. Rarey, I allowed her to turn, but compelled her to +stand, twenty yards off, while the train passed. She looked back with a +fearful eye all the time--it was a very slow luggage train--while I +soothed her. After once or twice she consented to face the train, +watching it with crested neck and ears erect; by degrees she walked +slowly forwards, and in the course of a few days passed under the bridge +in the midst of the thunder of a train with perfect indifference. + +If you can distinctly ascertain that a horse shies and turns round from +mere skittishness, correct him when he turns, not as long as he faces +the object: he will soon learn that it is for turning that he is visited +with whip and spurs. A few days' practice and patience essentially alter +the character of the most nervous horses. + +Books contain very elaborate descriptions of what a hack or a hunter +should be in form, &c. To most persons these descriptions convey no +practical ideas. The better plan is to take lessons on the proportions +and anatomy of a horse from some intelligent judge or veterinary +surgeon. You must study, and buy, and lose your money on many horses +before you can safely, if ever, depend on your own judgment in choosing +a horse. And, after all, a natural talent for comparison and eye for +proportion are only the gift of a few. Some men have horses all their +lives, and yet scarcely know a good animal from a bad one, although they +may know what they like to drive, or ride or hunt. The safe plan is to +distrust your own judgment until you feel you have had experience enough +to choose for yourself. + +Hacks for long distances are seldom required in England in these railway +days. A town hack should be good-looking, sure-footed, not too tall, and +active, for you are always in sight, you have to ride over slippery +pavement, to turn sharp corners, and to mount and dismount often. +Rarey's system of making the horse obey the voice, stand until called, +and follow the rider, may easily be taught, and is of great practical +value thus applied. A cover or country hack must be fast, but need not +be so showy in action or handsome as a town hack--his merit is to get +over the ground. + +Teach your hack to walk well with the reins loose--no pace is more +gentlemanly and useful than a good steady walk. Any well-bred screw can +gallop; it is the slow paces that show a gentleman's hack. + +If on a long journey, walk a quarter of a mile for every four you trot +or canter, choosing the softest bits of road or turf. + +Do not permit the saddle to be removed for at least half an hour after +arriving with your horse hot. A neglect of this precaution will give a +sore back. + +A lady's horse, beside other well-known qualifications of beauty and +pace, should be up to the lady's weight. It is one of the fictions of +society that all ladies eat little and weigh little. Now, a saddle and +habit weigh nearly three stone, a very slim lady will weigh nine, so +there you reach twelve stone, which, considering how fond young girls +are of riding fast and long over hard roads, is no mean weight. The best +plan is to put the dear creatures into the scales with their saddles, +register the result, and choose a horse calculated to be a good stone +over the gross weight. How few ladies remember, as for hours they canter +up and down Rotten Row, that that famous promenade is a mile and a +quarter in length, so ten turns make twelve miles and a half. + +The qualifications of a hunter need not be described, because all those +who need these hints will, if they have common sense, only take hunters +like servants, with established characters of at least one season. + +Remember that a horse for driving requires "courage," for he is always +going fast--he never walks. People who only keep one or two horses +often make the same mistake, as if they engaged Lord Gourmet's cook for +a servant of all work. They see a fiery caprioling animal, sleek as a +mole, gentle, but full of fire, come out of a nobleman's stud, where he +was nursed like a child, and only ridden or driven in his turn, with +half-a-dozen others. Seduced by his lively appearance, they purchase +him, and place him under the care of a gardener-groom, or at livery, +work him every day, early and late, and are surprised to find his flesh +melt, his coat lose its bloom, and his lively pace exchanged for a dull +shamble. This is a common case. The wise course is to select for a horse +of all work an animal that has been always accustomed to work hard; he +will then improve with care and regular exercise. + +Horses under six years' old are seldom equal to very hard work: they are +not, full-grown, of much use, where only one or two are kept. + +Make a point of caressing your horse, and giving him a carrot or apple +whenever he is brought to you, at the same time carefully examine him +all over, see to his legs, his shoes, and feet; notice if he is well +groomed; see to the condition of his furniture, and see always that he +is properly bitted. Grooms are often careless and ignorant. + +As to _Shoeing_. In large towns there are always veterinary surgeons' +forges, where the art is well understood, and so, too, in hunting +districts; but where you have to rely on ignorant blacksmiths you cannot +do better than rely on the rather exaggerated instructions contained in +"Miles on the Horse's Foot," issued at a low price by the Royal +Agricultural Society. Good shoeing prolongs the use of a horse for +years. + +_Stables._--Most elaborate directions are given for the construction of +stables; but most people are obliged to put up with what they find on +their premises. Stables should be so ventilated that they never stink, +and are never decidedly warm in cold weather, if you wish your horses to +be healthy. Grooms will almost always stop up ventilation if they can. +Loose boxes are to be preferred to stalls, because in them a tired horse +can place himself in the position most easy to him. Sloping stalls are +chambers of torture. + +Hunters should be placed away from other horses, where, after a +fatiguing day, they can lie at length, undisturbed by men or other +horses in use. Stables should be as light as living rooms, but with +louvers to darken them in summer, in order to keep out the flies. An +ample supply of cold and hot water without troubling the cook is +essential in a well-managed stable. + +Large stables are magnificent, but a mistake. Four or five horses are +quite as many as can be comfortably lodged together. I have seen hunters +in an old barn in better condition than in the grandest temples of +fashionable architects. + +It takes an hour to dress a horse well in the morning, and more on +return hot from work. From this hint you may calculate what time your +servant must devote to his horses if they are to be well dressed. + +If you are in the middle class, with a small stud, never take a swell +groom from a great stable--he will despise you and your horses. Hunting +farmers and hunting country surgeons train the best class of grooms. + +When you find an honest, sober man, who thoroughly knows his business, +you cannot treat him too well, for half the goodness of a horse depends, +like a French dish, on the treatment. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[114-*] "Hints on Horses and Hunting," by Senex. + + + + +[Illustration: SIDE SADDLE.] + +CHAPTER IX. + +ON HORSEMAN'S AND HORSEWOMAN'S DRESS, AND HORSE FURNITURE. + + On bits.--The snaffle.--The use of the curb.--The Pelham.--The + Hanoverian bit described.--Martingales.--The gentleman's saddle + to be large enough.--Spurs.--Not to be too sharp.--The Somerset + saddle for the timid and aged.--The Nolan saddle without + flaps.--Ladies' saddle described.--Advantages of the hunting-horn + crutch.--Ladies' stirrup.--Ladies' dress.--Hints + on.--Habit.--Boots.--Whips.--Hunting whips.--Use of the + lash.--Gentleman's riding costume.--Hunting dress.--Poole, the + great authority.--Advantage of cap over hat in hunting.--Boot-tops + and Napoleons.--Quotation from Warburton's ballads. + + +If you wish to ride comfortably, you must look as carefully to see that +your horse's furniture fits and suits him as to your own boots and +breeches. + +[Illustration: CURB-BIT.] + +When a farmer buys a team of oxen, if he knows his business he asks +their names, because oxen answer to their names. On the same principle +it is well to inquire what bit a horse has been accustomed to, and if +you cannot learn, try several until you find out what suits him. There +are rare horses, "that carry their own heads," in dealers' phrase, +safely and elegantly with a plain snaffle bridle; but except in the +hands of a steeple-chase jock, few are to be so trusted. Besides, as +reins, as well as snaffles, break, it is not safe to hunt much with one +bit and one bridle-rein. The average of horses go best on a double +bridle, that is to say, the common hard and sharp or curb, with a +snaffle. The best way is to ride on the snaffle, and use the curb only +when it is required to stop your horse suddenly, to moderate his speed +when he is pulling too hard, or when he is tired or lazy to collect him, +by drawing his nose down and his hind-legs more under him, for that is +the first effect of taking hold of the curb-rein. There are many horses +with good mouths, so far that they can be stopped easily with a plain +snaffle, and yet require a curb-bit, to make them carry their heads in +the right place, and this they often seem to do from the mere hint of +the curb-chain dangling against their chins, without the rider being +obliged to pull at the reins with any perceptible force. + +[Illustration: PLAIN SNAFFLE.] + +The Pelham-bit (see cut), which is a sort of snaffle-bit with cheeks and +a curb-chain, is a convenient style for this class of horse. A powerful +variation of the Pelham, called the Hanoverian, has within the last few +years come very much into use. It requires the light hands of a +practised horseman to use the curb-reins of the Hanoverian on a +delicate-mouthed horse; but when properly used no bit makes a horse bend +and display himself more handsomely, and in the hunting-field it will +hold a horse when nothing else will, for this bit is a very powerful +snaffle, as well as curb, with rollers or rings, that keep the horse's +mouth moist, and prevent it from becoming dead (see cut). For hunting, +use the first; if the Hanoverian it should not be too narrow. + +[Illustration: PELHAM-BIT.] + +The Chifney is a curb with, a very powerful leverage, and one of the +best for a pulling horse, or a lady's use. + +A perfect horseman will make shift with any bit. Sir Tatton Sykes and +Sir Charles Knightley, in their prime, could hold any horse with a plain +snaffle; but a lady, or a weak-wristed horseman, should be provided with +a bit that can stop the horse on an emergency; and many horses, +perfectly quiet on the road, pull hard in the field at the beginning of +a run. But it should be remembered, that when a horse runs away, it is +useless to rely on the curb, as, when once he has fully resisted it, the +longer he runs the less he cares for it. The better plan is to keep the +snaffle moving and sawing in his mouth, and from time to time take a +sharp pull at the curb. + +[Illustration: HANOVERIAN-BIT.] + +It is of great importance, especially with a high-spirited horse, that +the headpiece should fit him, that it is neither too tight nor too low +down in his mouth. I have known a violently restive horse to become +perfectly calm and docile when his bridle had been altered so as to fit +him comfortably. The curb-bit should be placed so low as only just to +clear the tushes in a horse's mouth, and one inch above the corner teeth +in a mare's. There should be room for at least one finger between the +curb-chain and the chin. If the horse is tender-skinned, the chain may +be covered with leather. + +When you are learning to ride, you should take pains to learn everything +concerning the horse and his equipments. In this country we are so well +waited upon, that we often forget that we may at some time or other be +obliged to become our own grooms and farriers. + +For the colonies, the best bridle is that described in the chapter on +training colts, which is a halter, a bridle, and a gag combined. + +Bridle reins should be soft, yet tough; so long, and no longer, so that +by extending your arms you can shorten them to any desired length; then, +if your horse pokes out his head, or extends himself in leaping, you +can, if you hold the reins in each hand, as you ought, let them slip +through your fingers, and shorten them in an instant by extending your +arms. A very good sportsman of my acquaintance has tabs sewn on the +curb-reins, which prevents them from slipping. This is a useful plan for +ladies who ride or drive; but, as before observed, in hunting the +snaffle-reins should slip through the fingers. + +Some horses require martingales to keep their heads down, and in the +right place. But imperfect horsemen are not to be trusted with running +martingales. Running martingales require tabs on the reins, to prevent +the rings getting fixed close to the mouth. + +For hacks and ladies' horses on the road, a standing martingale, buckled +to the nose-band of the bridle, is the best. It should be fixed, as Mr. +Rarey directs, not so short as to bring the horse's head exactly where +you want it--your hands must do that--but just short enough to keep his +nose down, and prevent him from flinging his poll into your teeth. If +his neck is rightly shaped, he will by degrees lower his head, and get +into the habit of so arching his neck that the martingale may be +dispensed with; this is very desirable, because you cannot leap with a +standing martingale, and a running one requires the hands of a +steeplechase jock. + +The saddle of a gentleman should be large enough. In racing, a few +pounds are of consequence; but in carrying a heavy man on the road or +in the field, to have the weight evenly distributed over the horse's +back is of more consequence than three or four pounds. The common +general fitting saddle will fit nine horses out of ten. Colonial horses +usually have low shoulders; therefore colonial saddles should be narrow, +thickly stuffed, and provided with cruppers, although they have gone out +of fashion in this country, because it is presumed that gentlemen will +only ride horses that have a place for carrying a saddle properly. + +On a journey, see to the stuffing of your saddle, and have it put in a +draft, or to the fire, to dry, when saturated with sweat; the neglect of +either precaution may give your horse a sore back, one of the most +troublesome of horse maladies. + +Before hunting, look to the spring bars of the stirrup-leathers, and see +that they will work: if they are tight, pull them down and leave them +open. Of all accidents, that of being caught, after your horses fall, in +the stirrup, is the most dangerous, and not uncommon. I have seen at +least six instances of it. When raw to the hunting-field, and of course +liable to falls, it is well to use the spring-bar stirrups which open, +not at the side, but at the eye holding the stirrup-leather; the same +that I recommend for the use of ladies. + +Spurs are only to be used by those who have the habit of riding, and +will not use them at the wrong time. In most instances, the sharp points +of the rowels should be filed or rubbed off, for they are seldom +required for more than to rouse a horse at a fence, or turn him suddenly +away from a vehicle in the street. Sharp spurs may be left to jockeys. +Long-legged men can squeeze their horses so hard, that they can dispense +with spurs; but short-legged men need them at the close of a run, when +a horse begins to lumber carelessly over his fences, or with a horse +inclined to refuse. Dick Christian broke difficult horses to leaping +without the spur; and when he did, only used one on the left heel. +Having myself had falls with horses at the close of a run, which rushed +and pulled at the beginning, for want of spurs, I have found the +advantage of carrying one in my sandwich-bag, and buckling it on, if +needed, at a check. Of course, first-rate horsemen need none of these +hints; but I write for novices only, of whom, I trust, every prosperous +year of Old England will produce a plentiful crop from the fortunate and +the sons of the fortunate. + +A great many persons in this country learn, or relearn, to ride after +they have reached manhood, either because they can then for the first +time afford the dignity and luxury, or because the doctor prescribes +horse exercise as the only remedy for weak digestion, disordered liver, +trembling nerves--the result of overwork or over-feeding. Thus the +lawyer, overwhelmed with briefs; the artist, maintaining his position as +a Royal Academician; the philosopher, deep in laborious historical +researches; and the young alderman, exhausted by his first year's +apprenticeship to City feeding, come under the hands of the +riding-master. + +Now although for the man "to the manner bred," there is no saddle for +hard work and long work, whether in the hunting-field or Indian +campaign, like a broad seated English hunting saddle, there is no doubt +that its smooth slippery surface offers additional difficulties to the +middle-aged, the timid, and those crippled by gout, rheumatism or +pounds. There can be very little benefit derived from horse exercise as +long as the patient travels in mortal fear. Foreigners teach riding on a +buff leather demi-pique saddle,--a bad plan for the young, as the +English saddle becomes a separate difficulty. But to those who merely +aspire to constitutional canters, and who ride only for health, or as a +matter of dignity, I strongly recommend the Somerset saddle, invented +for one of that family of cavaliers who had lost a leg below the knee. +This saddle is padded before the knee and behind the thigh to fit the +seat of the purchaser, and if provided with a stuffed seat of brown +buckskin will give the quartogenarian pupil the comfort and the +confidence of an arm-chair. They are, it may be encouraging to mention, +fashionable among the more aristocratic middle-aged, and the front roll +of stuffing is much used among those who ride and break their own colts, +as it affords a fulcrum against a puller, and a protection against a +kicker. Australians use a rolled blanket, strapped over the pommel of +the saddle, for the same purpose. To bad horsemen who are too conceited +to use a Somerset, I say, in the words of the old proverb, "Pride must +have a fall." + +The late Captain Nolan had a military saddle improved from an Hungarian +model, made for him by Gibson, of Coventry Street, London, without +flaps, and with a felt saddle cloth, which had the advantage of being +light, while affording the rider a close seat and more complete control +over his horse, in consequence of the more direct pressure of the legs +on the horse's flanks. It would be worth while to try a saddle of this +kind for hunting purposes, and for breaking in colts. Of course it could +only be worn with boots, to protect the rider's legs from the sweat of +the horse's flanks. + +With the hunting-horn crutch the seat of a woman is stronger than that +of a man, for she presses her right leg down over the upright pommel, +and the left leg up against the hunting-horn, and thus grasps the two +pommels between her legs at that angle which gives her the most power. + +Ladies' saddles ought invariably to be made with what is called the +hunting-horn, or crutch, at the left side. The right-hand pommel has not +yet gone out of fashion, but it is of no use, and is injurious to the +security of a lady's seat, by preventing the right hand from being put +down as low as it ought to be with a restive horse, and by encouraging +the bad habit of leaning the right hand on it. A flat projection is +quite sufficient. The security of the hunting-horn saddle will be quite +clear to you, if, when sitting in your chair, you put a cylinder three +or four inches in diameter between your legs, press your two knees +together by crossing them, in the position of a woman on a side-saddle; +when a man clasps his horse, however firmly, it has a tendency, to raise +the seat from the saddle. This is not the case with the side-saddle +seat: if a man wishes to use a lance and ride at a ring, he will find +that he has a firmer seat with this kind of side-saddle than with his +own. There is no danger in this side-pommel, since you cannot be thrown +on it, and it renders it next to impossible that the rider should be +thrown upon the other pommel. In case of a horse leaping suddenly into +the air and coming down on all four feet, technically, "_bucking_," +without the leaping-horn there is nothing to prevent a lady from being +thrown up. But the leaping-horn holds down the left knee, and makes it a +fulcrum to keep the right knee down in its proper place. If the horse in +violent action throws himself suddenly to the left, the upper part of +the rider's body will tend downwards, to the right, and the lower limbs +to the left: nothing can prevent this but the support of the +leaping-horn. The fear of over-balancing to the right causes many ladies +to get into the bad habit of leaning over their saddles to the left. +This fear disappears when the hunting-horn pommel is used. The +leaping-horn is also of great use with a hard puller, or in riding down +a steep place, for it prevents the lady from sliding forward. + +But these advantages render the right-hand pommel quite useless, a +slight projection being all sufficient (see woodcut); while this +arrangement gives the habit and figure a much better appearance. Every +lady ought to be measured for this part of the saddle, as the distance +between the two pommels will depend partly on the length of her legs. + +When a timid inexperienced lady has to ride a fiery horse it is not a +bad plan to attach a strap to the outside girth on the right hand, so +that she may hold it and the right hand rein at the same time without +disturbing her seat. This little expedient gives confidence, and is +particularly useful if a fresh horse should begin to kick a little. Of +course it is not to be continued, but only used to give a timid rider +temporary assistance. I have also used for the same purpose a broad tape +passed across the knees, and so fastened that in a fall of the horse it +would give way. + +Colonel Greenwood recommends that for fastening a ladies' saddle-flaps +an elastic webbing girth, and not a leather girth, should be used, and +this attached, not, as is usually the case, to the small, but to the +_large flap_ on the near side. This will leave the near side small flap +loose, as in a man's saddle, and allow a spring bar to be used. But I +have never seen, either in use or in a saddler's shop, although I have +constantly sought, a lady's saddle so arranged with a spring bar for the +stirrup-leather. This mode of attaching a web girth to the large flap +will render the near side perfectly smooth, with the exception of the +stirrup-leather, which he recommends to be a single thin strap as broad +as a gentleman's, fastened to the stirrup-leg by a loop or slipknot, and +fixed over the spring bar of the saddle by a buckle like that on a man's +stirrup-leather. This arrangement, which the Colonel also recommends to +gentlemen, presumes that the length of the stirrup-leather never +requires altering more than an inch or two. It is a good plan for short +men when travelling, and likely to ride strange horses, to carry their +stirrup-leathers with them, as nothing is more annoying than to have to +alter them in a hurry with the help of a blunt pen-knife. + +"The stirrup for ladies should be in all respects like a man's, large +and heavy, and open at the side, or the eyelet hole, with a spring." The +stirrups made small and padded out of compliment to ladies' small feet +are very dangerous. If any padding be required to protect the front of +the ankle-joint, it had better be a fixture on the boot. + +It is a mistake to imagine that people are dragged owing to the stirrup +being too large, and the foot passing through it; such accidents arise +from the stirrup being too small, and the foot clasped by the pressure +of the upper part on the toe and the lower part on the sole. + +Few ladies know how to dress for horse exercise, although there has been +a great improvement, so far as taste is concerned, of late years. As to +the head-dress, it may be whatever is in fashion, provided it so fits +the head as not to require continual adjustment, often needed when the +hands would be better employed with the reins and whip. It should shade +from the sun, and if used in hunting protect the nape of the neck from +rain. The recent fashions of wearing the plumes or feathers of the +ostrich, the cock, the capercailzie, the pheasant, the peacock, and the +kingfisher, in the riding-hats of young ladies, in my humble opinion, +are highly to be commended. + +As to the riding-habit, it may be of any colour and material suitable to +the wearer and the season of year, but the sleeves must fit rather +closely; nothing can be more out of place, inconvenient, and ridiculous, +than the wide, hanging sleeves which look so well in a drawing-room. For +country use the skirt of a habit may be short, and bordered at the +bottom a foot deep with leather. The fashion of a waistcoat of light +material for summer, revived from the fashion of last century, is a +decided improvement, and so is the over-jacket of cloth, or sealskin, +for rough weather. There is no reason why pretty young girls should not +indulge in picturesque riding costume so long as it is appropriate. + +Many ladies entirely spoil the sit of the skirts by retaining the usual +_impedimenta_ of petticoats[147-*]. The best-dressed horsewomen wear +nothing more than a flannel chemise with long coloured sleeves, under +their trousers. + +Ladies' trousers should be of the same material and colour as the habit, +and if full flowing like a Turk's, and fastened with an elastic band +round the ankle, they will not be distinguished from the skirt. In this +costume, which may be made amply warm by the folds of the trousers, +plaited like a Highlander's kilt (fastened with an elastic band at the +waist), a lady can sit down in a manner impossible for one encumbered by +two or three short petticoats. It is the chest and back which require +double folds of protection during, and after, strong exercise. + +There is a prejudice against ladies wearing long Wellington boots; but +it is quite absurd, for they need never be seen, and are a great +comfort and protection in riding long distances, when worn with the +trousers tucked inside. They should, for obvious reasons, be large +enough for warm woollen stockings, and easy to get on and off. It would +not look well to see a lady struggling out of a pair of wet boots with +the help of a bootjack and a couple of chambermaids. The heels of +riding-boots, whether for ladies or gentlemen, should be low, but +_long_, to keep the stirrup in its place. + +The yellow patent leather recently introduced seems a suitable thing for +the "Napoleons" of hunting ladies. And I have often thought that the +long leather gaiters of the Zouave would suit them. + +Whips require consideration. By gentlemen on the road or in the park +they are rather for ornament than use. A jockey whip is the most +punishing, but on the Rarey system it is seldom necessary to use the +whip except to a slug, and then spurs are more effective. + +A lady's whip is intended to supply the place of a man's right leg and +spur; it should therefore, however ornamental and thin, be stiff and +real. Messrs. Callow, of Park Lane, make some very pretty ones, pink, +green and amber, from the skin of the hippopotamus, light but severe. A +loop to hang it from the wrist may be made ornamental in colours and +gold, and is useful, for a lady may require all the power of her little +hand to grasp the right rein without the encumbrance of the whip, which +on this plan will still be ready if required at a moment's notice. +Hunting-whips must vary according to the country. In some districts the +formidable metal hammers are still required to break intractable horses, +but such whips and jobs should be left to the servants and hard-riding +farmers. + +As a general rule the hunting-whip of a man who has nothing to do with +the hounds may be light, but it should have a good crook and be stiff +enough to stop a gate. A small steel stud outside the crook prevents the +gate from slipping; flat lashes of a brown colour have recently come +into fashion, but they are mere matters of fashion like the colour of +top boots, points to which only snobs pay any attention--that is, those +asses who pin their faith in externals, and who, in the days of +pigtails, were ready to die in defence of those absurd excrescences. + +The stock of a whip made by Callow for a hunting nobleman to present to +a steeple-chasing and fox-hunting professional, was of oak, a yard long, +with a buck-horn crook, and a steel stud; but then the presentee is six +feet high. + +Every hunting-whip should have a lash, but it need not be long. The lash +may be required to rouse a hound under your horse's feet, or turn the +pack; as for whipping off the pack from the fox in the absence of the +huntsman, the whips and the master, that is an event that happens to one +per cent of the field once in a lifetime, although it is a common and +favourite anecdote after dinner. But then Saint Munchausen presides over +the mahogany where fox-hunting feats are discussed. One use of a lash is +to lead a horse by putting it through the rings of the snaffle, and to +flip him up as you stand on the bank when he gets stuck fast, or dead +beat in a ditch or brook. I once owed the extrication of my horse from a +brook with a deep clay bottom entirely to having a long lash to my whip; +for when he had plumped in close enough to the opposite bank for me to +escape over his head, I was able first to guide him to a shelving spot, +and then make him try one effort more by adroit flicks on his rump at a +moment when he seemed prepared to give in and be drowned. In leading a +horse, always pass the reins through the ring of the snaffle, so that if +he pulls he is held by the mouth, not by the top of his head. + +The riding costume of a gentleman should be suitable without being +groomish. It is a fact that does not seem universally known, that a man +does not ride any better for dressing like a groom. + +It has lately been the fashion to discard straps. This is all very well +if the horse and the rider can keep the trousers down, which can only be +done by keeping the legs away from the horse's sides; but when the +trousers rise to the top of the boot, and the stocking or bare leg +appears, the sooner straps or knee-breeches are adopted the better. + +For hunting, nothing will do but boots and breeches, unless you +condescend to gaiters--for trousers wet, draggled and torn, are +uncomfortable and expensive wear. Leathers are pleasant, except in wet +weather, and economical wear if you have a man who can clean them; but +if they have to go weekly to the breeches-maker they become expensive, +and are not to be had when wanted; besides, wet leather breeches are +troublesome things to travel with. White cord breeches have one great +convenience; they wash well, although not so elastic, warm, and +comfortable as woollen cords. It is essential for comfort that +hunting-breeches should be built by a tailor who knows that particular +branch of business, _and tried on sitting down_ if not on horseback, for +half your comfort depends on their fit. Many schneiders who are +first-rate at ordinary garments, have no idea of riding clothes. Poole, +of Saville Row, makes hunting-dress a special study, and supplies more +hunting-men and masters of hounds than any tailor in London, but his +customers must be prepared to pay for perfection. + +In the coats, since the modern shooting jacket fashion came in, there is +great scope for variety. The fashion does not much matter so long as it +is fit for riding--ample enough to cover the chest and stomach in wet +weather, easy enough to allow full play for the arms and shoulders, and +not so long as to catch in hedgerows and brambles. Our forefathers in +some counties rode in coats like scarlet dressing-gowns. There is one +still to be seen in Surrey. For appearance, for wear, and as a universal +passport to civility in a strange country, there is nothing like +scarlet, provided the horseman can afford to wear it without offending +the prejudices of valuable patrons, friends or landlords. In +Lincolnshire, farmers are expected to appear in pink. In +Northamptonshire a yeoman farming his own 400 acres would be thought +presumptuous if he followed the Lincolnshire example. Near London you +may see the "pals" of fighting men and hell-keepers in pink and velvet. +A scarlet coat should never be assumed until the rider's experience in +the field is such that he is in no danger of becoming at once +conspicuous and ridiculous. + +A cap is to be preferred to a hat because it fits closer, is less in the +way when riding through cover, protects the head better from a bough or +a fall, and will wear out two or three hats. It should be ventilated by +a good hole at the top. + +Top-boots are very pretty wear for men of the right height and right +sort of leg when they fit perfectly--that is difficult on fat +calves--and are cleaned to perfection, which is also difficult unless +you have a more than ordinarily clever groom. + +For men of moderate means, the patent black leather Napoleon, which +costs from 3_l._ 10_s._ to 4_l._ 4_s._, and can be cleaned with a wet +sponge in five minutes, is the neatest and most economical boot--one in +which travelling does not put you under any obligation to your host's +servants. + +I have often found the convenience of patent leather boots when staying +with a party at the house of a master of hounds, while others, as the +hounds were coming out of the kennel, were in an agony for tops +entrusted two or three days previously to a not-to-be-found servant. In +this point of the boots I differ from the author of "A Word ere we +Start;" but then, squires of ten thousand a-year are not supposed to +understand the shifts of those who on a twentieth part of that income +manage to enjoy a good deal of sport with all sorts of hounds and all +sorts of horses. + +There is a certain class of sporting snobs who endeavour to enhance +their own consequence or indulge their cynical humour by talking with +the utmost contempt of any variation from the kind of hunting-dress in +use, in their own particular district. The best commentary on the +supercilious tailoring criticism of these gents is to be found in the +fact that within a century every variety of hunting clothes has been in +and out of fashion, and that the dress in fashion with the Quorn hunt in +its most palmy days was not only the exact reverse of the present +fashion in that flying country, but, if comfort and convenience are to +be regarded, as ridiculous as brass helmets, tight stocks, and +buttoned-up red jackets for Indian warfare. It consisted, as may be seen +in old Alken's and Sir John Dean Paul's hunting sketches, of a +high-crowned hat, a high tight stock, a tight dress coat, with narrow +skirts that could protect neither the chest, stomach, or thighs, long +tight white cord breeches, and pale top-boots thrust low down the leg, +the tops being supposed to be cleaned with champagne. Leather breeches, +caps, and brown top-boots were voted slow in those days. But the men +went well as they do in every dress. + + "Old wiseheads, complacently smoothing the brim, + May jeer at my velvet, and call it a whim; + They may think in a cap little wisdom there dwells; + They may say he who wears it should wear it with bells; + But when Broadbrim lies flat, + I will answer him pat, + Oh! who but a crackskull would ride in a hat!" + + SQUIRE WARBURTON. + +[Illustration: Rails and Double Ditch.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[147-*] At an inquest on a young lady killed at Totnes in September +last, it appeared that she lost her seat and hung by a _crinoline +petticoat_ from the right hand _pommel_! + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON HUNTING. + + "The sailor who rides on the ocean, + Delights when the stormy winds blow: + Wind and steam, what are they to horse motion? + Sea cheers to a land Tally-ho? + The canvas, the screw, and the paddle, + The stride of the thorough-bred hack, + When, fastened like glue to the saddle, + We gallop astern of the pack." + + TARPORLEY HUNT SONG, 1855. + + Advantage of hunting.--Libels on.--Great men who have + hunted.--Popular notion unlike reality.--Dick Christian and the + Marquis of Hastings.--Fallacy of "lifting" a horse refuted.--Hints + on riding at fences.--Harriers discussed.--Stag-hunting a necessity + and use where time an object.--Hints for novices.--Tally-ho! + expounded.--To feed a horse after a hard ride.--Expenses of horse + keep.--Song by Squire Warburton, "A word ere we start." + + +Every man who can ride, and, living within a couple of hours' distance +of a pack of hounds, can spare a day now and then, should hunt. It will +improve his horsemanship, enlarge his circle of acquaintance, as well as +his tastes and sympathies, and make, as Shakspeare hath it-- + + "Good digestion wait on appetite, and health on both." + +Not that I mean that every horseman should attempt to follow the hounds +in the first flight, or even the second; because age, nerves, weight, or +other good reasons may forbid: but every man who keeps a good hack may +meet his friends at cover side, enjoy the morning air, with a little +pleasant chat, and follow the hounds, if not in the front, in the rear, +galloping across pastures, trotting through bridle gates, creeping +through gaps, and cantering along the green rides of a wood, thus +causing a healthy excitement, with no painful reaction: and if, +unhappily, soured or overpressed by work and anxious thoughts, drinking +in such draughts of Lethe as can no otherwise be drained. + +Hunting has suffered as much from overpraise as from the traditionary +libels of the fribbles and fops of the time of the first Georges, when a +fool, a sot, and a fox-hunter were considered synonymous terms. Of late +years it has pleased a sportsman, with a wonderful talent for +picturesquely describing the events of a fox-hunt, to write two sporting +novels, in which all the leading characters are either fools or rogues. + +"In England all conditions of men, except bishops, from ratcatchers to +Royalty, are to be found in the hunting-field--equalised by +horsemanship, and fraternising under the influence of a genial sport. +Among fox-hunters we can trace a long line of statesmen, from William of +Orange to Pitt and Fox. Lord Althorp was a master of hounds; and Lord +Palmerston we have seen, within the last few years, going--as he goes +everywhere--in the first flight." This was before the French fall of the +late Premier. Cromwell's Ironsides were hunting men; Pope, the poet, +writes in raptures of a gallop with the Wiltshire Harriers; and +Gladstone, theologian, politician, and editor of Homer, bestrides his +celebrated white mare in Nottinghamshire, and scurries along by the side +of the ex-War Minister, the Duke of Newcastle. + +"The progress of agriculture is indelibly associated with fox-hunting; +for the three great landlords, who did more to turn sand and heath into +corn and wool, and make popular the best breeds of stock and best course +of cultivation--Francis, Duke of Bedford; Coke, Earl of Leicester; and +the first Lord Yarborough--were all masters of hounds. + +"When indecency formed the staple of our plays, and a drunken debauch +formed the inevitable sequence of every dinner-party, a fool and a +fox-hunter were synonymous. Squire Western was the representative of a +class, which, however, was not more ridiculous than the patched, +perfumed Sir Plumes, whom Hogarth painted, and Pope satirised. +Fox-hunters are not a class now--roads, newspapers, and manufacturing +emigration have equalised the condition of the whole kingdom; and +fox-hunters are just like any other people, who wear clean shirts, and +can afford to keep one or more horses. + +"It is safe to assert that hunting-men, as a class, are temperate. No +man can ride well across a difficult country who is not. We must, +however, admit that the birds who have most fouled their own nest have +been broken-down sportsmen, chiefly racing men, who have turned writers +to turn a penny. These unfortunate people, with the fatal example of +'Noctes Ambrosianæ' before them, fill up a page, whenever their memory +or their industry fails them, in describing in detail a breakfast, a +luncheon, a dinner, and a supper. And this has been repeated so often, +that the uninitiated are led to believe that every fox-hunter must, as a +matter of course, keep a French cook, and consume an immense cellar of +port, sherry, madeira, hock, champagne, with gallons of strong ale, and +all manner of liqueurs. + +"The popular notion of a fox-hunt is as unlike the reality as a girl's +notion of war--a grand charge and a splendid victory. + +"Pictures always represent exciting scenes--hounds flying away with a +burning scent; horses taking at a bound, or tumbling neck and crop over, +frightful fences. Such lucky days, such bruising horsemen, such burning +scents and flying foxes are the exception. + +"At least two-thirds of those who go out, even in the most fashionable +counties, never attempt brooks or five-barred gates, or anything +difficult or dangerous; but, by help of open gates and bridle-roads, +which are plentiful, parallel lanes, and gaps, which are conveniently +made by the first rush of the straight riders and the dealers with +horses to sell, helped by the curves that hounds generally make, and a +fair knowledge of the country, manage to be as near the hounds as the +most thrusting horseman. Among this crowd of skirters and road-riders +are to be found some very good sportsmen, who, from some cause or other, +have lost their nerve; others, who live in the county, like the +excitement and society, but never took a jump in their lives; young +ladies with their papas; boys on ponies; farmers educating +four-year-olds; surgeons and lawyers, who are looking for professional +practice as well as sport. On cold scenting days, with a ringing fox, +this crowd keeps on until nearly dark, and heads many a fox. Many a +beginner, in his first season, has been cheated by a succession of these +easy days over an easy part of the county into the idea that there was +no difficulty in riding to hounds. But a straight fox and a burning +scent over a grass country has undeceived him, and left him in the third +or fourth field with his horse half on a hedge and half in a ditch, or +pounded before a 'bulfinch,' feeling very ridiculous. There are men who +cut a very respectable figure in the hunting-field who never saw a pack +of hounds until they were past thirty. The city of London turns out many +such; so does every great town where money is made by men of pluck, +bred, perhaps, as ploughboys in the country. We could name three--one an +M.P.--under these conditions, who would pass muster in Leicestershire, +if necessary. But a good seat on horseback, pluck, and a love of the +sport, are essential. A few years ago a scientific manufacturer, a very +moderate horseman, was ordered horse exercise as a remedy for mind and +body prostrated by over-anxiety. He found that, riding along the road, +his mind was as busy and wretched as ever. A friend prescribed hunting, +purchased for him a couple of made hunters, and gave him the needful +elementary instruction. The first result was, that he obtained such +sound, refreshing sleep as he had not enjoyed since boyhood; the next, +that in less than two seasons he made himself quite at home with a +provincial pack, and now rides so as to enjoy himself without attracting +any more notice than one who had been a fox-hunter from his youth +upwards." + +The illustration at the commencement of this chapter gives a very fair +idea of the seat of good horsemen going at a fence and broad ditch, +where pace is essential. A novice may advantageously study the seats of +the riders in Herring's "Steeplechase Cracks," painted by an artist who +was a sportsman in his day. + +A few invaluable hints on riding to hounds are to be found in the +Druid's account of Dick Christian. + +The late Marquis of Hastings, father of the present Marquis, was one of +the best and keenest fox-hunters of his day; he died young, and here is +Dick's account of his "first fence," for which all fox-hunters are under +deep obligations to the Druid. + +"The Marquis of Hastings was one of my pupils. I was two months at his +place before he came of age. He sent for me to Donnington, and I broke +all his horses. I had never seen him before. He had seven rare nice +horses, and very handy I got them. The first meet I went out with him +was Wartnaby Stone Pits. I rode by his side, and I says, 'My lord, we'll +save a bit of distance if we take this fence.' So he looked at me and he +laughed, and says, 'Why, Christian, I was never over a fence in my +life.' 'God bless me, my lord! you don't say so?' And I seemed quite +took aback at hearing him say it. 'Its true enough, Christian, I really +mean it.' 'Well, my lord,' says I, 'you're on a beautiful fencer, he'll +walk up to it and jump it. Now I'll go over the fence first. _Put your +hands well down on his withers and let him come._' It was a bit of a +low-staked hedge and a ditch; he got over as nice as possible, and he +gave quite a hurrah like. He says, 'There, I'm over my first +fence--that's a blessing!' Then I got him over a great many little +places, and he quite took to it and went on uncommonly well. _He was a +nice gentleman to teach--he'd just do anything you told him. That's the +way to get on!_" + +In another place Dick says, "A quick and safe jumper always goes from +hind-legs to fore-legs. I never rode a steeple-chase yet but I steadied +my horse on to his hind-legs twenty yards from his fence, and I was +always over and away before the rushers. Lots of the young riders think +horses can jump anything if they can only drive them at it fast enough. +They force them too much at their fences. If you don't feel your +horse's mouth, you can tell nothing about him. You hold him, he can +make a second effort; if you drop him, he won't." + +Now, Dick does not mean by this that you are to go slowly at every kind +of fence. He tells you that he "sent him with some powder at a +bullfinch;" but whatever the pace, you so hold your horse in the last +fifty yards up to the taking-off point, that instead of spreading +himself out all abroad at every stroke, he feels the bit and gets his +hind-legs well under him. If you stand to see Jim Mason or Tom Oliver in +the hunting-field going at water, even at what they call "forty miles an +hour," you will find the stride of their horses a measured beat, and +while they spur and urge them they collect them. This is the art no book +can teach; _but it can teach that it ought to be learned_. Thousands of +falls have been caused by a common and most absurd phrase, which is +constantly repeated in every description of the leaps of a great race or +run. "_He took his horse by the head and lifted him_," &c. + +No man in the world ever lifted a horse over anything--it is a +mechanical impossibility--but a horseman of the first order can at a +critical moment so rouse a horse, and so accurately place his head and +hind-legs in the right position, that he can make an extraordinary +effort and achieve a miraculous leap. This in metaphorical language is +called lifting a horse, because, to a bye-stander, it looks like it. But +when a novice, or even an average horseman, attempts this sort of _tour +de force_, he only worries his horse, and, ten to one, throws him into +the fence. Those who are wise will content themselves with keeping a +horse well in hand until he is about to rise for his effort, and to +collecting him the moment he lands. The right hold brings his hind legs +under him; too hard a pull brings him into the ditch, if there is one. +By holding your hands with the reins in each rather wide apart as you +come towards your fence, and closing them and dropping them near his +withers as he rises, you give him room to extend himself; and if you +stretch your arms as he descends, you have him in hand. But the perfect +hunter, as long as he is fresh, does his work perfectly, so the less you +meddle with him when he is rising the better. + +Young sportsmen generally err by being too bold and too fast. Instead of +studying the art in the way the best men out perform, they are hiding +their nervousness by going full speed at everything, or trying to rival +the whips in daring. Any hard-headed fool can ride boldly. To go well +when hounds are running hard--to save your horse as much as possible +while keeping well forward, for the end, the difficult part of a long +run--these are the acts a good sportsman seeks to acquire by observation +and experience. + +For this reason young sportsmen should commence their studies with +harriers, where the runs are usually circling and a good deal of hunting +is done slowly. If a young fellow can ride well in a close, enclosed +hedge, bank, and ditch country, with occasional practice at stiles and +gates, pluck will carry him through a flying country, if properly +mounted. + +Any horse that is formed for jumping, with good loins, hocks, and +thighs, can be taught to jump timber; but it is madness to ride at a +gate or a stile with a doubtful horse. A deer always slacks his pace to +a trot to jump a wall or park rails, and it is better to slacken to a +trot or canter where there is no ditch on either side to be cleared, +unless you expect a fall, and then go fast, that your horse may not +tumble on you. + +A rushing horse is generally a dangerous fencer; but it is a trick that +can only be cured in private lessons, and it is more dangerous to try to +make a rusher go slowly than to let him have his own way. + +The great error of young beginners is to select young horses under their +weight. + +It was the saying of a Judge of the old school, that all kinds of wine +were good, but the best wine of all was "two bottles of port!" In the +same style, one may venture to say that all kinds of hunting are good, +but that the best of all is fox-hunting, in a grass scent-holding +country, divided into large fields, with fences that may be taken in the +stride of a thorough-bred, and coverts that comprise good gorse and open +woods--that is, for men of the weight, with the nerve, and with the +horses that can shine in such a country. But it is not given to all to +have or retain the nerve or to afford a stud of the style of horses +required for going across the best part of Leicestershire and +Northamptonshire. In this world, the way to be happy is to put up with +what you can get. The majority of my readers will be obliged to ride +with the hounds that happen to live nearest their dwelling; it is only +given to the few to be able to choose their hunting country and change +their stud whenever the maggot bites them. After hard brain-work and +gray hairs have told on the pulse, or when the opening of the +nursery-door has almost shut the stable, a couple of hours or so once a +week may be made pleasant and profitable on a thirty-pound hack for the +quartogenarian, whom time has not handicapped with weight for age. I can +say, from the experience of many years, that as long as you are under +twelve stone, you may enjoy very good sport with such packs as the +Bramham Moor in Yorkshire, the Brocklesby in Lincolnshire, the +Heythrope in Oxfordshire, the Berkley or the Beaufort in +Gloucestershire, without any enormous outlay for horses, for the simple +reason that the average runs do not present the difficulties of grass +countries, where farmers are obliged to make strong fences and deep +ditches to keep the bullocks they fatten within bounds. Good-looking +little horses, clever jumpers, equal to moderate weights, are to be had, +by a man who has not too much money, at moderate prices; but the sixteen +hands, well-bred flyer, that can gallop and go straight in such +countries as the Vale of Aylesbury, is an expensive luxury. Of course I +am speaking of sound horses. There is scarcely ever a remarkable run in +which some well-ridden screw does not figure in the first flight among +the two hundred guinea nags. + +When an old sportsman of my acquaintance heard any of the +thousand-and-one tales of extraordinary runs with fox-hounds, "after +dinner," he used to ask--"Were any of the boys or ponies up at the +kill?" If the answer was "Yes," he would say, "Then it was not a severe +thing;" and he was generally right. Men of moderate means had better +choose a hunting county where the boys can live with the hounds. + +"As to harriers, the people who sneer at them are ludicrously ignorant +of the history of modern fox-hunting, which is altogether founded on the +experience and maxims of hare-hunters. The two oldest fox-hound packs in +England--the Brocklesby and the Cheshire--were originally formed for +hare-hunting. The best book ever written on hounds and hunting, a +text-book to every master of hounds to this day, is by Beckford, who +learned all he knew as master of a pack of harriers. + +"The great Meynell and Warwickshire Corbett both entered their young +hounds to hare, a practice which cannot, however, be approved. The late +Parson Froude, in North Devon, than whom a keener sportsman never +holloaed to hounds, and the breeder of one of the best packs for showing +sport ever seen, hunted hare, fox, deer, and even polecats, sooner than +not keep his darlings doing something; and, while his hounds would +puzzle out the faintest scent, there were among the leaders several +that, with admirable dash, jumped every gate, disdaining to creep. Some +of this stock are still hunting on Exmoor. There are at present several +very good M.F.H. who began with hare-hounds. + +"The intense pretentious snobbishness of the age has something to do +with the mysterious manner in which many men, blushing, own that they +have been out with harriers. In the first place, as a rule, harriers are +slow; although there are days when, with a stout, well-fed, +straight-running hare, the best men will have enough to do to keep their +place in the field: over the dinner-table that is always an easy task; +but in this fast, competitive age, the man who can contrive to stick on +a good horse can show in front without having the least idea of the +meaning of hunting. To such, harriers afford no amusement. Then again, +harrier packs are of all degrees, from the perfection of the Blackmoor +Vale, the Brookside, and some Devon or Welsh packs with unpronounceable +names, down to the little scratch packs of six or seven couple kept +among jovial farmers in out-of-the-way places, or for the amusement of +Sheffield cutlers running afoot. The same failing that makes a +considerable class reverently worship an alderman or a city baronet +until they can get on speaking terms with a peer, leads others to boast +of fox-hunting when the Brighton harriers are more than they can +comfortably manage." + +The greater number of what are called harriers now-a-days are dwarf +fox-hounds, or partake largely of fox-hound blood. + +If Leicestershire is the county for "swells," Devonshire is the county +of sportsmen; for although there is very little riding to hounds as +compared with the midland counties, there is a great deal of hunting. +Every village has its little pack; every man, woman, and child, from the +highest to the humblest, takes an interest in the sport; and the science +of hunting is better understood than in the hard-riding, horse-dealing +counties. To produce a finished fox-hunter, I would have him commence +his studies in Devonshire, and finish his practice in Northamptonshire. +On the whole, I should say that a student of the noble science, whose +early education has been neglected, cannot do better than go through a +course of fox-hunting near Oxford, in the winter vacation, where plenty +of perfect hunters are to be hired, and hounds meet within easy reach of +the University City, six days in the week, hunting over a country where +you may usually be with them at the finish without doing anything +desperate, if content to come in with the ruck, the ponies, and the old +farmers; or where, if so inclined, you may have more than an average +number of fast and furious runs, and study the admirable style of some +of the best horsemen in the world among the Oxfordshire and Berkshire +squires. + +Stag-hunting from a cart is a pursuit very generally contemned in print, +and very ardently followed by many hundred hard-riding gentlemen every +hunting day in the year. A man who can ride up to stag-hounds on a +straight running day must have a perfect hunter, in first-rate +condition, and be, in the strongest sense of the term, "a horseman." But +it wants the uncertainties which give so great a charm to fox-hunting, +where there are any foxes. There is no find, and no finish; and the +checks generally consist in whipping off the too eager hounds. As a +compensation, when the deer does not run cunning, or along roads, the +pace is tremendous. + +The Surrey stag-hounds, in the season of 1857, had some runs with the +Ketton Hind equal in every respect to the best fox-hunts on record; for +she repeatedly beat them, was loose in the woods for days, was drawn for +like a wild deer, and then, with a burning scent, ran clear away from +the hounds, while the hounds ran away from the horsemen. But, according +to the usual order of the day, the deer begins in a cart, and ends in a +barn. + +But stag-hunting may be defended as the very best mode of obtaining a +constitutional gallop for those whose time is too valuable to be +expended in looking for a fox. It is suited to punctual, commercial, +military, or political duties. You may read your letters, dictate +replies, breakfast deliberately, order your dinner, and invite a party +to discuss it, and set off to hunt with the Queen's, the Baron's, or any +other stag-hound pack within reach of rail, almost certain of two hours' +galloping, and a return by the train you fixed in the morning. + + * * * * * + +There are a few hints to which pupils in the art of hunting may do well +to attend. + +"Don't go into the field until you can sit a horse over any reasonable +fence. But practice at real fences, for at the leaping-bar only the +rudiments of fencing are to be learned by either man or horse. The +hunting-field is not the place for practising the rudiments of the art. +Buy a perfect hunter; no matter how blemished or how ugly, so that he +has legs, eyes, and wind to carry him and his rider across the country. +It is essential that one of the two should perfectly understand the +business in hand. Have nothing to say to a puller, a rusher, or a +kicker, even if you fancy you are competent; a colt should only be +ridden by a man who is paid to risk his bones. An amateur endangers +himself, his neighbours, and the pack, by attempting rough-riding. The +best plan for a man of moderate means--those who can afford to spend +hundreds on experiments can pick and choose in the best stables--is to +hire a hack hunter; and, if he suits, buy him, to teach you how to go. + +"Never take a jump when an open gate or gap is handy, unless the hounds +are going fast. Don't attempt to show in front, unless you feel you can +keep there. Beginners, who try to make a display, even if lucky at +first, are sure to make some horrid blunder. Go slowly at your fences, +except water and wide ditches, and don't pull at the curb when your +horse is rising. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the horse will +be better without your assistance than with it. Don't wear spurs until +you are quite sure that you won't spur at the wrong time. Never lose +your temper with your horse, and never strike him with the whip when +going at a fence; it is almost sure to make him swerve. Pick out the +firmest ground; hold your horse together across ploughed land; if you +want a pilot, choose not a scarlet and cap, but some well-mounted old +farmer, who has not got a horse to sell: if he has, ten to one but he +leads you into grief. + +"In going from cover to cover, keep in the same field as the hounds, +unless you know the country--then you can't be left behind without a +struggle. To keep in the same field as the hounds when they are running, +is more than any man can undertake to do. Make your commencement in an +easy country, and defer trying the pasture counties until you are sure +of yourself and your horse. + +"If you should have a cold-scenting day, and any first-rate steeplechase +rider be in the field, breaking in a young one, watch him; you may learn +more from seeing what he does, than from hours of advice, or pages of +reading. + +"Above all, hold your tongue until you have learnt your lesson; and talk +neither of your triumphs nor your failures. Any fool can boast; and +though to ride boldly and with judgment is very pleasant, there is +nothing for a gentleman to be specially proud of, considering that two +hundred huntsmen, or whips, do it better than most gentlemen every +hunting day in the season." + +When you meet the pack with a strange horse, don't go near it until sure +that he will not kick at hounds, as some ill-educated horses will do. + +Before the hounds begin to draw, you may get some useful information as +to a strange country from a talkative farmer. + +When hounds are drawing a large cover, and when you cannot see them, +keep down wind, so as to hear the huntsman, who, in large woodlands, +must keep on cheering his hounds. When a fox breaks cover near you, or +you think he does, don't be in a hurry to give the "Tally-a-e-o!" for, +in the first place, if you are not experienced and quick-eyed, it may +not be a fox at all, but a dog, or a hare. The mistake is common to +people who are always in a hurry, and equally annoying to the huntsman +and the blunderer; and, in the next place, if you halloo too soon, ten +to one the fox heads back into cover. When he is well away through the +hedge of a good-sized field, halloo, at the same time raising your cap, +"Tally-o aw-ay-o-o!" giving each syllable very slowly, and with your +mouth well open; for this is the way to be heard a long distance. Do +this once or twice, and then be quiet for a short spell, and be ready to +tell the huntsman, when he comes up, in a few sentences, exactly which +way the fox is gone. If the fox makes a short bolt, and returns, it is +"Tally-o _back_!" with the "_back_" loud and clear. If the fox crosses +the side of a wood when the hounds are at check, the cry should be +"Tally-o over!" + +_Foxes._--Study the change in the appearance of the fox between the +beginning and the end of a run; a fresh fox slips away with his brush +straight, whisking it with an air of defiance now and then; a beaten fox +looks dark, hangs his brush, and arches his back as he labours along. + +With the hounds well away, it is a great point to get a good start; so +while they are running in cover, cast your eyes over the boundary-fence, +and make up your mind where you will take it: a big jump at starting is +better than thrusting with a crowd in a gap or gateway--always presuming +that you can depend on your horse. + +Dismiss the moment you start two ideas which are the bane of sport, +jealousy of what others are doing, and conceit of what you are doing +yourself; keep your eyes on the pack, on your horse's ears, and the next +fence, instead of burning to beat Thompson, or hoping that Brown saw how +cleverly you got over that rasper! + +Acquire an eye to hounds, that is, learn to detect the moment when the +leading hound turns right or left, or, losing the scent, checks, or, +catching it breast high, races away mute, "dropping his stem as straight +as a tobacco-pipe." + +By thus studying the leading hounds instead of racing against your +neighbours' horses, you see how they turn, save many an angle, and are +ready to pull up the moment the hounds throw up their heads. + +Never let your anxiety to be forward induce you to press upon the hounds +when they are hunting; nothing makes a huntsman more angry, or spoils +sport more. + +Set the example of getting out of the way when the huntsman, all +anxious, comes trotting back through a narrow road to make his cast +after a check. + +Attention to these hints, which are familiar to every old sportsman, +will tend to make a young one successful and popular. + +When you are well up, and hounds come to a check, instead of beginning +to relate how wonderfully the bay horse or the gray mare carried you, +notice every point that may help the huntsman to make his cast--sheep, +cattle, magpies, and the exact point where the scent began to fail. It +is observation that makes a true sportsman. + +As soon as the run has ended, begin to pay attention to the condition of +your horse, whose spirit may have carried him further than his strength +warranted; it is to be presumed, that you have eased him at every check +by turning his nose to the wind, and if a heavy man, by dismounting on +every safe opportunity. + +The first thing is to let him have just enough water to wash his mouth +out without chilling him. The next to feed him--the horse has a small +stomach, and requires food often. + +At the first roadside inn or cottage get a quart of oatmeal or +wheat-flour _boiled_ in half a pail of water--mere soaking the raw +oatmeal is not sufficient. I have found the water of boiled linseed used +for cattle answer well with a tired horse. In cases of serious distress +a pint of wine or glass of spirits mixed with water may be administered +advantageously; to decide on the propriety of bleeding requires some +veterinary experience; quite as many horses as men have been killed by +bleeding when stimulants would have answered better. + +With respect to the treatment of hunters on their return, I can do +nothing better than quote the directions of that capital sportsman and +horseman, Scrutator, in "Horses and Hounds." + +"When a horse returns to the stable, either after hunting or a journey, +the first thing to be done to him is to take off the bridle, but to let +the saddle _remain on_ for some time at least, merely loosening the +girths. The head and ears are first to be rubbed dry, either with a wisp +of hay or a cloth, and then by the hand, until the ears are warm and +comfortable; this will occupy only a few minutes, and the horse can then +have his bit of hay or feed of corn, having previously, if returned from +hunting, or from a long journey, despatched his bucket of thick gruel: +the process of washing his legs may now be going on, whilst he is +discussing his feed of corn in peace; as each leg is washed, it should +be wrapped round with a flannel or serge bandage, and by the time the +four legs are done with, the horse will have finished his feed of corn. +A little hay may then be given, which will occupy his attention while +the rubbing his body is proceeded with. I am a great advocate for plenty +of dry clean wheat straw for this purpose; and a good groom, with a +large wisp in each hand, will in a very short space of time make a +clean sweep of all outward dirt and wet. It cannot, however, be properly +done without a great deal of _elbow grease_ as well, of which the +present generation are inclined to be very chary. When the body of the +horse is dry, a large loose rug should be thrown over him, and the legs +then attended to, and rubbed thoroughly dry by the hand; I know the +usual practice with idle and knowing grooms is to let the bandages +remain on until the legs become dry of themselves, but I also know that +there cannot be a worse practice; for horses' legs, after hunting, the +large knee-bucket should be used, with plenty of warm water, which will +sooth the sinews after such violent exertion, and allay any irritation +proceeding from cuts and thorns. The system of bandaging horses' legs, +and letting them remain in this state for hours, must tend to relax the +sinews; such practices have never gained favour with me, but I have +heard salt and water and vinegar highly extolled by some, with which the +bandages are to be kept constantly wet, as tending to strengthen the +sinews and keep them cool; if, however, used too long or allowed to +become dry, I conceive more injury likely to result from their use than +benefit. It is generally known that those who have recourse to belts for +support in riding, cannot do well without them afterwards, and although +often advised to try these extra aids, I never availed myself of them; +cold water is the best strengthener either to man or horse, and a +thorough good dry rubbing afterwards. After severe walking exercise, the +benefit of immersing the feet in warm water for a short time must be +fully appreciated by all who have tried it; but I very much question if +any man would feel himself stronger upon his legs the next morning, by +having them bandaged with hot flannels during the night. Very much may +be done by the judicious use of hot and cold water--in fact, more than +by half the prescriptions in general use; but the proper time must be +attended to as well, for its application. When a horse has had a long +and severe day's work, he should not be harassed more than is absolutely +necessary, by grooming and dressing; the chief business should be to get +him dry and comfortable as quickly as possible, and when that has been +effected, a slight wisping over with a dry cloth will be sufficient for +that night." + +The expenses of horse-keep vary according to the knowledge of the master +and the honesty of his groom; but what the expense ought to be may be +calculated from the fact that horses in first-rate condition cannot +consume more than thirteen quarters of oats and two and a half tons of +hay in a year; that is, as to oats, from three to six quarterns a day, +according to the work they are doing. But in some stables, horses are +supposed to eat a bushel a day every day in the year: there is no doubt +that the surplus is converted into beer or gin. + +"Upon our return from hunting, every horse had his bucket of thick gruel +directly he came into the stable, and a little hay to eat whilst he was +being cleaned. We never gave any corn until just before littering down, +the last thing at night. The horse's legs were plunged into a high +bucket of warm water, and if dirty, soft soap was used. The first leg +being washed, was sponged as dry as possible, and then bandaged with +thick woollen bandages until the others were washed; the bandages were +then _removed entirely_, and the legs rubbed by hand until quite dry. We +used the best old white potato oats, weighing usually 45 lbs. per +bushel, but so _few beans_ that a quarter lasted us _a season_. The oats +were bruised, and a little sweet hay chaff mixed with them. We also +gave our horses a few carrots the day after hunting, to cool their +bodies, or a bran mash or two. They were never coddled up in hoods or +half a dozen rugs at night, but a single blanket sufficed, which was +never so tight but that you might thrust your hand easily under it. This +was a thing I always looked to myself, when paying a visit to the stable +the last thing at night. A tried horse should have everything +comfortable about him, but carefully avoid any tight bandage round the +body. In over-reaches or wounds, warm water was our first application, +and plenty of it, to clean all dirt or grit from the wound; then Fryer's +balsam and brandy with a clean linen bandage. Our usual allowance of +corn to each horse per diem was four quarterns, but more if they +required it, and from 14 lbs. to 16 lbs. of hay, eight of which were +given at night, at racking-up time, about eight o'clock. Our hours of +feeding were about five in the morning, a feed of corn, bruised, with a +little hay chaff; the horse then went to exercise. At eight o'clock, 4 +lbs. of hay; twelve o'clock, feed of corn; two o'clock, 2 lbs. of hay; +four o'clock, corn; at six o'clock, another feed of corn, with chaff; +and at eight o'clock, 8 lbs. of hay; water they could always drink when +they wanted it." + +I cannot conclude these hints on hunting more appropriately than by +quoting another of the songs of the Squire of Arley Hall, Honorary +Laureate of the Tarporley Hunt Club:-- + + "A WORD ERE WE START. + + "The order of march and due regulation + That guide us in warfare we need in the chase; + Huntsman and whips, each his own proper station-- + Horse, hound, and fox, each his own proper place. + + "The fox takes precedence of all from the cover; + The horse is the animal purposely bred, + _After_ the pack to be ridden, not _over_-- + Good hounds are not reared to be knocked on the head. + + "Buckskin's the only wear fit for the saddle; + Hats for Hyde Park, but a cap for the chase; + In tops of black leather let fishermen paddle, + The calves of a fox-hunter white ones encase. + + "If your horse be well bred and in blooming condition, + Both up to the country and up to your weight, + Oh! then give the reins to your youthful ambition, + Sit down in the saddle and keep his head straight. + + "Eager and emulous only, not spiteful, + Grudging no friend, though ourselves he may beat; + Just enough danger to make sport delightful, + Toil just sufficient to make slumbers sweet!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SKETCHES OF HUNTING WITH FOX-HOUNDS AND HARRIERS. + + The Fitzwilliam.--Brocklesby.--A day on the Wolds.--Brighton + harriers.--Prince Albert's harriers. + + +The following descriptions of my own sport with fox-hounds and harriers +will give the uninitiated some idea of the average adventures of a +hunting-day:-- + + A DAY WITH THE LATE EARL FITZWILLIAM'S HOUNDS.[176-*] + + "LOO IN, LITTLE DEARIES. LOO IN." + + How eagerly forward they rush; + In a moment how widely they spread; + Have at him there, Hotspur. Hush, hush! + 'Tis a find, or I'll forfeit my head. + Now fast flies the fox, and still faster + The hounds from the cover are freed, + The horn to the mouth of the master, + The spur to the flank of his steed. + With Chorister, Concord, and Chorus, + Now Chantress commences her song; + Now Bellman goes jingling before us, + And Sinbad is sailing along. + +The Fitzwilliam pack was established by the grandfather of the present +Earl between seventy and eighty years ago; they hunt four days a week +over a north-east strip of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire--a wide, +wild, thinly-populated district, with some fine woodlands; country that +was almost all grass, until deep draining turned some cold clay pastures +into arable. It holds a rare scent, and the woodland country can be +hunted, when a hot sun does not bake the ground too hard, up to the +first week in May, when, in most other countries, horns are silenced. +The country is wide enough, with foxes enough, to bear hunting six days +a week. "Bless your heart, sir," said an old farmer, "there be foxes as +tall as donkeys, as fat as pigs, in these woods, that go and die of old +age." + +The Fitzwilliam are supposed to be the biggest-boned hounds now bred, +and exquisitely handsome. If they have a fault, they are, for want of +work, or excess of numbers, rather too full of flesh; so that at the end +of the year, when the days grow warm, they seem to tire and tail in a +long run. + +Many of the pasture fences are big enough to keep out a bullock; the +ditches wide and full of water; bulfinches are to be met with, stiff +rails, gates not always unlocked; so, although a Pytchley flyer is not +indispensable, on a going day, nothing less than a hunter can get along. + +Tom Sebright, as a huntsman and breeder of hounds, has been a celebrity +ever since he hunted the Quorn, under Squire Osbaldeston, six-and-thirty +years ago. Sebright looks the huntsman, and the huntsman of an +hereditary pack, to perfection; rather under than over the middle +height; stout without being unwieldy; with a fine, full, intelligent, +and fresh-complexioned oval countenance; keen gray eyes; and the decided +nose of a Cromwellian Ironside. A fringe of white hair below his cap, +and a broad bald forehead, when he lifts his cap to cheer his hounds, +tell the tale of Time on this accomplished veteran of the chase. + +"The field," with the Fitzwilliam, is more aristocratic than +fashionable; it includes a few peers and their friends from neighbouring +noble mansions, a good many squires, now and then undergraduates from +Cambridge, a very few strangers by rail, and a great many first-class +yeoman farmers and graziers. Thus it is equally unlike the fashionable +"cut-me-down" multitude to be met at coverside in the "Shires" _par +excellence_, and the scarlet mob who rush, and race, and lark from and +back to Leamington and Cheltenham. For seeing a good deal of sport in a +short time, the Fitzwilliam is certainly the best, within a hundred +miles of London. You have a first-rate pack, first-rate huntsman, a good +scenting country, plenty of foxes, fair fences to ride over, and though +last not least, very courteous reception, if you know how to ride and +when to hold your tongue and your horse. + +My fortunate day with the Fitzwilliam was in their open pasture, +Huntingdon country. My head-quarters were at the celebrated "Haycock," +which is known, or ought to be known, to every wandering fox-hunter, +standing as it does in the middle of the Fitzwilliam Hunt, within reach +of some of the best meets of the Pytchley and the Warwickshire, and not +out of reach of the Cottesmore and Belvoir. It is much more like a +Lincolnshire Wolds farmhouse than an inn. The guests are regular +_habitués_; you find yourself in a sort of fox-hunting clubhouse, in a +large, snug dining-room; not the least like Albert Smith's favourite +aversion, a coffee-room; you have a first-rate English dinner, +undeniable wine, real cream with your tea, in a word, all the comforts +and most of the luxuries of town and country life combined. If needful, +Tom Percival will provide you with a flyer for every day in the week, +and you will be sure to meet with one or two guests, able and willing, +ready to canter with you to cover, explain the chart of the country, +and, if you are in the first year of boots and breeches, show you as +Squire Warburton sings, how "To sit down in your saddle and put his head +straight." + +The meet, within four miles of the inn, was in a park by the side of a +small firwood plantation. Punctual to a minute, up trotted Sebright on a +compact, well-bred chestnut in blooming condition, the whips equally +well mounted on thoroughbreds, all dressed in ample scarlet coats and +dark cord breeches--a style of dress in much better taste than the +tight, short dandified costume of the fashionable hunt, where the +huntsman can scarcely be distinguished from the "swell." + +Of the Earl's family there were present a son and daughter, and three +grandsons, beautiful boys, in Lincoln green loose jackets, brown cord +breeches, black boots, and caps; of these, the youngest, a fair, rosy +child of about eight or nine years old, on a thorough-bred chestnut +pony, was all day the admiration of the field; he dashed along full of +genuine enthusiasm, stopping at nothing practicable. + +Amongst others present was a tall, lithe, white-haired, +white-moustached, dignified old gentleman, in scarlet and velvet cap, +riding forward on a magnificent gray horse, who realised completely the +poetical idea of a nobleman. This was the Marquess of H----, known well +forty years ago in fashionable circles, when George IV. was Prince, now +popular and much esteemed as a country gentleman and improving landlord. +There was also Mr. H----, an M.P., celebrated, before he settled into +place and "ceased his hum," as a hunter of bishops--a handsome, dark +man, in leathers and patent Napoleons; with his wife on a fine bay +horse, who rode boldly throughout the day. + +In strange countries I usually pick out a leader in some well-knowing +farmer; but this day I made a grand mistake, by selecting for my guide a +slim, quiet-looking, young fellow, in a black hat and coat, white cords, +and boots, on a young chestnut--never dreaming that my quiet man was +Alec ----, a farmer truly, but also a provincial celebrity as a +steeplechaser. + +The day was mild, cloudy, with a gentle wind. We drew several covers +blank, and found a fox, about one o'clock, in a small spinney, from +which he bolted at the first summons. A beautiful picture it was to see +gallant old Sebright get his hounds away, the ladies racing down a +convenient green lane, and the little Fitzwilliam, in Lincoln green, +charging a double flight of hurdles. In half-an-hour's strong running I +had good reason to rejoice that Percival had, with due respect for the +fourth estate, put me on an unmistakable hunter. Our line took us over +big undulating fields (almost hills), with, on the flats or valleys, a +large share of willow-bordered ditches (they would call them brooks in +some counties), with thick undeniable hedges between the pollards. At +the beginning of the run, my black-coated friend led me--much as a dog +in a string leads a blind man--at a great pace, into a farm-yard, thus +artfully cutting off a great angle, over a most respectable stone wall +into a home paddock, over a stile into a deep lane, and then up a bank +as steep as a gothic roof, and almost as long; into a fifty-acre +pasture, where, racing at best pace, we got close to the hounds just +before they checked, between a broad unjumpable drain and a willow +bed--two fine resources for a cunning fox. There I thought it well, +having so far escaped grief, to look out for a leader who was less of a +bruiser, while I took breath. In the meantime Sebright, well up, hit our +friend off with a short cast forward, and after five minutes' slow +hunting, we began to race again over a flat country of grass, with a few +big ploughed fields, fences easier, ladies and ponies well up again. +After brushing through two small coverts without hanging, we came out on +a series of very large level grass fields, where I could see the gray +horse of the marquis, and the black hat of my first leader sailing in +front; a couple of stiff hedges and ditches were got over comfortably; +the third was a regular bulfinch, six or seven feet high, with a gate so +far away to the right that to make for it was to lose too much time, as +the hounds were running breast high. Ten yards ahead of me was Mr. Frank +G----, on a Stormer colt, evidently with no notion of turning; so I +hardened my heart, felt my bay nag full of going, and kept my eye on Mr. +Frank, who made for the only practicable place beside an oak-tree with +low branches, and, stooping his head, popped through a place where the +hedge showed daylight, with his hand over his eyes, in the neatest +possible style. Without hesitating a moment I followed, rather too fast +and too much afraid of the tree, and pulled too much into the hedge. In +an instant I found myself torn out of the saddle, balanced on a +blackthorn bough (fortunately I wore leathers), and deposited on the +right side of the hedge on my back; whence I rose just in time to see +Bay Middleton disappear over the next fence. So there I was alone in a +big grass field, with strong notions that I should have to walk an +unknown number of miles home. Judge of my delight as I paced slowly +along--running was of no use--at seeing Frank G---- returning with my +truant in hand. Such an action in the middle of a run deserves a Humane +Society's medal. To struggle breathless into my seat; to go off at +score, to find a lucky string of open gates, to come upon the hounds at +a check, was my good fortune. But our fox was doomed--in another quarter +of an hour at a hand gallop we hunted him into a shrubbery, across a +home field into an ornamental clump of laurels, back again to the +plantation, where a couple and a half of leading hounds pulled him down, +and he was brought out by the first whip dead and almost stiff, without +a mark--regularly run down by an hour and twenty minutes with two very +short checks. Had the latter part of the run been as fast as the first, +there would have been very few of us there to see the finish. + + +ON THE LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS. + +I started to meet Lord Yarborough's hounds, from the house of a friend, +on a capital Wold pony for cover hack. It used to be said, before +non-riding masters of hounds had broadcasted bridle-gates over the Quorn +country, that a Leicestershire hack was a pretty good hunter for other +counties. We may say the same of a Lincolnshire Wolds pony--his master, +farming not less than three hundred and more likely fifteen hundred +acres, has no time to lose in crawling about on a punchy half-bred +cart-horse, like a smock-frocked tenant--the farm must be visited before +hunting, and the market-towns lie too far off for five miles an hour +jog-trot to suit. It is the Wold fashion to ride farming at a pretty +good pace, and take the fences in a fly where the gate stands at the +wrong corner of the field. Broad strips of turf fringe the road, +offering every excuse for a gallop, and our guide continually turned +through a gate or over a hurdle, and through half a dozen fields, to +save two sides of an angle. These fields contrast strangely with the +ancient counties--large, and square, and clean, with little ground lost +in hedgerows. The great cop banks of Essex, Devon, and Cheshire are +almost unknown--villages you scarcely see, farmhouses rarely from the +roadside, for they mostly stand well back in the midst of their acres. +Gradually creeping up the Wold--passing through, here vast +turnip-fields, fed over by armies of long-woolled Lincoln sheep; there, +stubble yielding before from a dozen to a score of pair-horse ploughs, +silent witnesses of the scale of Lincolnshire farming--at length we see +descending and winding along a bridle-road before us, the pied pack and +the gleam of the huntsman's scarlet. Around, from every point of the +compass the "field" come ambling, trotting, cantering, galloping, on +hacks, on hunters, through gates or over fences, practising their +Yorkshire four-year-olds. There are squires of every degree, +Lincolnshire M.P.'s, parsons in black, in number beyond average; +tenant-farmers, in quantity and quality such as no other county we have +ever seen can boast, velvet-capped and scarlet-coated, many with the +Brocklesby hunt button, mounted on first-class hunters, whom it was a +pleasure to see them handle; and these were not young bloods, outrunning +the constable, astonishing their landlords and alarming their fathers; +but amongst the ruck were respectable grandfathers who had begun hunting +on ponies when Stubbs was painting great-grandfather Smith, and who had +as a matter of course brought up their sons to follow the line in which +they had been cheered on by Arthur Young's Lord Yarborough. There they +were, of all ages, from the white-haired veteran who could tell you when +every field had been inclosed, to the little petticoated orphan boy on a +pony, "whose father's farm had been put in trust for him by the good +Earl." + +Of the ordinary mob that crowd fox-hound meets from great cities and +fashionable watering-places, there were none. The swell who comes out to +show his clothes and his horse; the nondescript, who may be a fast +Life-Guardsman or a fishmonger; the lot of horse-dealers; and, above +all, those _blasé_ gentlemen who, bored with everything, openly express +their preference for a carted deer or red-herring drag, if a straight +running fox is not found in a quarter of an hour after the hounds are +thrown into cover. The men who ride on the Lincolnshire Wolds are all +sportsmen, who know the whole country as well as their own gardens, and +are not unfrequently personally acquainted with the peculiar appearance +and habits of each fox on foot. Altogether they are as formidable +critics as any professional huntsman would care to encounter. + +There is another pleasant thing. In consequence, perhaps, of the rarity, +strangers are not snubbed as in some counties; and you have no +difficulty in getting information to any extent on subjects agricultural +and fox-hunting (even without that excellent passport which I enjoyed of +a hunter from the stables of the noble Master of the Hounds), and may be +pretty sure of more than one hospitable and really-meant invitation in +the course of the return ride when the sport is ended. + +But time is up, and away we trot--leaving the woods of Limber for the +present--to one of the regular Wolds, artificial coverts, a square of +gorse of several acres, surrounded by a turf bank and ditch, and outside +again by fields of the ancient turf of the moorlands. In go the hounds +at a word, without a straggler; and while they make the gorse alive with +their lashing sterns, there is no fear of our being left behind for want +of seeing which way they go, for there is neither plantation nor hedge, +nor hill of any account to screen us. And there is no fear either of the +fox being stupidly headed, for the field all know their business, and +are fully agreed, as old friends should be, on the probable line. + +A very faint Tally-away, and cap held up, by a fresh complexioned, +iron-gray, bullet-headed old gentleman, of sixteen stone, mounted on a +four-year-old, brought the pack out in a minute from the far end of the +covert, and we were soon going, holding hard, over a newly-ploughed +field, looking out sharp for the next open gate; but it is at the wrong +corner, and by the time we have reached the middle of fifty acres, a +young farmer in scarlet, sitting upright as a dart, showed the way over +a new rail in the middle of a six-foot quickset. Our nag, +"Leicestershire," needs no spurring, but takes it pleasantly, with a +hop, skip, and jump; and by the time we had settled into the pace on the +other side, the senior on the four-year-old was alongside, crying, "Push +along, sir; push along, or they'll run clean away from you. The fences +are all fair on the line we're going." And so they were--hedges thick, +but jumpable enough, yet needing a hunter nevertheless, especially as +the big fields warmed up the pace amazingly; and, as the majority of the +farmers out were riding young ones destined for finished hunters in the +pasture counties, there was above an average of resolution in the style +of going at the fences. The ground almost all plough, naturally drained +by chalk sub-subsoil, fortunately rode light; but presently we passed +the edge of the Wolds, held on through some thin plantations over the +demesne grass of a squire's house, then on a bit of unreclaimed heath, +where a flock of sheep brought us to a few minutes' check. With the help +of a veteran of the hunt, who had been riding well up, a cast forward +set us agoing again, and brought us, still running hard, away from the +Wolds to low ground of new inclosures, all grass, fenced in by ditch and +new double undeniable rails. As we had a good view of the style of +country from a distance, we thought it wisest, as a stranger, on a +strange horse, with personally a special distaste to double fences, to +pull gently, and let half-a-dozen young fellows on half-made, +heavy-weight four or five years old, go first. The results of this +prudent and unplucky step were most satisfactory; while two or three, +with a skill we admired, without venturing to imitate, went the "in and +out" clever, the rest, some down and some blundering well over, smashed +at least one rail out of every two, and let the "stranger" through +comfortably at a fair flying jump. After three or four of these +tremendous fields, each about the size of Mr. Mechi's farm, a shepherd +riding after his flock on a pony opened a gate just as the hounds, after +throwing up their heads for a minute, turned to the right, and began to +run back to the Wolds at a slower rate than we started, for the fox was +no doubt blown by the pace; and so up what are called hills there (they +would scarcely be felt in Devonshire or Surrey), we followed at a hand +gallop right up to the plantations of Brocklesby Park, and for a good +hour the hounds worked him round and round the woods, while we kept as +near them as we could, racing along green rides as magnificent in their +broad spread verdures and overhanging evergreen walls of holly and +laurel as any Watteau ever painted. The Lincolnshire gentry and +yeomanry, scarlet coated and velvet capped, on their great blood horses +sweeping down one of the grand evergreen avenues of Brocklesby Park, say +toward the Pelham Pillar, is a capital untried subject, in colour, +contrast, and living interest, for an artist who can paint men as well +as horses. + +At length when every dodge had been tried, Master Reynard made a bolt in +despair. We raced him down a line of fields of very pretty fencing to a +small lake, where wild ducks squatted up, and there ran into him, after +a fair although not a very fast day's sport: a more honest hunting, yet +courageous dashing pack we never rode to. The scarcity of villages, the +general sparseness of the population, the few roads, and those almost +all turf-bordered, and on a level with the fields, the great size of the +enclosures, the prevalence of light arable land, the nuisance of flocks +of sheep, and yet a good scenting country, are the special features of +the Wolds. When you leave them and descend, there is a country of water, +drains, and deep ditches, that require a real water-jumper. Two points +specially strike a stranger--the complete hereditary air of the pack, +and the attendants, so different from the piebald, new-varnished +appearance of fashionable subscription packs. Smith, the huntsman, is +fourth in descent of a line of Brocklesby huntsmen; Robinson, the head +groom, had just completed his half century of service at Brocklesby; and +Barnetby, who rode Lord Yarborough's second horse, was many years in the +same capacity with the first Earl. But, after all, the Brocklesby +tenants--the Nainbys, the Brookes, the Skipwiths, and other Woldsmen, +names "whom to mention would take up too much room," as the "Eton +Grammar" says--tenants who, from generation to generation, have lived, +and flourished, and hunted under the Pelham family--a spirited, +intelligent, hospitable race of men--these alone are worth travelling +from Land's End to see, to hear, to dine with; to learn from their +sayings and doings what a wise, liberal, resident landlord--a lover of +field sports, a promoter of improved agriculture--can do in the course +of generations toward "breeding" a first-class tenantry, and feeding +thousands of townsfolk from acres that a hundred years ago only fed +rabbits. We should recommend those M.P.'s who think fox-hunting folly, +to leave their books and debates for a day's hunting on the Wolds. We +think it will be hard to obtain such happy results from the mere +pen-and-ink regulations of chamber legislators and haters of field +sports. Three generations of the Pelhams turned thousands of acres of +waste in heaths and Wolds into rich farm-land; the fourth did his part +by giving the same district railways and seaport communication. When we +find learned mole-eyed pedants sneering at fox-hunters, we may call the +Brocklesby kennels and the Pelham Pillar as witnesses on the side of the +common sense of English field sports. It was hunting that settled the +Pelhams in a remote country and led them to colonise a waste. + +There is one excellent custom at the hunting-dinners at Brocklesby Park +which we may mention, without being guilty of intrusion on private +hospitality. At a certain hour the stud-groom enters and says, "My Lord, +the horses are bedded up;" then the whole party rise, make a procession +through the stables, and return to coffee in the drawing-room. This +custom was introduced by the first Lord Yarborough some half-century +ago, in order to break through the habit of late sitting over wine that +then was too prevalent. + + +HARRIERS--ON THE BRIGHTON DOWNS. + +Long before hunting sounds are to be heard, except the early morning +cub-hunters routing woodlands, and the autumn stag-hunters of Exmoor, +harrier packs are hard at work racing down and up the steep hillside and +along the chalky valleys of Brighton Downs, preparing old sportsmen for +the more earnest work of November--training young ones into the meaning +of pace, the habit of riding fast down, and the art of climbing quickly, +yet not too quickly, up hill--giving constitutional gallops to wheezy +aldermen, or enterprizing adults fresh from the riding-school--affording +fun for fast young ladies and pleasant sights for a crowd of foot-folks +and fly-loads, halting on the brows of the steep combs, content with the +living panorama. + +The Downs and the sea are the redeeming features of Brighton, considered +as a place of change and recreation for the over-worked of London. +Without these advantages one might quite as well migrate from the City +to Regent Street, varying the exercise by a stroll along the Serpentine. +To a man who needs rest there is something at first sight truly +frightful in the townish gregariousness of Brighton proper, with its +pretentious common-place architecture, and its ceaseless bustle and +rolling of wheels. But then comes into view first the sea, stretching +away into infinite silence and solitude, dotted over on sunny days with +pleasure-boats; and next, perpetually dashing along the league of +sea-borded highway, group after group of gay riding-parties of all ages +and both sexes--Spanish hats, feathers, and riding-habits--_amazones_, +according to the French classic title, in the majority. First comes Papa +Briggs, with all his progeny, down to the little bare-legged imitation +Highlander on a shaggy Shetland pony; then a riding-master in +mustachios, boots, and breeches, with a dozen pupils in divers stages of +timidity and full-blown temerity; and then again loving pairs in the +process of courtship or the ecstasies of the honeymoon, pacing or racing +along, indifferent to the interest and admiration that such pairs always +excite. Besides the groups there are single figures, military and civil, +on prancing thorough-bred hacks and solid weight-carrying cobs, +contrasted with a great army of hard-worked animals, at half-a-crown an +hour which compose the bulk of the Brighton cavalry, for horse-hiring +at Brighton is the rule, private possession the exception; nowhere else, +except, perhaps, at Oxford, is the custom so universal, and nowhere do +such odd, strange people venture to exhibit themselves "a-horseback." As +Dublin is said to be the car-drivingest, so is Brighton the +horse-ridingest city in creation; and it is this most healthy, mental +and physical exercise, with the summer-sea yacht excursions, which +constitute the difference and establishes the superiority of this marine +offshoot of London over any foreign bathing-place. Under French auspices +we should have had something infinitely more magnificent, gay, gilded, +and luxurious in architecture, in shops, in restaurants, cafés, +theatres, and ball-rooms; but pleasure-boat sails would have been +utterly unknown, and the horse-exercise confined to a few daring +cavaliers and theatrical ladies. + +It is doubtless the open Downs that originally gave the visitors of +Brighton (when it was Brighthelmstone, the little village patronised by +the Prince, by "the Burney," and Mrs. Thrale) the habit of +constitutional canters to a degree unknown in other pleasure towns; and +the traditional custom has been preserved in the face of miles of brick +and stucco. With horses in legions, and Downs at hand, a pack of hounds +follows naturally; hares of a rare stout breed are plentiful; and the +tradesmen have been acute enough to discover that a plentiful and varied +supply of hunting facilities is one of the most safe, certain, and +profitable attractions they can provide. Cheltenham and Bath has each +its stag-hounds; Brighton does better, less expensively, and pleases +more people, with two packs of harriers, hunting four days (and, by +recent arrangements, a pack of fox-hounds filling up the other two days) +of the week; so that now it may be considered about the best place in +the country for making sure of a daily constitutional gallop from +October to March at short notice, and with no particular attention to +costume and a very moderate stud, or no stud at all. + +With these and a few other floating notions of air, exercise, and change +of scene in my head--having decided that, however tempting to the +caricaturist, the amusement of hundreds was not to be despised--I took +my place at eight o'clock, at London-bridge station, in a railway +carriage--the best of hacks for a long distance--on a bright October +morning, with no other change from ordinary road-riding costume than one +of Callow's long-lashed, instead of a straight-cutting, whips, so saving +all the impediments of baggage. By ten o'clock I was wondering what the +"sad sea waves" were saying to the strange costumes in which it pleases +the fair denizens of Brighton to deck themselves. My horse, a little, +wiry, well-bred chestnut, had been secured beforehand at a dealer's, +well known in the Surrey country. + +The meet was the race-course, a good three miles from the Parade. The +Brighton meets are stereotyped. The Race-course, Telscombe Tye, the +Devil's Dyke, and Thunders Barrow are repeated weekly. But of the way +along the green-topped chalk cliffs, beside the far-spreading sea, or up +and down the moorland hills and valleys, who can ever weary? Who can +weary of hill and dale and the eternal sea? + +To those accustomed to an inclosed country there is something extremely +curious in mile after mile of open undulating downs lost in the distant +horizon. My day was bright. About eleven o'clock the horsemen and +_amazones_ arrived in rapidly-succeeding parties, and gathered on the +high ground. Pleasure visitors, out for the first time--distinguished +by their correct costume and unmistakably hired animals--caps and white +breeches, spotless tops and shining Napoleons--were mounted on hacks +battered about the legs, and rather rough in the coat, though hard and +full of go; but trousers were the prevailing order of the day. Medical +men were evident, in correct white ties, on neat ponies and superior +cobs; military in mufti, on pulling steeplechasers; some farmers in +leggings on good young nags for sale, and good old ones for use. London +lawyers in heather mixture shooting-suits and Park hacks; lots of little +boys and girls on ponies--white or cream-coloured being the favourites; +at least one master of far distant fox-hounds pack, on a blood-colt, +master and horse alike new to the country and to the sport. +Riding-masters, with their lady pupils tittupping about on the live +rocking-horses that form the essential stock of every riding-master's +establishment, with one or two papas of the pupils--"worthy" aldermen, +or authorities of the Stock Exchange, expensively mounted, gravely +looking on, with an expression of doubt as to whether they ought to have +been there or not; and then a crowd of the nondescripts, bankers and +brewers trying to look like squires, neat and grim, among the well and +ill dressed, well and ill mounted, who form the staple of every +watering-place,--with this satisfactory feature pervading the whole +gathering, that with the exception of a few whose first appearance it +was in saddle on any turf, and the before-mentioned grim brewers, all +seemed decidedly jolly and determined to enjoy themselves. + +The hounds drew up; to criticise them elaborately would be as unfair, +under the circumstances, as to criticise a pot-luck dinner of beans and +bacon put before a hungry man. They are not particularly +handsome--white patches being the prevailing colour; and they certainly +do not keep very close; but they are fast enough, persevering, and, +killing a fair share of hares, show very good sport to both lookers-on +and hard riders. The huntsman Willard, who has no "whip" to help him, +and often more assistance than he requires, is a heavy man, but +contrives, in spite of his weight, to get his hounds in the fastest +runs. + +The country, it may be as well to say for the benefit of the thousands +who have never been on these famous mutton-producing "South Downs," is +composed of a series of table-lands divided by basin-like valleys, for +the most part covered with short turf, with large patches of gorse and +heather, in which the hares, when beaten, take refuge. Of late years, +high prices and Brighton demand, with the new system of artificial +agriculture, have pushed root crops and corn crops into sheltered +valleys and far over the hills, much to the disgust of the ancient race +of shepherds. + +It is scarcely necessary to observe, that on Brighton Downs there are no +blank days, but the drawing is a real operation performed seriously +until such a time as the company having all assembled, say at half-past +seven o'clock, when, if the unaided faculties of the pack have not +brought them up to a form, a shepherd appears as the _Deus ex machinâ_. +In spite of all manner of precautions, the hounds will generally rush up +to the point without hunting; loud rises the joyful cry; and, if it is +level ground, the whole meet--hacks, hobbie-horses, and hunters--look as +if their riders meant to go off in a whirlwind of trampling feet. There +is usually a circle or two with the stoutest hare before making a long +stretch; but, on lucky days like that of our first and last visit, the +pace mends the hounds settle, the riding-masters check their more +dashing pupils, the crowd gets dispersed, and rides round, or halts on +the edges, or crawls slowly down the steep-sided valleys; while the hard +riders catch their nags by the head, in with the spurs, and go down +straight and furious, as if they were away for ever and a day; but the +pedestrians and constitutional cob-owners are comforted by assurances +that the hare is sure to run a ring back. But, on our day, Pussy, having +lain _perdu_ during a few minutes' check, started up suddenly amid a +full cry, and rather too much hallooing. A gentleman in large mustachios +and a velvet cap rode at her as if he meant to catch her himself. Away +we all dashed, losing sight of the dignity of fox-hunters--all mad as +hatters (though why hatters should be madder than cappers it would be +difficult to say). The pace becomes tremendous; the pack tails by twos +and threes; the valleys grow steeper; the field lingers and halts more +and more at each steeper comb; the lads who have hurried straight up the +hillsides, instead of creeping up by degrees blow their horses and come +to a full stop; while old hands at Devonshire combs and Surrey steeps +take their nags by the head, rush down like thunder, and slily zigzag up +the opposite face at a trot; and so, for ten minutes, so straight, that +a stranger, one of three in front, cried, "By Jove, it must be a fox!" +But at that moment the leading hounds turned sharp to the right and then +to the left--a shrill squeak, a cry of hounds, and all was over. The sun +shone out bright and clear; looking up from the valley on the hills, +nine-tenths of the field were to be seen a mile in the distance, +galloping, trotting, walking, or standing still, scattered like a pulk +of pursuing Cossacks. The sight reminded me that, putting aside the +delicious excitement of a mad rush down hill at full-speed, the +lookers-on, the young ladies on ponies, and old gentlemen on cobs, see +the most of the sport in such a country as the Brighton Downs; while in +a flat inclosed, or wooded country, those who do not ride are left alone +quite deserted, five minutes after the hounds get well away. + +We killed two more hares before retiring for the day, but as they ran +rings in the approved style, continually coming back to the slow, +prudent, and constitutional riders, there was nothing to distinguish +them from all other hare-hunts. After killing the last hare there was +ample time to get back to Brighton, take a warm bath, dress, and stroll +on the Esplanade for an hour in the midst of as gay and brilliant crowd, +vehicular, equestrian, and pedestrian, as can be found in Europe, before +sitting down to a quiet dinner, in which the delicious Southdown haunch +was not forgotten. So ended a day of glorious weather and pleasant +sport, jolly--if not in the highest degree genteel. + +Tempted to stay another day, I went the next morning six miles through +Rottingdean to Telscombe Tye, to meet the Brookside; and, after seeing +them, have no hesitation in saying that every one who cares to look at a +first-rate pack of harriers would find it worth his while to travel a +hundred miles to meet the Brookside, for the whole turnout is +perfection. Royalty cannot excel it. + +A delicious ride over turf all the way, after passing Rottingdean, under +a blue sky and a June-like sun, in sight of the sea, calm as a lake, +brought us to the top of a hill of rich close turf, enveloped in a cloud +of mist, which rendered horses and horsemen alike invisible at the +distance of a few yards; and when we came upon three tall shepherds, +leaning on their iron-_hooked_ crooks, in the midst of a gorse covert, +it was almost impossible to believe that we were not in some remote +Highland district instead of within half an hour of a town of 70,000 +inhabitants. + +The costumes of the field, more exact than the previous day, showed that +the master was considered worthy of the compliment; and when, the mist +clearing, the beautiful black-and-tan pack, all of a size, and as like +as peas, came clustering up with Mr. Saxby, a white-haired, healthy, +fresh-coloured, neat-figured, upright squire, riding in the midst on a +rare black horse, it was a picture that, taking in the wild heathland +scenery, the deep valleys below, bright in sun, the dark hills beyond +it, was indeed a bright page in the poetry of field sports. + +The Brookside are as good and honest as they are handsome; hunting, all +together, almost entirely without assistance. If they have a fault they +are a little too fast for hare-hounds. After killing the second hare, we +were able to leave Brighton by the 3.30 P.M. train. Thus, under modern +advantages, a man troubled with indigestion has only to order a horse by +post the previous day, leave town at eight in the morning, have a day's +gallop, with excitement more valuable than gallons of physic, and be +back in town by half-past five o'clock. Can eight hours be passed more +pleasantly or profitably? + + +PRINCE ALBERT'S HARRIERS. + +The South-Western Rail made a very good hack up to the Castle station. + +That Prince Albert should never have taken to the Royal stag-hounds is +not at all surprising. It requires to be "to the manner born" to endure +the vast jostling, shouting, thrusting mob of gentlemen and horse +dealers, "legs" and horse-breakers, that whirl away after the uncarted +deer. Without the revival of the old Court etiquette, which forbade any +one to ride before royalty, his Royal Highness might have been ridden +down by some ambitious butcher or experimental cockney horseman on a +runaway. If the etiquette of the time of George III had been revived, +then only Leech could have done justice to the appearance of the field, +following impatiently at a respectful distance--not the stag, as they do +now very often, or the hounds, as they ought to do--but the Prince's +horse's tail. + +Prince Albert's harriers are in the strictest sense of the term a +private pack, kept by his Royal Highness for his own amusement, under +the management of Colonel Hood. The meets are not advertised. The fields +consist, in addition to the Royal and official party from the Castle, of +a few neighbouring gentlemen and farmers, the hunting establishment of a +huntsman and one whip, both splendidly mounted, and a boy on foot. The +costume of the hunt is a very dark green cloth double-breasted coat, +with the Prince's gilt button, brown cords, and velvet cap. + +The hounds were about fifteen couple, of medium size, with considerable +variety of true colours, inclining to the fox-hound stamp, yet very +honest hunters. In each run the lead was taken by a hound of peculiar +and uncommon marking--black and tan, but the tan so far spreading that +the black was reduced to merely a saddle. + +The day was rather too bright, perhaps, for the scent to lie well; but +there was the better opportunity for seeing the hounds work, which they +did most admirably, without any assistance. It is one of the advantages +of a pack like this that no one presumes to interfere and do the +business of either the huntsman or hounds. The first hare was found on +land apparently recently inclosed near Eton; but, after two hours' +perseverance, it was impossible to make anything of the scent over +ploughed land. + +We then crossed the railway into some fields, partly in grass, divided +by broad ditches full of water, with plenty of willow stumps on the +banks, and partly arable on higher, sloping ground, divided by fair +growing fences into large square inclosures. Here we soon found a stout +hare that gave us an opportunity of seeing and admiring the qualities of +the pack. After the first short burst there was a quarter of an hour of +slow hunting, when the hounds, left entirely to themselves, did their +work beautifully. At length, as the sun went behind clouds, the scent +improved; the hounds got on good terms with puss, and rattled away at a +pace, and over a line of big fields and undeniable fences, that soon +found out the slows and the nags that dared not face shining water. +Short checks of a few minutes gave puss a short respite; then followed a +full cry, and soon a view. Over a score of big fields the pack raced +within a dozen yards of pussy's scent, without gaining a yard, the +black-tanned leading hound almost coursing his game; but this was too +fast to last, and, just as we were squaring our shoulders and settling +down to take a very uncompromising hedge with evident signs of a broad +ditch of running water on the other side, the hounds threw up their +heads; poor puss had shuffled through the fence into the brook, and sunk +like a stone. + +There is something painful about the helpless finish with a hare. A fox +dies snarling and fighting. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[176-*] This sketch was written in 1857. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +HUNTING TERMS. + + +Hunting terms are difficult to write, because they are often rather sung +than said. I shall take as my authority one of the best sportsmen of his +day, Mr. Thomas Smith, author of the "Diary of a Huntsman," a book which +has only one fault, it is too short; and give some explanations of my +own. + + +HUNTSMAN'S LANGUAGE. + + On throwing off.--_Cover hoick!_ i. e. _Hark into cover!_ + + Also--_Eloo in!_ + + Over the fence.--_Yoi over!_ + + To make hounds draw.--_Edawick!_ + + Also--_Yoi, wind him! Yoi, rouse him, my boys!_ + + And to a particular hound--_Hoick, Rector! Hoick, Bonny Lass!_ + + The variety of Tally-ho's I have given in another place. + + To call the rest when some hounds have gone away.--_Elope forward, + aw-ay-woy!_ + + If they have hit off the scent.--_Forrid, hoick!_ + + When hounds have overrun the scent, or he wants them to come back to + him.--_Yo-geote!_ + + When the hounds are near their fox.--_Eloo, at him!_ + + +HUNTING TERMS + + _Billet._--The excrement of a fox. + + _Burst._--The first part of a run. + + _Burning scent._--When hounds go so fast, from the goodness of the + scent, they have no breath to spare, and run almost mute. + + _Breast high._--When hounds do not stoop their heads, but go a racing + pace. + + _Capping._--To wave your cap to bring on the hounds. Also to subscribe + for the huntsman, by dropping into a cap after a good run with + fox-hounds. At watering places, before a run with harriers. + + _Carry a good head._--When hounds run well together, owing to the + scent being good, and spreading so wide that the whole pack can + feel it. But it usually happens that the scent is good only on the + line for one hound to get it, so that the rest follow him; hence + the necessity of keeping your eyes on the leading hounds, if you + wish to be forward. + + _Challenge._--When drawing a fox, the first hound that gives tongue, + "challenges." + + _Changed._--When the pack changed from the hunted fox to a fresh one. + + _Check._--When hounds stop for want of scent in running, or over-run + it. + + _Chopped a fox._--When a fox is killed in cover without running. + + _Crash._--When in cover, every hound seems giving tongue at the same + moment: that is a crash of hounds. + + _Cub._--Until November, a young fox is a cub. + + _Drawing._--The act of hunting to find a fox in a cover, or covert, as + some term it. + + _Drag._--The scent left by the footsteps of the fox on his way from + his rural rambles to his earth, or kennel. Our forefathers rose + early; and instead of drawing, hunted the fox by "dragging" up to + him. + + _Dwelling._--When hounds do not come up to the huntsman's halloo till + moved by the whipper-in, they are said to dwell. + + _Drafted._--Hounds drawn from the pack to be disposed of, or _hung_, + are drafted. + + "_Earths are drawn._"--When a vixen fox has drawn out fresh earth, it + is a proof she intends to lay up her cubs there. + + _Eye to hounds._--A man has a good eye to hounds who turns his horse's + head with the leading hounds. + + _Flighty._--A hound that is not a steady hunter. + + _Feeling a scent._--You say, if scent is bad, "The hounds could + scarcely feel the scent." + + _Foil._--When a fox runs the ground over which he has been before, he + is running his foil. + + _Headed._--When a fox is going away, and is met and driven back to + cover. Jealous riders, anxious for a start, are very apt to head + the fox. It is one of the greatest crimes in the hunting-field. + + _Heel._--When hounds get on the scent of a fox, and run it back the + way he came, they are said to be running heel. + + _Hold hard._--A cry that speaks for itself, which every one who wishes + for sport will at once attend to when uttered by the huntsman. + + _Holding scent._--When the scent is just good enough for hounds to + hunt a fox a fair pace, but not enough to press him. + + _Kennel._--Where a fox lays all day in cover. + + _Line holders._--Hounds which will not go a yard beyond the scent. + + _Left-handed._--A hunting pun on hounds that are not always _right_. + + _Lifting._--When a huntsman carries the pack forward from an + indifferent, or no scent, to a place the fox is hoped to have more + recently passed, or to a view halloo. It is an expedient found + needful where the field is large, and unruly, and impatient, + oftener than good sportsmen approve.[202-*] + + _Laid up._--When a vixen fox has had cubs she is said to have laid up. + + _Metal._--When hounds fly for a short distance on a wrong scent, or + without one, it is said to be "all metal." + + _Moving scent._--When hounds get on a scent that is fresher than a + drag, it is called a moving scent; that is, the scent of a fox + which has been disturbed by travelling. + + _Mobbing a fox._--Is when foot passengers, or foolish jealous + horsemen so surround a cover, that the fox is driven into the teeth + of the hounds, instead of being allowed to break away and show + sport. + + _Mute._--When the pace is great hounds are mute, they have no breath + to spare; but a hound that is always mute is as useless as a rich + epicure who has capital dinners and eats them alone. Hounds that do + not help each other are worthless. + + _Noisy._--To throw the tongue without scent is an opposite and equal + fault to muteness. + + _Open._--When a hound throws his tongue, or gives tongue, he is said + to open. + + _Owning a scent._--When hounds throw their tongues on the scent. + + _Pad._--The foot of a fox. + + _Riot._--When the hounds hunt anything beside fox, the word is "Ware + Riot." + + _Skirter._--A hound which is wide of the pack, or a man riding wide of + the hounds, is called a skirter. + + _Stroke of a fox._--Is when hounds are drawing. It is evident, from + their manner, that they feel the scent of a fox, slashing their + stern significantly, although they do not speak to it. + + _Sinking._--A fox nearly beaten is said to be sinking. + + _Sinking the wind._--Is going down wind, usually done by knowing + sportsmen to catch the cry of the hounds. + + _Stained._--When the scent is lost by cattle or sheep having passed + over the line. + + _Stooping._--Hounds stoop to the scent. + + _Slack._--Indifferent. A succession of bad days, or a slack huntsman, + will make hounds slack. + + _Streaming._--An expressive word applied to hounds in full cry, or + breast high and mute, "streaming away." + + _Speaks._--When a hound throws his tongue he is said to speak; and + one word from a sure hound makes the presence of a fox certain. + + _Throw up._--When hounds lose the scent they "throw up their heads." A + good sportsman always takes note of the exact spot and cause, if he + can, to tell the huntsman. + + _Tailing._--The reverse of streaming. The result of bad scent, tired + hounds, or an uneven pack. + + _Throw off._--After reaching the "meet," at the master's word the pack + is "thrown into cover," hence "throw off." + +There are many other terms in common use too plain to need explanation, +and there are a good many slang phrases to be found in newspaper +descriptions of runs, which are both vulgar and unnecessary. One of the +finest descriptions of a fox-hunt ever written is to be found in the +account of Jorrocks' day with the "Old Customer," disfigured, +unfortunately, by an overload of impossible cockneyisms, put in the +mouth of the impossible grocer. Another capitally-told story of a +fox-hunt is to be found in Whyte Melville's "Kate Coventry." But the +Rev. Charles Kingsley has, in his opening chapter of "Yeast," and his +papers in Fraser on North Devon, shown that if he chose he could throw +all writers on hunting into the shade. Would that he would give us some +hunting-songs, for he is a true poet, as well as a true sportsman! + +Another clergyman, under the pseudonym of "Uncle Scribble," contributed +to the pages of the _Sporting Magazine_ an admirable series of +photographs--to adopt a modern word--of hunting and hunting men, as +remarkable for dry wit and common sense, as a thorough knowledge of +sport. But "Uncle Scribble," as the head of a most successful Boarding +School, writes no more. + +I may perhaps be pardoned for concluding my hints on hunting, by +re-quoting from _Household Words_ an "Apology for Fox-hunting," which, +at the time I wrote it, received the approbation, by quotation, of +almost every sporting journal in the country. It will be seen that it +contains a sentence very similar to one to be found in Mr. Rarey's +"Horse Training"--"A bad-tempered man cannot be a good horseman." + + +"TALLY-HO! + +"Fox-hunting, I maintain, is entitled to be considered one of the fine +arts, standing somewhere between music and dancing. For 'Tally-ho!' like +the favourite evening gun of colonising orators, has been 'carried round +the world.' The plump mole-fed foxes of the neutral ground of Gibraltar +have fled from the jolly cry; it has been echoed back from the rocky +hills of our island possessions in the Mediterranean; it has startled +the jackal on the mountains of the Cape, and his red brother on the +burning plains of Bengal; the wolf of the pine forests of Canada has +heard it, cheering on fox-hounds to an unequal contest; and even the +wretched dingoe and the bounding kangaroo of 'Australia have learned to +dread the sound. + +"In our native land 'Tally-ho!' is shouted and welcomed in due season by +all conditions of men; by the ploughman, holding hard his startled colt; +by the woodman, leaning on his axe before the half-felled oak; by +bird-boys from the tops of leafless trees; even Dolly Dumpling, as she +sees the white-tipped brush flash before her market-cart in a +deep-banked lane, stops, points her whip and in shrill treble screams +'Tally-ho!' + +"And when at full speed the pink, green, brown, and black-coated +followers of any of the ninety packs which our England maintains, sweep +through a village, with what intense delight the whole population turn +out! Young mothers stand at the doors, holding up their crowing babies; +the shopkeeper, with his customers, adjourns to the street; the windows +of the school are covered with flattened noses; the parson, if of the +right sort, smiles blandly, and waves his hand from the porch of the +vicarage to half-a-dozen friends; while the surgeon pushes on his +galloway and joins for half-an-hour; all the little boys holla in +chorus, and run on to open gates without expecting sixpence. As for the +farmers, those who do not join the hunt criticise the horseflesh, +speculate on the probable price of oats, and tell 'Missis' to set out +the big round of beef, the bread, the cheese, and get ready to draw some +strong ale,--'in case of a check, some of the gentlemen might like a bit +as they come back. + +"It is true, among the five thousand who follow the hounds daily in the +hunting season, there are to be found, as among most medleys of five +thousand, a certain number of fools and brutes--mere animals, deaf to +the music, blind to the living poetry of nature. To such men hunting is +a piece of fashion or vulgar excitement, but bring hunting in comparison +with other amusements, and it will stand a severe test. Are you an +admirer of scenery, an amateur or artist? Have you traversed Greece and +Italy, Switzerland and Norway, in search of the picturesque? You do not +know the beauties of your own country, until, having hunted from +Northumberland to Cornwall, you have viewed the various counties under +the three aspects of a fox-hunter's day--the 'morning ride,' 'the run,' +and 'the return home.' + +"The morning ride, slowly pacing, full of expectation, your horse as +pleased as yourself; sharp and clear in the gray atmosphere the leafless +trees and white farmhouses stand out, backed by a curtain of mist +hanging on the hills in the horizon. With eager eyes you take all in; +nothing escapes you; you have cast off care for the day. How pleasant +and cheerful everything and everyone looks! Even the cocks and hens, +scratching by the road-side, have a friendly air. The turnpike-man +relaxes, in favour of your 'pink,' his usual grimness. A tramping woman, +with one child at her back and two running beside her, asks charity; you +suspect she is an impostor, but she looks cold and pitiful; you give her +a shilling, and the next day you don't regret your foolish benevolence. +To your mind the well-cultivated land looks beautiful. In the monotony +of ten acres of turnips, you see a hundred pictures of English farming +life, well-fed cattle, good wheat crops, and a little barley for beer. +Not less beautiful is the wild gorse-covered moor--never to be +reclaimed, I hope--where the wiry, white-headed, bright-eyed huntsman +sits motionless on his old white horse, surrounded by the pied pack--a +study for Landseer. + +"But if the morning ride creates unexecuted cabinet pictures and +unwritten sonnets, how delightful 'the find,' 'the run' along +brook-intersected vales, up steep hills, through woodlands, parks, and +villages, showing you in byways little gothic churches, ivy-covered +cottages, and nooks of beauty you never dreamed of, alive with startled +cattle and hilarious rustics. + +"Talk of epic poems, read in bowers or at firesides, what poet's +description of a battle could make the blood boil in delirious +excitement, like a seat on a long-striding hunter, clearing every +obstacle with firm elastic bounds, holding in sight without gaining a +yard on the flying pack, while the tip of Reynard's tail disappears +over the wall at the top of the hill! + +"And, lastly,--tired, successful, hungry, happy,--the return home, when +the shades of evening, closing round, give a fantastic, curious, +mysterious aspect to familiar road-side objects! Loosely lounging on +your saddle, with half-closed eyes, you almost dream--the gnarled trees +grow into giants, cottages into castles, ponds into lakes. The maid of +the inn is a lovely princess, and the bread and cheese she brings +(while, without dismounting, you let your thirsty horse drink his +gruel), tastes more delicious than the finest supper of champagne, with +a _pâté_ of tortured goose's liver, that ever tempted the appetite of a +humane, anti-fox hunting, poet-critic, exhausted by a long night of +opera, ballet, and Roman punch. + +"Are you fond of agriculture?--You may survey all the progress and +ignorance of an agricultural district in rides across country; you may +sound the depth of the average agricultural mind while trotting from +cover to cover. Are you of a social disposition?--What a fund of +information is to be gathered from the acquaintances made, returning +home after a famous day, 'thirty-five minutes without a check.' In a +word, fox-hunting affords exercise and healthy excitement without +headaches, or heartaches, without late hours, without the 'terrible next +morning' that follows so many town amusements. Fox-hunting draws men +from towns, promotes a love of country life, fosters skill, courage, +temper; for a bad-tempered man can never be a good horseman. + +"To the right-minded, as many feelings of thankfulness and praise to the +Giver of all good will arise, sitting on a fiery horse, subdued to +courageous obedience for the use of man, while surveying a pack of +hounds ranging an autumnal thicket with fierce intelligence, or looking +down on a late moorland, broken up to fertility by man's skill and +industry, as in a solitary walk by the sea-shore or over a Highland +hill." + + Oh, give me the man to whom nought comes amiss, + One horse or another--that country or this; + Through falls and bad starts who undauntedly still + Bides up to this motto, "Be with them I will!" + And give me the man who can ride through a run, + Nor engross to himself all the glory when done; + Who calls not each horse that o'ertakes him a screw; + Who loves a run best when a friend sees it too. + + WARBURTON of Arley Hall. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[202-*] The late Sir Richard Sutton, Master of the Quorn, used to say +that he liked "to stick to the band and keep hold of the bridle," that +is to say, make his pack hold to the line of the fox as long as they +could; but there were times when he could not resist the temptation of a +sure "holloa," and off he would start at a tremendous pace, for he was +always a bruising rider, with a blast or two upon his "little +merry-toned horn" which he had the art of blowing better than other +people. To his intimate friends he used to excuse himself for these +occasional outbreaks by quoting a saying of his old huntsman Goosey +(late the Duke of Rutland's)--for whose opinion on hunting matters he +had a great respect--"I take leave to say, sir, a fox is a very quick +animal, and you must make haste after him during some part of the day, +or you will not catch him."--_Letter from Captain Percy Williams, Master +of the Rufford Hounds, to the Editor._ + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE ORIGIN OF FOX-HUNTING. + + +The origin of modern fox-hunting is involved in a degree of obscurity +which can only be attributed to the illiterate character of the +originators, the Squire Westerns, who rode all day, and drank all the +evening. We need the assistance of the ingenious correspondent of _Notes +and Queries_:-- + +"It is quite certain that the fox was not accounted a noble beast of +chase before the Revolution of 1688; for Gervase Markham classes the fox +with the badger in his 'Cavalrie, or that part of Arte wherein is +contained the Choice Trayning and Dyeting of Hunting Horses whether for +Pleasure or for Wager. The Third Booke. Printed by Edw. Allde, for +Edward White; and are to be sold at his Shop, neare the Little North +Door of St. Paule's Church, at the signe of the Gun. 1616.' He says:-- + +"'The chase of the foxe or badger, although it be a chase of much more +swiftness (than the otter), and is ever kept upon firm ground, yet I +cannot allow it for training horses, because for the most part it +continues in woody rough grounds, where a horse can neither conveniently +make foorth his way nor can heed without danger of stubbing. The chase, +much better than any of these, is hunting of the bucke or stag, +especially if they be not confined within a park or pale, but having +liberty to chuse their waies, which some huntsmen call "hunting at +force." When he is at liberty he will break forth his chase into the +winde, sometimes four, five, and six miles foorth right: nay, I have +myself followed a stag better than ten miles foorth right from the place +of his rousing to the place of his death, besides all his windings, +turnings, and cross passages. The time of the year for these chases is +from the middle of May to middle of September.' He goes on to say, +'which being of all chases the worthiest, and belonging only Princes and +men of best quality, there is no horse too good to be employed in such a +service; yet the horses which are aptest and best to be employed in this +chase is the Barbary jennet, or a light-made English gelding, being of a +middle stature.' 'But to conclude and come to the chase which is of all +chases the best for the purpose whereof we are now entreating; it is the +chase of the hare, which is a chase both swift and pleasant, and of long +endurance; it is a sport ever readie, equally distributed, as well to +the wealthie farmer as the great gentleman. It hath its beginning +contrary to the stag and bucke; for it begins at Michaelmas, when they +end, and is out of date after April, when they first come into season.' + +"This low estimate of the fox, at that period, is borne out by a speech +of Oliver St. John, to the Long Parliament, against Strafford, quoted by +Macaulay, in which he declares--'Strafford was to be regarded not as a +stag or hare, but as a fox, who was to be snared by any means and +knocked on the head without pity.' The same historian relates that red +deer were as plentiful on the hills of Hampshire and Gloucestershire, in +the reign of Queen Anne, as they are now in the preserved deer-forests +of the Highlands of Scotland. + +"When wild deer became scarce, the attention of sportsmen was probably +turned to the sporting qualities of the fox by the accident of harriers +getting upon the scent of some wanderer in the clicketing season, and +being led a straight long run. We have more than once met with such +accidents on the Devonshire moors, and have known well-bred harriers run +clear away from the huntsmen, after an on-lying fox, over an unrideable +country. + +"Fox-hunting rose into favour with the increase of population attendant +on improved agriculture. In a wild woodland country, with earths +unstopped, no pack of hounds could fairly run down a fox. + +"I have found in private records two instances in which packs of hounds, +since celebrated, were turned from hare-hounds to fox-hounds. There are, +no doubt, many more. The Tarporley, or Cheshire Hunt, was established in +1762 for Hare-hunting, and held its first meeting on the 14th November +in that year. 'Those who kept harriers brought them in turn.' It is +ordered by the 8th Rule, 'that if no member of the society kept hounds, +or that it were inconvenient for masters to bring them, a pack be +borrowed at the expense of the society.' + +"The uniform was ordered to be 'a blue frock with plain yellow mettled +buttons, scarlet velvet cape, and double-breasted flannel waistcoat. The +coat sleeve to be cut and turned. A scarlet saddle-cloth, bound singly +with blue, and the front of the bridle lapt with scarlet.' The third +rule contrasts oddly with our modern meets at half-past ten and +half-past eleven o'clock:--'The harriers shall not wait for any member +after eight o'clock in the morning.' + +"As to drinking, it was ordered 'that three collar bumpers be drunk +after dinner, and the same after supper; after that every member might +do as he pleased in regard to drinking.' + +"By another rule every member was 'to present on his marriage to each +member of the hunt, a pair of well-stitched leather breeches,'[213-*] +then costing a guinea a pair. + +"In 1769, the club commenced Fox-hunting. The uniform was ordered to be +changed to 'a red coat, unbound, with small frock sleeve, a green velvet +cape, and green waistcoat, and that the sleeve have no buttons; in every +other form to be like the old uniform; and the red saddle-cloth to be +bound with green instead of blue, the fronts of the saddles to remain +the same.' + +"At the same time there was an alteration in regard to drinking +orders--'That instead of three collar bumpers, only one shall be drunk, +except a fox be killed above ground, and then one other collar glass +shall be drunk to "Fox-hunting." Among the names of the original members +in 1762, we recognise many whose descendants have maintained in this +generation their ancestral reputation as sportsmen. For instance, Crewe, +Mainwaring, Wilbraham, Smith, Barry, Cholmondeley, Stanley, Grosvenor, +Townley, Watkin Williams Wynne, Stanford. But, although the Tarporley +Hunt Club has been maintained and thriven through the reigns of George +III., George IV., William IV., and Victoria, the pack of hounds, +destroyed or removed by various accidents, have been more than once +renewed. But the Brocklesby pack has been maintained in the family of +the present Earl of Yarborough more than 130 years without break or +change of blood; and a written pedigree of the pack has been kept for +upwards of 100 years; and it is now the oldest pack in the kingdom. The +Cottesmore, which was established before the Brocklesby, has been +repeatedly dispersed and has long passed out of the hands of the family +of the Noels--by whom it was first established 200 years ago." + +By the kindness of Lord Yarborough, I was permitted to examine all the +papers connected with his hounds. Among them is a memorandum dated April +20, 1713: it is agreed "between Sir John Tyrwhitt, Charles Pelham, Esq., +and Robert Vyner, Esq. (another name well known in modern hunting +annals), that the foxhounds now kept by the said Sir John Tyrwhitt and +Mr. Pelham shall be joyned in one pack, and the three have a joint +interest in the said hounds for five years, each for one-third of the +year." And it was agreed that the establishment should consist of +"sixteen couple of hounds, three horses, and a huntsman and a boy." So +apparently they only hunted one day a week. It would seem that, under +the terms of the agreement, the united pack soon passed into the hands +of Mr. Pelham, and down to the present day the hounds have been branded +with a P. I also found at Brocklesby a rough memoranda of the kennel +from 1710 to 1746; after that date the Stud Book has been distinctly +kept up without a break. From 1797 the first Lord Yarborough kept +journals of the pedigree of hounds in his own handwriting; and since his +time by the father, the grandfather, and great-grandfather of the +present huntsman. + +In the time of the first Lord Yarborough, his country extended over the +whole of the South Wold country, part of the now Burton Hunt, and part +of North Nottinghamshire; and he used to go down into both those +districts for a month at a time to hunt the woodlands. There were, as he +told his grandson when he began hunting, only three or four fences +between Horncastle and Brigg, a distance of at least thirty miles. + +Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt kept harriers at his Manor House of Aylsby, at the +foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, before he turned them into fox-hounds. A +barn at Aylsby was formerly known as the "Kennels." The Aylsby estate +has passed, in the female line, into the Oxfordshire family of the +Tyrwhitt Drakes, who are so well known as masters of hounds, and +first-rate sportsmen; while a descendant of Squire Vyner, of +Lincolnshire, has, within the last twenty years, been a master of +fox-hounds in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Mr. Meynell, the father +of modern fox-hunting, and founder of the Quorn Hunt, formed his pack +chiefly of drafts from the Brocklesby. + +Between the period that fox-hunting superseded hare-hunting in the +estimation of country squires, and that when the celebrated Mr. Meynell +reduced it to a science, and prepared the way for making hunting in +Leicestershire almost an aristocratic institution, a great change took +place in the breed of the hounds and horses, and in the style of +horsemanship. Under the old system, the hounds were taken out before +light to hunt back by his drag the fox who had been foraging all night, +and set on him as he lay above his stopped-earth, before he had digested +his meal of rats or rabbits. The breed of hounds partook more of the +long-eared, dew-lapped, heavy, crock-kneed southern hound, or of the +bloodhound. Well-bred horses, too, were less plentiful than they are +now. + +But the change to fast hounds, fast horses, and fast men, took place at +a much more distant date than some of our hard-riding young swells of +1854 seem to imagine. A portrait of a celebrated hound, Ringwood, at +Brocklesby Park, painted by Stubbs, the well-known animal painter in +1792, presents in an extraordinary manner the type and character of some +of the best hounds remotely descended from him, although the Cheshire +song says:-- + + "When each horse wore a crupper, each squire a pigtail, + Ere Blue Cap and Wanton taught greyhounds to scurry, + With music in plenty--oh, where was the hurry?" + +But it is more than eighty years since Blue Cap and Wanton ran their +race over Newmarket Heath, which for speed has never been excelled by +any modern hounds. + +And it is a curious fact, that although Somerville, the author of The +Chase, died in 1742, his poem contains as clear and correct directions +for fox-hunting, with few exceptions, as if it were written yesterday. +So that the art must have arrived at perfection within sixty or seventy +years. In the long reign of George III. the distinction between town and +country was much broken down, and the isolation in which country squires +lived destroyed. Packs of hounds, kept for the amusement of a small +district, became, as it were, public property. At length the meets of +hounds began to be regularly given in the country newspapers. + +With every change sportsmen of the old school have prophesied the total +ruin of fox-hunting. Roads and canals excited great alarm to our +fathers. In our time every one expected to see sport entirely destroyed +by railroads; but we were mistaken, and have lived to consider them +almost an essential auxiliary of a good hunting district. + +Looking back at the manner in which fox-hunting has grown up with our +habits and customs, and increased in the number of packs, number of +hunting days, and number of horsemen, in full proportion with wealth and +population, one cannot help being amused at the simplicity with which +Mrs. Beecher Stowe, who comes from a country where people seldom amuse +themselves out of doors (except in making money), tells in her "Sunny +Memories," how, when she dined with Lord John Russell, at Richmond, the +conversation turned on hunting; and she expressed her astonishment +"that, in the height of English civilisation, this vestige of the savage +state should remain." "Thereupon they only laughed, and told stories +about fox-hunters." They might have answered with old Gervase Markham, +"Of all the field pleasures wherewith Old Time and man's inventions hath +blessed the hours of our recreations, there is none so excellent as the +delight of hunting, being compounded like an harmonious concert of all +the best partes of most refined pleasures, as music, dancing, running +and ryding." + +Mrs. Stowe's distinguished countryman, Washington Irving, took a sounder +view of our rural pleasures; for he says in his charming "Sketch +Book:"-- + +"The fondness for rural life among the higher classes of the English has +had a great and salutary effect upon national character. I do not know a +finer race of men than the English gentlemen. Instead of the softness +and effeminacy which characterizes the men of rank of most countries, +they exhibit a union of elegance and strength, of robustness of frame +and freshness of complexion, which I am inclined to attribute to their +living so much in the open air, pursuing so eagerly the invigorating +recreations of the country." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[213-*] I think this is a mistake. In a copy of the rules forwarded to +me by a Cheshire squire, one of the hereditary members of the club, it +is a pair of _gloves_. But in the notes, the songs and ballads by R. +Egerton Warburton, Esq., of Arley Hall, it is printed "breeches." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE WILD PONIES OF EXMOOR. + + +In England there are so few wild horses, that the following description +of a visit I made to Exmoor a few years ago in the month of September, +may be doubly interesting, since Mr. Rarey has shown a short and easy +method of dealing with the principal produce of that truly wild region. + +The road from South Molton to Exmoor is a gradual ascent over a +succession of hills, of which each descent, however steep, leads to a +still longer ascent, until you reach the high level of Exmoor. The first +six miles are through real Devonshire lanes; on each side high banks, +all covered with fern and grass, and topped with shrubs and trees; for +miles we were hedged in with hazels, bearing nuts with a luxuriance +wonderful to the eyes of those accustomed to see them sold at the +corners of streets for a penny the dozen. In spring and summer, wild +flowers give all the charms of colour to these game-preserving +hedgerows; but a rainy autumn had left no colour among the rich green +foliage, except here and there a pyramid of the bright red berries of +the mountain ash. + +So, up hill and down dale, over water-courses--now merrily trotting, +anon descending, and not less merrily trudging up, steep ascents--we +proceed by a track as sound as if it had been under the care of a model +board of trustees--for the simple reason that it rested on natural rock. +We pushed along at an average rate of some six miles an hour, allowing +for the slow crawling up hills; passing many rich fields wherein fat +oxen of the Devon breed calmly grazed, with sheep that had certainly not +been bred on mountains. Once we passed a deserted copper-mine; which, +after having been worked for many years, had at length failed, or grown +unprofitable, under the competition of the richer mines of Cuba and +South Australia. A long chimney, peering above deserted cottages, and a +plentiful crop of weeds, was the sole monument of departed glories--in +shares and dividends--and mine-captain's promises. + +At length the hedges began to grow thinner; beeches succeeded the +hazels; the road, more rugged and bare showed the marks where winter's +rains had ploughed deep channels; and, at the turn of a steep hill, we +saw, on the one hand, the brown and blue moor stretching before and +above us; and on the other hand, below, like a map, the fertile vale lay +unrolled, various in colour, according to the crops, divided by +enclosures into every angle from most acute to most obtuse. Below was +the cultivation of centuries; above, the turnip--the greatest +improvement of modern agriculture--flourished, a deep green, under the +protection of fences of very recent date. + +One turnpike, and cottages at rare intervals, had so far kept up the +idea of population; but now, far as the horizon extended, not a place of +habitation was to be seen; until, just in a hollow bend out of the +ascending road, we came upon a low white farm-house, of humble +pretensions, flanked by a great turf-stack (but no signs of corn; no +fold-yard full of cattle), which bore, on a board of great size, in long +letters, this imposing announcement, "The Poltimore Arms." Our driver +not being of the usual thirsty disposition of his tribe, we did not test +the capabilities of the one hostelry and habitation on Lord Poltimore's +Moorland Estate, but, pushing on, took the reins while our conductor +descended to open a gate in a large turf and stone wall. We passed +through--left Devon--entered Somerset; and the famous Exmoor estate of +20,000 acres, bounded by a wall forty miles in length, the object of our +journey, lay before us. + +Very dreary was this part of our journey, although, contrary to the +custom of the country, the day was bright and clear, and the September +sun defeated the fogs, and kept at a distance the drizzling rains which +in winter sweep over Exmoor. We had now left the smooth, rocky-floored +road, and were travelling along what most resembled the dry bed of a +torrent: turf banks on each side seemed rather intended to define than +to divide the property. As far as the eye could reach, the rushy tufted +moorland extended, bounded in the distance by lofty, round-backed hills. +Thinly scattered about were horned sheep and Devon red oxen. For about +two miles we jolted gently on, until, beginning to descend a hill, our +driver pointed in the valley below to a spot where stacks of hay and +turf guarded a series of stone buildings, saying, "There's the Grange." +The first glance was not encouraging--no sheep-station in Australia +could seem more utterly desolate; but it improved on closer examination. +The effects of cultivation were to be seen in the different colours of +the fields round the house, where the number of stock grazing showed +that more than ordinary means must have been taken to improve the +pasture. + +We started on Exmoor ponies to ride to Simon's Bath. + +Exmoor, previous to 1818, was the property of the Crown, and leased to +Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, who has an estate of a similar character close +adjoining. He used its wild pasture (at that time it was without roads) +for breeding ponies and feeding Exmoor sheep. There are no traces of any +population having ever existed on this forest since Roman times. The +Romans are believed to have worked iron-mines on the moor, which have +recently been re-opened. + +Exmoor consists of 20,000 acres, on an elevation varying from 1000 to +1200 feet above the sea, of undulating table-land, divided by valleys, +or "combes," through which the River Exe--which rises in one of its +valleys--with its tributary, the Barle, forces a devious way, in the +form of pleasant trout-streams, rattling over and among huge stones, and +creeping through deep pools--a very angler's paradise. Like many similar +districts in the Scotch Highlands, the resort of the red deer, it is +called a forest, although trees--with the exception of some very +insignificant plantations--are as rare as men. After riding all day with +a party of explorers, one of them suddenly exclaimed, "Look, there is a +man!" A similar expression escaped me when we came in sight of the first +tree--a gnarled thorn, standing alone on the side of a valley. + +The sides of the steep valleys, of which some include an acre, and +others extend for miles, are usually covered with coarse herbage, +heather, and bilberry plants, springing from a deep black or red soil: +at certain spots a greener hue marks the site of the bogs which impede, +and at times almost engulph, the incautious horseman. These bogs are +formed by springs, which, having been intercepted by a pan of sediment, +and prevented from percolating through the soil, stagnate, and cause, at +the same time, decay and vicious vegetation. They are seldom deep, and +can usually be reclaimed by subsoiling or otherwise breaking the pan, +and so drying the upper layers of bog. Bog-turf is largely employed on +Exmoor as fuel. On other precipitous descents, winter torrents have +washed away all the earth, and left avalanches of bare loose stones, +called, in the western dialect, "crees." To descend these crees at a +slapping pace in the course of a stag-hunt, requires no slight degree of +nerve; but it is done, and is not so dangerous as it looks. + +Exmoor may be nothing strange to those accustomed to the wild, barren +scenery. To one who has known country scenes only in the best-cultivated +regions of England, and who has but recently quitted the perpetual roar +of London, there is something strangely solemn and impressive in the +deep silence of a ride across the forest. Horses bred on the moors, if +left to themselves, rapidly pick their way through pools and bogs, and +canter smoothly over dry flats of natural meadow; creep safely down the +precipitous descents, and climb with scarcely a puff of distress these +steep ascents; splash through fords in the trout-streams, swelled by +rain, without a moment's hesitation, and trot along sheep-paths, +bestrewed with rolling stones, without a stumble: so that you are +perfectly at liberty to enjoy the luxury of excitement, and follow out +the winding valleys, and study the rich brown and purple herbage. + +It was while advancing over a great brown plain in the centre of the +moor, with a deep valley on our left, that our young quick-eyed guide +suddenly held up his hand, whispering, "Ride on without seeming to take +notice; there are the deer." A great red stag, lying on the brown grass, +had sprung up, and was gazing on our party--too numerous and too +brightly attired to be herdsmen, whom he would have allowed to pass +without notice. Behind him were clustered four hinds and a calf. They +stood still for some minutes watching our every movement, as we tried to +approach them in a narrowing circle. Then the stag moved off slowly, +with stately, easy, gliding steps, constantly looking back. The hinds +preceded him: they reached the edge of the valley, and disappeared. We +galloped up, and found that they had exchanged the slow retreat for a +rapid flight, clearing every slight or suspicious obstacle with a grace, +ease, and swiftness it was delightful to witness. In an incredibly short +time they had disappeared, hidden by undulations in the apparently flat +moor. + +These were one of the few herds still remaining on the forest. In a +short time the wild deer of Exmoor will be a matter of tradition; and +the hunt, which may be traced back to the time of Queen Elizabeth, will, +if continued, descend to the "cart and calf" business. + +A sight scarcely less interesting than the deer was afforded by a white +pony mare, with her young stock--consisting of a foal still sucking, a +yearling, and a two-year-old--which we met in a valley of the Barle. The +two-year-old had strayed away feeding, until alarmed by the cracking of +our whips and the neighing of its dam, when it came galloping down a +steep combe, neighing loudly, at headlong speed. It is thus these ponies +learn their action and sure-footedness. + +It was a district such as we had traversed--entirely wild, without +inclosures, or roads, or fences--that came into the hands of the father +of the present proprietor. He built a fence of forty miles around it, +made roads, reclaimed a farm for his own use at Simon's Bath, introduced +Highland cattle on the hills, and set up a considerable stud for +improving the indigenous race of ponies, and for rearing full-sized +horses. These improvements, on which some three hundred thousand pounds +were sunk, were not profitable; and it is very doubtful whether any +considerable improvements could have been prosecuted successfully, if +railways had not brought better markets within reach of the district. + +Coming from a part of the country where ponies are the perquisites of +old ladies and little children, and where the nearer a well-shaped horse +can be got to sixteen hands the better, the first feeling on mounting a +rough little unkemped brute, fresh from the moor, barely twelve hands +(four feet) in height, was intensely ridiculous. It seemed as if the +slightest mistake would send the rider clean over the animal's head. But +we learned soon that the indigenous pony, in certain useful qualities, +is not to be surpassed by animals of greater size and pretensions. + +From the Grange to Simon's Bath (about three miles), the road, which +runs through the heart of Exmoor proper, was constructed, with all the +other roads in this vast extra-parochial estate, by the father of the +present proprietor, F. Knight, Esq., of Wolverly House, Worcestershire, +M.P. for East Worcestershire (Parliamentary Secretary of the Poor Law +Board, under Lord Derby's Government). In the course of a considerable +part of the route, the contrast of wild moorland and high cultivation +may be found only divided by the carriage-way. + +At length, descending a steep hill, we came in sight of a view--of which +Exmoor and its kindred district in North Devon affords many--a deep +gorge, at whose precipitous base a trout-stream rolled along, gurgling +and plashing, and winding round huge masses of white spar. The far bank +sometimes extended out into natural meadows, where red cattle and wild +ponies grazed, and sometimes rose precipitously. At one point, where +both banks were equally steep and lofty, the far side was covered by a +plantation with a cover of under-wood; but no trees of sufficient +magnitude to deserve the name of a wood. This is a spot famous in the +annals of a grand sport that soon will be among things of the past--Wild +Stag Hunting. In this wood more than once the red monarch of Exmoor has +been roused, and bounded over the rolling plains beyond, amid the shouts +of excited hunters and the deep cry of the hounds, as with a burring +scent they dashed up the steep breast of the hill. + +But there was no defiant stag there that day; so on we trotted on our +shaggy sure-footed nags, beneath a burning sun--a sun that sparkled on +the flowing waters as they gleamed between far distant hills, and threw +a golden glow upon the fading tints of foliage and herbage, and cast +deep shadows from the white overhanging rocks. + +Next we came to the deep pool that gives the name to Simon's Bath, where +some unhappy man of that name, in times when deer were more plentiful +than sheep, drowned himself for love, or in madness, or both--long +before roads, farms, turnip crops, a school, and a church were dreamed +of on Exmoor. Here fences give signs of habitation and cultivation. A +rude, ancient bridge, with two arches of different curves, covered with +turf, without side battlements or rails, stretches across the stream, +and leads to a small house built for his own occupation by the father of +Mr. Knight, pending the completion of a mansion of which the unfinished +walls of one wing rise like a dismantled castle from the midst of a +grove of trees and ornamented shrubs. + +A series of gentle declivities, plantations, a winding, full-flowing +stream, seem only to require a suitable edifice and the hand of an +artist gardener to make, at comparatively trifling expense, an abode +unequalled in luxuriant and romantic beauty. We crossed the stream--not +by the narrow bridge, but by the ford; and, passing through the +straggling stone village of Simon's Bath, arrived in sight of the field +where the Tattersall of the West was to sell the wild and tame horse +stock bred on the moors. It was a field of some ten acres and a half, +forming a very steep slope, with the upper path comparatively flat, the +sloping side broken by a stone quarry, and dotted over with huge blocks +of granite. At its base flowed an arm of the stream we had found +margining our route. A substantial, but, as the event proved, not +sufficiently high stone fence bounded the whole field. On the upper +part, a sort of double pound, united by a narrow neck, with a gate at +each end, had been constructed of rails, upwards of five feet in height. +Into the first of these pounds, by ingenious management, all the ponies, +wild and tame, had been driven. When the sale commenced, it was the duty +of the herdsmen to separate two at a time, and drive them through the +narrow neck into the pound before the auctioneer. Around a crowd of +spectators of every degree were clustered--'squires and clergymen, +horse-dealers and farmers, from Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, as +well as South Devon, and the immediate neighbourhood. + +These ponies are the result of crosses made years ago with Arab, +Dongola, and thorough-bred stallions, on the indigenous race of Exmoors, +since carefully culled from year to year for the purpose of securing the +utmost amount of perfection among the stallions and mares reserved for +breeding purposes. The real Exmoor seldom exceeds twelve hands; has a +well-shaped head, with very small ears; but the thick round shoulder +peculiar to all breeds of wild horses, which seem specially adapted for +inclemencies of the weather; indeed, the whole body is round, compact, +and well ribbed. The Exmoor has very good quarters and powerful hocks; +legs straight, flat, and clean; the muscles well developed by early +racing up and down steep mountain sides while following their dams. In +about forty lots the prevailing colours were bay, brown, and gray; +chestnuts and blacks were less frequent, and not in favour with the +country people, many of whom seemed to consider that the indigenous race +had been deteriorated by the sedulous efforts made and making to improve +it--an opinion which we could not share after examining some of the best +specimens, in which a clean blood-like head and increased size seemed to +have been given, without any diminution of the enduring qualities of the +Exmoor. + +The sale was great fun. Perched on convenient rails, we had the whole +scene before us. The auctioneer rather hoarse and quite matter-of-fact; +the ponies wildly rushing about the first enclosure, were with +difficulty separated into pairs to be driven in the sale section; when +fairly hemmed in through the open gate, they dashed and made a sort of +circus circuit, with mane and tail erect, in a style that would draw +great applause at Astley's. Then there was the difficulty of deciding +whether the figures marked in white on the animal's hind-quarters were 8 +or 3 or 5. Instead of the regular trot up and down of Tattersall's, a +whisk of a cap was sufficient to produce a tremendous caper. A very +pretty exhibition was made by a little mare, with a late foal about the +size of a setter dog.[228-*] + +The sale over, a most amusing scene ensued: every man who had bought a +pony wanted to catch it. In order to clear the way, each lot, as sold, +as wild and nearly as active as deer, had been turned into the field. A +joint-stock company of pony-catchers, headed by the champion wrestler of +the district--a hawk-nosed, fresh-complexioned, rustic Don Juan--stood +ready to be hired, at the moderate rate of sixpence per pony caught and +delivered. One carried a bundle of new halters; the others, warmed by a +liberal distribution of beer, seemed as much inspired by the fun as the +sixpence. When the word was given, the first step was to drive a herd +into the lowest corner of the field in as compact a mass as possible. +The bay, gray, or chestnut, from that hour doomed to perpetual slavery +and exile from his native hills, was pointed out by the nervous anxious +purchaser. Three wiry fellows crept cat-like among the mob, sheltering +behind some tame cart-horses; on a mutual signal they rushed on the +devoted animal; two--one bearing a halter--strove to fling each one arm +round its neck, and with one hand to grasp its nostrils--while the +insidious third, clinging to the flowing tail; tried to throw the poor +quadruped off its balance. Often they were baffled in the first effort, +for with one wild spring the pony would clear the whole lot, and flying +with streaming mane and tail across the brook up the field, leave the +whole work to be recommenced. Sometimes when the feat was cleverly +performed, pony and pony-catchers were to be seen all rolling on the +ground together; the pony yelling, snorting, and fighting with his fore +feet, the men clinging on like the Lapithæ and the Centaurs, and how +escaping crushed ribs or broken legs it is impossible to imagine. On one +occasion a fine brown stallion dashed away, with two plucky fellows +hanging on to his mane: rearing, plunging, fighting with his fore feet, +away he bounded down a declivity among the huge rocks, amid the +encouraging cheers of the spectators: for a moment the contest was +doubtful, so tough were the sinews, and so determined the grip of Davy, +the champion; but the steep bank of the brook, down which the brown +stallion recklessly plunged, was too much for human efforts (in a moment +they all went together into the brook), but the pony, up first, leaped +the opposite bank and galloped away, whinnying in short-lived triumph. + +After a series of such contests, well worth the study of artists not +content with pale copies from marbles or casts, the difficulty of +haltering these snorting steeds--equal in spirit and probably in size to +those which drew the car of Boadicea--was diminished by all those +uncaught being driven back to the pound; and there, not without furious +battles, one by one enslaved. + +Yet even when haltered, the conquest was by no means concluded. Some +refused to stir, others started off at such a pace as speedily brought +the holder of the halter on his nose. One respectable old gentleman, in +gray stockings and knee-breeches, lost his animal in much less time than +it took him to extract the sixpence from his knotted purse. + +Yet in all these fights there was little display of vice; it was pure +fright on the part of the ponies that made them struggle so. A few +days' confinement in a shed, a few carrots, with a little salt, and +gentle treatment, reduces the wildest of the three-year-olds to +docility. When older they are more difficult to manage. It was a pretty +sight to view them led away, splashing through the brook--conquered, but +not yet subdued. + +In the course of the evening a little chestnut stallion, twelve hands, +or four feet in height, jumped, at a standing jump, over the bars out of +a pound upward of five feet from the ground, only just touching the top +rail with his hind feet. + +We had hoped to have a day's wild stag hunting, but the hounds were out +on the other side of the country. However, we had a few runs with a +scratch pack of harriers after stout moorland hares. The dandy school, +who revel in descriptions of coats and waistcoats, boots and breeches, +and who pretend that there is no sport without an outfit which is only +within the reach of a man with ten thousand a year, would no doubt have +been extremely disgusted with the whole affair. We rose at five o'clock +in the morning and hunted puss up to her form (instead of paying a +shilling to a boy to turn her out) with six couples, giving tongue most +melodiously. Viewing her away we rattled across the crispy brown moor, +and splattered through bogs with a loose rein, in lunatic enjoyment, +until we checked at the edge of a deep "combe." Then--when the old +yellow Southerner challenged, and our young host cheered him with "Hark +to Reveller, hark!"--to hear the challenge and the cheer re-echoed again +from the opposite cliff; and--as the little pack in full cry again took +up the running, and scaled the steep ascent--to see our young huntsman, +bred in these hills, go rattling down the valleys, and to follow by +instinct, under a vague idea, not unmixed with nervous apprehensions of +the consequences of a slip, that what one could do two could, was vastly +exciting, and amusing, and, in a word, decidedly jolly. So with many +facts, some new ideas, and a fine stock of health from a week of open +air, I bade farewell to my hospitable hosts and to romantic Exmoor. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[228-*] According to tradition, the Exmoor ponies are descended from +horses brought from the East by the Phoenicians, who traded there with +Cornwall for metals. + + + + +[Illustration: SITZ BATH.] + +POSTSCRIPT. + +THE HUNTING MAN'S HEALTH. + + +Without health there can be no sport. A man at the commencement of the +hunting often requires condition more than his horse, especially if +engaged in sedentary occupations, and averse to summer riding or +walking. Of course the proper plan is to train by walking or riding. I +remember, some years ago, when three months of severe mental occupation +had kept me entirely out of the saddle, going out in Northamptonshire, +fortunately admirably mounted, when the hounds were no sooner in cover +than they were out of it, "running breast high," five minutes after I +had changed from my seat in a dog-cart to the saddle. We had thirty-five +minutes' sharp run, without a check, and for the latter part of the run +I was perfectly beaten, almost black in the face, and scarcely able to +hold my horse together. I did not recover from this too sudden exertion +for many days. Those who are out of condition will do well to ride, +instead of driving to cover. + +In changing from town to country life, between the different hours of +rising and hearty meals--the result of fresh air and exercise--the +stomach and bowels are very likely to get out of order. It is as well, +therefore, to be provided with some mild digestive pills: violent purges +are as injurious to men as to horses, and more inconvenient. + +The enema is a valuable instrument, which a hunting man should not be +without, as its use, when you are in strong exercise, is often more +advisable than medicine. + +But one of the most valuable aids to the health and spirits of a +hard-riding man is the Sitz Bath, which, taken morning and evening, cold +or tepid, according to individual taste, has even more advantageous +effects on the system than a complete bath. It braces the muscles, +strengthens the nerves, and tends to keep the bowels open. Sitz baths +are made in zinc, and are tolerably portable; but in a country place you +may make shift with a tub half-filled with water. In taking this kind of +bath, it is essential that the parts not in the water should be warm and +comfortable. For this end, in cold weather, case your feet and legs in +warm stockings, and cover your person and tub with a poncho, through the +hole of which you can thrust your head. In default of a poncho, a plaid +or blanket will do, and in warm weather a sheet. If you begin with +tepid water, you will soon be able to bear cold, as after the first +shock the cold disappears. The water must not reach higher than your +hips, rather under than over. The time for a Sitz bath varies from ten +to twenty minutes, not longer, during which you may read or smoke; but +then you will need sleeves, for it is essential that you should be +covered all the time. I often take a cup of coffee in this bath, it +saves time in breakfasting. In the illustration, the blanket has been +turned back to show the right position. + + +THE HOT-AIR OR INDIAN BATH. + +In case of an attack of cold or influenza, or a necessity for sweating +off a few pounds, or especially after a severe fall, there is no bath so +effective and so simple as the hot-air or Indian bath. This is made with +a wooden-bottomed kitchen chair, a few blankets, a tin cup, and a +claret-glass of spirits of wine. For want of spirits of wine you might +use a dozen of Price's night lights. + +Take a wooden-bottomed chair, and place it in a convenient part of the +bedroom, where a fire should be previously lighted. Put under the chair +a narrow metal cup or gallipot, if it will stand fire filled with +spirits of wine. Let the bather strip to his drawers, and sit down on +the chair with a fold of flannel under him, for the seat will get +extremely hot--put on his knees a slop-basin, with a sponge and a little +cold water. Then take four blankets or rugs, and lay them, one over his +back, one over his front, and one on each side, so as to cover him +closely in a woollen tent, and wrap his head up in flannel or silk--if +he is cold or shivering put his feet in warm water, or on a hot brick +wrapped in flannel. Then light the spirits of wine, which will very soon +make a famous hot-air bath. By giving the patient a little _cold water_ +to drink, perspiration will be encouraged; if he finds the air +inconveniently hot before he begins to perspire, he can use the sponge +and slop-basin to bathe his chest, &c. + +[Illustration: INDIAN BATH.] + +When the perspiration rolls like rain from his face, and you think he +has had enough, have a blanket warmed at the fire, strip him, roll him +in it, and tumble him into bed. In five or ten minutes, you can take +away the blanket and put on his night shirt--give him a drink of white +wine whey, and he will be ready to go to sleep comfortably. + +This bath can be administered when a patient is too ill to be put in a +warm bath, and is more effective. I have seen admirable results from it +on a gentleman after a horse had rolled over him. + +It can also be prepared in a few minutes, in places where to get a warm +bath would be out of the question. + +In the illustration, the blanket is turned back, to show the proper +position, and by error the head is not covered. + + +Woodfall and Kinder Printers, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London. + + + + +"_If the steamboat and the railway have abridged time and space, and +made a large addition to the available length of human existence, why +may not our intellectual journey be also accelerated, our knowledge more +cheaply and quickly acquired, its records rendered more accessible and +portable, its cultivators increased in number, and its blessings more +cheaply and widely diffused?_"--QUARTERLY REVIEW. + + + LONDON: FARRINGDON STREET. + + GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & CO.'S + NEW AND CHEAP EDITIONS + OF + Standard and Popular Works + IN + + HISTORY, + BIOGRAPHY, + FICTION, + TRAVELS & VOYAGES, + NATURAL HISTORY, + POETRY & the DRAMA, + SPORTING, USEFUL, + RELIGIOUS, JUVENILE, + And MISCELLANEOUS + LITERATURE; + + WITH THE ADDITION OF + Illustrated Present Books, + AND + THE POPULAR CHEAP LIBRARIES. + + TO BE OBTAINED BY ORDER OF ALL BOOKSELLERS, HOME OR COLONIAL. + + In ordering, specially mention "ROUTLEDGE'S EDITIONS." + + +HISTORY. + +In 1 vol. price =5=s. cloth lettered. + +RUSSELL'S MODERN EUROPE EPITOMIZED. 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By JOSEPH ALLEN, Author of "Battles of the British Navy." +With a Portrait of Nelson. + +"To Mr. Allen we owe the inexpressible advantage of being able to read +Nelson's biography unencumbered by idle speculations, denuded of the +tedious detail, and yet sufficiently nautical to give an appropriate +colouring to the exciting and glorious narrative."--_United Service +Gazette._ + + +In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price =5=s. cloth extra, or with gilt edges, =5=s. +=6=d. + +RICHELIEU'S LIFE. By W. ROBSON. With Illustrations. + +"The reader will find much pleasure and profit in perusing Mr. Robson's +very able and intelligent biography."--_Observer._ + +"The student will find the events of Richelieu's life reflected as in a +mirror."--_Liverpool Albion._ + + +In 2 vols. post 8vo, price =7=s. cloth lettered. + +CHANNING'S (DR.) LIFE and CORRESPONDENCE. Edited by his Nephew, WILLIAM +HENRY CHANNING. A New Edition, with a Portrait. + +"His nephew has compiled his biography with singular judgment. 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Printed on superfine paper, +with Four Illustrations. + +"In writing this Life of Julius Cæsar, it has been the aim of the author +to give as truthful a view of the thoughts, words, and deeds of this +'foremost man of all the world,' as well as the chief characters of his +opponents and supporters; thus rendering it, as it were, a biography of +the celebrated characters who lived in Cæsar's time." + + +STANDARD BIOGRAPHY.--CHEAP EDITIONS + +In vols. fcap. 8vo, price =1=s. =6=d. each, cloth extra. + + =Life of Nelson.= By Joseph Allen. + =Life of Wellington.= By MacFarlane. + =Peel (Sir Robert), Life of.= With a Portrait by W. Harvey. + =Life of Oliver Goldsmith.= By Washington Irving. + =Lives of the Successors of Mahomet.= By Washington Irving. + =Monk and Washington.= By F. Guizot. + =Representative Men.= By R. W. Emerson. + + +FICTION. + + +THE STANDARD EDITION OF THE + +NOVELS AND ROMANCES OF SIR EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, BART., M.P. Uniformly +printed in crown 8vo, corrected and revised throughout, with new +Prefaces. + +20 vols. in 10, price =£3= =3=s. cloth extra; or any volumes separately, in +cloth binding, as under:-- + + _s._ _d._ + RIENZI: THE LAST OF THE TRIBUNES 3 6 + PAUL CLIFFORD 3 6 + PELHAM: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 3 6 + EUGENE ARAM. A Tale 3 6 + LAST OF THE BARONS 5 0 + LAST DAYS OF POMPEII 3 6 + GODOLPHIN 3 0 + PILGRIMS OF THE RHINE 2 6 + NIGHT AND MORNING 4 0 + ERNEST MALTRAVERS 3 6 + ALICE; OR THE MYSTERIES 3 6 + THE DISOWNED 3 6 + DEVEREUX 3 6 + ZANONI 3 6 + LEILA; OR THE SIEGE OF GRANADA 2 6 + HAROLD 4 0 + LUCRETIA 4 0 + THE CAXTONS 4 0 + MY NOVEL (2 vols.) 8 0 + + Or the Set complete in 20 vols. =£3= =11= =6= + " " half-calf extra =5= =5= =0= + " " half-morocco =5= =11= =6= + +"No collection of prose fictions, by any single author, contains the +same variety of experience--the same amplitude of knowledge and +thought--the same combination of opposite extremes, harmonized by an +equal mastership of art; here, lively and sparkling fancies; there, +vigorous passion or practical wisdom--these works abound in +illustrations that teach benevolence to the rich, and courage to the +poor; they glow with the love of freedom; they speak a sympathy with all +high aspirations, and all manly struggle; and where, in their more +tragic portraitures, they depict the dread images of guilt and woe, they +so clear our judgment by profound analysis, while they move our hearts +by terror or compassion, that we learn to detect and stifle in ourselves +the evil thought which we see gradually unfolding itself into the guilty +deed."--_Extract from Bulwer Lytton and his Works._ + +The above are printed on superior paper, bound in cloth. Each volume is +embellished with an Illustration; and this Standard Edition is admirably +suited for private, select, and public Libraries. + +The odd Numbers and Parts to complete volumes may be obtained; and the +complete series is now in course of issue in Three-halfpenny Weekly +Numbers, or in Monthly Parts, Sevenpence each. + + +UNIFORM ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS OF MR. AINSWORTH'S WORKS. + +In 1 vol. demy 8vo, price =6=s. each, cloth, emblematically gilt. + +TOWER OF LONDON (The). With Forty Illustrations on Steel; and numerous +Engravings on Wood by George Cruikshank. + +LANCASHIRE WITCHES. Illustrated by J. Gilbert. + +JACK SHEPPARD. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + +OLD ST. PAUL'S. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + +GUY FAWKES. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + + +In 1 vol. demy 8vo, price =5=s. each, cloth gilt. + +CRICHTON. With Steel Illustrations, from designs by H. K. Browne. + +WINDSOR CASTLE. With Steel Engravings, and Woodcuts by Cruikshank. + +MISER'S DAUGHTER. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + +ROOKWOOD. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. + +SPENDTHRIFT. With Illustrations by Phiz. + +STAR CHAMBER. With Illustrations by Phiz. + +"It is scarcely surprising that Harrison Ainsworth should have secured +to himself a very wide popularity, when we consider how happily he has +chosen his themes. Sometimes, by the luckiest inspiration, he has chosen +a romance of captivating and enthralling fascinations, such as +'Crichton,' the 'Admirable Crichton.' Surely no one ever hit upon a +worthier hero of romance, not from the days of Apuleius to those of Le +Sage or of Bulwer Lytton. Sometimes the scene and the very title of his +romance have been some renowned structure, a palace, a prison, or a +fortress. It is thus with the 'Tower of London,' 'Windsor Castle,' 'Old +St. Paul's.' Scarcely less ability, or, rather, we should say, perhaps +more correctly, scarcely less adroitness in the choice of a new theme, +in the instance of one of his latest literary productions, viz., the +'Star Chamber.' But the readers of Mr. Ainsworth--and they now number +thousands upon thousands--need hardly be informed of this: and now that +a uniform illustrated edition of his works is published, we do not doubt +but that this large number of readers even will be considerably +increased."--_Sun._ + + +In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price =3=s. =6=d. cloth gilt, or with gilt edges, +=4=s. + +FLITCH OF BACON (The); or, the Custom of Dunmow. A Tale of English Home. +By W. H. AINSWORTH, Esq. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. The Second +Edition. + +"Certainly no custom was ever more popular; the fame of it is bruited +throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is a subject that +gives excellent scope to a writer of fiction; and Mr. Ainsworth, by +skilful treatment, has rendered it most entertaining. The materials are +put together with dramatic force."--_Examiner._ + +"In our judgment, one of the best of Mr. Ainsworth's +romances."--_Scottish Citizen._ + + +In 1 vol., price =8=s. =6=d. cloth gilt. + +COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. By ALEXANDRE DUMAS. Comprising the Château d'If, +with 20 Illustrations, drawn on Wood by M. Valentin, and executed by the +best English engravers. + +"'Monte Cristo' is Dumas' best production, and the work that will convey +his name to the remembrance of future generations as a writer." + + +In 8vo, cloth extra, price =2=s. =6=d. gilt back. + +FANNY, THE LITTLE MILLINER; or, the Rich and the Poor. By CHARLES +ROWCROFT, Author of "Tales of the Colonies," &c. With 27 Illustrations +by Phiz. + + +In 2 vols. 8vo, reduced to =12=s. =6=d. cloth, emblematically gilt; or +the 2 vols. in 1, price =10=s. =6=d. cloth extra, gilt. + +CARLETON'S TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. A new Pictorial +Edition, with an Autobiographical Introduction, Explanatory Notes, and +numerous Illustrations on Wood and Steel, by Phiz, &c. + +The following Tales and Sketches are comprised in this Edition:-- + + Ned M'Keown. + The Three Tasks. + Shane Fadh's Wedding. + Larry M'Farland's Wake. + The Battle of the Factions. + The Station. + The Party Fight and Funeral. + The Lough Derg Pilgrim. + The Hedge School. + The Midnight Mass. + The Donah, or the Horse Stealers. + Phil Purcell, The Pig Driver. + Geography of an Irish Oath. + The Llanham Shee. + Going to Maynooth. + Phelim O'Toole's Courtship. + The Poor Scholar. + Wildgoose Lodge. + Tubber Derg, or the Red Well. + Neal Malone. + +=Also, a New Cheap Re-Issue.= + +In 5 vols. fcap. 8vo, fancy boards, with new illustrations, =7=s. =6=d.; or +in cloth extra, gilt, with steel portrait, =10=s. + +"Unless another master-hand like Carleton's should appear, it is in his +pages, and his alone, that future generations must look for the truest +and fullest picture of the Irish peasantry, who will ere long have +passed away from the troubled land, and from the records of +history."--_Edinburgh Review_, Oct. 1852. + +"Truly--Intensely Irish."--_Blackwood._ + + +In 8vo, cloth, full gilt, price =6=s. + +THE FORTUNES OF TORLOGH O'BRIEN: a Tale of the Wars of King James. With +Steel Illustrations by Phiz. + +"This stirring tale contains the best history of the Battle of the +Boyne, and is written with a master hand. It is fully equal to any of +Lever's works."--_Observer._ + + +In fcap. 16mo, price =1=s. sewed wrapper. + +THE NEW TALE OF A TUB. By F. W. N. BAYLEY. Illustrated by Engravings +reduced from the original Drawing by Aubrey. + +"Fun and humour from beginning to end."--_Athenæum._ + + +ROUTLEDGE'S STANDARD NOVELS. + +Price =2=s. =6=d. each, cloth gilt. + +This Collection now comprises the best Novels of our more celebrated +Authors. The volumes are all printed on good paper, with an +Illustration, and form, without exception, the best and cheapest +collection of light reading that is anywhere to be obtained. + +_The following are now ready_:-- + + =1. Romance of War.= By James Grant. + =2. Peter Simple.= By Captain Marryat. + =3. Adventures of an Aide-de-Camp.= By James Grant. + =4. Whitefriars.= By the Author of "Whitehall." + =5. Stories of Waterloo.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =6. Jasper Lyle.= By Mrs. Ward. + =7. Mothers and Daughters.= By Mrs. Gore. + =8. Scottish Cavalier.= By James Grant. + =9. The Country Curate.= By Gleig. + =10. Trevelyan.= By Lady Scott. + =11. Captain Blake; or, My Life.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =13. Tylney Hall.= By Thomas Hood. + =14. Whitehall.= By the Author of "Whitefriars." + =15. Clan Albyn.= By Mrs. Johnstone. + =16. Cæsar Borgia.= By the Author of "Whitefriars." + =17. The Scottish Chiefs.= By Miss Porter. + =18. Lancashire Witches.= By W. H. Ainsworth. + =19. Tower of London.= By W. H. Ainsworth. + =20. The Family Feud.= By the Author of "Alderman Ralph." + =21. Frank Hilton; or, the Queen's Own.= By James Grant. + =22. The Yellow Frigate.= By James Grant. + =24. The Three Musketeers.= By Alexandre Dumas. + =25. The Bivouac.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =26. The Soldier of Lyons.= By Mrs. Gore. + =27. Adventures of Mr. Ledbury.= By Albert Smith. + =28. Jacob Faithful.= By Captain Marryat. + =29. Japhet in Search of a Father.= By Captain Marryat. + =30. The King's Own.= By Captain Marryat. + =31. Mr. Midshipman Easy.= By Captain Marryat. + =32. Newton Forster.= By Captain Marryat. + =33. The Pacha of Many Tales.= By Captain Marryat. + =34. Rattlin the Reefer.= Edited by Captain Marryat. + =35. The Poacher.= By Captain Marryat. + =36. The Phantom Ship.= By Captain Marryat. + =37. The Dog Fiend.= By Captain Marryat. + =38. Percival Keene.= By Captain Marryat. + =39. Hector O'Halloran.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =40. The Pottleton Legacy.= By Albert Smith. + =41. The Pastor's Fireside.= By Miss Porter. + =42. My Cousin Nicholas.= By Ingoldsby. + =43. The Black Dragoons.= By James Grant. + + + +Transcriber's Note + +The following typographical errors were corrected. + +Page Error + iii Mr. Rarey's Introduction changed to Mr. Rarey's Introduction. + v snaffle.--the changed to snaffle.--The + vii struogling changed to struggling + 10 under the auspicies changed to under the auspices + 11 violent loungings changed to violent longeings + fn 20-* April 7.' changed to April 7." + 23 shere humbug changed to sheer humbug + 26 omiting changed to omitting + 30 scimetar changed to scimitar + 31 spangled troope changed to spangled troupe + 31 horse wont changed to horse won't + 64 suppleing changed to suppling + 88 long wholebone whip changed to long whalebone whip + 95 any horse changed to any horse. + 128 round to the right. changed to round to the right." (based on + comparison to another edition of the book) + 129 gotamongst changed to got amongst + 129 aid-de-camps changed to aide-de-camps + 159 of my pupils changed to of my pupils. + 173 white potatoe oats changed to white potato oats + 173 45lbs. changed to 45 lbs. + 185 distance, we though changed to distance, we thought + 202 Mobbing a fox changed to Mobbing a fox. + 210 danger of stubbing changed to danger of stubbing. + 216 distinction bewteen changed to distinction between + Ads 2 Bancrofts changed to Bancroft's + + bullfinch / bulfinch + farm-house / farmhouse + fox-hounds / foxhounds + jibbing / gibbing + off-side / offside + over-run / overrun + practice / practise (and other forms of the word also vary) + road-side / roadside + steeple-chase / steeplechase + thorough-bred / thoroughbred + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. +Rarey's Art of Taming Horses, by J. S. Rarey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAREY'S ART OF TAMING HORSES *** + +***** This file should be named 28612-8.txt or 28612-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/6/1/28612/ + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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S. RAREY’S ART OF TAMING HORSES, by J. S. Rarey. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 1em; + } + .noindent {text-indent: 0em;} + .titlepage {text-indent: 0em; text-align: center; } + .bookdesc {font-size: 90%;} + .blockquot{font-size: smaller; } + .chapintro {font-size: 90%; margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;} + .chapintrocent {font-size: 90%; text-align: center;} + .hanging {margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;} + .adsprice {text-indent: 0em; text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + .chapterhead {margin-top: 4em; font-weight: normal;} + .chapafterillus {margin-top: 1em; font-weight: normal;} + .sectionhead {margin-top: 2em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%;} + .chaptitle {font-size: 70%;} + .ads {margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + .chapbreak {width: 65%; } + .declong {width: 8em; border: solid black 1px; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .decshort {width: 3em; border: solid black 1px; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .decdouble {width: 8em; height: 6px; border-top: solid black 1px; border-right: none; border-bottom: solid black 1px; border-left: none; } + + img {border: 0; } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + td {padding-left: 0.5em; padding-right: 0.5em; vertical-align: top;} + .tdc {text-align: center;} + .tdr {text-align: right;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0em; + } /* page numbers */ + + .center {text-align: center;} + .right {text-align: right;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .smrom {font-size: smaller;} + .dropcap {font-size: 200%; float: left; padding-right: 0.1em; } + + .caption {font-size: smaller; } + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border-top: solid 1px; text-indent: 0.5em; font-size: 0.9em; text-align: justify; } + .label {font-size: 80%; vertical-align: 0.2em; } + .fnanchor {vertical-align: 0.3em; font-size: .8em; padding-left: 0.1em;} + + .toc {position: relative;} + .chapdesc {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 4%; text-indent: -1em;} + .chaptoc {text-align: center; font-size: larger; text-indent: 0em; margin-top: 2em;} + .chapword {padding-right: 2em;} + .chappg {width: 3em; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 0; + padding-left: 1em;} + + + ul.IX {list-style-type: none; font-size:inherit;} + .subhead {padding-left: 1em;} + + .tn {background-color: #EEE; padding: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 1em;} + + .poem {padding-left: 20%; padding-right: 10%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0em;} + .poemopening {margin-top: 2em; padding-left: 20%; padding-right: 10%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0em;} + .i1 {margin-left: 1em;} + .i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. Rarey's +Art of Taming Horses, by J. S. Rarey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. Rarey's Art of Taming Horses + With the Substance of the Lectures at the Round House, and + Additional Chapters on Horsemanship and Hunting, for the + Young and Timid + +Author: J. S. Rarey + +Release Date: April 26, 2009 [EBook #28612] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAREY'S ART OF TAMING HORSES *** + + + + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tn"> +<p class="titlepage"><b>Transcriber’s Note</b></p> + +<p class="noindent">Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. A <a href="#trans_note">list</a> of these changes +is found at the end of the text. Inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been maintained. A <a href="#trans_note">list</a> of inconsistently spelled and +hyphenated words is found at the end of the text.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 446px;"> +<a name="frontispiece" id="frontispiece"></a><a href="images/frontispiece-full.png"><img src="images/frontispiece.png" width="446" height="340" alt="A zebra wearing a bridle and a surcingle with a strap running to its right hind leg, with its left front leg strapped up" title="Zebra strapped up." /></a> +<span class="caption">Zebra strapped up.</span> +</div> + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + +<p class="titlepage">HORSE-TAMING—HORSEMANSHIP—HUNTING.</p> + +<hr class="decdouble" /> + +<h1 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 60%;">A New Illustrated Edition of<br /> + +J. S. RAREY’S</span><br /> + +ART OF TAMING HORSES;</h1> + +<p class="titlepage" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="font-size: 90%;">WITH THE SUBSTANCE OF</span><br /> + +<span style="font-size: 120%;">THE LECTURES AT THE ROUND HOUSE,</span><br /> + +<span style="font-size: 90%;">AND ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS ON</span><br /> + +<span style="font-size: 120%;">HORSEMANSHIP AND HUNTING,</span><br /> + +<span style="font-size: 90%;">FOR THE YOUNG AND TIMID.</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage" style="margin-top: 2em;"><span style="font-size: 120%;">BY THE SECRETARY</span><br /> + +<span style="font-size: 90%;">TO THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION OF FIVE THOUSAND GUINEAS,<br /> + +AUTHOR OF “GALLOPS AND GOSSIPS,” AND<br /> +HUNTING CORRESPONDENT OF THE “ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS.”</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage" style="margin-top: 2em;">LONDON:<br /> +ROUTLEDGE, WARNES, AND ROUTLEDGE,<br /> +<span style="font-size: 90%;">FARRINGDON STREET.</span><br /> +1859.</p> + +<p class="titlepage">[<i>The right of Translation is reserved.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + +<div class="toc"> +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></p> + +<p> <span class="chappg" style="font-size: smaller;">PAGE</span></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Mr. Rarey’s pamphlet first published in Ohio.—Experience of +old system.—Compiled and invented new.—Tying up the +fore-leg known many years ago, <i>see</i> Stamford +Almanack.—Forgotten and not valued.—Reference to Captain +Nolan’s and Colonel Greenwood’s works on horsemanship.—Dick +Christian missed the discovery.—Baucher’s plan of laying +down a horse explained.—Mademoiselle Isabel’s whip-and-spur +plan.—Account of the Irish whisperer Dan Sullivan.—Usual +modes of taming vicious horses.—Starving.—Physic.—Sleepless +nights.—Bleeding.—Biting the ear.—Story of Kentish +coachman.—The Ellis system.—Value of the Rarey system as +compared with that of ordinary horse-tamers.—Systems of +Australia and Arabia compared.—The South American plan +explained.—A French plan.—Grisoné the Neapolitan’s +advice.—The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.—Visit +to Canada.—To England.—Lord Alfred Paget.—Sir Richard +Airey.—System made known to them.—To Mr. Jos. +Anderson.—Messrs. Tattersall.—Sir Matthew Ridley’s black +horse tamed.—Subscription list of 500 opened.—Stafford +tamed.—Description of.—Teaching commenced with Lords +Palmerston, Granville, &c.—Cruiser tamed.—History +of.—Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser exhibition.—System +approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton Sykes.—Close +of first subscription list.—Anecdote of Mr. Gurney’s +colt—Personal sketch of Mr. <span class="chapword">Rarey</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Mr. Rarey’s <a name="corr1" id="corr1"></a>Introduction.—Remarks <span class="chapword">on</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">26</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p> + +<div class="toc"> +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.—Heads +of the Rarey Lectures.—Editor’s paraphrase.—That any horse +may be taught docility.—That a horse should be so handled +and tied as to feel inferior to man.—That a horse should be +allowed to see, smell, and feel all fearful objects.—Key +note of the Rarey <span class="chapword">system</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">32</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">How to drive a colt from pasture.—How to drive into a +stable.—The kind of halter.—Experiment with a robe or +cloak.—Horse-taming drugs.—The Editor’s remarks.—Importance +of patience.—Best kind of head-stall.—Danger of approaching +some colts.—Hints from a Colonel of the Life <span class="chapword">Guards</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">39</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Powell’s system of approaching a colt.—Rarey’s remarks +on.—Lively high-spirited horses tamed easily.—Stubborn +sulky ones more difficult.—Motto, “Fear, love and +obey.”—Use of a whalebone gig-whip.—How to frighten and +then approach.—Use kind words.—How to halter and lead a +colt.—By the side of a horse.—To lead into a stable.—To +tie up to a manger.—Editor’s remarks.—Longeing.—Use and +abuse of.—On bitting.—Sort of bit for a colt.—Dick +Christian’s bit.—The wooden gag <span class="chapword">bit</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">51</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Taming a colt or horse.—Rarey’s directions for strapping up +and laying down detailed.—Explanations by Editor.—To +approach a vicious horse with half door.—Cartwheel.—No. 1 +strap applied.—No. 2 strap applied.—Woodcuts of.—How to +hop about.—Knot up bridle.—Struggle described.—Lord B.’s +improved No. 2 strap.—Not much danger.—How to steer a +horse.—Laid down, how to gentle.—To mount, tied up.—Place +and preparations for training <span class="chapword">described</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">67</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> + +<div class="toc"> + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">The Drum.—The Umbrella.—Riding-habit.—How to bit a colt.—How +to saddle.—To mount.—To ride.—To break.—To harness.—To +make a horse follow and stand without holding.—Baucher’s +plan.—Nolan’s <span class="chapword">plan</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">90</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.—On teaching +children.—Anecdote.—Havelock’s opinion.—Rarey’s plan to +train ponies.—The use of books.—Necessity of regular +teaching for girls; boys can be self-taught.—Commence +without a bridle.—Ride with one pair of reins and two +hands.—Advantage of hunting-horn on side-saddle.—On the +best plan for mounting.—Rarey’s plan.—On a man’s +seat.—Nolan’s opinion.—Military style.—Hunting style.—Two +examples in Lord Cardigan.—The Prussian style.—Anecdote by +Mr. Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.—Hints for men +learning to ride.—How to use the reins.—Pull right for +right, and left for left.—How to collect your <span class="chapword">horse</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">111</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">On bits.—The snaffle.—<a name="corr2" id="corr2"></a>The use of the curb.—The Pelham.—The +Hanoverian bit described.—Martingales.—The gentleman’s +saddle to be large enough.—Spurs.—Not to be too sharp.—The +Somerset saddle for the timid and aged.—The Nolan saddle +without flaps.—Ladies’ saddle described.—Advantages of the +hunting-horn crutch.—Ladies’ stirrup.—Ladies’ dress.—Hints +on.—Habit.—Boots.—Whips.—Hunting-whips.—Use of the +lash.—Gentleman’s riding costume.—Hunting dress.—Poole, +the great authority.—Advantage of cap over hat in +hunting.—Boot-tops and Napoleons.—Quotation from +Warburton’s <span class="chapword">ballads</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">135</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span></p> + +<div class="toc"> + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Advantage of hunting.—Libels on.—Great men who have +hunted.—Popular notion unlike reality.—Dick Christian and +the Marquis of Hastings.—Fallacy of “lifting” a horse +refuted.—Hints on riding at fences.—Harriers +discussed.—Stag-hunting a necessity and use where time an +object.—Hints for novices.—“Tally-ho!” expounded.—To feed +a horse after a hard ride.—Expenses of horse-keep.—Song by +Squire Warburton, “A word ere we <span class="chapword">start”</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">154</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">The Fitzwilliam.—Brocklesby.—A day on the Wolds.—Brighton +harriers.—Prince Albert’s <span class="chapword">harriers</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">176</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">Hunting <span class="chapword">Terms</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">199</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">The origin of <span class="chapword">Fox-hunting</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">210</a></span></p> + + +<p class="chaptoc"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></p> + +<p class="chapdesc">The wild ponies of <span class="chapword">Exmoor</span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">218</a></span></p> + +<p class="chapdesc" style="margin-top: 2em;"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_232">Postscript</a></span> <span class="chappg"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></span></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> + + + +<h2 class="chapterhead">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 80%;" summary="list of illustrations"> +<tr> + <td></td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdr" style="font-size: smaller;">TO FACE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>1. <span class="smcap"><a href="#frontispiece">Zebra strapped up</a></span></td> + <td>Drawn by Louis Huard, Esq.</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#frontispiece">Title-page</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>2. <span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p67f">Horse with Strap No. 1</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p67f">67</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>3. <span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p76f">Horse with Straps Nos. 1 and 2</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p76f">76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>4. <span class="smcap"><a name="corr3" id="corr3"></a><a href="#illus-p79f">The Horse struggling</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p79f">79</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>5. <span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p80f">The Horse exhausted</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p80f">80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>6. <span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p82f">The Horse tamed</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p82f">82</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>7. <span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p100f">Second Lesson in Harness</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p100f">100</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>8. <span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p153f">Rails and Double Ditch</a></span></td> + <td class="tdc">Ditto</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p153f">153</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<p class="titlepage" style="margin-top: 2em;">VIGNETTES.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 80%;" summary="list of illustrations"> +<tr> + <td></td> + <td class="tdr" style="font-size: smaller;">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p25">Wild Horse’s Head</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p25">25</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p39">Halter or Bridle</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p39">39</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p66">Wooden Gag Bit</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p66">66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p74">Strap No. 1</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p74">74</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p76">Strap No. 2</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p76">76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p77">Lord B.’s improved No. 2</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p77">77</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p78">Surcingle Strap for No. 2</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p78">78</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p111">Side Saddle, and Lady’s Seat on</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p111">111</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p135">Side Saddle, offside View of</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p135">135</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p136">Curb, or Hard and Sharp</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p136">136</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p137">Plain Snaffle</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p138">Pelham</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p138">138</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p139">Hanoverian</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p139">139</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p232">Sitz, or Huntsman’s Bath</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p232">232</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap"><a href="#illus-p235">Hot-air or Indian Bath</a></span></td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#illus-p235">235</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead">THE<br /> + +ART OF TAMING HORSES.</h2> + + + +<hr class="decshort" /> + +<h2 class="sectionhead"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">Mr. Rarey’s pamphlet first published in Ohio.—Experience of old +system.—Compiled and invented new.—Tying up the fore-leg known +many years ago, <i>see</i> Stamford Almanack.—Forgotten and not +valued.—Reference to Captain Nolan’s and Colonel Greenwood’s works +on horsemanship.—Dick Christian missed the discovery.—Baucher’s +plan of laying down a horse explained.—Mademoiselle Isabel’s +whip-and-spur plan.—Account of the Irish whisperer Dan +Sullivan.—Usual modes of taming vicious +horses.—Starving.—Physic.—Sleepless nights.—Bleeding.—Biting +the ear.—Story of Kentish coachman.—The Ellis system.—Value of +the Rarey system as compared with that of ordinary +horse-tamers.—Systems of Australia and Arabia compared.—The South +American plan explained.—A French plan.—Grisoné the Neapolitan’s +advice.—The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.—Visit to +Canada.—To England.—Lord Alfred Paget.—Sir Richard +Airey.—System made known to them.—To Mr. Jos. Anderson.—Messrs. +Tattersall.—Sir Matthew Ridley’s black horse tamed.—Subscription +list of 500 opened.—Stafford tamed.—Description of.—Teaching +commenced with Lords Palmerston, Granville, &c.—Cruiser +tamed.—History of.—Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser +exhibition.—System approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton +Sykes.—Close of first subscription list.—Anecdote of Mr. Gurney’s +colt.—Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Rarey</span> is a farmer from Ohio, in the United States. Five years ago he +wrote the little book which forms the <i>text</i> of the following complete +account of his system, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> pictorial illustrations, which are +essential for explaining the means he now employs for subduing the most +refractory animals. Without these explanations, it would be extremely +difficult for any one who had not enjoyed the advantage of hearing Mr. +Rarey’s explanations, to practise his system successfully, or even +safely. The original work contains a mere outline of the art, since +perfected by five years’ further study and practice. The author did not +revise his first sketch, for very obvious reasons.</p> + +<p>He was living in obscurity, teaching his system for a few dollars in +Ohio and Texas. He never taught in the great cities or seabord states of +the United States. When he had imparted his art to a pupil, he bound him +to secrecy, and presented him with a copy of his pamphlet. He did not +dream, then, of becoming the great Lion of the London Season, and +realising from English subscribers nearly 20,000<i>l.</i> It will be +observed, that in the original American edition, the operation of tying +up the foot is described in one chapter, and, at an interval of some +pages, that of laying a horse down, in another; and that neither the +difficulties nor the necessary precautions, nor the extraordinary +results, are described with the clearness their importance requires.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rarey has now very properly released his subscribers from the +contract which bound them to secrecy; and it is now in every point of +view important that this valuable system of rendering horses docile and +affectionate, fit for hacks or chargers, ladies’ pads or harness, or the +safe conveyance of the aged, crippled, and sick, should be placed within +the reach of the thousands whose business it is to deal with horses, as +well as of that large class of gentlemen who are obliged to observe +economy while keeping up their equestrian tastes. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> all, it is to +the horse-breeding farmers and grooms to whom Mr. Rarey’s art will be of +the most practical use.</p> + +<p>As it is, enough of the system has oozed out to suggest to the ignorant +new means of cruelty. A horse’s leg is strapped up, and then the +unlearned proceed to bully the crippled animal, instead of—to borrow an +expressive Americanism—“to gentle him.”</p> + +<p>Before entering into the details for practising the Rarey system, it may +be interesting to give a sketch of the “facts” that have placed Mr. +Rarey in his present well-deserved position, as an invincible +Horse-Tamer, as well as a Reformer of the whole modern system of +training horses—a position unanimously assigned to him by all the first +horsemen of the day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rarey has been a horse-breaker in the United States from his +earliest youth, and had frequently to break in horses five or six years +old, that had run wild until that mature undocile age.</p> + +<p>At first he employed the old English rough-rider method, and in the +course of his adventures broke almost every bone in his body, for his +pluck was greater than his science. But he was not satisfied with +following old routine; he inquired from the wandering horsemen and +circus trainers into their methods (it may be that he was at one time +attached to a circus himself), and read every book he could lay his +hands on. By inquiry and by study—as he says in one of his +advertisements—“he thought out” the plan and the principles of his +present system.</p> + +<p>The methods he uses for placing a colt or horse completely in his power +are not absolutely new, although it is possible that he has re-invented +and has certainly much improved them. The Russian (<i>i. e.</i> Courland) +Circus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> Riders have long known how, single-handed, to make a horse lie +down by fastening up one fore-leg, and then with a rope suddenly pulling +the other leg from under him. The trick was practised in England more +than forty years ago, and forgotten. That no importance was attached to +this method of throwing a horse is proved by the fact, that in the works +on horsemanship, published during the last twenty years, no reference is +made to it. When Mr. Starkey, of Wiltshire, a breeder and runner of +race-horses,<a name="FNanchor_4-1_1" id="FNanchor_4-1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_4-1_1" class="fnanchor">4-*</a> saw Mr. Rarey operate for the first time, he said, +“Why I knew how to throw a horse in that way years ago, but I did not +know the use of it, and was always in too great a hurry!” Lord Berners +made nearly the same remark to me. Nimrod, Cecil, Harry Hieover, +Scrutator—do not appear to have ever heard of it. The best modern +authority on such subjects (British Rural Sports), describes a number of +difficulties in breaking colts which altogether disappear under the +Rarey system—especially the difficulty of shoeing.</p> + +<p>Captain Nolan, who was killed at Balaklava, served in an Hungarian +regiment, in the Austrian service, afterwards in our own service in +India, and visited Russia, France, Denmark, and South Germany, to +collect materials for his work on the “History of Cavalry and on the +Training of Horses,” although he set out with the golden rule laid down +by the great Greek horseman, Xenophon, more than a thousand years +ago—“<span class="smcap">Horses are taught, not by Harshness, but by Gentleness</span>,” only +refers incidentally to a plan for throwing a horse down, in an extract +from Baucher’s great work, which will presently be quoted, but attaches +no importance to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> it, and was evidently totally ignorant of the +foundation of the Rarey system.</p> + +<p>The accomplished Colonel Greenwood, who was equally learned in the +<i>manége</i> of the <i>Haute Ecole</i>, and skilled in the style of the English +hunting-fields, gives no hint of a method which reduces the time for +taming colts from months to hours, and makes the docility of five horses +out of six merely a matter of a few weeks’ patience.</p> + +<p>The sporting newspapers of England and America were so completely off +the true scent when guessing at the Rarey method, that they put faith in +recipes of oils and scents for taming horses.</p> + +<p>Dick Christian—a genius in his way—when on horseback unmatched for +patience and pluck, but with no taste for reading and no talent for +generalizing, used to conquer savages for temporary use by tying up one +fore-foot, and made good water-jumpers of horses afraid of water by +making them smell it and wade through it; so that he came very near the +Rarey methods, but missed the chain of reasoning that would have led him +to go further with these expedients.<a name="FNanchor_5-1_2" id="FNanchor_5-1_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_5-1_2" class="fnanchor">5-*</a></p> + +<p>Mons. Baucher, of Paris (misprinted Faucher in the American edition), +the great modern authority in horse-training and elaborate school +equitation, under whom our principal English cavalry generals have +studied—amongst others, two enthusiastic disciples of Mr. Rarey, Lord +Vivian and General Laurenson, commanding the cavalry at +Aldershott—admitted Mr. Rarey’s system was not only “most valuable,” +but “quite new to him.”</p> + +<p>After Mr. Rarey had taught five or six hundred subscribers, some of whom +of course had wives, Mr. Cooke,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> of Astley’s, began to exhibit a way of +making a horse lie down, which bore as much resemblance to Mr. Rarey’s +system, as Buckstone’s or Keeley’s travestie of Othello would to a +serious performance by a first-rate tragedian. Mr. Cooke pulling at a +strap over the horse’s back, was, until he grew, by practice, skilful, +more than once thrown down by the extension of the off fore-leg.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the proof that the circus people knew neither the Rarey plan, +nor the results to be obtained from it, is to be found in the fact, that +they continually failed in subduing unruly horses sent to them for that +purpose.</p> + +<p>A friend of mine, an eminent engineer, sent to Astley’s, about two years +ago, a horse which had cost him two hundred pounds, and was useless from +a habit of standing still and rearing at the corner of streets; he was +returned worse rather than better, and sold for forty pounds. Six +lessons from Mr. Rarey would have produced, at least, temporary +docility.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Baucher, in his <i>Méthode d’Equitation</i>, says, <i>speaking of the +surprise created by the feats</i> he performed with trained +horses,—“According to some, I was a new ‘Carter,’<a name="FNanchor_6-1_3" id="FNanchor_6-1_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_6-1_3" class="fnanchor">6-*</a> taming my horses +by depriving them of rest and nourishment: others would have it, that I +tied ropes to their legs, and suspended them in the air; some again +supposed that I fascinated them by the power of the eye; and part of the +audience, seeing my horses (Partisan, Capitaine, Neptune, and Baridan) +work in time to my friend Monsieur Paul Cuzent’s charming music, +seriously argued that the horses had a capital ear for music, and that +they stopped when the clarionets and trombones ceased to play, and that +the music had more power over the horse than I had. That the beast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +obeyed an ‘<i>ut</i>’ or a ‘<i>sol</i>’ or ‘<i>staccato</i>,’ but my hands and legs +went for nothing.</p> + +<p>“Could any one imagine that such nonsense could emanate from people who +passed for horsemen?</p> + +<p>“Now from this, although in some respects the same class of nonsense +that was talked about Mr. Rarey, it does not seem that any Parisian +veterinary surgeon staked his reputation on the efficacy of oils and +scents.”</p> + +<p>M. Baucher then proceeds to give what he calls sixteen “<i>Airs de +Manége</i>,” which reflect the highest credit on his skill as a rational +horseman, using his hands and legs. But he proceeds to say—“It is with +regret I publish the means of making a horse kneel, limp, lie down, and +sit on his haunches in the position called the ‘<i>Cheval Gastronomie</i>,’ +or ‘The Horse at Dinner.’ This work is degrading to the poor horse, and +painful to the trainer, who no longer sees in the poor trembling beast +the proud courser, full of spirit and energy, he took such pleasure in +training.</p> + +<p>“To make a horse kneel, tie his pastern-joint to his elbow, make fast a +longer line to the other pastern-joint, have this held tight, and strike +the leg with the whip; the instant he raises it from the ground, pull at +the longeing line to bend the leg. He cannot help it—he must fall on +his knees. Make much of the horse in this position, and let him get up +free of all hindrance.</p> + +<p>“As soon as he does this without difficulty, leave off the use of the +longeing line, and next leave both legs at liberty: by striking him on +the shins with the whip, he will understand that he is to kneel down.</p> + +<p>“When on his knees, send his head well to the off-side, and, supporting +him with the left rein, pull the right rein down against his neck till +he falls to the near side; when down at full length, you cannot make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +too much of him; <i>have his head held that he may not get up too +suddenly</i>, or before you wish him. You can do this by placing your right +foot on the right reins; this keeps the horse’s nose raised from the +ground, and thus deprives him of the power of struggling successfully +against you. Profit by his present position to make him sit up on his +haunches, and in the position of the ‘Cheval Gastronomie.’”</p> + +<p>The difference between this and Rarey’s plan of laying down a horse is +as great as between Franklin’s kite and Wheatstone’s electrical +telegraph; and foremost to acknowledge the American’s merits was M. +Baucher.</p> + +<p>So little idea had cavalry authorities that a horse could be trained +without severity, that, during the Crimean war, a Mademoiselle Isabel +came over to this country with strong recommendations from the French +war minister, and was employed at considerable cost at Maidstone for +some months in spoiling a number of horses by <i>her system</i>, the +principal features of which consisted in a new dumb jockey, and a severe +spur attached to a whip!</p> + +<p>It is true that Mademoiselle Isabel’s experiment was made contrary to +the wishes and plans of the head of the Cavalry Training Department, the +late General Griffiths; but it is not less true that within the last two +years influential cavalry officers were looking for an improvement in +training horses from an adroit use of the whip and spur.</p> + +<p>From the time of Alexander the Great down to the Northumberland +Horse-Breaker, there have been instances of courageous men who have been +able to do extraordinary things with horses. But they may be divided +into two classes, neither of which have been able to originate or impart +a system for the use of ordinary horsemen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>The one class relied and relies on personal influence over lower +animals. They terrify, subdue, or conciliate by eye, voice, and touch, +just as some wicked women, not endowed with any extraordinary external +charms, bewitch and betray the wisest men.</p> + +<p>The other class rely on the infliction of acute pain, or, stupefaction +by drugs, or other similar expedients for acquiring a temporary +ascendancy.</p> + +<p>In a work printed in 1664, quoted by Nolan, we have a melancholy account +of the fate of an ingenious horse-tamer. “A Neapolitan, called Pietro, +had a little horse, named Mauroço, doubtless a Barb or Arab, which he +had taught to perform many tricks. He would, at a sign from his master, +lie down, kneel, and make as many courvettes (springs on his hind-legs +forward, like rearing), as his master told him. He jumped over a stick, +and through hoops, carried a glove to the person Pietro pointed out, and +performed a thousand pretty antics. He travelled through the greater +part of the Continent, but unfortunately passing through Arles, the +people in that ‘age of faith,’ took him for a sorcerer, and burned him +and poor Mauroço in the market-place.” It was probably from this +incident that Victor Hugo took the catastrophe of La Esmeralda and her +goat.</p> + +<p>Dan Sullivan, who flourished about fifty years ago, was the greatest +horse-tamer of whom there is any record in modern times. His triumph +commenced by his purchasing for an old song a dragoon’s horse at Mallow, +who was so savage “that he was obliged to be fed through a hole in the +wall.” After one of Sullivan’s lessons the trooper drew a car quietly +through Mallow, and remained a very proverb of gentleness for years +after. In fact, with mule or horse, one half-hour’s lesson from Sullivan +was enough; but they relapsed in other hands. Sulliva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>n’s own account of +the secret was, that he originally acquired it from a wearied soldier +who had not money to pay for a pint of porter he had drunk. The landlord +was retaining part of his kit as a pledge, when Sullivan, who sat in the +bar, vowed he would never see a hungry man want, and gave the soldier so +good a luncheon, that, in his gratitude, he drew him aside at parting, +and revealed what he believed to be an Indian charm.</p> + +<p>Sullivan never took any pupils, and, as far as I can learn, never +attempted to train colts by his method, although that is a more +profitable and useful branch of business than training vicious horses. +It is stated in an article in “Household Words” on Horse-Tamers, that he +was so jealous of his gift that even the priest of Ballyclough could not +wring it from him at the confessional. His son used to boast how his +reverence met his sire as they both rode towards Mallow, and charged him +with being a confederate of the wicked one, and how the “whisperer” laid +the priest’s horse under a spell, and forthwith led him a weary chase +among the cross roads, till he promised in despair to let Sullivan alone +for ever. Sullivan left three sons: one only practised his art, with +imperfect success till his death; neither of the others pretended to any +knowledge of it. One of them is to this day a horse-breaker at Mallow.</p> + +<p>The reputation of Mr. Rarey brought to light a number of provincial +horse-tamers, and, amongst others, a grandson of Sullivan has opened a +list under the <a name="corr4" id="corr4"></a>auspices of the Marquis of Waterford, for teaching his +grandfather’s art of horse-taming. It is impossible not to ask, why, if +the art is of any value, it has not been taught long ago?</p> + +<p>In Ireland as in England, the accepted modes of taming a determined +colt, or vicious horse, are either<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> by a resolute rider with whip and +spur, and violent <a name="corr5" id="corr5"></a>longeings, or by starving, physic, and sleepless +nights. It was by these means combined that the well-known horseman, +Bartley the bootmaker, twenty years ago, tamed a splendid thorough-bred +horse, that had defied all the efforts of all the rough-riders of the +Household Cavalry regiments.</p> + +<p>Bleeding a vicious horse has been recommended in German books on +equitation. In the family Robinson Crusoe, paterfamilias conquers the +quagga by biting its ear, and every farrier knows how to apply a twitch +to a horse’s ear or nose to secure his quietness under an operation. A +Mr. King, some years since, exhibited a learned horse, which he said he +subdued by pinching a nerve of its mouth, called “<i>the nerve of +susceptibility</i>.”</p> + +<p>The writer in the “Household Words” article, to which I have already +referred, tells how “a coachman in Kent, who had been quite mastered by +horses, called in the assistance of a professed whisperer. After his +ghostly course the horses had the worst of it for two months, when their +ill-humour returned, and the coachman himself immediately darkened his +stable, and held what he termed a little conversation with them, which +kept them placid till two more months had passed. He did not seem +altogether to approve of the system, and plainly confessed that it was +cruel.” Putting shot in the ear is an old stupid and fatal trick of +ignorant carters to cure a gibbing horse—it cures and kills him too.</p> + +<p>The latest instantaneous system which acquired a certain degree of +temporary popularity was that introduced from the western prairies, by +Mr. Ellis, of Trinity College, Cambridge, which consisted in breathing +into the nostrils of a colt, or buffalo colt, while its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> eyes were +covered. But although on some animals this seemed to produce a soothing +effect, on others it totally failed.</p> + +<p>There can be very little doubt that most of the mysterious +“horse-whisperers” relied for their power of subduing a vicious horse +partly on the special personal influence already referred to, and partly +on some one of those cruel modes of intimidating the animal. It has been +observed that idiots can sometimes manage the most savage horses and +bulls, and conciliate the most savage dogs at first sight.</p> + +<p>The value of Mr. Rarey’s system consists in the fact that it may be +taught to, and successfully practised by, a ploughboy of thirteen or +fourteen for use on all except extremely vicious and powerful horses.</p> + +<p>It requires patience—it requires the habit of dealing with horses as +well as coolness; but the real work is rather a matter of skill than +strength. Not only have boys of five or six stone become successful +horse-tamers, but ladies of high rank have in the course of ten minutes +perfectly subdued and reduced to death-like calmness fiery blood-horses.</p> + +<p>Therefore, in dealing with Mr. Rarey’s plan we are not wasting our time +about a trick for conquering these rare exceptions—incurably-savage +horses—but considering the principles of a universally applicable +system for taming and training horses for man’s use, with a perfection +of docility rarely found except in aged pet horses, and with a rapidity +heretofore quite unknown.</p> + +<p>The system of Arabia and Australia are the two extremes. In Australia, +where the people are always in a hurry, the usual mode of breaking in +the bush horses is <i>to ride them quiet</i>; that is, to let the man fight +it out with the horse until the latter gives in; for the time, at any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +rate. The result is, that nine-tenths of the Australian horses are +vicious, and especially given to the trick of “buck-jumping.” This vile +vice consists in a succession of leaps from all-fours, the beast +descending with the back arched, the limbs rigid, and the head as low +down between the legs as possible. Not one horseman in a hundred can sit +three jumps of a confirmed buck-jumper. Charles Barter, who was one of +the hardest riders in the Heythrope Hunt, in his “Six Months in Natal,” +says, “when my horse began buck-jumping I dismounted, and I recommend +every one under the same circumstances to do the same.”</p> + +<p>The Guachos on the South American Pampas lasso a wild horse, throw him +down, cover his head with one of their ponchos, or cloaks, and, having +girthed on him one of their heavy demi-piqued saddles, from which it is +almost impossible to be dislodged, thrust a curb-bit, capable of +breaking the jaw with one tug, into the poor wretch’s mouth, mount him +with a pair of spurs with rowels six inches long, and ride him over the +treeless plains until he sinks exhausted <i>in a fainting state</i>. But +horses thus broken are almost invariably either vicious or stupid; in +fact, idiotic. There is another milder method sometimes adopted by these +Pampas horsemen, on which, no doubt, Mr. Rarey partly founded his +system. After lassoing a horse, they blind his eyes with a poncho, tie +him fast to a post, and girth a heavy saddle on him. The animal +sometimes dies at once of fright and anger: if not, he trembles, sweats, +and would, after a time, fall down from terror and weakness. The Guacho +then goes up to him, caresses him, removes the poncho from his eyes, +continues to caress him; so that, according to the notion of the +country, the horse becomes grateful and attached to the man for +delivering him from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> something frightful; and from that moment the +process of training becomes easy, and, with the help of the long spurs, +is completed in a few days. This plan must spoil as many horses as it +makes quiet, and fail utterly with the more nervous and high-spirited; +for the very qualities that render a horse most useful and beautiful, +when properly trained, lead him, when unbroken, to resist more +obstinately rough violent usage.</p> + +<p>In a French newspaper article on Mr. Rarey’s system, it is related that +a French horse-breaker, in 1846, made a good speculation by purchasing +vicious horses, which are more common in France than in England, and +selling them, after a few days’ discipline, perfectly quiet. His remedy +lay in a loaded whip, freely applied between the ears when any symptom +of vice was displayed. This expedient was only a revival of the method +of Grisoné, the Neapolitan, called, in the fifteenth century, the +regenerator of horsemanship, predecessor of the French school, who +says—“In breaking young horses, put them into a circular pit; be very +severe with those that are sensitive, and of high courage; beat them +between the ears with a stick.” His followers tied their horses to the +pillars in riding-schools, and beat them to make them raise their +fore-legs. We do not approve of Grisoné’s maxims at the present day in +print, but we leave our horses too much to ignorant colt-breakers, who +practise them.</p> + +<p>The Arabs alone, who have no need to hurry the education of their +horses, and who live with them as we do with our pet dogs, train their +colts by degrees, with patient gentleness, and only resort to severe +measures to teach them to gallop and stop short. For this reason Arabs +are most docile until they fall into the hands of cruel grooms.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>It was from considering the docility of the high-bred Arab horse and +intractableness of the quibly, roughly broken prairie or Pampas horse, +that Mr. Rarey was led to think over and perfect the system which he has +repeatedly explained and illustrated by living examples in his lectures, +and very imperfectly explained in his valuable, original, but crude +little book.</p> + +<p>It is very fortunate that this book did not find its way to England +before Mr. Rarey himself came and conquered Cruiser, and in face-to-face +interviews gained the confidence and co-operation of all our +horse-loving aristocracy. For had the book appeared unsupported by +lectures (or such explanations written and pictorial as this edition +will supply), there would have been so many accidents and so many +failures, that Mr. Rarey would have had great difficulty in obtaining a +hearing, and for many years our splendid colts would have been left to +the empirical treatment of ignorant rough-riders.</p> + +<p>An accident withdrew the great reformer of horse-training from +obscurity.</p> + +<p>In the course of his travels as a teacher of horse-taming he met with +Mr. Goodenough, a sharp, hard-fisted New Englander, of the true “Yankee” +breed, so well-described by Sam Slick, settled in the city of Toronto, +Canada, as a general dealer. In fact, a “sort of Barnum.” Mr. Goodenough +saw that there was money to be made out of the Rarey system—formed a +partnership with the Ohio farmer—conducted him to Canada—obtained an +opportunity of exhibiting his talents before Major Robertson, +Aide-de-camp to General Sir William Eyre, K.C.B., Commander of the +forces, and, through the Major, before Sir William himself, who is (as I +can say from having seen him with hounds) an accomplished horseman and +enthusiastic fox-hunter.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> From these high authorities the partners +obtained letters of introduction to the Horse Guards in England, and to +several gentlemen attached to the Court; in one of the letters of +introduction, General Eyre said, “that the system was new to him, and +valuable for military purposes.” On arriving in England, Mr. Rarey made +known his system, and was fortunate enough to convert and obtain the +active assistance of Sir Richard Airey, Quarter-Master General, Lord +Alfred Paget,<a name="FNanchor_16-1_4" id="FNanchor_16-1_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_16-1_4" class="fnanchor">16-*</a> and Colonel Hood, the two first being noted for +their skill as horsemen, and the two latter being attached to the Court. +From these gentlemen of high degree, Mr. Rarey proceeded, under good +advice, to make known his art to Mr. Joseph Anderson of Piccadilly, and +his prime minister, the well-known George Rice—tamed for them a black +horse that had been returned by Sir Matthew White Ridley, as unridable +from vice and nervousness. The next step was an introduction to Messrs. +Tattersall of Hyde Park, whose reputation for honour and integrity in +most difficult transactions is world wide and nearly a century old. +Introduced at Hyde Park Corner with the strongest recommendations and +certificates from such authorities as Lord Alfred Paget, Sir Richard +Airey, Colonel Hood, &c., &c., Messrs. Tattersall investigated Mr. +Rarey’s system, and became convinced that its general adoption would +confer an invaluable benefit on what may be called “the great horse +interest,” and do away with a great deal of cruelty and unnecessary +severity now practised on the best-bred and most high-spirited animals +through ignorance of colt-breakers and grooms. They, therefore, decided, +with that liberality which has always distinguished the firm, to lend +Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> Rarey all the assistance in their power, without taking any +commission, or remuneration of any kind.</p> + +<p>As the methods used by Mr. Rarey are so exceedingly simple, the question +next arose of how Mr. Rarey was to be remunerated when teaching in a +city where hundreds live by collecting and retailing news. His previous +lessons had been given to the thinly-populated districts of Ohio and +Texas, where each pupil was a dealer in horses, and kept his secret for +his own sake. Had he been the inventor of an improved corkscrew or +stirrup-iron, a patent would have secured him that limited monopoly +which very imperfectly rewards many invaluable mechanical inventions. +Had his countrymen chosen to agree to a reciprocity treaty for copyright +of books, he might have secured some certain remuneration by a printed +publication of his Lectures. But they prefer the liberty of borrowing +our copyrights without consulting the author, and we occasionally return +the compliment. In this instance the author cannot say that the British +nation has not paid him handsomely.</p> + +<p>After a consultation with Mr. Rarey’s noble patrons, it was decided that +a list should be opened at Hyde Park Corner for subscribers at £10 +10<i>s.</i> each, paid in advance, the teaching to commence as soon as five +hundred subscriptions had been paid, each subscriber signing an +engagement, under a penalty of £500, not to teach or divulge Mr. Rarey’s +method, and Messrs. Tattersall undertaking to hold the subscriptions in +trust until Mr. Rarey had performed his part of the agreement.<a name="FNanchor_17-1_5" id="FNanchor_17-1_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_17-1_5" class="fnanchor">17-*</a> To +this fund, at the request of my friends Messrs. Tattersall, I agreed to +act as Secretary. My duties<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> ceased when the list was filled, and the +management of the business passed from those gentlemen to Mr. Rarey’s +partner, Mr. Goodenough, on the 3rd of May, 1858.</p> + +<p>This list was opened the first day at Mr. Jos. Anderson’s, after Mr. +Rarey had exhibited, not his method, but the results of his method on +the celebrated black, or rather iron-gray, horse already mentioned.</p> + +<p>Leaving the list to fill, Mr. Rarey went to Paris, and there tamed the +vicious and probably half-mad coaching stallion, Stafford.<a name="FNanchor_18-1_6" id="FNanchor_18-1_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_18-1_6" class="fnanchor">18-*</a> It is +not generally known that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> having omitted the precautions of gagging this +wild beast with the wooden bit, which forms one of the vignettes of this +book, he turned round suddenly, while the tamer was soothing his legs, +caught his shoulder in his mouth, and would have made an end of the +Rarey system if assistance had not been at hand in the shape of Mr. +Goodenough and a pitchfork.</p> + +<p>Intense enthusiasm was created in Paris by the conquest of Stafford, but +250 francs was too large a sum to found a long subscription list in a +city so little given to private horsemanship, and a French experiment +did not produce much effect in England.</p> + +<p>In fact, the English list, which started so bravely under distinguished +patronage, after touching some 250 names, languished, and in spite of +testimonials from great names, only reached 320, when Mr. Rarey, at the +pressing recommendation of his English friends, returned from Paris, and +fixed the day for commencing his lessons in the private riding-school of +the Duke of Wellington, the use of which had been in the kindest manner +offered by his Grace as a testimony of his high opinion of the value of +the new system.</p> + +<p>The course was commenced on the 20th March, by inviting to a private +lesson a select party of noblemen and gentlemen, twenty-one in all, +including, amongst other accomplished horsemen and horse-breeders, Lord +Palmerston, the two ex-masters of the Royal Buckhounds, Earls Granville +and Bessborough, the Marquis of Stafford, Vice-President of the +Four-Horse Driving Club, and the Honourable Admiral Rous, the leading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +authority of the Jockey Club on all racing matters. The favourable +report of these, perhaps, among the most competent judges of anything +appertaining to horses in the world, settled the value of Mr. Rarey’s +lessons, and the list began to fill speedily; many of the subscribers, +no doubt, being more influenced by the prevailing fashion and curiosity, +than by an inclination to turn horse-tamers.</p> + +<p>But early in April, when it became known that Mr. Rarey had tamed +Cruiser,<a name="FNanchor_20-1_7" id="FNanchor_20-1_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_20-1_7" class="fnanchor">20-*</a> the most vicious stallion in England, “who could do more +fighting in less time than any horse in the world,” and that he had +brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> him to London on the very day after, that he first backed him +and had ridden him within three hours after the first interview, slow +conviction swelled to enthusiasm. The list filled up rapidly.</p> + +<p>The school in Kinnerton Street, to which Mr. Rarey was obliged to +remove, was crowded, the excitement increasing with each lesson. On the +day that Cruiser was exhibited for the first time, long before the doors +were open, the little back street was filled with a fashionable mob, +including ladies of the highest rank. An admission by noble +non-subscribers with notes, gold, and cheques in hands, was begged for +with a polite insinuating humility that was quite edifying. A hatful of +ten-guinea subscriptions was thrust upon the unwilling secretary at the +door with as much eagerness as if he had been the allotter of shares in +a ten per cent railway in the day of Hudsonian guarantees. And it must +be observed that this crowd included among the mere fashion-mongers +almost every distinguished horseman and hunting-man in the three +kingdoms.</p> + +<p>It is quite too late now to attempt to depreciate a system the value of +which has been repeatedly and openly acknowledged by authorities above +question. As to the “secret,” the subscribers must have known that it +was impossible that a system that required so much space, and involved +so much noise, could long remain a secret.</p> + +<p>The Earl of Jersey, so celebrated in this century as a breeder of +race-horses, in the last century as a rider to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> hounds, <i>stood</i> through +a long lesson, and was as much delighted as his son the Honourable +Frederick Villiers, Master of the Pytchley Hounds. Sir Tatton Sykes of +Sledmere, perhaps the finest amateur horseman that ever rode a race, +whose equestrian performances on the course and in the hunting-field +date back more than sixty years, was as enthusiastic in his approval as +the young Guardsman who, fortified by Mr. Rarey’s lessons, mastered a +mare that had defied the efforts of all the farriers of the Household +Cavalry.</p> + +<p>In a word, the five-hundred list was filled, and overflowed, the +subscribers were satisfied, and the responsibility of Messrs. Tattersall +as stakeholders for the public ceased, and the Secretary and Treasurer +to the fund, having wound up the accounts and retired, the connection +between Mr. Rarey and the Messrs. Tattersall resolved itself into the +use of an office at Hyde Park Corner.</p> + +<p>The London subscription list had passed eleven hundred names, and, in +conjunction with the subscription received in Yorkshire, Liverpool, +Manchester, Dublin, and Paris, besides private lessons at £25 each, had +realised upwards of £20,000 for Mr. Rarey and his partner, when the +five-hundred secrecy agreement was extinguished by the re-publication of +the little American pamphlet already mentioned.</p> + +<p>It was high time that it should, for, while Mr. Rarey had been +handsomely paid for his instruction, the more scrupulous of his +subscribers were unable to practise his lessons for want of a place +where they could work in secrecy.</p> + +<hr class="decshort" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>But although the re-publication of Mr. Rarey’s American pamphlet +virtually absolved his subscribers from the agreement which he gave up +formally a few days later in his letter to the <i>Times</i>, it is quite +absurd to assert that the little pamphlet teaches the Art of +Horse-Taming as now practised by Mr. Rarey. Certainly no one but a +horseman skilled in the equitation of schools could do much with a horse +without great danger of injuring the animal and himself, if he had no +other instruction than that contained in Mr. Rarey’s clever, original, +but vague chapters.</p> + +<p>In the following work I shall endeavour to fill up the blanks in Mr. +Rarey’s sketch, and with the help of pictures and diagrams, show how a +cool determined man or boy may break in any colt, and make him a docile +hack, harness horse, or hunter; stand still, follow, and obey the voice +almost as much as the reins.</p> + +<p>To say that written or oral instructions will teach every man how to +grapple with savages like Stafford, Cruiser, Phlegon, or Mr. Gurney’s +gray colt, would be <a name="corr7" id="corr7"></a>sheer humbug—that must depend on the man; but we +have an instance of what can be done that is encouraging. When Mr. Rarey +was so ill that he was unable to sit Mr. Gurney’s gray colt, the +boasting Mr. Goodenough tried his hand, and was beaten pale and +trembling out of the circus by that equine tiger; but Mr. Thomas Rice, +the jobmaster of Motcombe Street, who had had the charge of Cruiser in +Mr. Rarey’s absence up to that time, although he had never before tried +his hand at Rareyfying a horse, stuck to the gray colt, laid down, made +him fast, and completely conquered him in one evening, so that he was +fit to be exhibited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> the next day, when Mr. Goodenough, <i>more suo</i>, +claimed the benefit of the victory.</p> + +<p>Several ladies have succeeded famously in horse-taming; but they have +been ladies accustomed to horses and to exercise, and always with +gentlemen by, in case a customer proved too tough.</p> + +<p>Before concluding this desultory but necessary introductory sketch of +the rise, progress, and success of the Rarey system, it will be as well, +perhaps, for the benefit of lady readers, to give a personal sketch of +Mr. Rarey, who is by no means the athletic giant that many imagine.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rarey is about thirty years of age, of middle height, and +well-proportioned figure, wiry and active rather than muscular—his +complexion is almost effeminately fair, with more colour than is usually +found in those of his countrymen who live in the cities of the +sea-coast. And his fair hair, large gray eyes, which only light up and +flash fire when he has an awkward customer to tackle, give him +altogether the appearance of a Saxon Englishman. His walk is remarkably +light and springy, yet regular, as he turns round his horse; something +between the set-up of a soldier and the light step of a sportsman. +Altogether his appearance and manners are eminently gentlemanly. +Although a self-educated and not a book-educated man, his conversation, +when he cares to talk, for he is rather reserved, always displays a good +deal of thoughtful originality, relieved by flashes of playful humour. +This may be seen in his writing.</p> + +<p>It may easily be imagined that he is extremely popular with all those +with whom he has been brought in contact, and has acquired the personal +friendship of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> some of the most accomplished noblemen and gentlemen of +the day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rarey’s system of horse-training will infallibly supersede all +others for both civil and military purposes, and his name will take rank +among the great social reformers of the nineteenth century. May we have +many more such importations from America!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 174px;"> +<a name="illus-p25" id="illus-p25"></a><a href="images/illus-025-full.png"><img src="images/illus-025.png" width="174" height="135" alt="Frontal view of a horse's head" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<div class="footnotes"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_4-1_1" id="Footnote_4-1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4-1_1"><span class="label">4-*</span></a> Owner of Fisherman.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_5-1_2" id="Footnote_5-1_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5-1_2"><span class="label">5-*</span></a> See “The Post and the Paddock,” by “The Druid.”</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_6-1_3" id="Footnote_6-1_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6-1_3"><span class="label">6-*</span></a> Carter, one of the Van Amburgh showmen.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_16-1_4" id="Footnote_16-1_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16-1_4"><span class="label">16-*</span></a> Son of the late Marquis of Anglesea, one of the finest +horsemen of his day, even with one leg, after he left the other at +Waterloo.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_17-1_5" id="Footnote_17-1_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17-1_5"><span class="label">17-*</span></a> The list itself is one of the most extraordinary +documents ever printed, in regard to the rank and equestrian +accomplishments of the subscribers.</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_18-1_6" id="Footnote_18-1_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18-1_6"><span class="label">18-*</span></a> “Stafford is a half-bred carriage stallion, six years +old. For three years he has formed one of the breeding-stud at Cluny, +where he has acquired the character of being a most dangerous animal. He +was about to be withdrawn from the stud and destroyed, in consequence of +the protests of the breeders—for a whole year he had obstinately +refused to be dressed, and was obliged to be closely confined in his +box. He rushed at every one who appeared with both fore-feet, and open +mouthed. Every means of subduing and restraining him was adopted; he was +muzzled, blindfolded, and hobbled. In order to give Mr. Rarey’s method a +trial, Stafford was sent to Paris, and there a great number of persons, +including the principal members of the Jockey Club, had an opportunity +of judging of his vicious disposition.</p> + +<p>“After being alone with Stafford for an hour and a half, Mr. Rarey rode +on him into the Riding School, guiding him with a common snaffle-bridle. +The appearance of the horse was completely altered: he was calm and +docile. His docility did not seem to be produced by fear or constraint, +but the result of perfect confidence. The astonishment of the spectators +was increased when Mr. Rarey unbridled him, and guided the late savage +animal, with a mere motion of his hands or indication with his leg, as +easily as a trained circus-horse. Then, dashing into a gallop, he +stopped him short with a single word.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Rarey concluded his first exhibition by beating a drum on +Stafford’s back, and passing his hand over his head and mouth. Stafford +was afterwards ridden by a groom, and showed the same docility in his +hands as in those of Mr. Rarey.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Rarey succeeded on the first attempt in putting him in harness with +a mare, although he had never had his head through a collar before; and +he went as quietly as the best-broken carriage-horse in Paris. Mr Rarey +concluded by firing a six-chambered revolver from his back.”—<i>Paris +Illustrated Journal.</i></p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_20-1_7" id="Footnote_20-1_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20-1_7"><span class="label">20-*</span></a> “Cruiser was the property of Lord Dorchester, and was a +good favourite for the Derby in Wild Dayrell’s year, but broke down +before the race. Like all Venison horses, his temper was not of the +mildest kind, and John Day was delighted to get rid of him. When started +for Rawcliffe, he told the man who led him on no account to put him into +a stable, as he would never get him out. This injunction was of course +disregarded, for when the man wanted some refreshment, he put him into a +country public-house stable, and left him, and to get him out, the roof +of the building had to be pulled off. At Rawcliffe, he was always +exhibited by a groom with a ticket-of-leave bludgeon in his hand, and +few were bold enough to venture into his yard. This animal, whose temper +has depreciated him perhaps a thousand pounds in value, I think would be +‘the right horse in the right place’ for Mr. Rarey. Phlegon and Vatican +would also be good patients. I am sorry to hear that the latter has been +blinded: if leathern blinds had been put on his eyes, the same effect +would have been produced.”—<i>Morning Post</i>, March 2, 1858.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Rarey, when here, first subjugated a two-year old filly, perfectly +unbroken. This he accomplished under half an hour, riding on her, +opening an umbrella, beating a drum upon her, &c. He then took Cruiser +in hand, and in three hours Mr. Rarey and myself mounted him. He had not +been ridden for nearly three years, and was so vicious that it was +impossible even to dress him, and it was necessary to keep him muzzled +constantly. The following morning Mr. Rarey led him behind an open +carriage, on his road to London. This horse was returned to me by the +Rawcliffe and Stud Company on account of his vice, it being considered +as much as a man’s life was worth to attend to him.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Greywell, April <a name="corr6" id="corr6"></a>7.” “<span class="smcap">Dorchester.</span>”</span></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p class="chapintrocent">Mr. Rarey’s Pamphlet.—Introduction.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Rarey’s</span> American Pamphlet would make about fifty pages of this type, +if given in full; but, in revising my Illustrated Edition, I have +decided on <a name="corr8" id="corr8"></a>omitting six pages of Introduction, which, copied from Mr. +Rollo Springfield, an American author, do not contain any reliable facts +or useful inferences.</p> + +<p>The speculations of the American author, as to the early history of the +horse, are written without sufficient information. So far from the +“polished Greeks” having, as he states, “ridden without bridles,” we +have the best authority in the frieze of the Parthenon for knowing that, +although they rode barebacked on their compact cobby ponies, they used +reins and handled them skilfully and elegantly.</p> + +<p>To go still further back, the bas-reliefs in the British Museum, +discovered by Mr. Layard in the Assyrian Palace of Nimroud, contain +spirited representation of horses with bridles, ridden in hunting and in +pursuit of enemies, as well as driven in war-chariots. These horses are +Arabs, while those of the Elgin Marbles more resemble the cream-coloured +Hanoverians which draw the state carriage of our sovereigns. In one of +the Nimroud bas-reliefs, we have cavalry soldiers standing with the +bridles of their horses in their hands, “waiting,” as Mr. Bonomi tells +us, “for the orders to mount;” but, as they stand on the left side, with +the bridles in their left hands, it is difficult to understand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> how they +could obey such an order with reasonable celerity.</p> + +<p>The Arabian stories, as to the performances of Arab horses and their +owners, must be received with considerable hesitation, for the horse is +one of the subjects on which Orientals love to found their poetical +fireside stories. This is certain, that the Arab horse being highly +bred, is very intelligent, being reared from its birth in the family of +its master, extremely docile, and, being always in the open air and fed +on a moderate quantity of dry food, very hardy.</p> + +<p>If we lived with our horses, as we do with our dogs, they would be +equally affectionate and tractable.</p> + +<p>In Norway, in consequence of the severity of the climate, the ponies are +all housed during the winter, and thus become so familiar with their +owner that there is scarcely any difficulty in putting them into +harness, even the first time.</p> + +<p>English thoroughbred horses, when once acclimatized and bred in the open +air on the dry pastures of Australia and South Africa, are found, if not +put to work too early, as enduring as the Arab. Experiments in the +Indian artillery have proved that the Australian horse and the +Cape<a name="FNanchor_27-1_8" id="FNanchor_27-1_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_27-1_8" class="fnanchor">27-*</a> horse, which has also been improved by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> judicious crosses +with English blood, are superior for strength and endurance to the +Eastern horses bred in the stud establishments of the East India +Company.</p> + +<p>The exaggerated idea that long prevailed of the value of the Arab horse, +as compared with the English thorough-bred, which is an Eastern horse +improved by long years of care and ample food, has been to a great +extent dissipated by the large importation of Arabs that took place +after the Crimean war—in fact, they are on the average pretty ponies of +great endurance, but of very little use in this country, where size is +indispensable for profit. In the East they are of great value for +cavalry; they are hardy and full of fire and spirit. “But,” says Captain +Nolan, “no horse can compare with the English—no horse is more easily +broken in to anything and everything—there is no quality in which the +English horse does not excel—no performance in which he cannot beat all +competition;” and Nolan was as familiar with the Eastern, Hungarian, and +German crosses with the Arab as with the English thorough-bred.</p> + +<p>We spoil our horses, first by pampering them in hot stables under warm +clothing; next, by working them too young; and, lastly, by entrusting +their training to rude, ignorant men, who rely for leading colt the way +he should go on mere force, harsh words, a sharp whip,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> and the worrying +use of the longeing rein. Rarey has shown how easily, quietly, and +safely horses may be tamed; but we must also train men before we can +obtain full benefit from our admirable breeds of horses.</p> + +<p>Proof that our horses have become feeble from pampering may be found in +Devonshire. There the common hacks of the county breed on the moors, +and, crossed with native ponies, are usually undersized and coarse and +heavy about the shoulders, like most wild horses, and all the inferior +breeds of Arabs, but they are hardy and enduring to a degree that a +Yorkshire breeder would scarcely believe. Mean-looking Galloways will +draw a heavy dog-cart over the Devonshire hills fifty miles a-day for +many days in succession.</p> + +<p>A little common sense has been introduced into the management of our +cavalry, since the real experience of the Crimean war. General Sir +Charles Napier was not noticed when, nearly ten years ago, he wrote, +“The cavalry charger, on a Hounslow Heath parade, well fed, well +groomed, goes through a field-day without injury, although carrying more +than twenty stone weight; he and his rider presenting together, a kind +of alderman centaur. But if in the field, half starved, they have, at +the end of a forced march, to charge an enemy! The biped full of fire +and courage, transformed by war-work to a wiry muscular dragoon, is able +and willing, but the overloaded quadruped cannot gallop—he staggers.”</p> + +<p>Our poor horses thus loaded, are expected to bound to hand and spur, +while the riders wield their swords worthily. They cannot; and both man +and horse appear inferior to their Indian opponents. The Eastern +warrior’s eye is quick, but not quicker than the European’s; his heart +is big, yet not bigger than the European’s; his arm is strong, but not +so strong as the Euro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>pean’s; the swing of his razor-like <a name="corr9" id="corr9"></a>scimitar is +terrible, but an English trooper’s downright blow splits the skull. Why +then does the latter fail? The light-weighted horse of the dark +swordsman carries him round his foe with elastic bounds, and the strong +European, unable to deal the cleaving blow, falls under the activity of +an inferior adversary!</p> + +<p>Since the war, light men with broad chests have been enlisted for Indian +service. The next step, originally suggested by Nolan, that every +cavalry soldier should train his own horse, will be made easy by the +introduction of the Rarey system. Country horse-breakers are too +ignorant, too prejudiced, and too much interested in keeping up a +mystery that gives them three months employment, instead of three weeks, +to adopt it. The reform will probably commence in the army and in racing +stables.</p> + + +<p style="margin-top: 2.5em;">In the following pages, I have given the text of the American edition of +Mr. Rarey’s pamphlet, and added the information I have derived from +hearing his lectures, seeing his operations on “Cruiser,” and other +difficult horses, and from the experience of my friends and self in +taming horses. Thus, in Chap. VI. to Mr. Rarey’s five pages I have added +sixteen, and nine woodcut illustrations. In Chap. VII. the directions +for the drum, umbrella, and riding habit are in print for the first +time, as well as the directions for mounting with slack girths. Chaps. +VIII. to XIV. have been added, in order to make this little work a +complete manual for those who wish to benefit in riding as well as +training horses from the experience of others.</p> + +<p>In my opinion, the Rarey system is invaluable for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> training colts, +breaking horses into harness, and curing kickers and jibbers. I do not +profess to be a horse-tamer, my pursuits are too sedentary during the +greater part of the year, but I have succeeded with even colts. I tried +my hand on two of them wild from the Devonshire moors, in August last, +and succeeded perfectly in an hour. I made them as affectionate as pet +ponies, ready to follow me everywhere, as well as to submit to be +mounted and ridden.</p> + +<p>As to curing vicious horses, all that can be safely said is, that it +puts it into the power of a <i>courageous, calm-tempered horseman</i> to +conquer any horse. “Cruiser” was quiet in the hands of Mr. Rarey and Mr. +Rice, but when insulted in the circus of Leicester Square by a violent +jerk, he rushed at his tormentor with such ferocity that he cleared the +ring of all the spangled <a name="corr10" id="corr10"></a>troupe, yet, in the midst of his rage, he +halted and ran up on being called by Rarey.</p> + +<p>From this we learn that such a horse <a name="corr11" id="corr11"></a>won’t be bullied and must not be +feared. But such vicious horses are rare exceptions. It is curious, that +Mr. Rarey should have made his reputation by the least useful exercise +of his art.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_27-1_8" id="Footnote_27-1_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27-1_8"><span class="label">27-*</span></a> The Cape horse has recently come into notice, in +consequence of the publication of “Papers relating to the Purchase of +Horses at the Cape for the Army of India.” It seems that not less than +3300 have been purchased for that purpose; that Cape horses purchased by +Colonel Havelock arrived from India in the Crimea in better condition +than any other horses in the regiment; and that in the Caffre War Cape +horses condemned by the martinets of a Remount Committee, carried the +7th Dragoons, averaging, in marching order, over nineteen stone, and no +privation or fatigue could make General Cathcart’s horses succumb. These +horses are bred between the Arabs introduced by the Dutch and the +English thoroughbred. I confess I see with, surprise that Colonel +Apperley, the remount agent, recommends crosses with Norfolk trotting +and Cleveland stallions. No such cross has ever answered in this +country. Had he recommended thoroughbred weight-carrying stallions in +preference to Arabs, I could have understood his condemnation of the +latter. I should have hesitated to set my opinion against Colonel +Apperley, had I not found that he differs entirely from the late General +Sir Walter Gilbert, the greatest horseman, take him for all in all, as a +cavalry officer, as a flat and steeple-chase rider, and rider to hounds +of his day.—<i>See Napier’s Indian Misgovernment</i>, p. 286 <i>et seq.</i></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.—Heads of the +Rarey Lectures.—Editor’s paraphrase.—That any horse may be taught +docility.—That a horse should be so handled and tied as to feel +inferior to man.—That a horse should be allowed to see, smell, and +feel all fearful objects.—Key note of the Rarey system.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">First.</span>—That he is so constituted by nature that he will not offer +resistance to any demand made of him which he fully comprehends, if made +in a way consistent with the laws of his nature.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Second.</span>—That he has no consciousness of his strength beyond his +experience, and can be handled according to our will without force.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Third.</span>—That we can, in compliance with the laws of his nature, by which +he examines all things new to him, take any object, however frightful, +around, over, or on him, that does not inflict pain—without causing him +to fear.</p> + +<p>To take these assertions in order, I will first give you some of the +reasons why I think he is naturally obedient, and will not offer +resistance to anything fully comprehended. The horse, though possessed +of some faculties superior to man’s, being deficient in reasoning +powers, has no knowledge of right or wrong, of free will and independent +government, and knows not of any imposition practised upon him, however +unreasonable these impositions may be. Consequently, he cannot come to +any decision as to what he should or should not do,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> because he has not +the reasoning faculties of man to argue the justice of the thing +demanded of him. If he had, taking into consideration his superior +strength, he would be useless to man as a servant. Give him <i>mind</i> in +proportion to his strength, and he will demand of us the green fields +for his inheritance, where he will roam at leisure, denying the right of +servitude at all. God has wisely formed his nature so that it can be +operated upon by the knowledge of man according to the dictates of his +will; and he might well be termed an unconscious, submissive servant. +This truth we can see verified in every day’s experience by the abuses +practised upon him. Any one who chooses to be so cruel can mount the +noble steed and run him till he drops with fatigue, or, as is often the +case with the more spirited, falls dead beneath his rider. If he had the +power to reason, would he not rear and pitch his rider, rather than +suffer him to run him to death? Or would he condescend to carry at all +the vain impostor, who, with but equal intellect, was trying to impose +on his equal rights and equally independent spirit? But, happily for us, +he has no consciousness of imposition, no thought of disobedience except +by impulse caused by the violation of the law of his nature. +Consequently, when disobedient, it is the fault of man.</p> + +<p>Then, we can but come to the conclusion that, if a horse is not taken in +a way at variance with the laws of his nature, he will do anything that +he fully comprehends, without making any offer of resistance.</p> + +<p>Second—The fact of the horse being unconscious of the amount of his +strength can be proven to the satisfaction of any one. For instance, +such remarks as these are common, and perhaps familiar to your +recollection. One person says to another, “If that wild horse there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> was +conscious of the amount of his strength, his owner would have no +business with him in that vehicle: such light reins and harness, too—if +he knew, he could snap them asunder in a minute, and be as free as the +air we breathe;” and, “That horse yonder, that is pawing and fretting to +follow the company that is fast leaving him—if he knew his strength, he +would not remain long fastened to that hitching post so much against his +will, by a strap that would no more resist his powerful weight and +strength than a cotton thread would bind a strong man.” Yet these facts, +made common by every-day occurrence, are not thought of as anything +wonderful. Like the ignorant man who looks at the different phases of +the moon, you look at these things as he looks at her different changes, +without troubling your mind with the question, “Why are these things +so?” What would be the condition of the world if all our minds lay +dormant? If men did not think, reason, and act, our undisturbed, +slumbering intellects would not excel the imbecility of the brute; we +should live in chaos, hardly aware of our existence. And yet, with all +our activity of mind, we daily pass by unobserved that which would be +wonderful if philosophized and reasoned upon; and with the same +inconsistency wonder at that which a little consideration, reason, and +philosophy, would make but a simple affair.</p> + +<p>Third—He will allow any object, however frightful in appearance, to +come around, over, or on him, that does not inflict pain.</p> + +<p>We know, from a natural course of reasoning, that there has never been +an effect without a cause; and we infer from this that there can be no +action, either in animate or inanimate matter, without there first being +some cause to produce it. And from this self-evident fact we know that +there is some cause for every impulse or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> movement of either mind or +matter, and that this law governs every action or movement of the animal +kingdom. Then, according to this theory, there must be some cause before +fear can exist; and if fear exists from the effect of imagination, and +not from the infliction of real pain, it can be removed by complying +with those laws of nature by which the horse examines an object, and +determines upon its innocence or harm.</p> + +<p>A log or stump by the road-side may be, in the imagination of the horse, +some great beast about to pounce upon him; but after you take him up to +it, and let him stand by it a little while, and touch it with his nose, +and go through his process of examination, he will not care anything +more about it. And the same principle and process will have the same +effect with any other object, however frightful in appearance, in which +there is no harm. Take a boy that has been frightened by a false face, +or any other object that he could not comprehend at once; but let him +take that face or object in his hands and examine it, and he will not +care anything more about it. This is a demonstration of the same +principle.</p> + +<p>With this introduction to the principles of my theory, I shall next +attempt to teach you how to put it into practice; and whatever +instructions may follow, you can rely on as having been proven +practically by my own experiments. And knowing, from experience, just +what obstacles I have met with in handling bad horses, I shall try to +anticipate them for you, and assist you in surmounting them, by +commencing with the first steps to be taken with the colt, and +accompanying you through the whole task of breaking.</p> + +<p>These three principles have been enlarged upon and explained in a fuller +and more familiar manner by Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> Rarey in his Lectures, of which the +following are the heads.</p> + +<p>“Principles on which horses should be treated and educated—not by fear +or force—By an intelligent application of skill with firmness and +patience—How to approach a colt—How to halter—How teach to lead in +twenty minutes—How to subdue and cause to lie down in fifteen +minutes—How to tame and cure fear and nervousness—How to saddle and +bridle—How to accustom to be mounted and ridden—How to accustom to a +drum—to an umbrella—to a lady’s habit, or any other object, in a few +minutes—How to harness a horse for the first time—How to drive a horse +unbroken to harness, and make go steady, single or double, in a couple +of hours—How to make any horse stand still until called—How to make a +horse follow his owner.”</p> + + +<p style="margin-top: 2.5em;">In plain language, Mr. Rarey means, that—</p> + +<p>1st. That any horse may be taught to do anything that a horse can do if +taught in a proper manner.</p> + +<p>2nd. That a horse is not conscious of his own strength until he has +resisted and conquered a man, and that by taking advantage of man’s +reasoning powers a horse can be handled in such a manner that he shall +not find out his strength.</p> + +<p>3rd. That by enabling a horse to examine every object with which we +desire to make him familiar, with the organs naturally used for that +purpose, viz. <i>seeing</i>, <i>smelling</i>, and <i>feeling</i>, you may take any +object around, over, and on him that does not actually hurt him.</p> + +<p>Thus, for example, the objects which affright horses are the feel of +saddles, riding-habits, harness, and wheeled carriages; the sight of +umbrellas and flags; loaded wag<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>gons, troops, or a crowd; the sound of +wheels, of drums, of musketry. There are thousands of horses that by +degrees learn to bear all these things; others, under our old imperfect +system, never improve, and continue nervous or vicious to the end of +their lives. Every year good sound horses are drafted from the cavalry, +or from hunters’ barbs and carriage-horses, into omnibuses and Hansom +cabs, because they cannot be made to bear the sound of drums and +firearms, or will not submit to be shod, and be safe and steady in +crowded cities, or at covert side. Nothing is more common than to hear +that such a horse would be invaluable if he would go in harness, or +carry a lady, or that a racehorse of great swiftness is almost valueless +because his temper is so bad, or his nervousness in a crowd so great +that he cannot be depended on to start or to run his best.</p> + +<p>All these varieties of nervous and vicious animals are deteriorated in +value, because they have not been educated to confide in and implicitly +obey man.</p> + +<p>The whole object of the Rarey system is, to give the horse full +confidence in his rider, to make him obedient to his voice and gestures, +and to impress the animal with the belief that he could not successfully +resist him.</p> + +<p>Lord Pembroke, in his treatise on Horsemanship, says, “His hand is the +best whose indications are so clear that his horse cannot mistake them, +<i>and whose gentleness and fearlessness</i> alike induce obedience to them.” +“The noblest animal,” says Colonel Greenwood, “will obey such a rider; +and it is ever the noblest, most intelligent horses, that rebel the +most. In riding a colt or a restive horse we should never forget that he +has the right to resist, and that as far as he can judge we have not the +right to insist. The great thing in horsemanship is to get the horse to +be your party, not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> to obey only, but to obey willingly. For this reason +the lessons cannot be begun too early, or be too progressive.”</p> + +<p>The key-note to the Rarey system is to be found in the opening sentence +of his early lectures in England: “Man has reason in addition to his +senses. A horse judges everything by <span class="smrom">SEEING</span>, <span class="smrom">SMELLING</span>, and <span class="smrom">FEELING</span>.” It +must be the business of every one who undertakes to train colts that +they shall <i>see</i>, <i>smell</i>, and <i>feel</i> everything that they are to wear +or to bear.</p> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 234px;"> +<a name="illus-p39" id="illus-p39"></a><a href="images/illus-039-full.png"><img src="images/illus-039.png" width="234" height="403" alt="Bridle with thick straight bit with cheekpieces" title="HALTER OR BRIDLE FOR COLTS." /></a> +<span class="caption">HALTER OR BRIDLE FOR COLTS.</span> +</div> + +<h2 class="chapafterillus"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">How to drive a colt from pasture.—How to drive into a stable.—The +kind of halter.—Experiment with a robe or cloak.—Horse-taming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +drugs.—The Editor’s remarks.—Importance of patience.—Best kind +of head-stall.—Danger of approaching some colts.—Hints from a +Colonel of the Life Guards.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HOW TO DRIVE A COLT FROM PASTURE.</h3> + +<p>Go to the pasture and walk around the whole herd quietly, and at such a +distance as not to cause them to scare and run. Then approach them very +slowly, and if they stick up their heads and seem to be frightened, +stand still until they become quiet, so as not to make them run before +you are close enough to drive them in the direction you want them to go. +And when you begin to drive, do not flourish your arms or halloo, but +gently follow them off, leaving the direction open that you wish them to +take. Thus taking advantage of their ignorance, you will be able to get +them into the pound as easily as the hunter drives the quails into his +net. For, if they have always run in the pasture uncared for (as many +horses do in prairie countries and on large plantations), there is no +reason why they should not be as wild as the sportsman’s birds, and +require the same gentle treatment, if you want to get them without +trouble; for the horse, in his natural state, is as wild as a stag, or +any of the undomesticated animals, though more easily tamed.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HOW TO STABLE A COLT WITHOUT TROUBLE.</h3> + +<p>The next step will be, to get the horse into a stable or shed. This +should be done as quietly as possible, so as not to excite any suspicion +in the horse of any danger befalling him. The best way to do this, is to +lead a broken horse into the stable first and hitch (tie) him, then +quietly walk around the colt and let him go in of his own accord. It is +almost impossible to get men who have never practised on this principle +to go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> slowly and considerately enough about it. They do not know that +in handling a wild horse, above all other things, is that good old adage +true, that “haste makes waste;” that is, waste of time—for the gain of +trouble and perplexity.</p> + +<p>One wrong move may frighten your horse, and make him think it necessary +to escape at all hazards for the safety of his life—and thus make two +hours’ work of a ten minutes’ job; and this would be all your own fault, +and entirely unnecessary—<i>for he will not run unless you run after him, +and that would not be good policy unless you knew that you could outrun +him, for you will have to let him stop of his own accord after all</i>. But +he will not try to break away unless you attempt to force him into +measures. If he does not see the way at once, and is a little fretful +about going in, do not undertake to drive him, but give him a little +less room outside, by gently closing in around him. Do not raise your +arms, but let them hang at your side, for you might as well raise a +club: <i>the horse has never studied anatomy, and does not know but that +they will unhinge themselves and fly at him</i>. If he attempts to turn +back, walk before him, but do not run; and if he gets past you, encircle +him again in the same quiet manner, and he will soon find that you are +not going to hurt him; and then you can walk so close around him that he +will go into the stable for more room, and to get farther from you. As +soon as he is in, remove the quiet horse and shut the door. This will be +his first notion of confinement—not knowing how he got into such a +place, nor how to get out of it. That he may take it as quietly at +possible, see that the shed is entirely free from dogs, chickens, or +anything that would annoy him. Then give him a few ears of corn, and let +him remain alone fifteen or twenty minutes, until he has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> examined his +apartment, and has become reconciled to his confinement.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">TIME TO REFLECT.</h3> + +<p>And now, while your horse is eating those few ears of corn, is the +proper time to see that your halter is ready and all right, and to +reflect on the best mode of operations; for in horse-breaking it is +highly important that you should be governed by some system. And you +should know, before you attempt to do anything, just what you are going +to do, and how you are going to do it. And, if you are experienced in +the art of taming wild horses, you ought to be able to tell, within a +few minutes, the length of time it would take you to halter the colt, +and teach him to lead.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">THE KIND OF HALTER.</h3> + +<p>Always use a leather halter, and be sure to have it made so that it will +not draw tight around his nose if he pulls on it. It should be of the +right size to fit his head easily and nicely; so that the nose-band will +not be too tight or too low. Never put a rope halter on an unbroken +colt, under any circumstances whatever. Rope halters have caused more +horses to hurt or kill themselves than would pay for twice the cost of +all the leather halters that have ever been needed for the purpose of +haltering colts. It is almost impossible to break a colt that is very +wild with a rope halter, without having him pull, rear, and throw +himself, and thus endanger his life; and I will tell you why. It is just +as natural for a horse to try to get his head out of anything that hurts +it, or feels unpleasant, at it would be for you to try to get your hand +out of a fire. The cords of the rope are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> hard and cutting; this makes +him raise his head and draw on it, and as soon as he pulls, the slip +noose (the way rope-halters are always made) tightens, and pinches his +nose, and then he will struggle for life, until, perchance, he throws +himself; and who would have his horse throw himself, and run the risk of +breaking his neck, rather than pay the price of a leather halter? But +this is not the worst. <i>A horse that has once pulled on his halter can +never be as well broken as one that has never pulled at all.</i></p> + +<p>But before we attempt to do anything more with the colt, I will give you +some of the characteristics of his nature, that you may better +understand his motions. Every one that has ever paid any attention to +the horse, has noticed his natural inclination to smell everything which +to him looks new and frightful. This is their strange mode of examining +everything. And when they are frightened at anything, though they look +at it sharply, they seem to have no confidence in their eyesight alone, +but must touch it with their nose before they are entirely satisfied; +and, as soon as they have done that, all seems right.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">EXPERIMENT WITH THE ROBE.</h3> + +<p>If you want to satisfy yourself of this characteristic of the horse, and +to learn something of importance concerning the peculiarities of his +nature, &c., turn him into the barn-yard, or a large stable will do, and +then gather up something that you know will frighten him—a red blanket, +buffalo robe, or something of that kind. Hold it up so that he can see +it, he will stick up his head and snort. Then throw it down somewhere in +the centre of the lot or barn, and walk off to one side. Watch his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +motions, and study his nature. If he is frightened at the object, he +will not rest until he has touched it with his nose. You will see him +begin to walk around the robe and snort, all the time getting a little +closer, as if drawn up by some magic spell, until he finally gets within +reach of it. He will then very cautiously stretch out his neck as far as +he can reach, merely touching it with his nose, as though he thought it +was ready to fly at him. But after he has repeated these touches a few +times, for the first time (though he has been looking at it all the +while) he seems to have an idea what it is. But now he has found, by the +sense of feeling, that it is nothing that will do him any harm, and he +is ready to play with it. And if you watch him closely, you will see him +take hold of it with his teeth, and raise it up and pull at it. And in a +few minutes you can see that he has not that same wild look about his +eye, but stands like a horse biting at some familiar stump.</p> + +<p>Yet the horse is never so well satisfied when he is about anything that +has frightened him, as when he is standing with his nose to it. And, in +nine cases out of ten, you will see some of that same wild look about +him again, as he turns to walk from it. And you will, probably, see him +looking back very suspiciously as he walks away, as though he thought it +might come after him yet. And in all probability, he will have to go +back and make another examination before he is satisfied. But he will +familiarize himself with it, and, if he should run in that field a few +days, the robe that frightened him so much at first will be no more to +him than a familiar stump.</p> + +<p>We might very naturally suppose from the fact of the horse’s applying +his nose to everything new to him, that he always does so for the +purpose of smelling these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> objects. But I believe that it is as much or +more for the purpose of feeling, and that he makes use of his nose, or +muzzle (as it is sometimes called), as we would of our hands; because it +is the only organ by which he can touch or feel anything with much +susceptibility.</p> + +<p>I believe that he invariably makes use of the four senses, <span class="smrom">SEEING</span>, +<span class="smrom">HEARING</span>, <span class="smrom">SMELLING</span>, and <span class="smrom">FEELING</span>, in all of his examinations, of which the +sense of feeling is, perhaps, the most important. And I think that in +the experiment with the robe, his gradual approach and final touch with +his nose was as much for the purpose of feeling as anything else, his +sense of smell being so keen that it would not be necessary for him to +touch his nose against anything in order to get the proper scent; for it +is said that a horse can smell a man at a distance of a mile. And if the +scent of the robe was all that was necessary he could get that several +rods off. But we know from experience, that if a horse sees and smells a +robe a short distance from him he is very much frightened (unless he is +used to it) until he touches or feels it with his nose; which is a +positive proof that feeling is the controlling sense in this case.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HORSE-TAMING DRUGS (?).</h3> + +<p>It is a prevailing opinion among horsemen generally that the sense of +smell is the governing sense of the horse. And Baucher, as well as +others, has with that view got up receipts of strong smelling oils, &c., +to tame the horse, sometimes using the chestnut of his leg, which they +dry, grind into powder, and blow into his nostrils, sometimes using the +oils of rhodium, origanum, &c., that are noted for their strong smell; +and sometimes they scent the hand with the sweat from under the arm,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> or +blow their breath into his nostrils, &c., &c. All of which, as far as +the scent goes, have no effect whatever in gentling the horse, or +conveying any idea to his mind; <i>though the acts that accompany these +efforts—handling him, touching him about the nose and head, and patting +him, as they direct you should, after administering the articles, may +have a very great effect, which they mistake for the effect of the +ingredients used</i>. And Baucher, in his work, entitled “The Arabian Art +of Taming Horses,” page 17, tells us how to accustom a horse to a robe, +by administering certain articles to his nose; and goes on to say that +these articles must first be applied to the horse’s nose, before you +attempt to break him, in order to operate successfully.</p> + +<p>Now, reader, can you, or any one else, give one single reason how scent +can convey any idea to the horse’s mind of what we want him to do? If +not, then of course strong scents of any kind can be of no use in taming +the unbroken horse. For, everything that we get him to do of his own +accord, without force, must be accomplished by conveying our ideas to +his mind. I say to my horse, “Go-’long!” and he goes; “Ho!” and he +stops, because these two words, of which he has learned the meaning by +the tap of the whip and the pull of the rein that first accompanied +them, convey the two ideas to his mind of <i>go</i> and <i>stop</i>.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to teach the horse a single thing by the means of scent +alone; and as for affection, that can be better created by other means.</p> + +<p>How long do you suppose a horse would have to stand and smell a bottle +of oil, before he would learn to bend his knee and make a bow at your +bidding, “Go yonder and bring my hat,” or “Come here and lie down?” The +absurdity of trying to break or tame the horse by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> the means of receipts +for articles to smell at, or of medicine to swallow, is self-evident.</p> + +<p>The only science that has ever existed in the world, relative to the +breaking of horses, that has been of any value, is that method which, +taking them in their native state, improves their intelligence.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">EDITOR’S REMARKS.</h3> + +<p>The directions for driving colts from the pasture are of less importance +in this country where fields are enclosed, and the most valuable colts +wear headstalls, and are handled, or ought to be, from their earliest +infancy; but in Wales, and on wastes like Exmoor<a name="FNanchor_47-1_9" id="FNanchor_47-1_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_47-1_9" class="fnanchor">47-*</a> or Dartmoor, the +advice may be found useful.</p> + +<p>Under all circumstances it is important that the whole training of a +colt (and training of the boy who is to manage horses) should be +conducted from first to last on consistent principles; for, in the mere +process of driving a colt from the field to the fold-yard, ideas of +terror may be instilled into the timid animal, for instance, by idle +drumming on a hat, which it will take weeks or months to eradicate.</p> + +<p>The next step is to get the colt into a stable, barn, or other building +sufficiently large for the early operations, and secluded from those +sights and sounds so common in a farm-yard, which would be likely to +distract his attention. In training a colt the squeaking of a litter of +pigs has lost me the work of three hours. An outfield, empty barn, or +bullock-shed, is better than any place near the homestead.</p> + +<p>It is a good plan to keep an intelligent old horse ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>pressly for the +purpose of helping to train and lead the young colts. I have known +horses that seemed to take a positive pleasure in helping to subdue a +wild colt when first put in double harness.</p> + +<p>The great point is not to force or frighten a colt into the stable, but +to edge him into it quietly, and cause him to glide in of his own +accord. In this simple operation, the horse-trainer will test himself +the indispensable quality of a horse trainer—<i>patience</i>. A word I shall +have to repeat until my readers are almost heartily sick of the +“<i>damnable iteration</i>.” There is a world of equestrian wisdom in two +sentences of the chapter just quoted, “he will not run unless you run +after him,” and “the horse has not studied anatomy.”</p> + +<p>The observations about rope halters are very sound, and in addition I +may add, that the mouths of hundreds of horses are spoiled by the +practice of passing a looped rope round the lower jaw of a fiery horse, +which the rider often makes the stay for keeping himself in his seat.</p> + +<p>The best kind of head-stall for training colts is that delineated at the +head of this chapter,<a name="FNanchor_48-1_10" id="FNanchor_48-1_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_48-1_10" class="fnanchor">48-*</a> called the Bush Bridle, to which any kind of +bit may be attached, and by unbuckling the bit it is converted into a +capital halter, with a rope for leading a colt or picketing a horse at +night.</p> + +<p>The long rope is exactly what Mr. Rarey recommends for teaching a colt +to lead. Every one of any experience will agree that “a horse that has +once pulled on his halter can never be so well broken as one that has +never pulled at all.”</p> + +<p>The directions for stroking and patting the body and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> limbs of a colt +are curious, as proving that an operation which we have been in the +habit of performing as a matter of course without attaching any +particular virtue to it, has really a sort of mesmeric effect in +soothing and conciliating a nervous animal. The directions in <a href="#CHAPTER_V">Chapter V.</a> +for approaching a colt deserve to be studied very minutely, remembering +always the maxim printed at <a href="#Page_57">p. 57</a>—<i>Fear and anger, a good horseman +should never feel.</i></p> + +<p>It took Mr. Rarey himself two hours to halter a savage half-broken colt +in Liverpool, but then he had the disadvantage of being surrounded by an +impatient whispering circle of spectators. At Lord Poltimore’s seat in +Devonshire, in February last (1858), Lord Rivers was two hours alone +with a very sulky biting colt, but finally succeeded in haltering and +saddling him. Yet his lordship had only seen one lesson illustrated on a +very difficult horse at the Duke of Wellington’s school. But this +operation is much more easily described than executed, because some +colts will smell at your hand one moment, and turn round as quick as +lightning, and plant their heels in your ribs if you are not very +active, and don’t stand very close to them. On the directions for using +the whip, <a href="#Page_55">p. 55</a>, with colts of a stubborn disposition, I can say +nothing, never having seen it so employed; but it is evident, that it +must be employed with very great discretion.</p> + +<p>The directions for haltering are very complete, but to execute them with +a colt or horse that paws violently, even in play, with his fore-feet, +requires no common agility. But I may mention that I saw Mr. Rarey alone +put a bridle on a horse seventeen bands high that was notoriously +difficult to bridle even with two men assisting in the operation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>In reference to the hints for treating a colt in a little work from +which I have already quoted, a colonel in the Life Guards says, “The +great thing in horsemanship is to get your horse to be of your party; +not only to obey, but to obey willingly. For this reason, a young horse +cannot be begun with too early, and his lessons cannot be too gradually +progressive. He should wear a head-stall from the beginning, be +accustomed to be held and made fast by the head, to give up all four +feet, to bear the girthing of a roller, to be led, &c.” But if all this +useful preliminary education, in which climbing through gaps after an +old hunter, and taking little jumps, be omitted, then the Rarey system +comes in to shorten your domesticating labours.</p> + +<p>“A wild horse, until tamed, is just as wild and fearful as a wild stag +taken for the first time in the toils.</p> + +<p>“When a horse hangs back and leads unwillingly, the common error is to +get in front of him and pull him. This may answer when the man is +stronger than the horse, but not otherwise.</p> + +<p>“In leading you should never be further forward than your horse’s +shoulder: with your right-hand hold his head in front of you by the +bridle close to his mouth or the head-stall, and with your left hand +touch him with a whip as far back as you can; if you have not a whip you +can use a stirrup-leather.”</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_47-1_9" id="Footnote_47-1_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47-1_9"><span class="label">47-*</span></a> See <a href="#Page_215">page 215</a>—“The Wild Ponies of Exmoor.”</p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_48-1_10" id="Footnote_48-1_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48-1_10"><span class="label">48-*</span></a> Made by Stokey, North Street, Little Moorfields, +London.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">Powell’s system of approaching a colt.—Haley’s remarks on.—Lively +high-spirited horses tamed easily.—Stubborn sulky ones more +difficult.—Motto, “Fear, love and obey.”—Use of a whalebone +gig-whip.—How to frighten and then approach.—Use kind words.—How +to halter and lead a colt.—By the side of a horse.—To lead into a +stable.—To tie up to a manger.—Editor’s remarks.—Longeing.—Use +and abuse of.—On bitting.—Sort of bit for a colt.—Dick +Christian’s bit.—The wooden gag bit.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">But,</span> before we go further, I will give you Willis J. Powell’s system of +approaching a wild colt, as given by him in a work published in Europe, +about the year 1814, on the “Art of Taming Wild Horses.”<a name="FNanchor_51-1_11" id="FNanchor_51-1_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_51-1_11" class="fnanchor">51-*</a> He says, +“A horse is gentled by my secret in from two to sixteen hours.” The time +I have most commonly employed has been from four to six hours. He goes +on to say, “Cause your horse to be put in a small yard, stable, or room. +If in a stable or room, it ought to be large, in order to give him some +exercise with the halter before you lead him out. If the horse belongs +to that class which appears only to fear man, you must introduce +yourself gently into the stable, room, or yard, where the horse is. He +will naturally run from you, and frequently turn his head from you; for +you must walk about extremely slow and softly, so that he can see you +whenever he turns his head towards you, which he never fails to do in a +short<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> time, say in a quarter or half an hour. I never knew one to be +much longer without turning towards me.</p> + +<p>“At the very moment he turns his head, hold out your left hand towards +him, and stand perfectly still, keeping your eyes upon the horse, +watching his motions, if he makes any. If the horse does not stir for +ten or fifteen minutes, advance as slowly as possible, and without +making the least noise, always holding out your left hand, without any +other ingredient in it than what nature put in it.” He says, “I have +made use of certain ingredients before people, such as the sweat under +my arm, &c., to disguise the real secret, and many believed that the +docility to which the horse arrived in so short a time was owing to +these ingredients: but you see from this explanation that they were of +no use whatever. The implicit faith placed in these ingredients, though +innocent of themselves, becomes ‘faith without works.’ And thus men +remained always in doubt concerning the secret. If the horse makes the +least motion when you advance towards him, stop, and remain perfectly +still until he is quiet. Remain a few moments in this condition, and +then advance again in the same slow and almost imperceptible manner. +Take notice—if the horse stirs, stop, without changing your position. +It is very uncommon for the horse to stir more than once after you begin +to advance, yet there are exceptions. He generally keeps his eyes +steadfast on you, until you get near enough to touch him on the +forehead. When you are thus near to him, raise slowly and by degrees +your hand, and let it come in contact with that part just above the +nostrils, as lightly as possible. If the horse flinches (as many will), +repeat with great rapidity these light strokes upon the forehead, going +a little farther up towards his ears by degrees, and descending with +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> same rapidity until he will let you handle his forehead all over. +Now let the strokes be repeated with more force over all his forehead, +descending by lighter strokes to each side of his head, until you can +handle that part with equal facility. Then touch in the same light +manner, making your hands and fingers play around, the lower part of the +horse’s ears, coming down now and then to his forehead, which may be +looked upon as the helm that governs all the rest.</p> + +<p>“Having succeeded in handling his ears, advance towards the neck, with +the same precautions, and in the same manner; observing always to +augment the force of the strokes whenever the horse will permit it. +Perform the same on both sides of the neck, until he lets you take it in +your arms without flinching.</p> + +<p>“Proceed in the same progressive manner to the sides, and then to the +back of the horse. Every time the horse shows any nervousness, return +immediately to the forehead, as the true standard, patting him with your +hands, and thence rapidly to where you had already arrived, always +gaining ground a considerable distance farther on every time this +happens. The head, ears, neck, and body being thus gentled, proceed from +the back to the root of the tail.</p> + +<p>“This must be managed with dexterity, as a horse is never to be depended +on that is skittish about the tail. Let your hand fall lightly and +rapidly on that part next to the body a minute or two, and then you will +begin to give it a slight pull upwards every quarter of a minute. At the +same time you continue this handling of him, augment the force of the +strokes as well as the raising of the tail, until you can raise it and +handle it with the greatest ease, which commonly happens in a quarter of +an hour in most horses, in others almost immediately,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> and in some much +longer. It now remains to handle all his legs; from the tail come back +again to the head, handle it well, as likewise the ears, breast, neck, +&c., speaking now and then to the horse. Begin by degrees to descend to +the legs, always ascending and descending, gaming ground every time you +descend, until you get to his feet.</p> + +<p>“Talk to the horse in Latin, Greek, French, English, or Spanish, or in +any other language you please; but let him hear the sound of your voice, +which at the beginning of the operation is not quite so necessary, but +which I have always done in making him lift up his feet. ‘Hold up your +foot’—‘Lève le pied’—‘Alza el pié’—‘Aron ton poda,’ &c.; at the same +time lift his foot with your hand. He soon becomes familiar with the +sounds, and will hold up his foot at command. Then proceed to the hind +feet, and go on in the same manner; and in a short time the horse will +let you lift them, and even take them up in your arms.</p> + +<p>“All this operation is no magnetism, no galvanism; it is merely taking +away the fear a horse generally has of a man, and familiarizing the +animal with his master. As the horse doubtless experiences a certain +pleasure from this handling, he will soon become gentle under it, and +show a very marked attachment to his keeper.”</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">RAREY’S REMARKS ON POWELL’S TREATMENT.</h3> + +<p>These instructions are very good, but not quite sufficient for horses of +all kinds, and for haltering and leading the colt; but I have inserted +them here because they give some of the true philosophy of approaching +the horse, and of establishing confidence between man and horse. He +speaks only of the kind that fear man.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>To those who understand the philosophy of horsemanship, these are the +easiest trained; for when we have a horse that is wild and lively, we +can train him to our will in a very short time—for they are generally +quick to learn, and always ready to obey. But there is another kind that +are of a stubborn or vicious disposition; and although they are not +wild, and do not require taming, in the sense it is generally +understood, they are just as ignorant as a wild horse, if not more so, +and need to be taught just as much: and in order to have them obey +quickly, it is very necessary that they should be made to fear their +master; for, in order to obtain perfect obedience from any horse, we +must first have him fear us, for our motto is, “<i>Fear, love and obey</i>;” +and we must have the fulfilment of the first two before we can expect +the latter; for it is by our philosophy of creating fear, love, and +confidence, that we govern to our will every kind of horse whatever.</p> + +<p>Then, in order to take horses as we find them, of all kinds, and to +train them to our liking, we should always take with us, when we go into +a stable to train a colt, a long switch whip (whalebone buggy-whips are +the best), with a good silk cracker, so as to cut keenly and make a +sharp report. This, if handled with dexterity, and rightly applied, +accompanied with a sharp, fierce word, will be sufficient to enliven the +spirits of any horse. With this whip in your right hand, with the lash +pointing backward, enter the stable alone. It is a great disadvantage, +in training a horse, to have any one in the stable with you; you should +be entirely alone, so as to have nothing but yourself to attract his +attention. If he is wild, you will soon see him on the opposite side of +the stable from you; and now is the time to use a little judgment. I +should not require, myself, more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> than half or three-quarters of an hour +to handle any kind of colt, and have him running about in the stable +after me; though I would advise a new beginner to take more time, and +not be in too much of a hurry. If you have but one colt to gentle, and +are not particular about the length of time you spend, and have not had +any experience in handling colts, I would advise you to take Mr. +Powell’s method at first, till you gentle him, which, he says, takes +from two to six hours. But as I want to accomplish the same, and, what +is more, teach the horse to lead, in less than one hour, I shall give +you a much quicker process of accomplishing the same end. Accordingly, +when you have entered the stable, stand still, and let your horse look +at you a minute or two, and as soon as he is settled in one place, +approach him slowly, with both arms stationary, your right hanging by +your side, holding the whip as directed, and the left bent at the elbow, +with your hand projecting. As you approach him, go not too much towards +his head or croup, so as not to make him move either forward or +backward, thus keeping your horse stationary; if he does move a little +either forward or backward, step a little to the right or left very +cautiously; this will keep him in one place. As you get very near him, +draw a little to his shoulder, and stop a few seconds. If you are in his +reach he will turn his head and smell your hand, not that he has any +preference for your hand, but because that is projecting, and is the +nearest portion of your body to the horse. This all colts will do, and +they will smell your naked hand just as quickly as they will of anything +that you can put in it, and with just as good an effect, however much +some men have preached the doctrine of taming horses by giving them the +scent of articles from the hand. I have already proved that to be a +mistake. As soon as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> he touches your hand with his nose, caress him as +before directed, always using a very light, soft hand, merely touching +the horse, always rubbing the way the hair lies, so that your hand will +pass along as smoothly as possible. As you stand by his side, you may +find it more convenient to rub his neck or the side of his head, which +will answer the same purpose as rubbing his forehead. Favour every +inclination of the horse to smell or touch you with his nose. <i>Always +follow each touch or communication of this kind with the most tender and +affectionate caresses, accompanied, with a kind look, and pleasant word +of some sort</i>, such as, “Ho! my little boy—ho! my little boy!” “Pretty +boy!” “Nice lady!” or something of that kind, constantly repeating the +same words, with the same kind, steady tone of voice; for the horse soon +learns to read the expression of the face and voice, and will know as +well when fear, love, or anger prevails, as you know your own feelings; +two of which, <span class="smrom">FEAR AND ANGER, A GOOD HORSEMAN SHOULD NEVER FEEL</span>.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">IF YOUR HORSE IS OF A STUBBORN DISPOSITION.</h3> + +<p>If your horse, instead of being wild, seems to be of a stubborn or +<i>mulish</i> disposition; if he lays back his ears as you approach him, or +turns his heels to kick you, he has not that regard or fear of man that +he should have, to enable you to handle him quickly and easily; and it +might be well to give him a few sharp cuts with the whip, about the +legs, pretty close to the body. It will crack keenly as it plies around +his legs, and the crack of the whip will affect him as much as the +stroke; besides, one sharp cut about his legs will affect him more than +two or three over his back, the skin on the inner part of his legs or +about his flank being thinner, more tender,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> than on his back. But do +not whip him much—just enough to frighten him; <i>it is not because we +want to hurt the horse that we whip him</i>—we only do it to frighten vice +and stubbornness out of him. But whatever you do, do quickly, sharply, +and with a good deal of fire, but always without anger. If you are going +to frighten him at all, you must do it at once. Never go into a pitched +battle with your horse, and whip him until he is mad and will fight you; +it would be better not to touch him at all, for you will establish, +instead of fear and respect, feelings of resentment, hatred, and +ill-will. It will do him no good, but harm, to strike him, unless you +can frighten him; but if you can succeed in frightening him, you can +whip him without making him mad; <i>for fear and anger never exist +together in the horse</i>, and as soon as one is visible, you will find +that the other has disappeared. As soon as you have frightened him, so +that he will stand up straight and pay some attention to you, approach +him again, and caress him a good deal more than you whipped him; thus +you will excite the two controlling passions of his nature, love and +fear; he will love and fear you, too; and, as soon as he learns what you +require, will obey quickly.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HOW TO HALTER AND LEAD A COLT.</h3> + +<p>As soon as you have gentled the colt a little, take the halter in your +left hand, and approach him as before, and on the same side that you +have gentled him. If he is very timid about your approaching closely to +him, you can get up to him quicker by making the whip a part of your +arm, and reaching out very gently with the butt end of it, rubbing him +lightly on the neck, all the time getting a little closer, shortening +the whip by taking it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> up in your hand, until you finally get close +enough to put your hands on him. If he is inclined to hold his head from +you, put the end of the halter-strap around his neck, drop your whip, +and draw very gently; he will let his neck give, and you can pull his +head to you. Then take hold of that part of the halter which buckles +over the top of his head, and pass the long side, or that part which +goes into the buckle, under his neck, grasping it on the opposite side +with your right hand, letting the first strap loose—the latter will be +sufficient to hold his head to you. Lower the halter a little, just +enough to get his nose into that part which goes around it; then raise +it somewhat, and fasten the top buckle, and you will have it all right. +The first time you halter a colt you should stand on the left side, +pretty well back to his shoulder, only taking hold of that part of the +halter that goes around his neck; then with your two hands about his +neck you can hold his head to you, and raise the halter on it without +making him dodge by putting your hands about his nose. You should have a +long rope or strap ready, and as soon as you have the halter on, attach +this to it, so that you can let him walk the length of the stable +without letting go of the strap, or without making him pull on the +halter, for if you only let him feel the weight of your hand on the +halter, and give him rope when he runs from you, he will never rear, +pull, or throw himself, yet you will be holding him all the time, and +doing more towards gentling him than if you had the power to snub him +right up, and hold him to one spot; because he does not know anything +about his strength, and if you don’t do anything to make him pull, he +will never know that he can. In a few minutes you can begin to control +him with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> halter, then shorten the distance between yourself and the +horse by taking up the strap in your hand.</p> + +<p>As soon as he will allow you to hold him by a tolerably short strap, and +to step up to him without flying back, you can begin to give him some +idea about leading. But to do this, do not go before and attempt to pull +him after you, but commence by pulling him very quietly to one side. He +has nothing to brace either side of his neck, and will soon yield to a +steady, gradual pull of the halter; and as soon as you have pulled him a +step or two to one side, step up to him and caress him, and then pull +him again, repeating this operation until you can pull him around in +every direction, and walk about the stable with him, which you can do in +a few minutes, for he will soon think when you have made him step to the +right or left a few times, that he is compelled to follow the pull of +the halter, not knowing that he has the power to resist your pulling; +besides, you have handled him so gently that he is not afraid of you, +and you always caress him when he comes up to you, and he likes that, +and would just as lief follow you as not. And after he has had a few +lessons of that kind, if you turn him out in a field, he will come up to +you every opportunity he gets.</p> + +<p>You should lead him about in the stable some time before you take him +out, opening the door, so that he can see out, leading him up to it and +back again, and past it.</p> + +<p>See that there is nothing on the outside to make him jump when you take +him out, and as you go out with him, try to make him go very slowly, +catching hold of the halter close to the jaw with your left hand, while +the right is resting on the top of the neck, holding to his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> mane. After +you are out with him a little while, you can lead him about as you +please.</p> + +<p>Don’t let any second person come up to you when you first take him out; +a stranger taking hold of the halter would frighten him, and make him +run. There should not even be any one standing near him, to attract his +attention or scare him. If you are alone, and manage him rightly, it +will not require any more force to lead or hold him than it would to +manage a broken horse.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HOW TO LEAD A COLT BY THE SIDE OF A BROKEN HORSE.</h3> + +<p>If you should want to lead your colt by the side of another horse, as is +often the case, I would advise you to take your horse into the stable, +attach a second strap to the colt’s halter, and lead your horse up +alongside of him. Then get on the broken horse and take one strap around +his breast, under his martingale (if he has any on), holding it in your +left hand. This will prevent the colt from getting back too far; +besides, you will have more power to hold him with the strap pulling +against the horse’s breast. The other strap take up in your right hand +to prevent him from running ahead; then turn him about a few times in +the stable, and if the door is wide enough, ride out with him in that +position; if not, take the broken horse out first, and stand his breast +up against the door, then lead the colt to the same spot, and take the +straps as before directed, one on each side of his neck, then let some +one start the colt out, and as he comes out, turn your horse to the +left, and you will have them all right. This is the best way to lead a +colt; you can manage any kind of colt in this way, without any trouble; +for if he tries to run ahead,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> or pull back, the two straps will bring +the horses facing each other, so that you can very easily follow up his +movements without doing much holding, and as soon as he stops running +backward you are right with him, and all ready to go ahead; and if he +gets stubborn and does not want to go, you can remove all his +stubbornness by riding your horse against his neck, thus compelling him +to turn to the right; and as soon as you have turned him about a few +times, he will be willing to go along. The next thing after you have got +through leading him, will be to take him into a stable, and hitch him in +such a way as not to have him pull on the halter; and as they are often +troublesome to get into a stable the first few times, I will give you +some instructions about getting him in.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">TO LEAD INTO A STABLE.</h3> + +<p>You should lead the broken horse into the stable first, and get the +colt, if you can, to follow in after him. If he refuses to go, step unto +him, taking a little stick or switch in your right hand; then take hold +of the halter close to his head with your left hand, at the same time +reaching over his back with your right arm so that you can tap him on +the opposite side with your switch; bring him up facing the door, tap +him slightly with your switch, reaching as far back with it as you can. +This tapping, by being pretty well back, and on the opposite side, will +drive him ahead, and keep him close to you; then by giving him the right +direction with your left hand you can walk into the stable with him. I +have walked colts into the stable this way in less than a minute, after +men had worked at them half an hour, trying to pull them in. If you +cannot walk him in at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> once in this way, turn him about and walk him +around in every direction, until you can get him up to the door without +pulling at him. Then let him stand a few minutes, keeping his head in +the right direction with the halter, and he will walk in in less than +ten minutes. Never attempt to pull the colt into the stable; that would +make him think at once that it was a dangerous place, and if he was not +afraid of it before he would be then. Besides, we do not want him to +know anything about pulling on the halter. Colts are often hurt and +sometimes killed, by trying to force them into the stable; and those who +attempt to do it in that way go into an up-hill business, when a plain +smooth road is before them.</p> + +<p>If you want to tie up your colt, put him in a tolerably wide stall, +which should not be too long, and should be connected by a bar or +something of that kind to the partition behind it; so that, after the +colt is in he cannot go far enough back to take a straight, backward +pull on the halter; then by tying him in the centre of the stall, it +would be impossible for him to pull on the halter, the partition behind +preventing him from going back, and the halter in the centre checking +him every time he turns to the right or left. In a stall of this kind +you can break any horse to stand tied with a light strap, anywhere, +without his ever knowing anything about pulling. For if you have broken +your horse to lead, and have taught him the use of the halter (which you +should always do before you hitch him to anything), you can hitch him in +any kind of a stall, and if you give him something to eat to keep him up +to his place for a few minutes at first, there is not one colt in fifty +that will pull on his halter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">EDITORS REMARKS.</h3> + +<p>Mr. Rarey says nothing about “longeing,” which is the first step of +European and Eastern training. Perhaps he considers his plan of pulling +up the leg to be sufficient; but be that as it may, we think it well to +give the common sense of a much-abused practice.</p> + +<p>Ignorant horse-breakers will tell you that they <i>longe</i> a colt to supple +him. That is ridiculous nonsense. A colt unbroken will bend himself with +most extraordinary flexibility. Look at a lot of two-years before +starting for a run; observe the agility of their antics: or watch a colt +scratching his head with his hind foot, and you will never believe that +such animals can require <a name="corr12" id="corr12"></a>suppling. But it is an easy way of teaching a +horse simple acts of obedience—of getting him to go and stop at your +orders: but in brutal hands more horses are spoiled and lamed by the +longe than any other horse-breaking operation. A stupid fellow drags a +horse’s head and shoulders into the circle with the cord, while his +hind-quarters are driven out by the whip.</p> + +<p>“<i>A colt should be longed at a walk only, until he circles without +force.</i></p> + +<p>“He should never be compelled to canter in the longe, though he may be +permitted to do it of himself.</p> + +<p>“He must not be stopped by pulling the cord, which would pull him +across, but by meeting him, so that he stops himself straight. A skilful +person will, single-handed, longe, and, by heading him with the whip, +change him without stopping, and longe him in the figure of 8. No man is +fit to be trusted with such powerful implements as the longe-cord and +whip who cannot do this.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>“The snaffle may be added when he goes freely in the head-stall.”</p> + +<p>A colt should never be buckled to the pillar reins by his bit, but by +the head-stall; for if tightly buckled to the bit, he will bear +heavily—even go to sleep: raw lip, which, when cured, becomes callous, +is the result. Yet nothing is more common than to see colts standing for +hours on the bit, with reins tightly buckled to the demi-jockey, under +the ignorant notion of giving him a mouth, or setting up his head in the +right place. The latter, if not done by nature, can only be done, if +ever, by delicate, skilful hands.</p> + +<p>A colt’s bit should be large and smooth snaffle, with players to keep +his mouth moist.</p> + +<p>Dick Christian liked a bit for young horses as thick as his thumb—we +don’t know how thick that was—and four and a half inches between the +cheeks; and there was no better judge than Dick.</p> + +<p>The Germans use a wooden bit to make a horse’s mouth, and good judges +think they are right, as it may not be so unpleasant as metal to begin +with; but wood or iron, the bridle should be properly put on, a point +often neglected, and a fertile source of restiveness. There is as much +need to fit a bridle to the length of a horse’s head, as to buckle the +girths of the saddle.</p> + +<p>For conquering a vicious, biting horse, there is nothing equal to the +large wooden gag-bit, which Mr. Rarey first exhibited in public on the +zebra. A muzzle only prevents a horse from biting; a gag, properly used, +cures; for when he finds he cannot bite, and that you caress him and rub +his ears kindly with perfect confidence, he by degrees abandons this +most dangerous vice. Stafford was driven in a wooden gag the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> first +time. Colts inclined to crib-bite, should be dressed with one on.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 196px;"> +<a name="illus-p66" id="illus-p66"></a><a href="images/illus-066-full.png"><img src="images/illus-066.png" width="196" height="167" alt="Drawing of a wooden bit." title="WOODEN GAG BIT." /></a> +<span class="caption">WOODEN GAG BIT.</span> +</div> + +<p>Our woodcut is taken from the improved model produced by Mr. Stokey; no +doubt Mr. Rarey took the idea of his gag-bit from the wooden gag, which +has been in use among country farriers from time immemorial, to keep a +horse’s mouth while they are performing the cruel and useless operation +of firing for lampas.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_51-1_11" id="Footnote_51-1_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51-1_11"><span class="label">51-*</span></a> Is there such a work? I cannot find it in any English +catalogue.—<span class="smcap">Editor.</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 437px;"> +<a name="illus-p67f" id="illus-p67f"></a><a href="images/illus-067f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-067f.png" width="437" height="337" alt="Horse wearing a bridle and surcingle, with its left foreleg strapped up" title="Leg strapped up." /></a> +<span class="caption">Leg strapped up.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">Taming a colt or horse.—Rarey’s directions for strapping up and +laying down detailed.—Explanations by Editor.—To approach a +vicious horse with half door.—Cartwheel.—No. 1 strap +applied.—No. 2 strap applied.—Woodcuts of.—How to hop +about.—Knot up bridle.—Struggle described.—Lord B.’s improved +No. 2 strap.—Not much danger.—How to steer a horse.—Laid down, +how to gentle.—To mount, tied up.—Place and preparations for +training described.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">In</span> this chapter I change the arrangement of the original work, and unite +two sections which Mr. Rarey has divided, either because when he wrote +them he was not aware of the importance of what is really the cardinal +point, the mainstay, the foundation of his system, or because he wished +to conceal it from the uninitiated. The Rarey system substitutes for +severe longeing, for whipping and spurring, blinkers, physic, starving, +the twitch, tying the tail down, sewing the ears together, putting shot +in the ears, and all the cruelties hitherto resorted to for subduing +high-spirited and vicious animals (and very often the high-spirited +become, from injudicious treatment, the most vicious), a method of +laying a horse down, tying up his limbs, and gagging, if necessary, his +mouth, which makes him soon feel that man is his superior, and yet +neither excites his terror or his hatred.</p> + +<p>These two sections are to be found at pp. 48 and 51 and at pp. 59 and +60, <i>orig. edit.</i>, under the titles of “How to drive a Horse that is +very wild, and has any vicious Habits,” and “How to make a Horse lie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +down.” It is essential to unite these sections, because, if you put a +well-bred horse in harness with his leg up, without first putting him +down, it is ten to one but that he throws himself down violently, breaks +the shafts of the vehicle, and his own knees.</p> + +<p>The following are the sections verbatim, of which I shall afterwards +give a paraphrase, with illustrative woodcuts:—</p> + +<p>“Take up one fore-foot and bend his knee till his hoof is bottom +upwards, and nearly touching his body; then slip a loop over his knee, +and up until it comes above the pastern-joint, to keep it up, being +careful to draw the loop together between the hoof and pastern-joint +with a second strap of some kind to prevent the loop from slipping down +and coming off. This will leave the horse standing on three legs; you +can now handle him as you wish, for it is utterly impossible for him to +kick in this position. There is something in this operation of taking up +one foot, that conquers a horse quicker and better than anything else +you can do to him. There is no process in the world equal to it to break +a kicking horse, for several reasons. First, there is a principle of +this kind in the nature of the horse; that by conquering one member, you +conquer, to a great extent, the whole horse.</p> + +<p>“You have perhaps seen men operate upon this principle, by sewing a +horse’s ears together to prevent him from kicking. I once saw a plan +given in a newspaper to make a bad horse stand to be shod, which was to +fasten down one ear. There were no reasons given why you should do so; +but I tried it several times, and thought that it had a good +effect—though I would not recommend its use, especially stitching his +ears together. The only benefit arising from this process is,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> that by +disarranging his ears we draw his attention to them, and he is not so +apt to resist the shoeing. By tying up one foot we operate on the same +principle to a much better effect. When you first fasten up a horse’s +foot, he will sometimes get very mad, and strike with his knee, and try +every possible way to get it down; but he cannot do that, and will soon +give up.</p> + +<p>“This will conquer him better than anything you could do, and without +any possible danger of hurting himself or you either, for you can tie up +his foot and sit down and look at him until he gives up. When you find +that he is conquered, go to him, let down his foot, rub his leg with +your hand, caress him, and let him rest a little; then put it up again. +Repeat this a few times, always putting up the same foot, and he will +soon learn to travel on three legs, so that you can drive him some +distance. As soon as he gets a little used to this way of travelling, +put on your harness, and hitch him to a sulky. If he is the worst +kicking horse that ever raised a foot, you need not be fearful of his +doing any damage while he has one foot up, for he cannot kick, neither +can he run fast enough to do any harm. And if he is the wildest horse +that ever had harness on, and has run away every time he has been +hitched, you can now hitch him in a sulky, and drive him as you please. +If he wants to run, you can let him have the lines, and the whip too, +with perfect safety, for he can go but a slow gait on three legs, and +will soon be tired, and willing to stop; only hold him enough to guide +him in the right direction, and he will soon be tired and willing to +stop at the word. Thus you will effectually cure him at once of any +further notion of running off. Kicking horses have always been the dread +of everybody; you always hear men say, when they speak about a bad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +horse, ‘I don’t care what he does, so he don’t kick.’ This new method is +an effectual cure for this worst of all habits. There are plenty of ways +by which you can hitch a kicking horse, and force him to go, though he +kicks all the time; but this doesn’t have any good effect towards +breaking him, for we know that horses kick because they are afraid of +what is behind them, and when they kick against it and it hurts them, +they will only kick the harder; and this will hurt them still more and +make them remember the scrape much longer, and make it still more +difficult to persuade them to have any confidence in anything dragging +behind them ever after.</p> + +<p>“But by this new method you can harness them to a rattling sulky, +plough, waggon, or anything else in its worst shape. They may be +frightened at first, but cannot kick or do anything to hurt themselves, +and will soon find that you do not intend to hurt them, and then they +will not care anything more about it. You can then let down the leg and +drive along gently without any further trouble. By this new process a +bad kicking horse can be learned to go gentle in harness in a few hours’ +time.”<a name="FNanchor_70-1_12" id="FNanchor_70-1_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_70-1_12" class="fnanchor">70-*</a></p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“HOW TO MAKE A HORSE LIE DOWN.</h3> + +<p>“Everything that we want to teach the horse must be commenced in such a +way as to give him an idea of what you want him to do, and then be +repeated till he learns it perfectly. To make a horse lie down, bend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +his left fore-leg and slip a loop over it, so that he cannot get it +down. Then put a surcingle around his body, and fasten one end of a long +strap around the other fore-leg, just above the hoof. Place the other +end under the before-described surcingle, so as to keep the strap in the +right direction; take a short hold of it with your right hand; stand on +the left side of the horse, grasp the bit in your left hand, pull +steadily on the strap with your right; bear against his shoulder till +you cause him to move. As soon as he lifts his weight, your pulling will +raise the other foot, and he will have to come on his knees. Keep the +strap tight in your hand, so that he cannot straighten his leg if he +rises up. Hold him in this position, and turn his head towards you; bear +against his side with your shoulder, not hard, but with a steady, equal +pressure, and in about ten minutes he will lie down. As soon as he lies +down, he will be completely conquered, and you can handle him as you +please. Take off the straps, and straighten out his legs; rub him +lightly about the face and neck with your hand the way the hair lies; +handle all his legs, and after he has lain ten or twenty minutes, let +him get up again. After resting him a short time, make him lie down as +before. Repeat the operation three or four times, which will be +sufficient for one lesson. Give him two lessons a day, and when you have +given him four lessons, he will lie down by taking hold of one foot. As +soon as he is well broken to lie down in this way, tap him on the +opposite leg with a stick when you take hold of his foot, and in a few +days he will lie down from the mere motion of the stick.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>”</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">EDITORS DETAILED EXPLANATIONS.</h3> + +<p>Although, as I before observed, the tying up of the fore-leg is not a +new expedient, or even the putting a horse down single-handed, the two +operations, as taught and performed by Mr. Rarey, not only subdue and +render docile the most violent horses, but, most strange of all, inspire +them with a positive confidence and affection after two or three lessons +from the horse-tamer. “How this is or why this is,” Mr. Langworthy, the +veterinary surgeon to Her Majesty’s stables, observed, “I cannot say or +explain, but I am convinced, by repeated observation on many horses, +that it is a fact.”</p> + +<p>If, however, a man, however clever with horses, were to attempt to +perform the operations without other instruction than that contained in +the American pamphlet, he would infallibly break his horse’s knees, and +probably get his toes trodden on, his eyes blacked, and his arm +dislocated—for all these accidents have happened within my own +knowledge to rash experimentalists; while under proper instructions, not +only have stout and gouty noblemen succeeded perfectly, but the +slight-built, professional horsewoman, Miss Gilbert, has conquered +thorough-bred colts and fighting Arabs, and a young and beautiful +peeress has taken off her bonnet before going to a morning <i>féte</i>, and +in ten minutes laid a full-sized horse prostrate and helpless as a sheep +in the hands of the shearer.</p> + +<p>Having, then, in your mind Mr. Rarey’s maxim that a horseman should know +neither fear nor anger, and having laid in a good stock of patience, you +must make your approach to the colt or stallion in the mode prescribed +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> the preceding chapters. In dealing with a colt, except upon an +emergency, he should be first accustomed to be handled and taught to +lead; this, first-rate horse-tamers will accomplish with the wildest +colt in three hours, but it is better to give at least one day up to +these first important steps in education. It will also be as well to +have a colt cleaned and his hoof trimmed by the blacksmith. If this +cannot be done the operation will be found very dirty and disagreeable.</p> + +<p>In approaching a spiteful stallion you had better make your first +advances with a half-door between you and him, as Mr. Rarey did in his +first interview with Cruiser: gradually make his acquaintance, and teach +him that you do not care for his open mouth; but a regular biter must be +gagged in the manner which will presently be described.</p> + +<p>Of course there is no difficulty in handling the leg of a quiet horse or +colt, and by constantly working from the neck down to the fetlock you +may do what you please. But many horses and even colts have a most +dangerous trick of striking out with their fore-legs. There is no better +protection against this than a cart-wheel. The wheel may either be used +loose, or the animal may be led up to a cart loaded with hay, when the +horse-tamer can work under the cart through one of the wheels, while the +colt is nibbling the load.</p> + +<p>Having, then, so far soothed a colt that he will permit you to take up +his legs without resistance, take the strap No. 1<a name="FNanchor_73-1_13" id="FNanchor_73-1_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_73-1_13" class="fnanchor">73-*</a>—pass the tongue +through the loop under the buckle so as to form a noose, slip it over +the near fore-leg and draw it close up to the pastern-joint, then take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +up the leg as if you were going to shoe him, and passing the strap over +the fore-arm, put it through the buckle, and buckle the lower limb as +close as you can to the arm without hurting the animal.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<a name="illus-p74" id="illus-p74"></a><a href="images/illus-074-full.png"><img src="images/illus-074.png" width="270" height="93" alt="Drawing of the strap with buckle" title="STRAP NO. 1." /></a> +<span class="caption">STRAP NO. 1.</span> +</div> + +<p>Take care that your buckle is of the very best quality, and the leather +sound. It is a good plan to stretch it before using it. The tongues of +buckles used for this purpose, if not of the very best quality, are very +likely to come out, when all your labour will have to be gone over +again. Sometimes you may find it better to lay the loop open on the +ground, and let the horse step into it. It is better the buckle should +be inside the leg if you mean the horse to fall toward you, because then +it is easier to unbuckle when he is on the ground.</p> + +<p>In those instances in which you have had no opportunity of previously +taming and soothing a colt, it will frequently take you an hour of +quiet, patient, silent perseverance before he will allow you to buckle +up his leg—if he resists you have nothing for it but <i>patience</i>. You +must stroke him, you must fondle him, until he lets you enthral him. Mr. +Rarey always works alone, and disdains assistance, and so do some of his +best pupils, Lord B., the Marquis of S., and Captain S. In travelling in +foreign countries you may have occasion to tame a colt or wild horse +alone, but there is no reason why you should not have assistance if you +can get it, and in that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> case the process is of course much easier. But +it must never be forgotten that to tame a horse properly no unnecessary +force must be employed; it is better that he should put down his foot +six times that he may yield it willingly at last, and under no +circumstances must the trainer lose patience, or give way to temper.</p> + +<p>The near fore-leg being securely strapped, and the horse, if so +inclined, secured from biting by a wooden bit, the next step is to make +him hop about on three legs. This is comparatively easy if the animal +has been taught to lead, but it is difficult with one which has not. The +trainer must take care to keep behind his horse’s shoulder and walk in a +circle, or he will be likely to be struck by the horse’s head or +strapped-up leg.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rarey is so skilful that he seldom considers it necessary to make +his horses hop about; but there is no doubt that it saves much +after-trouble by fatiguing the animal; and that it is a useful +preparation before putting a colt or kicking horse into harness. Like +every other operation it must be done very gently, and accompanied by +soothing words—“Come along”—“Come along, old fellow,” &c.</p> + +<p>A horse can hop on three legs, if not severely pressed, for two or three +miles; and no plan is more successful for curing a kicker or jibber.</p> + +<p>When the horse has hopped for as long as you think necessary to tire +him, buckle a common single strap roller or surcingle on his body +tolerably tight. A single strap surcingle is the best.</p> + +<p>It is as well, if possible, to teach colts from a very early age to bear +a surcingle. At any rate it will require a little management the first +time.</p> + +<p>You have now advanced your colt so far that he is not afraid of a man, +he likes being patted and caressed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> he will lead when you take hold of +the bridle, and you have buckled up his leg so that he cannot hop faster +than you can run.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 258px;"> +<a name="illus-p76" id="illus-p76"></a><a href="images/illus-076-full.png"><img src="images/illus-076.png" width="258" height="133" alt="Drawing of strap without buckle" title="NO. 2 STRAP, FOR OFF FORE-LEG." /></a> +<span class="caption">NO. 2 STRAP, FOR OFF FORE-LEG.</span> +</div> + +<p>Shorten the bridle (the bit should be a thick plain snaffle) so that the +reins, when laid loose on his withers, come nearly straight. This is +best done by twisting the reins twice round two fore-fingers and passing +the ends through in a loop, because this knot can be easily untied. Next +take strap No. 2, and, making a loop, put it round the off fore-leg. +With a very quiet horse this can easily be done; with a wild or vicious +horse you may have to make him step into it; at any rate, when once the +off fore-leg is caught in the noose it must be drawn tight round the +pastern-joint. Then put a stout glove or mitten on your right hand, +having taken care that your nails have been cut short, pass the strap +through the belly part of the surcingle, take a firm short hold of it +with your gloved right hand, standing close to the horse behind his +shoulders, and with your left hand take hold of the near rein; by +pulling the horse gently to the near side he will be almost sure to hop; +if he will not he must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> led, but Mr. Rarey always makes him hop +alone. The moment he lifts up his off fore-foot you must draw up strap +No. 2 tightly and steadily. The motion will draw up the off leg into the +same position as the near leg, and the horse will go down on his knees. +Your object is to hold the strap so firmly that he will not be able to +stretch his foot out again. Those who are very confident in their skill +are content to hold the strap only with a twist round their hand, but +others take the opportunity of the horse’s first surprise to give the +strap a double turn round the surcingle.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 446px;"> +<a name="illus-p76f" id="illus-p76f"></a><a href="images/illus-076f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-076f.png" width="446" height="339" alt="Horse wearing bridle and surcingle with left foreleg strapped up and the strap around the right foreleg and passing through the surcingle" title="Horse with Straps Nos. 1 and 2." /></a> +<span class="caption">Horse with Straps Nos. 1 and 2.</span> +</div> + +<p>Another way of performing this operation is to use with difficult +violent horses the strap invented by Lord B——h, which consists first +of the loop for the off fore-leg shown in our cut. A surcingle strap, at +least seven feet long, with a buckle, is thrown across the horse’s back; +the buckle end is passed through the ring; the tongue is passed through +the buckle, and the moment the horse moves the Tamer draws the strap +tight round the body of the horse, and in buckling it makes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> the leg so +safe that he has no need to use any force in holding it up.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 156px;"> +<a name="illus-p77" id="illus-p77"></a><a href="images/illus-077-full.png"><img src="images/illus-077.png" width="156" height="167" alt="Strap forming loop, with ring on one end" title="LORD B.’S IMPROVED STRAP NO. 2." /></a> +<span class="caption">LORD B.’S IMPROVED STRAP NO. 2.</span> +</div> + +<p>As soon as a horse recovers from his astonishment at being brought to +his knees, he begins to resist; that is, he rears up on his hind-legs, +and springs about in a manner that is truly alarming for the spectators +to behold, and which in the case of a well-bred horse in good condition +requires a certain degree of activity in the Trainer. (See page of Horse +Struggling.)</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 286px;"> +<a name="illus-p78" id="illus-p78"></a><a href="images/illus-078-full.png"><img src="images/illus-078.png" width="286" height="103" alt="Drawing of surcingle" title="SURCINGLE FOR LORD B.’S STRAP NO. 2." /></a> +<span class="caption">SURCINGLE FOR LORD B.’S STRAP NO. 2.</span> +</div> + +<p>You must remember that your business is not to set your strength against +the horse’s strength, but merely to follow him about, holding the strap +just tight enough to prevent him from putting out his off fore-leg. As +long as you keep <i>close to him</i> and <i>behind his shoulders</i> you are in +very little danger. The bridle in the left hand must be used like +steering lines: by pulling to the right or left as occasion requires, +the horse, turning on his hind-legs, maybe guided just as a boat is +steered by the rudder lines; or pulling straight, the horse may be +fatigued by being forced to walk backwards. The strap passing through +the surcingle keeps, or ought to keep, the Trainer in his right +place—he is not to pull or in any way fatigue himself more than he can +help, but, standing upright, simply follow the horse about,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> guiding +him with the bridle away from the walls of the training school when +needful. It must be admitted that to do this well requires considerable +nerve, coolness, patience, and at times agility; for although a +grass-fed colt will soon give in, a corn-fed colt, and, above all, a +high-couraged hunter in condition, will make a very stout fight; and I +have known one instance in which a horse with both fore-legs fast has +jumped sideways.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 421px;"> +<a name="illus-p79f" id="illus-p79f"></a><a href="images/illus-079f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-079f.png" width="421" height="319" alt="Horse with left foreleg strapped up, rearing. Man by left side trying to control it" title="The Horse struggling." /></a> +<span class="caption">The Horse struggling.</span> +</div> + +<p>The proof that the danger is more apparent than real lies in the fact +that no serious accidents have as yet happened; and that, as I before +observed, many noblemen, and some noble ladies, and some boys, have +succeeded perfectly. But it would be untrue to assert that there is no +danger. When held and guided properly, few horses resist more than ten +minutes; and it is believed that a quarter of an hour is the utmost time +that any horse has ever fought before sinking exhausted to the earth. +But the time seems extremely long to an inexperienced performer; and it +is a great comfort to get your assistant to be tune-keeper, if there is +no clock in a conspicuous situation, and tell you how you are getting +on. Usually at the end of eight minutes’ violent struggles, the animal +sinks forward on his knees, sweating profusely, with heaving flanks and +shaking tail, as if at the end of a thirty minutes’ burst with +fox-hounds over a stiff country.</p> + +<p>Then is the time to get him into a comfortable position for lying down; +if he is still stout, he may be forced by the bit to walk backwards. +Then, too, by pushing gently at his shoulder, or by pulling steadily the +off-rein, you can get him to fall, in the one case on the near side, on +the other on the off side; but this assistance should be so slight that +the horse must not be able to resist it. The horse will often make a +final spring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> when you think he is quite beaten; but, at any rate, at +length he slides over, and lies down, panting and exhausted, on his +side. If he is full of corn and well bred, take advantage of the moment +to tie up the off fore-leg to the surcingle, as securely as the other, +in a slip loop knot.</p> + +<p>Now let your horse recover his wind, and then encourage him to make a +second fight. It will often be more stubborn and more fierce than the +first. The object of this tying-up operation is, that he shall +thoroughly exhaust without hurting himself, and that he shall come to +the conclusion that it is you who, by your superior strength, have +conquered him, and that you are always able to conquer him.</p> + +<p>Under the old rough-riding system, the most vicious horses were +occasionally conquered by daring men with firm seats and strong arms, +who rode and flogged them into subjection; but these conquests were +temporary, and usually <i>personal</i>; with every stranger, the animal would +begin his game again.</p> + +<p>One advantage of this Rarey system is, that the horse is allowed to +exhaust himself under circumstances that render it impossible for him to +struggle long enough to do himself any harm. It has been suggested that +a blood-vessel would be likely to be broken, or apoplexy produced by the +exertion of leaping from the hind legs; but, up to the present time, no +accident of any kind has been reported.</p> + +<p>When the horse lies down for the second or third time thoroughly beaten, +the time has arrived for teaching him a few more of the practical parts +of horse-training.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 446px;"> +<a name="illus-p80f" id="illus-p80f"></a><a href="images/illus-080f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-080f.png" width="446" height="333" alt="Horse kneeling with its head facing away from the man at its side" title="The Horse exhausted." /></a> +<span class="caption">The Horse exhausted.</span> +</div> + +<p>When you have done all you desire to the horse tied up,—smoothed his +ears, if fidgety about the ears—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> hind-legs, if a kicker—shown +him a saddle, and allowed him to smell it, and then placed it on his +back—mounted him yourself, and pulled him all over—take off all the +straps. In moving round him for the purpose of gentling him, walk slowly +always from the head round the tail, and again to the head: scrape the +sweat off him with a scraper; rub him down with a wisp; smooth the hair +of his legs, and draw the fore one straight out. If he has fought hard, +he will lie like a dead horse, and scarcely stir. You must now again go +over him as conscientiously as if you were a mesmeric doctor or +shampooer: every limb must be “<i>gentled</i>,” to use Mr. Rarey’s expressive +phrase; and with that operation you have completed your <i>first</i> and +<i>most</i> important lesson.</p> + +<p>You may now mount on the back of an unbroken colt, and teach him that +you do not hurt him in that attitude: if he were standing upright he +might resist, and throw you from fright; but as he is exhausted and +powerless, he has time to find out that you mean him no harm. You can +lay a saddle or harness on him, if he has previously shown aversion to +them, or any part of them: his head and his tail and his legs are all +safe for your friendly caresses; don’t spare them, and speak to him all +the time.</p> + +<p>If he has hitherto resisted shoeing, now is the time for handling his +fore and hind legs; kindly, yet, if he attempts to resist, with a voice +of authority. If he is a violent, savage, confirmed kicker, like +Cruiser, or Mr. Gurney’s gray colt, or the zebra, as soon as he is down +put a pair of hobbles on his hind-legs, like those used for mares during +covering. (Frontispiece of Zebra.) These must be held by an assistant on +whom you can depend; and passed through the rings of the surcingle. With +his fore-legs tied, you may usefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> spend an hour, in handling his +legs, tapping the hoofs with your hand or hammer—all this to be done in +a firm, measured, soothing manner; only now and then, if he resist, +crying, as you paralyze him with the ropes, “<i>Wo ho!</i>” in a determined +manner. It is by this continual soothing and handling that you establish +confidence between the horse and yourself. After patting him as much as +you deem needful, say for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, you may +encourage him to rise. Some horses will require a good deal of helping, +and their fore-legs drawing out before them.</p> + +<p>It may be as well to remark, that the handling the limbs, of colts +particularly, requires caution. A cart colt, tormented by flies, will +kick forward nearly up to the fore-legs.</p> + +<p>If a horse, unstrapped, attempts to rise, you may easily stop him by +taking hold of a fore-leg and doubling it back to the strapped position. +If by chance he should be too quick, don’t resist; it is an essential +principle in the Rarey system, never to enter into a contest with a +horse unless you are certain to be victorious.</p> + +<p>In all these operations, you must be calm, and not in a hurry.</p> + +<p>Thus, under the Rarey system, all indications are so direct, that the +horse must understand them. You place him in a position, and under such +restraint, that he cannot resist anything that you chose to do to him; +and then you proceed to caress him when he assents, to reprove him when +he <i>thinks</i> of resisting—resist, with all his legs tied, he +cannot—repeated lessons end by persuading the most vicious horse that +it is useless to try to resist, and that acquiescence will be followed +by the caresses that horses evidently like.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 474px;"> +<a name="illus-p82f" id="illus-p82f"></a><a href="images/illus-082f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-082f.png" width="474" height="309" alt="Horse lying on its right side, foreleg released from the strap" title="The Horse tamed." /></a> +<span class="caption">The Horse tamed.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>The last instance of Mr. Rarey’s power was a beautiful gray mare, which +had been fourteen years in the band of one of the Life Guards regiments, +and consequently at least seventeen years old; during all that time she +would never submit quietly to have her hind-legs shod; the farriers had +to put a twitch on her nose and ears, and tie her tail down: even then +she resisted violently. In three days Mr. Rarey was able to shoe her +with her head loose. And this was not done by a trick, but by proving to +her that she could not resist even to the extent of an inch, and that no +harm was meant her; her lessons were repeated many times a day for three +days. Such continual impressive perseverance is an essential part of the +system.</p> + +<p>When you have to deal with a horse as savage a kicker as Cruiser, or the +zebra, a horse that can kick from one leg as fiercely as others can from +two, in that case, to subdue and compel him to lie down, have a leather +surcingle with a ring sewed on the belly part, and when the hobbles are +buckled on the hind-legs, pass the ropes through the rings, and when the +horse rises again, by buckling up one fore-leg, and pulling steadily, +when needful, at the hind-legs, or tying the hobble-ropes to a collar, +you reduce him to perfect helplessness; he finds that he cannot rear, +for you pull his hind-legs—or kick, for you can pull at all three legs, +and after a few lessons he gives in in despair.</p> + +<p>These were the methods by which Cruiser and the zebra were subdued. They +seem, and are, very simple; properly carried out they are effective for +subduing the most spirited colt, and curing the most vicious horse. But +still in difficult and exceptional cases it cannot be too often repeated +that a <span class="smrom">MAN</span> is required, as well as a method. Without nerve nothing can +be attempted;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> without patience and perseverance mere nerve will be of +little use; all the quackery and nonsense that has been talked and +written under the inspiration of the Barnum who has had an interest in +the success of the silent, reserved, practical Rarey, must be dismissed. +Horse-training is not a conjuror’s trick. The principles may certainly +be learned by once reading this book; a few persons specially organised, +accustomed to horses all their lives, may succeed in their first +attempts with even difficult horses. The success of Lord Burghersh, +after one lesson from Rarey, with a very difficult mare; of Lord Elvers, +Lord Vivian, the Hon. Frederick Villiers, and the Marquess of Stafford, +with colts, is well known in the sporting world. Mr. Thomas Rice, of +Motcombe Street, who has studied everything connected with the horse, on +the Continent as well as in England, and who is thoroughly acquainted +with the Spanish school, as well as the English cross-country style of +horsemanship, succeeded, as I have already mentioned, the very first +time he took the straps in hand in subduing Mr. Gurney’s gray colt—the +most vicious animal, next to Cruiser, that Mr. Rarey tackled in England. +This brute tore off the flaps of the saddle with his teeth.</p> + +<p>But it is sheer humbug to pretend that a person who knows no more of +horses than is to be learned by riding a perfectly-trained animal now +and then for an hour or two, can acquire the whole art of horse-taming, +or can even safely tackle a violent horse, without a previous +preparation and practice.</p> + +<p>As you must not be nervous or angry, so you must not be in a hurry.</p> + +<p>Many ladies have attended Mr. Rarey’s lessons, and studied his art, but +very few have tried, and still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> fewer have succeeded. It is just one of +those things that all ladies fond of horses should know, as well as +those who are likely to visit India, or the Colonies, although it is not +exactly a feminine occupation; crinoline would be sadly in the way—</p> + +<p class="poem">“Those little hands were never made<br /> +<span class="i1">To hold a leather strap.”</span></p> + +<p>But it may be useful as an emergency, as it will enable any lady to +instruct a friend, or groom, or sailor, or peasant, how to do what she +is not able to do herself, and to argue effectively that straps will do +more than whips and spurs.</p> + +<p>At the Practice Club of noblemen and gentlemen held at Miss Gilbert’s +stables, it has been observed that every week some horse more determined +than the average has been too much for the wind, or the patience, of +most of the subscribers. One only has never been beaten, the Marquess of +S——, but then he was always in condition; a dab hand at every athletic +sport, extremely active, and gifted with a “calmness,” as well as a +nerve, which few men of his position enjoy.</p> + +<p>In a word, the average horse may be subdued by the average horseman, and +colts usually come within the average; but a fierce, determined, vicious +horse requires a man above the average in temper, courage, and activity; +activity and skill in <i>steering</i> being of more importance than strength. +It is seldom necessary to lay a colt down more than twice.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the best way is to begin practising the strap movements with a +donkey, or a quiet horse full of grass or water, and so go on from day +to day with as much perseverance as if you were practising skating or +walking on a tight rope; until you can approach, halter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> lead, strap +up, and lay down a colt with as much calmness as a huntsman takes his +fences with his eye on his hounds, you are not perfect.</p> + +<p>Remember you must not hurry, and you must <i>not chatter</i>. When you feel +impatient you had better leave off, and begin again another day. And the +same with your horse: you must not tire him with one lesson, but you +must give him at least one lesson every day, and two or three to a +nervous customer; we have a striking example of patience and +perseverance in Mr. Rarey’s first evening with Cruiser. He had gone +through the labour of securing him, and bringing him up forty miles +behind a dog-cart, yet he did not lose a moment, but set to work the +same night to tame him limb by limb, and inch by inch, and from that day +until he produced him in public, he never missed a day without spending +twice a day from two to three hours with him, first rendering him +helpless by gag-bit, straps and hobbles, then caressing him, then +forcing him to lie down, then caressing him again, stroking every limb, +talking to him in soothing tones, and now and then, if he turned +vicious, taking up his helpless head, giving it a good shake, while +scolding him as you would a naughty boy. And then again taking off the +gag and rewarding submission with a lock of sweet hay and a drink of +water, most grateful after a tempest of passion, then making him rise, +and riding him—making him stop at a word.</p> + +<p>I mention these facts, because an idea has gone abroad that any man with +Mr. Rarey’s straps can manage any horse. It would be just as sensible to +assert that any boy could learn to steer a yacht by taking the tiller +for an hour under the care of an “old salt.”</p> + +<p>The most curious and important fact of all in con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>nection with this +strapping up and laying down process, is, that the moment the horse +rises <i>he seems to have contracted a personal friendship for the +operator</i>, and with a very little encouragement will generally follow +him round the box or circus; this feeling may as well be encouraged by a +little bit of carrot or bread and sugar.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">PLACE AND PREPARATIONS FOR TRAINING A COLT.</h3> + +<p>It is almost impossible to train or tame a horse quickly in an open +space. As his falls are violent, the floor must be very soft. The best +place is a space boarded off with partitions six or seven feet high, and +on the floor a deep layer of tan or sand or saw-dust, on which, a thick +layer of straw has been spread; but the floor must not be too soft; if +it is, the horse will sink on his knees without fighting, and without +the lesson of exhaustion, which is so important. To throw a horse for a +surgical operation, the floor cannot be too soft: the enclosure should +be about thirty feet from side to side, of a square or octagonal shape; +but not round if possible, because it is of great advantage to have a +corner into which a colt may turn when you are teaching him the first +haltering lesson. A barn may be converted into a training-school, if the +floor be made soft enough with straw. But in every case, it is extremely +dangerous to have pillars, posts, or any projections against which the +horse in rearing might strike; as when the legs are tied, a horse is apt +to miscalculate his distance. And if the space is too narrow, the +trainer, in dealing with a violent horse, may get crushed or kicked. It +is of great advantage that the training-school should be roofed, and if +possible, every living thing, that might distract the horse’s attention +by sight or sound, should be removed. Other horses, cattle, pigs, and +even dogs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> or fowls moving about or making a noise, will spoil the +effect of a good lesson.</p> + +<p>In an emergency, the first lesson may be given in an open straw-yard. +Lord Burghersh trained his first pupil on a small space in the middle of +a thick wood; Cruiser was laid down the first time in a bullock-yard. +But if you have many colts to train, it is well worth while to dig out a +pit two feet deep, fill it with tan and straw, and build round it a shed +of rough poles, filled in with gorse plastered with clay, on the same +plan as a bullock feeding-box. The floor should not be too deep or soft, +because if it is, the colt will sink at once without fighting, and a +good lesson in obedience is lost.</p> + +<p>This may be done for from 30<i>s.</i> to 2<i>l.</i> on a farm. In a riding-school +it is very easy to have lofty temporary partitions. It is probable that +in future every riding-school will have a Rarey box for training hacks, +as well as to enable pupils to practise the art.</p> + +<p>It is quite out of the question to attempt to do anything with a +difficult horse while other horses can be seen or heard, or while a +party of lookers-on are chattering and laughing.</p> + +<p>As to the costume of the trainer, I recommend a close cap, a stout pair +of boots, short trousers or breeches of stout tweed or corduroy, a short +jacket with pockets outside, one to hold the straps and gloves, the +other a few pieces of carrot to reward the pupil. A pocket-handkerchief +should be handy to wipe your perspiring brow. A trainer should not be +without a knife and a piece of string, for emergencies. Spare straps, +bridles, a surcingle, a long <a name="corr13" id="corr13"></a>whalebone whip, and a saddle, should be +hung up outside the training inclosure, where they can be handed, when +required, to the operator as quickly and with as little delay and fuss +as possible. A sort of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> dumb-waiter, with hooks instead of trays, could +be contrived for a man who worked alone.</p> + +<p>If a lady determines to become a horse-trainer, she had better adopt a +Bloomer costume, without any stiff petticoats, as long robes would be +sure to bring her to grief. To hold the long strap No. 2, it is +necessary to wear a stout glove, which will be all the more useful if +the tips of the fingers are cut off at the first joint, so as to make it +a sort of mitten.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_70-1_12" id="Footnote_70-1_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70-1_12"><span class="label">70-*</span></a> I should not recommend this plan with a well-bred horse +without first laying him down, as he would be likely to throw himself +down.—<span class="smcap">Editor.</span></p> + +<p><a name="Footnote_73-1_13" id="Footnote_73-1_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73-1_13"><span class="label">73-*</span></a> All these straps may be obtained from Mr. Stokey, +saddler, North Street, Little Moorfields, who supplied Mr. Rarey, and +has patterns of the improvements by Lord B—— and Colonel R——.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">The Drum.—The Umbrella.—Riding-habit.—How to bit a colt.—How to +saddle.—To mount.—To ride.—To break.—To harness.—To make a +horse follow and stand without holding.—Baucher’s plan.—Nolan’s +plan.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">It</span> is an excellent practice to accustom all horses to strange sounds and +sights, and of very great importance to young horses which are to be +ridden or driven in large towns, or used as chargers. Although some +horses are very much more timid and nervous than others, the very worst +can be very much improved by acting on the first principles laid down in +the introduction to this book—that is, by proving that the strange +sights and sounds will do them no harm.</p> + +<p>When a railway is first opened, the sheep, the cattle, and especially +the horses, grazing in the neighbouring fields, are terribly alarmed at +the sight of the swift, dark, moving trains, and the terrible snorting +and hissing of the steam-engines. They start away—they gallop in +circles—and when they stop, gaze with head and tail erect, until the +monsters have disappeared. But from day to day the live stock become +more accustomed to the sight and sound of the steam horse, and after a +while they do not even cease grazing when the train passes. They have +learned that it will do them no harm. The same result may be observed +with respect to young horses when first they are brought to a large +town, and have to meet great loads of hay, omnibuses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> crowded with +passengers, and other strange or noisy objects—if judiciously treated, +not flogged and ill-used, they lose their fears without losing their +high courage. Nothing is more astonishing in London than the steadiness +of the high-bred and highly-fed horses in the streets and in Hyde Park.</p> + +<p>But until Mr. Rarey went to first principles, and taught “the reason +why” there were horses that could not be brought to bear the beating of +a drum, the rustling of an umbrella, or the flapping of a riding-habit +against their legs—and all attempts to compel them by force to submit +to these objects of their terror failed and made them furious. Mr. +Rarey, in his lectures, often told a story of a horse which shied at +buffalo-robes—the owner tied him up fast and laid a robe on him—the +poor animal died instantly with fright. And yet nothing can be more +simple.</p> + +<p><i>To accustom a horse to a drum.</i>—Place it near him on the ground, and, +without forcing him, induce him to smell it again and again until he is +thoroughly accustomed to it. Then lift it up, and slowly place it on the +side of his neck, where he can see it, and tap it gently with a stick or +your finger. If he starts, pause, and let him carefully examine it. Then +re-commence, gradually moving it backwards until it rests upon his +withers, by degrees playing louder and louder, pausing always when he +seems alarmed, to let him look at it and smell, if needful. In a very +few minutes you may play with all your force, without his taking any +notice. When this practice has been repeated a few times, your horse, +however spirited, will rest his nose unmoved on the big drum while the +most thundering piece is played.</p> + +<p><i>To teach a horse to bear an umbrella</i>, go through the same cautious +forms, let him see it, and smell it, open<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> it by degrees—gain your +point inch by inch, passing it always from his eyes to his neck, and +from his neck to his back and tail; and so with a riding-habit, in half +an hour any horse may be taught that it will not hurt him, and then the +difficulty is over.</p> + +<p><i>To fire off a horse’s back.</i>—Begin with caps, and, by degrees, as with +the drum, instead of lengthening the reins, stretch the bridle hand to +the front, and raise it for the carbine to rest on, with the muzzle +clear of the horse’s head, a little to one side. Lean the body forward +without rising in the stirrups. <i>Avoid interfering with the horse’s +mouth, or exciting his fears by suddenly closing your legs either before +or after firing—be quiet yourself and your horse will be quiet.</i> The +colt can learn, as I have already observed, to bear a rider on his bare +back during his first lessons, when prostrate and powerless, fast bound +by straps. The surcingle has accustomed him to girths—he leads well, +and has learned that when the right rein is pulled he must go to the +right, and when the left rein to the left. You may now teach him to bear +the <span class="smcap">BIT</span> and the <span class="smcap">SADDLE</span>—if you have not placed it upon his back while on +the ground, and for this operation I cannot do better than return, and +quote literally from Mr. Rarey.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“HOW TO ACCUSTOM A HORSE TO A BIT.</h3> + +<p>“You should use a large, smooth, snaffle bit, so as not to hurt his +mouth, with a bar to each side, to prevent the bit from pulling through +either way. This you should attach to the head-stall of your bridle, and +put it on your colt without any reins to it, and let him run loose in a +large stable or shed some time, until he becomes a little used to the +bit, and will bear it without trying to get it out of his mouth. It +would be well, if convenient,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> to repeat this several times, before you +do anything more with the colt; as soon as he will bear the bit, attach +a single rein to it. You should also have a halter on your colt, or a +bridle made after the fashion of a halter, with a strap to it, so that +you can hold or lead him about without pulling on the bit much. (See +Woodcut, p. 39.) He is now ready for the saddle.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“THE PROPER WAY TO BIT A COLT.</h3> + +<p>“Farmers often put bitting harness on a colt the first thing they do to +him, buckling up the bitting as tight as they can draw it, to make him +carry his head high, and then turn him out in a field to run a half-day +at a time. This is one of the worst of punishments that they could +inflict on the colt, and very injurious to a young horse that has been +used to running in pasture with his head down. I have seen colts so +injured in this way that they never got over it.</p> + +<p>“A horse should be well accustomed to the bit before you put on the +bitting harness, and when you first bit him you should only rein his +head up to that point where he naturally holds it, let that be high or +low; he will soon learn that he cannot lower his head, and that raising +it a little will loosen the bit in his mouth. This will give him the +idea of raising his head to loosen the bit, and then you can draw the +bitting a little tighter every time you put it on, and he will still +raise his head to loosen it; by this means you will gradually get his +head and neck in the position you want him to carry it, and give him a +nice and graceful carriage without hurting him, making him mad, or +causing his mouth to get sore.</p> + +<p>“If you put the bitting on very tight the first time, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> cannot raise +his head enough to loosen it, but will bear on it all the time, and paw, +sweat, and throw himself. Many horses have been killed by falling +backward with the bitting on; their heads being drawn up strike the +ground with the whole weight of the body. Horses that have their heads +drawn up tightly should not have the bitting on more than fifteen or +twenty minutes at a time.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“HOW TO SADDLE A COLT.</h3> + +<p>“The first thing will be to tie each stirrup-strap into a loose knot to +make them short, and prevent the stirrups from flying about and hitting +him. Then double up the skirts and take the saddle under your right arm, +so as not to frighten him with it as you approach. When you get to him +rub him gently a few times with your hand, and then raise the saddle +very slowly, until he can see it, and smell and feel it with his nose. +Then let the skirt loose, and rub it very gently against his neck the +way the hair lies, letting him hear the rattle of the skirts as he feels +them against him; each time getting a little farther backward, and +finally slipping it over his shoulders on his back. Shake it a little +with your hand, and in less than five minutes you can rattle it about +over his back as much as you please, and pull it off and throw it on +again, without his paying much attention to it.</p> + +<p>“As soon as you have accustomed him to the saddle, fasten the girth. Be +careful how you do this. It often frightens the colt when he feels the +girth binding him, and making the saddle fit tight on his back. You +should bring up the girth very gently, and not draw it too tight at +first, just enough to hold the saddle on.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> Move him a little, and then +girth it as tight as you choose, and he will not mind it.</p> + +<p>“You should see that the pad of your saddle is all right before you put +it on, and that there is nothing to make it hurt him, or feel unpleasant +to his back. It should not have any loose straps on the back part of it, +to flap about and scare him. After you have saddled him in this way, +take a switch in your right hand to tap him up with, and walk about in +the stable a few times with your right arm over your saddle, taking hold +of the reins on each side of his neck with your right and left hands, +thus marching him about in the stable until you teach him the use of the +bridle and can turn him about in any direction, and stop him by a gentle +pull of the rein. Always caress him, and loose the reins a little every +time you stop him.</p> + +<p>“You should always be alone, and have your colt in some light stable or +shed, the first time you ride him; the loft should be high, so that you +can sit on his back without endangering your head. You can teach him +more in two hours’ time in a stable of this kind, than you could in two +weeks in the common way of breaking colts, out in an open place. If you +follow my course of treatment, you need not run any risk, or have any +trouble in riding the worst kind of horse. You take him a step at a +time, until you get up a mutual confidence and trust between yourself +and horse. First teach him to lead and stand hitched; next acquaint him +with the saddle, and the use of the bit; and then all that remains is to +get on him without scaring him, and you can ride him as well as any +<a name="corr14" id="corr14"></a>horse.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“HOW TO MOUNT THE COLT.</h3> + +<p>“First gentle him well on both sides, about the saddle, and all over +until he will stand still without holding, and is not afraid to see you +anywhere about him.</p> + +<p>“As soon as you have him thus gentled, get a small block, about one foot +or eighteen inches in height, and set it down by the side of him, about +where you want to stand to mount him; step up on this, raising yourself +very gently: horses notice every change of position very closely, and, +if you were to step up suddenly on the block, it would be very apt to +scare him; but, by raising yourself gradually on it, he will see you, +without being frightened, in a position very nearly the same as when you +are on his back.</p> + +<p>“As soon as he will bear this without alarm, untie the stirrup-strap +next to you, and put your left foot into the stirrup, and stand square +over it, holding your knee against the horse, and your toe out, so as +not to touch him under the shoulder with the toe of your boot. Place +your right hand on the front of the saddle, and on the opposite side of +you, taking hold of a portion of the mane and the reins, as they hang +loosely over his neck, with your left hand; then gradually bear your +weight on the stirrup, and on your right hand, until the horse feels +your whole weight on the saddle: repeat this several times, each time +raising yourself a little higher from the block, until he will allow you +to raise your leg over his croup and place yourself in the saddle.</p> + +<p>“There are three great advantages in having a block to mount from. +First, a sudden change of position is very apt to frighten a young horse +who has never been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> handled: he will allow you to walk up to him, and +stand by his side without scaring at you, because you have gentled him +to that position; but if you get down on your hands and knees and crawl +towards him, he will be very much frightened; and upon the same +principle, he would be frightened at your new position if you had the +power to hold yourself over his back without touching him. Then the +first great advantage of the block is to gradually gentle him to that +new position in which he will see you when you ride him.</p> + +<p>“Secondly, by the process of leaning your weight in the stirrups, and on +your hand, you can gradually accustom him to your weight, so as not to +frighten him by having him feel it all at once. And, in the third place, +the block elevates you so that you will not have to make a spring in +order to get on the horse’s back, but from it you can gradually raise +yourself into the saddle. When you take these precautions, there is no +horse so wild but what you can mount him without making him jump. I have +tried it on the worst horses that could be found, and have never failed +in any case. When mounting, your horse should always stand without being +held. <i>A horse is never well broken when he has to be held with a tight +rein when mounting</i>; and a colt is never so safe to mount as when you +see that assurance of confidence, and absence of fear, which cause him +to stand without holding.” [Mr. Rarey’s improved plan is to press the +palm of the right hand on the off-side of the Saddle, and as you rise +lean your weight on it; by this means you can mount with the girths +loose, or without any girths at all.—<span class="smcap">Editor.</span>]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“HOW TO RIDE THE COLT.</h3> + +<p>“When you want him to start do not touch him on the side with your heel, +or do anything to frighten him and make him jump. But speak to him +kindly, and if he does not start pull him a little to the left until he +starts, and then let him walk off slowly with the reins loose. Walk him +around in the stable a few times until he gets used to the bit, and you +can turn him about in every direction and stop him as you please. It +would be well to get on and off a good many times until he gets +perfectly used to it before you take him out of the stable.</p> + +<p>“After you have trained him in this way, which should not take you more +than one or two hours, you can ride him anywhere you choose without ever +having him jump or make any effort to throw you.</p> + +<p>“When you first take him out of the stable be very gentle with him, as +he will feel a little more at liberty to jump or run, and be a little +easier frightened than he was while in the stable. But after handling +him so much in the stable he will be pretty well broken, and you will be +able to manage him without trouble or danger.</p> + +<p>“When you first mount him take a little the shortest hold on the left +rein, so that if anything frightens him you can prevent him from jumping +by pulling his head round to you. This operation of pulling a horse’s +head round against his side will prevent any horse from jumping ahead, +rearing up, or running away. If he is stubborn and will not go, you can +make him move by pulling his head round to one side, when whipping would +have no effect. And turning him round a few times will make him dizzy, +and then by letting him have his head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> straight, and giving him a little +touch with the whip, he will go along without any trouble.</p> + +<p>“Never use martingales on a colt when you first ride him; every movement +of the hand should go right to the bit in the direction in which it is +applied to the reins, without a martingale to change the direction of +the force applied. You can guide the colt much better without it, and +teach him the use of the bit in much less time. Besides, martingales +would prevent you from pulling his head round if he should try to jump.</p> + +<p>“After your colt has been ridden until he is gentle and well accustomed +to the bit, you may find it an advantage, if he carries his head too +high or his nose too far out, to put martingales on him.</p> + +<p>“<i>You should be careful not to ride your colt so far at first as to +heat, worry, or tire him.</i> Get off as soon as you see he is a little +fatigued; gentle him and let him rest; this will make him kind to you, +and prevent him from getting stubborn or mad.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“TO BREAK A HORSE TO HARNESS.</h3> + +<p>“Take him in a light stable, as you did to ride him; take the harness +and go through the same process that you did with the saddle, until you +get him familiar with it, so that you can put it on him, and rattle it +about without his caring for it. As soon as he will bear this, put on +the lines, caress him as you draw them over him, and drive him about in +the stable till he will bear them over his hips. The <i>lines</i> are a great +aggravation to some colts, and often frighten them as much as if you +were to raise a whip over them. As soon as he is familiar with the +harness and lines, take him out and put him by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> the side of a gentle +horse, and go through the same process that you did with the balking +horse. <i>Always use a bridle without blinkers when you are breaking a +horse to harness.</i></p> + +<p>“Lead him to and around a light gig or phaeton; let him look at it, +touch it with his nose, and stand by it till he does not care for it; +then pull the shafts a little to the left, and stand your horse in front +of the off-wheel. Let some one stand on the right side of the horse, and +hold him by the bit, while you stand on the left side, facing the sulky. +This will keep him straight. Run your left hand back, and let it rest on +his hip, and lay hold of the shafts with your right, bringing them up +very gently to the left hand, which still remains stationary. Do not let +anything but your arm touch his back, and as soon as you have the shafts +square over him, let the person on the opposite side take hold of one of +them, and lower them very gently to the shaft-bearers. Be very slow and +deliberate about hitching; the longer time you take the better, as a +general thing. When you have the shafts placed, shake them slightly, so +that he will feel them against each side. As soon as he will bear them +without scaring, fasten your braces, &c., and start him along very +slowly. Let one man lead the horse, to keep him gentle, while the other +gradually works back with the lines till he can get behind and drive +him. After you have driven him in this way a short distance, you can get +into the sulky, and all will go right. It is very important to have your +horse go gently when you first hitch him. After you have walked him +awhile, there is not half so much danger of his scaring. Men do very +wrong to jump up behind a horse to drive him as soon as they have him +hitched. There are too many things for him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> to comprehend all at once. +The shifts, the lines, the harness, and the rattling of the sulky, all +tend to scare him, and he must be made familiar with them by degrees. If +your horse is very wild, I would advise you to put up one foot the first +time you drive him.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 545px;"> +<a name="illus-p100f" id="illus-p100f"></a><a href="images/illus-100f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-100f.png" width="545" height="324" alt="Horse with left foreleg strapped up, harnessed to a two-wheeled cart" title="Second Lesson in Harness." /></a> +<span class="caption">Second Lesson in Harness.</span> +</div> + +<p>With the leg strapped up, the lighter the break or gig the better, and +four wheels are better than two.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">TO MAKE A HORSE FOLLOW YOU.</h3> + +<p>The directions make simple what have hitherto been among the mysteries +of the circus. I can assert from personal observation that by the means +described by Mr. Rarey a very nervous thorough-bred mare, the property +of the Earl of Derby, was taught to stand, answer to her name, and +follow one of his pupils in less than a week.</p> + +<p>No hack, and certainly no lady’s horse, is perfect until he has been +taught to stand still, and no hunter is complete until he has learned to +follow his master. Huntsmen may spend a few hours in the summer very +usefully in teaching their old favourites to wait outside cover until +wanted.</p> + +<p>Turn him into a large stable or shed, where there is no chance to get +out, with a halter or bridal on. Go to him and gentle him a little, take +hold of his halter, and turn him towards you, at the same time touching +him lightly over the hips with a long whip. Lead him the length of the +stable, rubbing him on the neck, saying in a steady tone of voice as you +lead him, “Come along, boy!” or use his name instead of “boy,” if you +choose. Every time you turn, touch him slightly with the whip, to make +him step up close to you, and then caress him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> with your hand. He will +soon learn to hurry up to escape the whip and be caressed, and you can +make him follow you around without taking hold of the halter. If he +should stop and turn from you, give him a few sharp cuts about the hind +legs, and he will soon turn his head towards you, when you must always +caress him. A few lessons of this kind will make him run after you, when +he sees the motion of the whip—in twenty or thirty minutes he will +follow you about the stable. After you have given him two or three +lessons in the stable, take him out into a small field and train him; +and from thence you can take him into the road and make him follow you +anywhere, and run after you.</p> + +<p>To make a horse stand without holding, after you have him well broken to +follow you, place him in the centre of the stable—begin at his head to +caress him, gradually working backwards. If he move, give him a cut with +the whip, and put him back to the same spot from which he started. If he +stands, caress him as before, and continue gentling him in this way +until you can get round him without making him move. Keep walking around +him, increasing your pace, and only touch him occasionally. Enlarge your +circle as you walk around, and if he then moves, give him another cut +with the whip, and put him back to his place. If he stands, go to him +frequently and caress him, and then walk around him again. Do not keep +him in one position too long at a time, but make him come to you +occasionally, and follow you around the stable. Then make him stand in +another place, and proceed as before. You should not train your horse +more than half an hour at a time.</p> + +<p>The following is Baucher’s method of making a horse stand to be mounted, +which, he says, may be taught in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> two lessons, of half an hour each. I +do not know any one who has tried, but it is worth trying.</p> + +<p>“Go up to him, pat him on the neck (<i>i. e.</i> gentle him), and speak to +him; then taking the curb reins a few inches from the rings with the +left hand, place yourself so as to offer as much resistance as possible +to him when he tries to break away. Take the whip in the right hand with +the point down, raise it quietly and tap the horse on the chest; he will +rein back to avoid punishment; resist and follow him, continuing the +tapping of the whip, but without anger or haste. The horse, soon tired +of running back, will endeavour to avoid the infliction by rushing +forward; then stop and make much of him. This repeated once or twice +will teach the horse that, to stand still, is to avoid punishment, and +will move up to you on a slight motion of the whip.”</p> + +<p>I doubt whether high-spirited horses would stand this treatment.</p> + +<p><i>To teach a horse to stand in the field.</i>—Nolan’s plan was, to draw the +reins over the horse’s head and fasten them to the ground with a peg, +walk away, return in a few minutes and reward him with bread, salt, or +carrot; in a short time the horse will fancy himself fast whenever the +reins are drawn over his head. It may be doubted whether, in the +excitement of the hunting-field, either Rarey’s or Nolan’s plan would +avail to make a huntsman’s horse stand while hounds were running. +Scrutator gives another method which is not within everyone’s means to +execute.</p> + +<p>“In my father’s time we had a large field, enclosed by a high wall, +round which the lads used to exercise their horses, with a thick rug +only, doubled, to sit upon. A single snaffle and a sharp curb-bit were +placed in the horse’s mouth; the former to ride and guide by. To<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> the +curb was attached a long single rein, which was placed in the boy’s +hand, or attached to his wrist. When the horse was in motion, either +walking, trotting, or cantering, the lad would throw himself off, +holding only the long rein attached to the curb, the sudden pull upon +which, when the lad was on the ground, would cause the horse’s head to +be turned round, and stop him in his career. The boy would then +gradually shorten the rein, until the horse was brought up to him, then +patting and caressing him, he would again mount. After a very few +lessons of this kind, the horse would always stop the instant the boy +fell, and remain stationary beside him. The lads, as well as the horses, +were rewarded by my father for their proper performance of this rather +singular manœuvre, but I never saw or knew any accident occur. The +horses thus trained proved excellent hunters, and would never run away +from their riders when thrown, always standing by them until re-mounted. +From the lads constantly rubbing and pulling their legs about, we had no +kickers. When a boy of only fifteen, I was allowed to ride a fine mare +which has been thus broken in, in company with the hounds. Being nearly +sixteen hands high, I had some difficulty in clambering up and down; but +when dislodged from my seat, she would stand quietly by until +re-mounted, and appeared as anxious for me to get up again as I was +myself.</p> + +<p>“It may be said that all this was time and trouble thrown away, and that +the present plan of riding a young four-year-old, straight across +country at once, will answer the same purpose. My reply is, that a good +education, either upon man, horse, or dog, will never be thrown away; +and, notwithstanding the number of horses now brought into the +hunting-field, there are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> still few well-trained hunters to be met with. +The horse, the most beautiful and useful of animals to man, is seldom +sufficiently instructed or familiarised, although certainly capable of +the greatest attachment to his master when well used, and deserving to +be treated more as a friend than a slave. It is a general remark how +quiet some high-spirited horses will become when ridden by ladies. The +cause of this is, that they are more quietly handled, patted, and +caressed by them, and become soon sensible of this difference of +treatment, from the rough whip-and-spur system, too generally adopted by +men.”</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">ON BAULKING OR JIBBING HORSES.</h3> + +<p>Horses are taught the dangerous vice of baulking, or jibbing, as it is +called in England, by improper management. When a horse jibs in harness, +it is generally from some mismanagement, excitement, confusion, or from +not knowing how to pull, but seldom from any unwillingness to perform +all that he understands. High-spirited free-going horses are the most +subject to baulking, and only so because drivers do not properly +understand how to manage this kind. A free horse in a team may be so +anxious to go, that when he hears the word he will start with a jump, +which will not move the load, but give him such a severe jerk on the +shoulders that he will fly back and stop the other horse. The teamster +will continue his driving without any cessation, and by the time he has +the slow horse started again, he will find that the free horse has made +another jump, and again flown back. And now he has them both badly +baulked, and so confused that neither of them knows what is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> matter, +or how to start the load. Next will come the slashing and cracking of +the whip, and hallooing of the driver, till something is broken, or he +is through with his course of treatment. But what a mistake the driver +commits by whipping his horse for this act! Reason and common sense +should teach him that the horse was willing and anxious to go, but did +not know how to start the load. And should he whip him for that? If so, +he should whip him again for not knowing how to talk. A man that wants +to act with reason should not fly into a passion, but should always +think before he strikes. It takes a steady pressure against the collar +to move a load, and you cannot expect him to act with a steady, +determined purpose while you are whipping him. There is hardly one +baulking horse in five hundred that will pull truly from whipping: it is +only adding fuel to fire, and will make him more liable to baulk another +time. You always see horses that have been baulked a few times turn +their heads and look back as soon as they are a little frustrated. This +is because they have been whipped, and are afraid of what is behind +them. This is an invariable rule with baulked horses, just as much as it +is for them to look around at their sides when they have the +bots.<a name="FNanchor_106-1_14" id="FNanchor_106-1_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_106-1_14" class="fnanchor">106-*</a> In either case they are deserving of the same sympathy and +the same kind, rational treatment.</p> + +<p>When your horse baulks, or is a little excited, if he wants to start +quickly, or looks around and doesn’t want to go, there is something +wrong, and he needs kind treatment immediately. Caress him kindly, and +if he doesn’t understand at once what you want him to do, he will not be +so much excited as to jump and break<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> things, and do everything wrong +through fear. As long as you are calm, and keep down the excitement of +the horse, there are ten chances that you will make him understand you, +where there would not be one under harsh treatment; and then the little +<i>flare up</i> will not carry with it any unfavourable recollections, and he +will soon forget all about it, and learn to pull truly. Almost every +wrong act the horse commits is from mismanagement, fear, or excitement: +one harsh word will so excite a nervous horse as to increase his pulse +ten beats in a minute.</p> + +<p>When we remember that we are dealing with dumb brutes, and reflect how +difficult it must be for them to understand our motions, signs, and +language, we should never get out of patience with them because they +don’t understand us, or wonder at their doing things wrong. With all our +intellect, if we were placed in the horse’s situation, it would be +difficult for us to understand the driving of some foreigner, of foreign +ways and foreign language. We should always recollect that our ways and +language are just as foreign and unknown to the horse as any language in +the world is to us, and should try to practise what we could understand +were we the horse, endeavouring by some simple means to work on his +understanding rather than on the different parts of his body. All +baulked horses can be started true and steady in a few minutes’ time: +they are all willing to pull as soon as they know how, and I never yet +found a baulked horse that I could not teach to start his load in +fifteen, and often less than three, minutes’ time.</p> + +<p>Almost any team, when first baulked, will start kindly if you let them +stand five or ten minutes as though there was nothing wrong, and then +speak to them with a steady voice, and turn them a little to the right +or left,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> so as to get them both in motion before they feel the pinch of +the load. But if you want to start a team that you are not driving +yourself, that has been baulked, fooled, and whipped for some time, go +to them and hang the lines on their hames, or fasten them to the waggon, +so that they will be perfectly loose; make the driver and spectators (if +there are any) stand off some distance to one side, so as not to attract +the attention of the horses; unloose their check-reins, so that they can +get their heads down if they choose; let them stand a few minutes in +this condition until you can see that they are a little composed. While +they are standing, you should be about their heads, gentling them: it +will make them a little more kind, and the spectators will think that +you are doing something that they do not understand, and will not learn +the secret. When you have them ready to start, stand before them, and, +as you seldom have but one baulky horse in a team, get as near in front +of him as you can, and, if he is too fast for the other horse, let his +nose come against your breast: this will keep him steady, for he will go +slow rather than run on you. Turn them gently to the right, without +letting them pull on the traces as far as the tongue will let them go: +stop them with a kind word, gentle them a little, and then turn them +back to the left, by the same process. You will then have them under +your control by this time; and as you turn them again to the right, +steady them in the collar, and you can take them where you please.</p> + +<p>There is a quicker process that will generally start a baulky horse, but +not so sure. Stand him a little ahead, so that his shoulders will be +against the collar; and then take up one of his fore feet in your hand, +and let the driver start them, and when the weight comes against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> his +shoulders he will try to step: then let him have his foot, and he will +go right along. If you want to break a horse from baulking that has long +been in that habit, you ought to set apart a half-day for that purpose. +Put him by the side of some steady horse; have driving reins on them; +tie up all the traces and straps, so that there will be nothing to +excite them; do not rein them up, but let them have their heads loose. +Walk them about together for some time as slowly and lazily as possible; +stop often, and go up to your baulky horse and gentle him. Do not take +any whip about him, or do anything to excite him, but keep him just as +quiet as you can. He will soon learn to start off at the word, and stop +whenever you tell him.</p> + +<p>As soon as he performs rightly, hitch him in an empty waggon; have it +standing in a favourable position for starting. It would be well to +shorten the trace-chain behind the steady horse, so that, if it is +necessary, he can take the weight of the waggon the first time you start +them. Do not drive more than a few rods at first; watch your jibbing +horse closely, and if you see that he is getting excited, stop him +before he stops of his own accord, caress him a little, and start again. +As soon as they go well, drive them over a small hill a few times, and +then over a larger one, occasionally adding a little load. This process +will make any horse true to pull.</p> + +<p>The following anecdote from Scrutator’s “Horses and Hounds,” illustrates +the soundness of Mr. Rarey’s system:—“A gentleman in our neighbourhood +having purchased a very fine carriage horse, at a high price, was not a +little annoyed, upon trial, to find that he would not pull an ounce, and +when the whip was applied he began plunging and kicking. After one or +two trials the coachman declared he could do nothing with him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> and our +neighbour, meeting my father, expressed his grievances at being thus +taken in, and asked what he had better do. The reply was ‘Send the horse +to me tomorrow morning, and I will return him a good puller within a +week.’ The horse being brought, was put into the shafts of a wagon, in a +field, with the hind wheels tied, and being reined up so that he could +not get his head between his legs, was there left, with a man to watch +him for five or six hours, and, of course, without any food. When my +father thought he had enough of standing still, he went up to him with a +handful of sweet hay, let down the bearing rein, and had the wheels of +the wagon released. After patting the horse on the neck, when he had +taken a mouthful or two of hay, he took hold of the bridle and led him +away—the wagon followed—thus proving stratagem to be better than +force. Another lesson was scarcely required, but, to make sure, it was +repeated, and, after that, the horse was sent back to the owner. There +was no complaint ever made of his jibbing again. The wagon to which he +was attached was both light and empty, and the ground inclined rather +towards the stable.”</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_106-1_14" id="Footnote_106-1_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106-1_14"><span class="label">106-*</span></a> A much more severe disease in America than in +England.—<span class="smcap">Edit.</span></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 346px;"> +<a name="illus-p111" id="illus-p111"></a><a href="images/illus-111-full.png"><img src="images/illus-111.png" width="346" height="351" alt="Drawing of the lower torso and legs of a woman seated in an ornate side saddle" title="LADY’S SEAT, WITH HUNTING-HORN POMMEL." /></a> +<span class="caption">LADY’S SEAT, WITH HUNTING-HORN POMMEL.</span> +</div> + +<h2 class="chapafterillus"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class="chapintro">Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.—On teaching +children.—Anecdote.—Havelock’s opinion.—Rarey’s plan to train +ponies.—The use of books.—Necessity of regular teaching for +girls, boys can be self-taught.—Commence without a bridle.—Ride +with one pair of reins and two hands.—Advantage of hunting-horn on +side-saddle.—On the best plan for mounting.—Rarey’s plan.—On a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +man’s seat.—Nolan’s opinion.—Military style.—Hunting style.—Two +examples in Lord Cardigan.—The Prussian style.—Anecdote by Mr. +Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.—Hints for men learning to +ride.—How to use the reins.—Pull right for right, and left for +left.—How to collect your horse.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">You</span> cannot learn to ride from a book, but you may learn how to do some +things and how to avoid many things of importance. Those who know all +about horses and horsemanship, or fancy they do, will not read this +chapter. But as there are riding-schools in the City of London, where an +excellent business is done in teaching well-grown men how to ride for +health or fashion, and as papas who know their own bump-bump style very +well often desire to teach their daughters, I have collected the +following instructions from my own experience, now extending over full +thirty years, on horses of all kinds, including the worst, and from the +best books on the subject, some of the best being anonymous +contributions by distinguished horsemen, printed for private +circulation. Every man and woman, girl and boy, who has the opportunity, +should learn to ride on horseback. It is almost an additional sense—it +is one of the healthiest exercises—it affords amusement when other +amusements fail—relaxation from the most severe toil, and often, in +colonies or wild countries, the only means of travelling or trading.</p> + +<p>A man feels twice a man on horseback. The student and the farmer meet, +when mounted, the Cabinet Minister and the landlord on even terms—good +horsemanship is a passport to acquaintances in all ranks of life, and to +make acquaintances is one of the arts of civilised life; to ripen them +into use or friendship is another art. On horseback you can call with +less ceremony, and meet or leave a superior with less form<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> than on +foot. Rotten Row is the ride of idleness and pleasure, but there is a +great deal of business done in sober walks and slow canters, commercial, +political, and matrimonial.</p> + +<p>For a young lady not to be able to ride with a lover is a great loss; +not to be able to ride with a young husband a serious privation.</p> + +<p>The first element for enjoying horse exercise is good horsemanship. +Colonel Greenwood says very truly:—“<i>Good</i> riding is worth acquiring by +those whose pleasure or business it is to ride, because it is soon and +easily acquired, and, when acquired, it becomes habitual; and it is as +easy, nay, much more easy, and infinitely more safe, than bad riding.” +“Good riding will last through age, sickness, and decrepitude, but bad +riding will last only as long as youth, health, and strength supply +courage; <i>for good riding is an affair of skill, but bad riding is an +affair of courage</i>.”</p> + +<p>A bold bad rider must not be merely brave; he must be fool-hardy; for he +is perpetually in as much danger as a blind man among precipices.</p> + +<p>In riding, as in most other things, danger is for the timid and the +unskilful. The skilful rider, when apparently courting danger in the +field, deserves no more credit for courage than for sitting in an +arm-chair, and the unskilful no more the imputation of timidity for +backwardness than if without practice he declined to perform on the +tight-rope. Depend upon it, the bold bad rider is the hero.</p> + +<p>There is nothing heroic in good riding, when dissected. The whole thing +is a matter of detail—a collection of trifles—and its principles are +so simple in theory and so easy in practice that they are despised.</p> + +<p>It is an accomplishment that may, to a certain extent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> be acquired late +in life. I know instances in both sexes of a fair firm seat having been +acquired under the pressure of necessity after forty years of age (I +could name lawyers, sculptors, architects, and sailors), but it may be +acquired with ease and perfection in youth, and it is most important +that no awkward habits should be acquired.</p> + +<p>Children who have courage may be taught to ride almost as soon as they +can walk. On the Pampas of South America you may see a boy seven years +old on horseback, driving a herd of horses, and carrying a baby in his +arms!</p> + +<p>I began my own lessons at four, when I sat upon an old mare in the stall +while the groom polished harness or blacked his boots. Mr. Nathaniel +Gould, who, at upwards of seventy years, and sixteen stone weight, can +still ride hunting for seven or eight hours at a stretch, mentions, in +his observations on horses and hunting,<a name="FNanchor_114-1_15" id="FNanchor_114-1_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_114-1_15" class="fnanchor">114-*</a> that a nephew of his +followed the Cheshire fox-hounds at seven years of age. “His manner of +gathering up his reins was most singular, and his power of keeping his +seat, with his little legs stretched horizontally along the saddle, +quite surprising.” The hero Havelock, writing to his little boy, says, +“You are now seven years old, and ought to learn to ride. I hope to hear +soon that you have made progress in that important part of your +education. Your uncle William (a boy-hero in the Peninsula) rode well +before he was seven years old.” The proper commencement for a boy is a +pony in which he can interest himself, and on which he may learn to sit +as a horseman should.</p> + +<p>I particularly warn parents against those broad-backed animals which, +however suitable for carrying heavy old gentlemen, or sacks to market, +are certainly very un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>comfortable for the short legs of little boys, and +likely to induce rupture. On a narrow, well-bred pony, of 11 or 12 hands +high, a boy of six can sit like a little man. It is cruel to make +children ride with bare legs.</p> + +<p>Before Rarey introduced his system, there was no satisfactory mode of +training those ponies that were too small for a man to mount, unless the +owner happened to live near some racing stable, where he could obtain +the services of a “feather-weight doll,” and then the pony often learned +tricks more comic than satisfactory.</p> + +<p>By patiently applying the practices explained in the preceding chapters, +the smallest and most highly-bred pony may be reduced to perfect +docility without impairing its spirit, and taught a number of amusing +tricks.</p> + +<p>Young ladies may learn on full-sized horses quite as well as on ponies, +if they are provided with suitable side-saddles.</p> + +<p>A man, or rather a boy, may learn to ride by practice and imitation, and +go on tumbling about until he has acquired a firm and even elegant seat, +but no lady can ever learn to ride as a lady should ride, without a good +deal of instruction; because her seat on horseback is so thoroughly +artificial, that without some competent person to tell her of her +faults, she is sure to fall into a number of awkward ungraceful tricks. +Besides, a riding-school, with its enclosed walls and trained horses, +affords an opportunity of going through the preliminary lessons without +any of those accidents which on the road, or in a field, are very likely +to occur with a raw pupil on a fresh horse. For a young lad to fall on +the grass, is not a serious affair, but a lady should never be allowed +to run the chance of a fall, because it is likely to destroy the nerve, +without which no lessons can be taught successfully. All who have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +noticed the performances of Amazones in London, or at Brighton, must +have in remembrance the many examples of ladies who, with great courage, +sit in a manner that is at once fearful and ridiculous to behold; +entirely dependent on the good behaviour of horses, which they, in +reality, have no power of turning, and scarcely of stopping.</p> + +<p>Little girls who learn their first lessons by riding with papa, who is +either absorbed in other business, or himself a novice in the art of +horsemanship, get into poky habits, which it is extremely difficult to +eradicate when they reach the age when every real woman wishes to be +admired.</p> + +<p>Therefore, let everyone interested in the horsemanship of a young lady +commence by placing her, as early as possible, under the tuition of a +competent professional riding-master, unless he knows enough to teach +her himself. There are many riding-schools where a fair seat is acquired +by the lady pupils, but in London, at any rate, only two or three where +they learn to use the reins, so as to control an unruly horse.</p> + +<p>Both sexes are apt to acquire the habit of holding on by the bridle. To +avoid this grave error, the first lessons in walking and cantering +should be given to the pupil on a led horse, without taking hold of the +bridle; and this should be repeated in learning to leap. The +horsemanship of a lady is not complete until she has learned to leap, +whether she intends to ride farming or hunting, or to confine herself to +Rotten Row canters; for horses will leap and bound at times without +permission.</p> + +<p>I have high authority for recommending lessons without holding the +bridle. Lady Mildred H——, one of the most accomplished horsewomen of +the day, taught her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> daughter to walk, trot, canter, gallop, and leap, +without the steadying assistance of the reins.</p> + +<p>A second point is, that every pupil in horsemanship should begin by +holding the rein or reins (one is enough to begin with) in both hands, +pulling to the right when they want to go to the right, and to the left +when they wish to go to the left, that is the proper way of riding every +strange horse, every colt, and every hunter, that does not perfectly +know his business, for it is the only way in which you have any real +command over your horse. But almost all our riding-school rules are +military. Soldiers are obliged to carry a sword in one hand, and to +rely, to a great extent, on the training of their horses for turning +right or left. Ladies and gentlemen have no swords to carry, and neither +possess, nor can desire to possess, such machines as troop-horses. +Besides other more important advantages which will presently be +described by commencing with two-handed riding, a lady is more likely to +continue to sit squarely, than when holding the reins with one hand, and +pretending to guide a horse who really guides himself. A man has the +power of turning a horse, to a certain extent, with his legs and spurs; +a woman must depend on her reins, whip, and left leg. As only one rein +and the whip can be well held in one hand, double reins, except for +hunting, are to a lady merely a perplexing puzzle. The best way for a +lady is to knot up the snaffle, and hang it over the pommel, and ride +with a light hand on the curb.</p> + +<p>In order to give those ladies who may not have instruction at hand an +idea of a safe, firm, and elegant seat, I have placed at the head of +this chapter a woodcut, which shows how the legs should be placed. The +third or hunting-horn pommel must be fitted to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> rider, as its +situation in the saddle will differ, to some extent, according to the +length of the lady’s legs. I hope my plain speaking will not offend +American friends.</p> + +<p>The first step is to sit well down on the saddle, then pass the right +leg over the upstanding pommel, and let it hang straight down,—a little +back, if leaping; if the foot pokes out, the lady has no firm hold. The +stirrup must then be shortened, so as to bring the bent thigh next to +the knee of the left leg firmly against the under side of the +hunting-horn pommel. If, when this is done, an imaginary line were drawn +from the rider’s backbone, which would go through the centre of the +saddle, close to the cantle, she is in her proper place, and leaning +rather back than forward, firm and close from the hips downwards, +flexible from her hips upwards, with her hands holding the reins apart, +a little above the level of her knee, she is in a position at once +powerful and graceful. This is a very imperfect description of a very +elegant picture. The originals, few and far between, are to be found for +nine months of the year daily in Rotten Row. A lady in mounting, should +hold the reins in her left hand, and place it on the pommel, the right +hand as far over the cantle as she can comfortably reach. If there is no +skilful man present to take her foot, make any man kneel down and put +out his right knee as a step, and let down the stirrup to be shortened +afterwards. Practise on a high chest of drawers!</p> + +<p>After all the rules of horsemanship have been perfectly learned, nothing +but practice can give the instinct which prepares a rider for the most +sudden starts, leaps, and “kickings up behind and before.”</p> + +<p>The style of a man’s seat must, to a certain extent, be settled by his +height and shape. A man with short round legs and thighs cannot sit down +on his horse like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> tall thin men, such as Jim Mason, or Tom Oliver, but +men of the most unlikely shapes, by dint of practice and pluck, go well +in the hunting-field, and don’t look ridiculous on the road.</p> + +<p>There are certain rules laid down as to the length of a man’s +stirrup-leathers, but the only good rule is that they should be short +enough to give the rider full confidence in his seat, and full power +over a pulling horse. For hunting it is generally well to take them up +one hole shorter than on the road.</p> + +<p>The military directions for mounting are absurd for civilians; in the +first place, there ought to be no right side or wrong side in mounting; +in both the street and hunting-field it is often most convenient to +mount on what is called the wrong side. In the next place horses trained +on the Rarey plan (and very soon all horses will be), will stand without +thinking of moving when placed by the rider, so that the military +direction to stand before the stirrup becomes unnecessary.</p> + +<p>The following is Mr. Rarey’s plan of mounting for men, which is +excellent, but is not described in his book, and indeed is difficult to +describe at all.</p> + +<p><i>To mount with the girths slack without bearing on the stirrup.</i>—Take +up the reins and a lock of the mane, stand behind the withers looking at +your horse’s head, put your foot in the stirrup, and while holding the +reins in one hand on the neck, place the other open and flat on the +other side of the saddle as far down as the edge of the little flap, +turn your toe out, so as not to touch the horse’s belly, and rise by +leaning on your flat hand, thus pressing hard on the side of the saddle +opposite to that on which you are mounting. The pressure of your hands +will counterbalance your weight, and you will be able to mount without +straining the girths, or even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> without any girths at all. If you are not +tall enough to put your foot fairly in the stirrup, use a horse-block, +or, better still, a piece of solid wood about eighteen inches high, that +can be moved about anywhere.</p> + +<p>Young men should learn to leap into the saddle by placing both hands on +the cantle, as the horse moves. I have seen Daly, the steeplechaser, who +was a little man, do this often in the hunting-field, before he broke +his thigh.</p> + +<p>With respect to the best model for a seat, I recommend the very large +class who form the best customers of riding-school masters in the great +towns of England, I mean the gentlemen from eighteen to +eight-and-twenty, who begin to ride as soon as they have the means and +the opportunity, to study the style of the first-class steeplechase +jockeys and gentlemen riders in the hunting-field whenever they have the +opportunity. Almost all riding-masters are old dragoons, and what they +teach is good as far as it goes, as to general appearance and carriage +of the body, but generally the military notions about the use of a +rider’s arms and legs are utterly wrong.</p> + +<p>On this point we cannot have a better authority then that of the late +Captain Nolan, who served in the Austrian, Hungarian, and in the English +cavalry in India, and who studied horsemanship in Russia, and all other +European countries celebrated for their cavalry. He says—</p> + +<p>“The difference between a school (viz. an ordinary military horseman) +and a real horseman is this, the first depends upon guiding and managing +his horse for maintaining his seat; the second depends upon his seat for +controlling and guiding his horse. At a <i>trot</i> the school rider, instead +of lightly rising to the action<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> of the horse, bumps up and down, +falling heavily on the horse’s loins, and hanging on the reins to +prevent the animal slipping from under him, whilst he is thrown up in +his seat.”</p> + +<p>It is a curious circumstance that the English alone have two styles of +horsemanship. The one, natural and useful, formed in the hunting-field; +the other, artificial and military, imported from the Continent. If you +go into Rotten Row in the season you may see General the Earl of +Cardigan riding a trained charger in the most approved military +style—the toes in the stirrups, long stirrup-leathers, heels down, legs +from the knee carefully clear of the horse’s sides—in fact, the balance +seat, handed down by tradition from the time when knights wore complete +armour and could ride in no other way, for the weight of the armour +rendered a fall certain if once the balance was lost; a very grand and +graceful style it is when performed by a master of the art of the length +of limb of the Earl, or his more brilliant predecessor, the late +Marquess of Anglesea. But if you go into Northamptonshire in the hunting +season, you may see the same Earl of Cardigan in his scarlet coat, +looking twice as thick in the waist, sailing away in the first flight, +sitting down on the part intended by nature for a seat, with his knees +well bent, and his calves employed in distributing his weight over the +horse’s back and sides. In the one case the Earl is a real, in the other +a show, horseman.</p> + +<p>Therefore, when a riding-master tells you that you must ride by balance, +“with your body upright, knee drawn back, and the feet in a +perpendicular line with the shoulder, and your legs from the knee +downward brought away to prevent what is called <i>clinging</i>,” listen to +him, learn all you can—do not argue, that would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> useless—and then +take the first opportunity of studying those who are noted for combining +an easy, natural seat with grace—that is, if you are built for +gracefulness—some people are not. In Nolan’s words, “Let a man have a +roomy saddle, and sit close to the horse’s back; let the leg be +supported by the stirrup in a natural position, without being so short +as to throw back the thigh, and the nearer the whole leg is brought to +the horse the better, so long as the foot is not bent below the +ankle-joint.”</p> + +<p>Soon after the battle of Waterloo, by influence of the Prince Regent, +who fancied he knew something about cavalry, a Prussian was introduced +to teach our cavalry a new style of equitation, which consisted in +entirely abandoning the use of that part of the person in which his +Royal Highness was so highly gifted, and riding on the fork like a pair +of compasses on a rolling pin, with perfectly straight legs. For a +considerable period this ridiculous drill, which deprived the soldiers +of all power over their horses, was carried on in the fields where +Belgrave Square now stands, and was not abandoned until the number of +men who suffered by it was the cause of a serious remonstrance from +commanding officers. It is a pity that the reverse system has never been +tried, and a regiment of cavalry taught riding on English fox-hunting +principles, using the snaffle on the road, and rising in the trot. But +it must be admitted that since the war there has been a great +improvement in this respect, and there will probably be more as the +martinets of the old school die off.</p> + +<p>It was not for want of examples of a better style that the continental +military style was forced upon our cavalry. Mr. Nathaniel Gould relates +in his little book<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> as an instance of what determined hunting-men can +do, that—</p> + +<p>“When, in the year 1815, Blucher arrived in London and drove at once to +Carlton House, I was one of a few out of an immense concourse of +horsemen who accompanied his carriage from Shooter’s Hill, riding on +each side; spite of all obstacles we forced ourselves through the Horse +Guards gate and the troop of guardsmen, in like manner through the Light +Cavalry and gate at Carlton House, as well as the posse of constables in +the court-yard, and drove our horses up the flight of stone steps into +the salon, though the guards, beefeaters, and constables arrayed +themselves against this irruption of Cossacks, and actually came to the +charge. The Prince, however, in the noblest manner waved his hand, and +we were allowed to form a circle round the Regent while Blucher had the +blue ribbon placed on his shoulders, and was assisted to rise by the +Prince in the most dignified manner. His Royal Highness then slightly +acknowledged our presence, we backed to the door, and got down the steps +again with only one accident, that arising from a horse, which, on being +urged forward, took a leap down the whole flight of stairs.”</p> + +<p>But to return to the subject of a man’s seat on horseback. Nolan, +quoting Baucher, says, “When first put on horseback, devote a few +lessons to making his limbs supple, in the same way that you begin drill +on foot with extension motions. Show him how to close up the thigh and +leg to the saddle, and then work the leg backwards and forwards, up and +down, <i>without stirrups</i>; <i>make him swing a weight round in a circle +from the shoulder as centre</i>; the other hand placed on the thigh, thence +to the rear, change the weight to the opposite hand, and same.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>”</p> + +<p>“<i>Placing one hand on the horse’s mane</i>, make him lean down to each side +in succession, till he reaches to within a short distance of the +ground.” “These exercises give a man a firm hold with his legs, on a +horse, and teach him to move his limbs without quitting his seat. Then +take him in the circle in the longe, and, by walking and trotting +alternately, teach him the necessity of leaning with the body to the +side the horse is turning to. This is the necessary balance. Then put +him with others, and give him plenty of trotting, to shake him into his +seat. By degrees teach him how to use the reins, then the leg.”</p> + +<p>These directions for training a full-grown trooper may be of use to +civilians.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HANDS AND REINS.</h3> + +<p>Presuming that you are in a fair way to obtain a secure seat, the next +point is the use of the reins and the employment of your legs, for it is +by these that a horseman holds, urges, and turns his horse. To handle a +horse in perfection, you must have, besides instruction, “good hands.” +Good or light hands, like the touch of a first-rate violinist, are a +gift, not always to be acquired even by thought and practice. The +perfection of riding is to make your horse understand and obey your +directions, as conveyed through the reins—to halt, or go fast or slow; +to walk, trot, canter, or gallop; to lead off with right or left leg, to +change leg, to turn either way, and to rise in leaping at the exact +point you select. No one but a perfect horseman, with naturally fine +hands, can do this perfectly, but every young horseman should try.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>The golden rule of horsemanship is laid down by Colonel Greenwood, in a +sentence that noodles will despise for its “trite simplicity:”—“When +you wish to turn to the right, pull the right rein stronger than the +left.” This is common sense. No horse becomes restive in the +colt-breaker’s hands. The reason is, that they ride with one bridle and +two hands, instead of two bridles and one hand. “When they wish to go to +the left, they pull the left rein stronger than the right. When they +wish to go to the right, they pull the right rein stronger than the +left. If the colt does not obey these indications, at least he +understands them, even the first time he is mounted, and the most +obstinate will not long resist them. Acting on these plain principles, I +saw, in August last, a three-year-old colt which, placed absolutely raw +and unbridled in Mr. Rarey’s hands, within seven days answered every +indication of the reins like an old horse—turned right or left, brought +his nose to the rider’s knee, and backed like an old trooper.</p> + +<p>“But it takes a long time to make a colt understand that he is to turn +to the right when the left rein is pulled;” and if any horse resists, +the rider has no power one-handed, as the reins are usually held, to +compel him.</p> + +<p>The practice of one-handed riding originated in military schools; for a +soldier has to carry a sword or lance, and depends chiefly on his +well-trained horse and the pressure of his legs. No one ever attempts to +turn a horse in harness with one hand, although there the driver has the +assistance of the terrets, and it is equally absurd to attempt it with a +colt or horse with a delicate mouth. Of course, with an old-trained hack +even the reins are a mere form; any hint is enough.</p> + +<p>The advantage of double-handed riding is, that, in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> few hours, any +colt and any pupil in horsemanship may learn it.</p> + +<p>To make the most of a horse, the reins must be held with a smooth, even +bearing, not hauling at a horse’s mouth, as if it were made of Indian +rubber, nor yet leaving the reins slack, but so feeling him that you can +instantaneously direct his course in any direction, “as if,” to use old +Chifney’s phrase, “your rein was a worsted thread.” Your legs are to be +used to force your horse forward up to the bit, and also to guide him. +That is, when you turn to the right pull the right rein sharpest and +press with the left leg; when to the left, <i>vice versâ</i>. Unless a horse +rides up to the bit you have no control over him.</p> + +<p>A good horseman chooses his horse’s ground and his pace for him. “To +avoid a falling leaf a horse will put his foot over a precipice. When a +horse has made a stumble, or is in difficulties at a fence, you cannot +leave him too much at liberty, or be too quiet with him.” Don’t believe +the nonsense people talk about holding a horse up <i>after</i> he has +stumbled.</p> + +<p>The pupil horseman should remember to drop his hands as low as he can on +each side the withers, without stooping, when a horse becomes restive, +plunging or attempting to run away. The instinct of a novice is to do +exactly what he ought not to do—raise his hands.</p> + +<p>By a skilful use of the reins and your own legs, with or without spurs, +you collect, or, as Colonel Greenwood well expresses it, you condense +your horse, at a stand, that is, you make him stand square, yet ready to +move in any direction at any pace that you require; this is one use of +the curb bit. It is on the same principle that fashionable coachmen “hit +and hold” their high-bred horses while they thread the crowded streets +of the West<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> end in season, or that you see a hard rider, when starting +with three hundred companions at the joyful sound of Tally-ho, pricking +and holding his horse, to have him ready for a great effort the moment +he is clear of the crowd.</p> + +<p>By a judicious use of the curb rein, you collect a tired horse; tired +horses are inclined to sprawl about. You draw his hind-legs under him, +throw him upon his haunches, and render him less liable to fall even on +his weary or weak fore-legs. But a pull at the reins when a horse is +falling may make him hold up his head, but cannot make him hold up his +legs.</p> + +<p>“When a horse is in movement there should be a constant touch or feeling +or play between his mouth and the rider’s hands.” Not the hold by which +riders of the foreign school retain their horses at an artificial parade +pace, which is inconceivably fatiguing to the animal, and quite contrary +to our English notions of natural riding; but a gradual, delicate firm +feeling of the mouth and steady indications of the legs, which keep a +fiery well-broken horse always, to use a school phrase, “between your +hands and legs.”</p> + +<p>You cannot take too much pains to acquire this art, for although it is +not exercised on an old hack, that you ride with reins held any how, and +your legs dangling anywhere, it is called into action and gives +additional enjoyment to be striding the finest class of high-couraged +delicate-mouthed horses—beautiful creatures that seem to enjoy being +ridden by a real horseman or light-handed Amazone, but which become +frantic in ignorant or brutal hands.</p> + +<p>“A horse should never be turned without being made to collect himself, +without being retained by the hands and urged by the legs, as well as +guided by both; that is, in turning to the right both hands should +retain him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> and the right hand guide him, by being used the strongest; +in turning to the left, both legs should urge him, and the left guide +him by being pressed the strongest. Don’t turn into the contrary +extreme, slackening the left rein, and hauling the horse’s head round to +the <a name="corr15" id="corr15"></a>right.”</p> + +<p>The same rules should be observed for making a horse canter with the +right leg, but the right rein should be only drawn enough to develop his +right nostril.</p> + +<p><i>Reining Back.</i>—You must collect a horse with your legs before you rein +him back, because if you press him back first with the reins he may +throw all his weight on his hind legs under him, stick out his nose, hug +his tail, and then he cannot stir—you must recover him to his balance, +and give him power to step back. This rule is often neglected by carters +in trying to make the shaft-horse back.</p> + +<p><i>Rearing.</i>—Knot the snaffle rein—loose it when the horse rears—put +your right arm round the horse’s neck, with the hand well up and close +under the horse’s gullet; press your left shoulder forward so as to +bring your chest to the horse’s near side, for, if the horse falls, you +will fall clear; the moment he is descending, press him forward, take up +the rein, which, being knotted, is short to your hands, and ply the +spurs. But a horse, after being laid down and made walk, tied up like +the zebra a few times, will seldom persist, because the moment he +attempts to rise you pull his off hind leg under him and he is +powerless.</p> + +<p><i>Leaping.</i>—The riding-school is a bad place to teach a horse to leap. +The bar, with its posts, is very apt to frighten him; if a colt has not +been trained to leap as it should be by following its dam before it is +mounted, take it into the fields and let it follow well-trained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> horses +over easy low fences and little ditches, slowly without fuss, and, as +part of the ride, not backwards and forwards—always leap on the +snaffle. Our cavalry officers learn to leap, not in the school, but +“across country.” Nolan tells a story that, during some manœuvres in +Italy, an Austrian general, with his staff, <a name="corr16" id="corr16"></a>got amongst some enclosures +and sent some of his <a name="corr17" id="corr17"></a>aide-de-camps to find an outlet. They peered over +the stone walls, rode about, but could find no gap. The general turned +to one of his staff, a Yorkshireman, and said, “See if you can find a +way out of this place.” Mr. W——k, mounted on a good English horse, +went straight at the wall, cleared it, and, while doing so, turned in +his saddle and touched his cap and said, “This way, general;” but his +way did not suit the rest of the party.</p> + +<p>There is a good deal taught in the best military schools, well worth +time and study, which, with practice in horse-taming, would fill up the +idle time of that numerous class who never read, and find time heavy on +their hands, when out of town life.</p> + +<p>“But a military riding-school,” says Colonel Greenwood, “is too apt to +teach you to sit on your horse as stiff as a statue, to let your right +hand hang down as useless as if God had never gifted you with one, to +stick your left hand out, with a stiff straight wrist like a boltsprit, +and to turn your horse invariably on the wrong rein.” I should not +venture to say so much on my own authority, but Captain Nolan says +further, speaking of the effect of the foreign school (not Baucher’s), +on horses and men, “The result of this long monotonous course of study +is, that on the uninitiated the school rider makes a pleasing +impression, his horse turns, prances, and caracoles without any visible +aid, or with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>out any motion in the horseman’s upright, imposing +attitude. But I have lived and served with them. I have myself been a +riding-master, and know, from experience, the disadvantages of this +foreign seat and system.”</p> + +<p>There is nothing that requires more patience and firmness than a shying +horse. Shying arises from three causes—defective eyesight, +skittishness, and fear. If a horse always shies from the same side you +may be sure the eye on that side is defective.</p> + +<p>You may know that a horse shies from skittishness if he flies one day +snorting from what he meets the next with indifference; dark stables +also produce this irregular shying.</p> + +<p>Nervousness, which is often increased by brutality, as the horse is not +only afraid of the object, but of the whipping and spurring he has been +accustomed to receive, can be alleviated, to some extent, by the +treatment already described in the horse-training chapter. But horses +first brought from the country to a large town are likely to be alarmed +at a number of objects. You must take time to make them acquainted with +each. For instance, I brought a mare from the country that everything +moving seemed to frighten. I am convinced she had been ill-used, or had +had an accident in harness. The first time a railway train passed in her +sight over a bridge spanning the road she was travelling, she would turn +round and would have run away had I not been able to restrain her; I +could feel her heart beat between my legs. Acting on the principles of +Xenophon and Mr. Rarey, I allowed her to turn, but compelled her to +stand, twenty yards off, while the train passed. She looked back with a +fearful eye all the time—it was a very slow luggage train—while I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +soothed her. After once or twice she consented to face the train, +watching it with crested neck and ears erect; by degrees she walked +slowly forwards, and in the course of a few days passed under the bridge +in the midst of the thunder of a train with perfect indifference.</p> + +<p>If you can distinctly ascertain that a horse shies and turns round from +mere skittishness, correct him when he turns, not as long as he faces +the object: he will soon learn that it is for turning that he is visited +with whip and spurs. A few days’ practice and patience essentially alter +the character of the most nervous horses.</p> + +<p>Books contain very elaborate descriptions of what a hack or a hunter +should be in form, &c. To most persons these descriptions convey no +practical ideas. The better plan is to take lessons on the proportions +and anatomy of a horse from some intelligent judge or veterinary +surgeon. You must study, and buy, and lose your money on many horses +before you can safely, if ever, depend on your own judgment in choosing +a horse. And, after all, a natural talent for comparison and eye for +proportion are only the gift of a few. Some men have horses all their +lives, and yet scarcely know a good animal from a bad one, although they +may know what they like to drive, or ride or hunt. The safe plan is to +distrust your own judgment until you feel you have had experience enough +to choose for yourself.</p> + +<p>Hacks for long distances are seldom required in England in these railway +days. A town hack should be good-looking, sure-footed, not too tall, and +active, for you are always in sight, you have to ride over slippery +pavement, to turn sharp corners, and to mount and dismount often. +Rarey’s system of making the horse obey the voice, stand until called, +and follow the rider, may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> easily be taught, and is of great practical +value thus applied. A cover or country hack must be fast, but need not +be so showy in action or handsome as a town hack—his merit is to get +over the ground.</p> + +<p>Teach your hack to walk well with the reins loose—no pace is more +gentlemanly and useful than a good steady walk. Any well-bred screw can +gallop; it is the slow paces that show a gentleman’s hack.</p> + +<p>If on a long journey, walk a quarter of a mile for every four you trot +or canter, choosing the softest bits of road or turf.</p> + +<p>Do not permit the saddle to be removed for at least half an hour after +arriving with your horse hot. A neglect of this precaution will give a +sore back.</p> + +<p>A lady’s horse, beside other well-known qualifications of beauty and +pace, should be up to the lady’s weight. It is one of the fictions of +society that all ladies eat little and weigh little. Now, a saddle and +habit weigh nearly three stone, a very slim lady will weigh nine, so +there you reach twelve stone, which, considering how fond young girls +are of riding fast and long over hard roads, is no mean weight. The best +plan is to put the dear creatures into the scales with their saddles, +register the result, and choose a horse calculated to be a good stone +over the gross weight. How few ladies remember, as for hours they canter +up and down Rotten Row, that that famous promenade is a mile and a +quarter in length, so ten turns make twelve miles and a half.</p> + +<p>The qualifications of a hunter need not be described, because all those +who need these hints will, if they have common sense, only take hunters +like servants, with established characters of at least one season.</p> + +<p>Remember that a horse for driving requires “courage,” for he is always +going fast—he never walks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> People who only keep one or two horses +often make the same mistake, as if they engaged Lord Gourmet’s cook for +a servant of all work. They see a fiery caprioling animal, sleek as a +mole, gentle, but full of fire, come out of a nobleman’s stud, where he +was nursed like a child, and only ridden or driven in his turn, with +half-a-dozen others. Seduced by his lively appearance, they purchase +him, and place him under the care of a gardener-groom, or at livery, +work him every day, early and late, and are surprised to find his flesh +melt, his coat lose its bloom, and his lively pace exchanged for a dull +shamble. This is a common case. The wise course is to select for a horse +of all work an animal that has been always accustomed to work hard; he +will then improve with care and regular exercise.</p> + +<p>Horses under six years’ old are seldom equal to very hard work: they are +not, full-grown, of much use, where only one or two are kept.</p> + +<p>Make a point of caressing your horse, and giving him a carrot or apple +whenever he is brought to you, at the same time carefully examine him +all over, see to his legs, his shoes, and feet; notice if he is well +groomed; see to the condition of his furniture, and see always that he +is properly bitted. Grooms are often careless and ignorant.</p> + +<p>As to <i>Shoeing</i>. In large towns there are always veterinary surgeons’ +forges, where the art is well understood, and so, too, in hunting +districts; but where you have to rely on ignorant blacksmiths you cannot +do better than rely on the rather exaggerated instructions contained in +“Miles on the Horse’s Foot,” issued at a low price by the Royal +Agricultural Society. Good shoeing prolongs the use of a horse for +years.</p> + +<p><i>Stables.</i>—Most elaborate directions are given for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> construction of +stables; but most people are obliged to put up with what they find on +their premises. Stables should be so ventilated that they never stink, +and are never decidedly warm in cold weather, if you wish your horses to +be healthy. Grooms will almost always stop up ventilation if they can. +Loose boxes are to be preferred to stalls, because in them a tired horse +can place himself in the position most easy to him. Sloping stalls are +chambers of torture.</p> + +<p>Hunters should be placed away from other horses, where, after a +fatiguing day, they can lie at length, undisturbed by men or other +horses in use. Stables should be as light as living rooms, but with +louvers to darken them in summer, in order to keep out the flies. An +ample supply of cold and hot water without troubling the cook is +essential in a well-managed stable.</p> + +<p>Large stables are magnificent, but a mistake. Four or five horses are +quite as many as can be comfortably lodged together. I have seen hunters +in an old barn in better condition than in the grandest temples of +fashionable architects.</p> + +<p>It takes an hour to dress a horse well in the morning, and more on +return hot from work. From this hint you may calculate what time your +servant must devote to his horses if they are to be well dressed.</p> + +<p>If you are in the middle class, with a small stud, never take a swell +groom from a great stable—he will despise you and your horses. Hunting +farmers and hunting country surgeons train the best class of grooms.</p> + +<p>When you find an honest, sober man, who thoroughly knows his business, +you cannot treat him too well, for half the goodness of a horse depends, +like a French dish, on the treatment.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_114-1_15" id="Footnote_114-1_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114-1_15"><span class="label">114-*</span></a> “Hints on Horses and Hunting,” by Senex.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 310px;"> +<a name="illus-p135" id="illus-p135"></a><a href="images/illus-135-full.png"><img src="images/illus-135.png" width="310" height="291" alt="View of the off side of a side saddle" title="SIDE SADDLE." /></a> +<span class="caption">SIDE SADDLE.</span> +</div> + +<h2 class="chapafterillus"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">ON HORSEMAN’S AND HORSEWOMAN’S DRESS, AND HORSE FURNITURE.</span></h2> + +<p class="chapintro">On bits.—The snaffle.—The use of the curb.—The Pelham.—The +Hanoverian bit described.—Martingales.—The gentleman’s saddle to +be large enough.—Spurs.—Not to be too sharp.—The Somerset saddle +for the timid and aged.—The Nolan saddle without flaps.—Ladies’ +saddle described.—Advantages of the hunting-horn crutch.—Ladies’ +stirrup.—Ladies’ dress.—Hints +on.—Habit.—Boots.—Whips.—Hunting whips.—Use of the +lash.—Gentleman’s riding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> costume.—Hunting dress.—Poole, the +great authority.—Advantage of cap over hat in hunting.—Boot-tops +and Napoleons.—Quotation from Warburton’s ballads.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">If</span> you wish to ride comfortably, you must look as carefully to see that +your horse’s furniture fits and suits him as to your own boots and +breeches.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 112px;"> +<a name="illus-p136" id="illus-p136"></a><a href="images/illus-136-full.png"><img src="images/illus-136.png" width="112" height="176" alt="CURB-BIT." title="CURB-BIT." /></a> +<span class="caption">CURB-BIT.</span> +</div> + +<p>When a farmer buys a team of oxen, if he knows his business he asks +their names, because oxen answer to their names. On the same principle +it is well to inquire what bit a horse has been accustomed to, and if +you cannot learn, try several until you find out what suits him. There +are rare horses, “that carry their own heads,” in dealers’ phrase, +safely and elegantly with a plain snaffle bridle; but except in the +hands of a steeple-chase jock, few are to be so trusted. Besides, as +reins, as well as snaffles, break, it is not safe to hunt much with one +bit and one bridle-rein. The average of horses go best on a double +bridle, that is to say, the common hard and sharp or curb, with a +snaffle. The best way is to ride on the snaffle, and use the curb only +when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> it is required to stop your horse suddenly, to moderate his speed +when he is pulling too hard, or when he is tired or lazy to collect him, +by drawing his nose down and his hind-legs more under him, for that is +the first effect of taking hold of the curb-rein. There are many horses +with good mouths, so far that they can be stopped easily with a plain +snaffle, and yet require a curb-bit, to make them carry their heads in +the right place, and this they often seem to do from the mere hint of +the curb-chain dangling against their chins, without the rider being +obliged to pull at the reins with any perceptible force.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 246px;"> +<a name="illus-p137" id="illus-p137"></a><a href="images/illus-137-full.png"><img src="images/illus-137.png" width="246" height="172" alt="PLAIN SNAFFLE." title="PLAIN SNAFFLE." /></a> +<span class="caption">PLAIN SNAFFLE.</span> +</div> + +<p>The Pelham-bit (see cut), which is a sort of snaffle-bit with cheeks and +a curb-chain, is a convenient style for this class of horse. A powerful +variation of the Pelham, called the Hanoverian, has within the last few +years come very much into use. It requires the light hands of a +practised horseman to use the curb-reins of the Hanoverian on a +delicate-mouthed horse; but when properly used no bit makes a horse bend +and display<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> himself more handsomely, and in the hunting-field it will +hold a horse when nothing else will, for this bit is a very powerful +snaffle, as well as curb, with rollers or rings, that keep the horse’s +mouth moist, and prevent it from becoming dead (see cut). For hunting, +use the first; if the Hanoverian it should not be too narrow.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 191px;"> +<a name="illus-p138" id="illus-p138"></a><a href="images/illus-138-full.png"><img src="images/illus-138.png" width="191" height="188" alt="PELHAM-BIT." title="PELHAM-BIT." /></a> +<span class="caption">PELHAM-BIT.</span> +</div> + +<p>The Chifney is a curb with, a very powerful leverage, and one of the +best for a pulling horse, or a lady’s use.</p> + +<p>A perfect horseman will make shift with any bit. Sir Tatton Sykes and +Sir Charles Knightley, in their prime, could hold any horse with a plain +snaffle; but a lady, or a weak-wristed horseman, should be provided with +a bit that can stop the horse on an emergency; and many horses, +perfectly quiet on the road, pull hard in the field at the beginning of +a run. But it should be remembered, that when a horse runs away, it is +useless to rely on the curb, as, when once he has fully resisted it, the +longer he runs the less he cares for it. The better plan is to keep the +snaffle moving and sawing in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> mouth, and from time to time take a +sharp pull at the curb.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 176px;"> +<a name="illus-p139" id="illus-p139"></a><a href="images/illus-139-full.png"><img src="images/illus-139.png" width="176" height="209" alt="HANOVERIAN-BIT" title="HANOVERIAN-BIT" /></a> +<span class="caption">HANOVERIAN-BIT.</span> +</div> + +<p>It is of great importance, especially with a high-spirited horse, that +the headpiece should fit him, that it is neither too tight nor too low +down in his mouth. I have known a violently restive horse to become +perfectly calm and docile when his bridle had been altered so as to fit +him comfortably. The curb-bit should be placed so low as only just to +clear the tushes in a horse’s mouth, and one inch above the corner teeth +in a mare’s. There should be room for at least one finger between the +curb-chain and the chin. If the horse is tender-skinned, the chain may +be covered with leather.</p> + +<p>When you are learning to ride, you should take pains to learn everything +concerning the horse and his equipments. In this country we are so well +waited upon, that we often forget that we may at some time or other be +obliged to become our own grooms and farriers.</p> + +<p>For the colonies, the best bridle is that described in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> the chapter on +training colts, which is a halter, a bridle, and a gag combined.</p> + +<p>Bridle reins should be soft, yet tough; so long, and no longer, so that +by extending your arms you can shorten them to any desired length; then, +if your horse pokes out his head, or extends himself in leaping, you +can, if you hold the reins in each hand, as you ought, let them slip +through your fingers, and shorten them in an instant by extending your +arms. A very good sportsman of my acquaintance has tabs sewn on the +curb-reins, which prevents them from slipping. This is a useful plan for +ladies who ride or drive; but, as before observed, in hunting the +snaffle-reins should slip through the fingers.</p> + +<p>Some horses require martingales to keep their heads down, and in the +right place. But imperfect horsemen are not to be trusted with running +martingales. Running martingales require tabs on the reins, to prevent +the rings getting fixed close to the mouth.</p> + +<p>For hacks and ladies’ horses on the road, a standing martingale, buckled +to the nose-band of the bridle, is the best. It should be fixed, as Mr. +Rarey directs, not so short as to bring the horse’s head exactly where +you want it—your hands must do that—but just short enough to keep his +nose down, and prevent him from flinging his poll into your teeth. If +his neck is rightly shaped, he will by degrees lower his head, and get +into the habit of so arching his neck that the martingale may be +dispensed with; this is very desirable, because you cannot leap with a +standing martingale, and a running one requires the hands of a +steeplechase jock.</p> + +<p>The saddle of a gentleman should be large enough. In racing, a few +pounds are of consequence; but in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> carrying a heavy man on the road or +in the field, to have the weight evenly distributed over the horse’s +back is of more consequence than three or four pounds. The common +general fitting saddle will fit nine horses out of ten. Colonial horses +usually have low shoulders; therefore colonial saddles should be narrow, +thickly stuffed, and provided with cruppers, although they have gone out +of fashion in this country, because it is presumed that gentlemen will +only ride horses that have a place for carrying a saddle properly.</p> + +<p>On a journey, see to the stuffing of your saddle, and have it put in a +draft, or to the fire, to dry, when saturated with sweat; the neglect of +either precaution may give your horse a sore back, one of the most +troublesome of horse maladies.</p> + +<p>Before hunting, look to the spring bars of the stirrup-leathers, and see +that they will work: if they are tight, pull them down and leave them +open. Of all accidents, that of being caught, after your horses fall, in +the stirrup, is the most dangerous, and not uncommon. I have seen at +least six instances of it. When raw to the hunting-field, and of course +liable to falls, it is well to use the spring-bar stirrups which open, +not at the side, but at the eye holding the stirrup-leather; the same +that I recommend for the use of ladies.</p> + +<p>Spurs are only to be used by those who have the habit of riding, and +will not use them at the wrong time. In most instances, the sharp points +of the rowels should be filed or rubbed off, for they are seldom +required for more than to rouse a horse at a fence, or turn him suddenly +away from a vehicle in the street. Sharp spurs may be left to jockeys. +Long-legged men can squeeze their horses so hard, that they can dispense +with spurs; but short-legged men need them at the close of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> run, when +a horse begins to lumber carelessly over his fences, or with a horse +inclined to refuse. Dick Christian broke difficult horses to leaping +without the spur; and when he did, only used one on the left heel. +Having myself had falls with horses at the close of a run, which rushed +and pulled at the beginning, for want of spurs, I have found the +advantage of carrying one in my sandwich-bag, and buckling it on, if +needed, at a check. Of course, first-rate horsemen need none of these +hints; but I write for novices only, of whom, I trust, every prosperous +year of Old England will produce a plentiful crop from the fortunate and +the sons of the fortunate.</p> + +<p>A great many persons in this country learn, or relearn, to ride after +they have reached manhood, either because they can then for the first +time afford the dignity and luxury, or because the doctor prescribes +horse exercise as the only remedy for weak digestion, disordered liver, +trembling nerves—the result of overwork or over-feeding. Thus the +lawyer, overwhelmed with briefs; the artist, maintaining his position as +a Royal Academician; the philosopher, deep in laborious historical +researches; and the young alderman, exhausted by his first year’s +apprenticeship to City feeding, come under the hands of the +riding-master.</p> + +<p>Now although for the man “to the manner bred,” there is no saddle for +hard work and long work, whether in the hunting-field or Indian +campaign, like a broad seated English hunting saddle, there is no doubt +that its smooth slippery surface offers additional difficulties to the +middle-aged, the timid, and those crippled by gout, rheumatism or +pounds. There can be very little benefit derived from horse exercise as +long as the patient travels in mortal fear. Foreigners teach riding on a +buff leather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> demi-pique saddle,—a bad plan for the young, as the +English saddle becomes a separate difficulty. But to those who merely +aspire to constitutional canters, and who ride only for health, or as a +matter of dignity, I strongly recommend the Somerset saddle, invented +for one of that family of cavaliers who had lost a leg below the knee. +This saddle is padded before the knee and behind the thigh to fit the +seat of the purchaser, and if provided with a stuffed seat of brown +buckskin will give the quartogenarian pupil the comfort and the +confidence of an arm-chair. They are, it may be encouraging to mention, +fashionable among the more aristocratic middle-aged, and the front roll +of stuffing is much used among those who ride and break their own colts, +as it affords a fulcrum against a puller, and a protection against a +kicker. Australians use a rolled blanket, strapped over the pommel of +the saddle, for the same purpose. To bad horsemen who are too conceited +to use a Somerset, I say, in the words of the old proverb, “Pride must +have a fall.”</p> + +<p>The late Captain Nolan had a military saddle improved from an Hungarian +model, made for him by Gibson, of Coventry Street, London, without +flaps, and with a felt saddle cloth, which had the advantage of being +light, while affording the rider a close seat and more complete control +over his horse, in consequence of the more direct pressure of the legs +on the horse’s flanks. It would be worth while to try a saddle of this +kind for hunting purposes, and for breaking in colts. Of course it could +only be worn with boots, to protect the rider’s legs from the sweat of +the horse’s flanks.</p> + +<p>With the hunting-horn crutch the seat of a woman is stronger than that +of a man, for she presses her right leg down over the upright pommel, +and the left leg up against the hunting-horn, and thus grasps the two +pom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>mels between her legs at that angle which gives her the most power.</p> + +<p>Ladies’ saddles ought invariably to be made with what is called the +hunting-horn, or crutch, at the left side. The right-hand pommel has not +yet gone out of fashion, but it is of no use, and is injurious to the +security of a lady’s seat, by preventing the right hand from being put +down as low as it ought to be with a restive horse, and by encouraging +the bad habit of leaning the right hand on it. A flat projection is +quite sufficient. The security of the hunting-horn saddle will be quite +clear to you, if, when sitting in your chair, you put a cylinder three +or four inches in diameter between your legs, press your two knees +together by crossing them, in the position of a woman on a side-saddle; +when a man clasps his horse, however firmly, it has a tendency, to raise +the seat from the saddle. This is not the case with the side-saddle +seat: if a man wishes to use a lance and ride at a ring, he will find +that he has a firmer seat with this kind of side-saddle than with his +own. There is no danger in this side-pommel, since you cannot be thrown +on it, and it renders it next to impossible that the rider should be +thrown upon the other pommel. In case of a horse leaping suddenly into +the air and coming down on all four feet, technically, “<i>bucking</i>,” +without the leaping-horn there is nothing to prevent a lady from being +thrown up. But the leaping-horn holds down the left knee, and makes it a +fulcrum to keep the right knee down in its proper place. If the horse in +violent action throws himself suddenly to the left, the upper part of +the rider’s body will tend downwards, to the right, and the lower limbs +to the left: nothing can prevent this but the support of the +leaping-horn. The fear of over-balancing to the right causes many ladies +to get into the bad habit of leaning over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> their saddles to the left. +This fear disappears when the hunting-horn pommel is used. The +leaping-horn is also of great use with a hard puller, or in riding down +a steep place, for it prevents the lady from sliding forward.</p> + +<p>But these advantages render the right-hand pommel quite useless, a +slight projection being all sufficient (see woodcut); while this +arrangement gives the habit and figure a much better appearance. Every +lady ought to be measured for this part of the saddle, as the distance +between the two pommels will depend partly on the length of her legs.</p> + +<p>When a timid inexperienced lady has to ride a fiery horse it is not a +bad plan to attach a strap to the outside girth on the right hand, so +that she may hold it and the right hand rein at the same time without +disturbing her seat. This little expedient gives confidence, and is +particularly useful if a fresh horse should begin to kick a little. Of +course it is not to be continued, but only used to give a timid rider +temporary assistance. I have also used for the same purpose a broad tape +passed across the knees, and so fastened that in a fall of the horse it +would give way.</p> + +<p>Colonel Greenwood recommends that for fastening a ladies’ saddle-flaps +an elastic webbing girth, and not a leather girth, should be used, and +this attached, not, as is usually the case, to the small, but to the +<i>large flap</i> on the near side. This will leave the near side small flap +loose, as in a man’s saddle, and allow a spring bar to be used. But I +have never seen, either in use or in a saddler’s shop, although I have +constantly sought, a lady’s saddle so arranged with a spring bar for the +stirrup-leather. This mode of attaching a web girth to the large flap +will render the near side perfectly smooth, with the exception of the +stirrup-leather, which he re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>commends to be a single thin strap as broad +as a gentleman’s, fastened to the stirrup-leg by a loop or slipknot, and +fixed over the spring bar of the saddle by a buckle like that on a man’s +stirrup-leather. This arrangement, which the Colonel also recommends to +gentlemen, presumes that the length of the stirrup-leather never +requires altering more than an inch or two. It is a good plan for short +men when travelling, and likely to ride strange horses, to carry their +stirrup-leathers with them, as nothing is more annoying than to have to +alter them in a hurry with the help of a blunt pen-knife.</p> + +<p>“The stirrup for ladies should be in all respects like a man’s, large +and heavy, and open at the side, or the eyelet hole, with a spring.” The +stirrups made small and padded out of compliment to ladies’ small feet +are very dangerous. If any padding be required to protect the front of +the ankle-joint, it had better be a fixture on the boot.</p> + +<p>It is a mistake to imagine that people are dragged owing to the stirrup +being too large, and the foot passing through it; such accidents arise +from the stirrup being too small, and the foot clasped by the pressure +of the upper part on the toe and the lower part on the sole.</p> + +<p>Few ladies know how to dress for horse exercise, although there has been +a great improvement, so far as taste is concerned, of late years. As to +the head-dress, it may be whatever is in fashion, provided it so fits +the head as not to require continual adjustment, often needed when the +hands would be better employed with the reins and whip. It should shade +from the sun, and if used in hunting protect the nape of the neck from +rain. The recent fashions of wearing the plumes or feathers of the +ostrich, the cock, the capercailzie, the pheasant, the peacock, and the +kingfisher, in the riding-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>hats of young ladies, in my humble opinion, +are highly to be commended.</p> + +<p>As to the riding-habit, it may be of any colour and material suitable to +the wearer and the season of year, but the sleeves must fit rather +closely; nothing can be more out of place, inconvenient, and ridiculous, +than the wide, hanging sleeves which look so well in a drawing-room. For +country use the skirt of a habit may be short, and bordered at the +bottom a foot deep with leather. The fashion of a waistcoat of light +material for summer, revived from the fashion of last century, is a +decided improvement, and so is the over-jacket of cloth, or sealskin, +for rough weather. There is no reason why pretty young girls should not +indulge in picturesque riding costume so long as it is appropriate.</p> + +<p>Many ladies entirely spoil the sit of the skirts by retaining the usual +<i>impedimenta</i> of petticoats<a name="FNanchor_147-1_16" id="FNanchor_147-1_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_147-1_16" class="fnanchor">147-*</a>. The best-dressed horsewomen wear +nothing more than a flannel chemise with long coloured sleeves, under +their trousers.</p> + +<p>Ladies’ trousers should be of the same material and colour as the habit, +and if full flowing like a Turk’s, and fastened with an elastic band +round the ankle, they will not be distinguished from the skirt. In this +costume, which may be made amply warm by the folds of the trousers, +plaited like a Highlander’s kilt (fastened with an elastic band at the +waist), a lady can sit down in a manner impossible for one encumbered by +two or three short petticoats. It is the chest and back which require +double folds of protection during, and after, strong exercise.</p> + +<p>There is a prejudice against ladies wearing long Wellington boots; but +it is quite absurd, for they need<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> never be seen, and are a great +comfort and protection in riding long distances, when worn with the +trousers tucked inside. They should, for obvious reasons, be large +enough for warm woollen stockings, and easy to get on and off. It would +not look well to see a lady struggling out of a pair of wet boots with +the help of a bootjack and a couple of chambermaids. The heels of +riding-boots, whether for ladies or gentlemen, should be low, but +<i>long</i>, to keep the stirrup in its place.</p> + +<p>The yellow patent leather recently introduced seems a suitable thing for +the “Napoleons” of hunting ladies. And I have often thought that the +long leather gaiters of the Zouave would suit them.</p> + +<p>Whips require consideration. By gentlemen on the road or in the park +they are rather for ornament than use. A jockey whip is the most +punishing, but on the Rarey system it is seldom necessary to use the +whip except to a slug, and then spurs are more effective.</p> + +<p>A lady’s whip is intended to supply the place of a man’s right leg and +spur; it should therefore, however ornamental and thin, be stiff and +real. Messrs. Callow, of Park Lane, make some very pretty ones, pink, +green and amber, from the skin of the hippopotamus, light but severe. A +loop to hang it from the wrist may be made ornamental in colours and +gold, and is useful, for a lady may require all the power of her little +hand to grasp the right rein without the encumbrance of the whip, which +on this plan will still be ready if required at a moment’s notice. +Hunting-whips must vary according to the country. In some districts the +formidable metal hammers are still required to break intractable horses, +but such whips and jobs should be left to the servants and hard-riding +farmers.</p> + +<p>As a general rule the hunting-whip of a man who has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> nothing to do with +the hounds may be light, but it should have a good crook and be stiff +enough to stop a gate. A small steel stud outside the crook prevents the +gate from slipping; flat lashes of a brown colour have recently come +into fashion, but they are mere matters of fashion like the colour of +top boots, points to which only snobs pay any attention—that is, those +asses who pin their faith in externals, and who, in the days of +pigtails, were ready to die in defence of those absurd excrescences.</p> + +<p>The stock of a whip made by Callow for a hunting nobleman to present to +a steeple-chasing and fox-hunting professional, was of oak, a yard long, +with a buck-horn crook, and a steel stud; but then the presentee is six +feet high.</p> + +<p>Every hunting-whip should have a lash, but it need not be long. The lash +may be required to rouse a hound under your horse’s feet, or turn the +pack; as for whipping off the pack from the fox in the absence of the +huntsman, the whips and the master, that is an event that happens to one +per cent of the field once in a lifetime, although it is a common and +favourite anecdote after dinner. But then Saint Munchausen presides over +the mahogany where fox-hunting feats are discussed. One use of a lash is +to lead a horse by putting it through the rings of the snaffle, and to +flip him up as you stand on the bank when he gets stuck fast, or dead +beat in a ditch or brook. I once owed the extrication of my horse from a +brook with a deep clay bottom entirely to having a long lash to my whip; +for when he had plumped in close enough to the opposite bank for me to +escape over his head, I was able first to guide him to a shelving spot, +and then make him try one effort more by adroit flicks on his rump at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +moment when he seemed prepared to give in and be drowned. In leading a +horse, always pass the reins through the ring of the snaffle, so that if +he pulls he is held by the mouth, not by the top of his head.</p> + +<p>The riding costume of a gentleman should be suitable without being +groomish. It is a fact that does not seem universally known, that a man +does not ride any better for dressing like a groom.</p> + +<p>It has lately been the fashion to discard straps. This is all very well +if the horse and the rider can keep the trousers down, which can only be +done by keeping the legs away from the horse’s sides; but when the +trousers rise to the top of the boot, and the stocking or bare leg +appears, the sooner straps or knee-breeches are adopted the better.</p> + +<p>For hunting, nothing will do but boots and breeches, unless you +condescend to gaiters—for trousers wet, draggled and torn, are +uncomfortable and expensive wear. Leathers are pleasant, except in wet +weather, and economical wear if you have a man who can clean them; but +if they have to go weekly to the breeches-maker they become expensive, +and are not to be had when wanted; besides, wet leather breeches are +troublesome things to travel with. White cord breeches have one great +convenience; they wash well, although not so elastic, warm, and +comfortable as woollen cords. It is essential for comfort that +hunting-breeches should be built by a tailor who knows that particular +branch of business, <i>and tried on sitting down</i> if not on horseback, for +half your comfort depends on their fit. Many schneiders who are +first-rate at ordinary garments, have no idea of riding clothes. Poole, +of Saville Row, makes hunting-dress a special study, and supplies more +hunting-men and masters of hounds than any tailor in Lon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>don, but his +customers must be prepared to pay for perfection.</p> + +<p>In the coats, since the modern shooting jacket fashion came in, there is +great scope for variety. The fashion does not much matter so long as it +is fit for riding—ample enough to cover the chest and stomach in wet +weather, easy enough to allow full play for the arms and shoulders, and +not so long as to catch in hedgerows and brambles. Our forefathers in +some counties rode in coats like scarlet dressing-gowns. There is one +still to be seen in Surrey. For appearance, for wear, and as a universal +passport to civility in a strange country, there is nothing like +scarlet, provided the horseman can afford to wear it without offending +the prejudices of valuable patrons, friends or landlords. In +Lincolnshire, farmers are expected to appear in pink. In +Northamptonshire a yeoman farming his own 400 acres would be thought +presumptuous if he followed the Lincolnshire example. Near London you +may see the “pals” of fighting men and hell-keepers in pink and velvet. +A scarlet coat should never be assumed until the rider’s experience in +the field is such that he is in no danger of becoming at once +conspicuous and ridiculous.</p> + +<p>A cap is to be preferred to a hat because it fits closer, is less in the +way when riding through cover, protects the head better from a bough or +a fall, and will wear out two or three hats. It should be ventilated by +a good hole at the top.</p> + +<p>Top-boots are very pretty wear for men of the right height and right +sort of leg when they fit perfectly—that is difficult on fat +calves—and are cleaned to perfection, which is also difficult unless +you have a more than ordinarily clever groom.</p> + +<p>For men of moderate means, the patent black leather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> Napoleon, which +costs from 3<i>l.</i> 10<i>s.</i> to 4<i>l.</i> 4<i>s.</i>, and can be cleaned with a wet +sponge in five minutes, is the neatest and most economical boot—one in +which travelling does not put you under any obligation to your host’s +servants.</p> + +<p>I have often found the convenience of patent leather boots when staying +with a party at the house of a master of hounds, while others, as the +hounds were coming out of the kennel, were in an agony for tops +entrusted two or three days previously to a not-to-be-found servant. In +this point of the boots I differ from the author of “A Word ere we +Start;” but then, squires of ten thousand a-year are not supposed to +understand the shifts of those who on a twentieth part of that income +manage to enjoy a good deal of sport with all sorts of hounds and all +sorts of horses.</p> + +<p>There is a certain class of sporting snobs who endeavour to enhance +their own consequence or indulge their cynical humour by talking with +the utmost contempt of any variation from the kind of hunting-dress in +use, in their own particular district. The best commentary on the +supercilious tailoring criticism of these gents is to be found in the +fact that within a century every variety of hunting clothes has been in +and out of fashion, and that the dress in fashion with the Quorn hunt in +its most palmy days was not only the exact reverse of the present +fashion in that flying country, but, if comfort and convenience are to +be regarded, as ridiculous as brass helmets, tight stocks, and +buttoned-up red jackets for Indian warfare. It consisted, as may be seen +in old Alken’s and Sir John Dean Paul’s hunting sketches, of a +high-crowned hat, a high tight stock, a tight dress coat, with narrow +skirts that could protect neither the chest, stomach, or thighs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> long +tight white cord breeches, and pale top-boots thrust low down the leg, +the tops being supposed to be cleaned with champagne. Leather breeches, +caps, and brown top-boots were voted slow in those days. But the men +went well as they do in every dress.</p> + +<p class="poem">“Old wiseheads, complacently smoothing the brim,<br /> +May jeer at my velvet, and call it a whim;<br /> +They may think in a cap little wisdom there dwells;<br /> +They may say he who wears it should wear it with bells;<br /> +<span class="i2">But when Broadbrim lies flat,</span><br /> +<span class="i2">I will answer him pat,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Oh! who but a crackskull would ride in a hat!”</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap" style="padding-left: 14em;">Squire Warburton.</span></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_147-1_16" id="Footnote_147-1_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147-1_16"><span class="label">147-*</span></a> At an inquest on a young lady killed at Totnes in +September last, it appeared that she lost her seat and hung by a +<i>crinoline petticoat</i> from the right hand <i>pommel</i>!</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 534px;"> +<a name="illus-p153f" id="illus-p153f"></a><a href="images/illus-153f-full.png"><img src="images/illus-153f.png" width="534" height="324" alt="Mounted horse, stretched out at the gallop" title="Rails and Double Ditch." /></a> +<span class="caption">Rails and Double Ditch.</span> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">ON HUNTING.</span></h2> + +<p class="poem">“The sailor who rides on the ocean,<br /> +<span class="i1">Delights when the stormy winds blow:</span><br /> +Wind and steam, what are they to horse motion?<br /> +<span class="i1">Sea cheers to a land Tally-ho?</span><br /> +The canvas, the screw, and the paddle,<br /> +<span class="i1">The stride of the thorough-bred hack,</span><br /> +When, fastened like glue to the saddle,<br /> +<span class="i1">We gallop astern of the pack.”</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap" style="padding-left: 10em;">Tarporley Hunt Song</span>, 1855.</p> + +<p class="chapintro" style="margin-top: 2em;">Advantage of hunting.—Libels on.—Great men who have +hunted.—Popular notion unlike reality.—Dick Christian and the +Marquis of Hastings.—Fallacy of “lifting” a horse refuted.—Hints +on riding at fences.—Harriers discussed.—Stag-hunting a necessity +and use where time an object.—Hints for novices.—Tally-ho! +expounded.—To feed a horse after a hard ride.—Expenses of horse +keep.—Song by Squire Warburton, “A word ere we start.”</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Every</span> man who can ride, and, living within a couple of hours’ distance +of a pack of hounds, can spare a day now and then, should hunt. It will +improve his horsemanship, enlarge his circle of acquaintance, as well as +his tastes and sympathies, and make, as Shakspeare hath it—</p> + +<p class="blockquot center">“Good digestion wait on appetite, and health on both.”</p> + +<p>Not that I mean that every horseman should attempt to follow the hounds +in the first flight, or even the second; because age, nerves, weight, or +other good reasons may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> forbid: but every man who keeps a good hack may +meet his friends at cover side, enjoy the morning air, with a little +pleasant chat, and follow the hounds, if not in the front, in the rear, +galloping across pastures, trotting through bridle gates, creeping +through gaps, and cantering along the green rides of a wood, thus +causing a healthy excitement, with no painful reaction: and if, +unhappily, soured or overpressed by work and anxious thoughts, drinking +in such draughts of Lethe as can no otherwise be drained.</p> + +<p>Hunting has suffered as much from overpraise as from the traditionary +libels of the fribbles and fops of the time of the first Georges, when a +fool, a sot, and a fox-hunter were considered synonymous terms. Of late +years it has pleased a sportsman, with a wonderful talent for +picturesquely describing the events of a fox-hunt, to write two sporting +novels, in which all the leading characters are either fools or rogues.</p> + +<p>“In England all conditions of men, except bishops, from ratcatchers to +Royalty, are to be found in the hunting-field—equalised by +horsemanship, and fraternising under the influence of a genial sport. +Among fox-hunters we can trace a long line of statesmen, from William of +Orange to Pitt and Fox. Lord Althorp was a master of hounds; and Lord +Palmerston we have seen, within the last few years, going—as he goes +everywhere—in the first flight.” This was before the French fall of the +late Premier. Cromwell’s Ironsides were hunting men; Pope, the poet, +writes in raptures of a gallop with the Wiltshire Harriers; and +Gladstone, theologian, politician, and editor of Homer, bestrides his +celebrated white mare in Nottinghamshire, and scurries along by the side +of the ex-War Minister, the Duke of Newcastle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>“The progress of agriculture is indelibly associated with fox-hunting; +for the three great landlords, who did more to turn sand and heath into +corn and wool, and make popular the best breeds of stock and best course +of cultivation—Francis, Duke of Bedford; Coke, Earl of Leicester; and +the first Lord Yarborough—were all masters of hounds.</p> + +<p>“When indecency formed the staple of our plays, and a drunken debauch +formed the inevitable sequence of every dinner-party, a fool and a +fox-hunter were synonymous. Squire Western was the representative of a +class, which, however, was not more ridiculous than the patched, +perfumed Sir Plumes, whom Hogarth painted, and Pope satirised. +Fox-hunters are not a class now—roads, newspapers, and manufacturing +emigration have equalised the condition of the whole kingdom; and +fox-hunters are just like any other people, who wear clean shirts, and +can afford to keep one or more horses.</p> + +<p>“It is safe to assert that hunting-men, as a class, are temperate. No +man can ride well across a difficult country who is not. We must, +however, admit that the birds who have most fouled their own nest have +been broken-down sportsmen, chiefly racing men, who have turned writers +to turn a penny. These unfortunate people, with the fatal example of +‘Noctes Ambrosianæ’ before them, fill up a page, whenever their memory +or their industry fails them, in describing in detail a breakfast, a +luncheon, a dinner, and a supper. And this has been repeated so often, +that the uninitiated are led to believe that every fox-hunter must, as a +matter of course, keep a French cook, and consume an immense cellar of +port, sherry, madeira, hock, champagne, with gallons of strong ale, and +all manner of liqueurs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>“The popular notion of a fox-hunt is as unlike the reality as a girl’s +notion of war—a grand charge and a splendid victory.</p> + +<p>“Pictures always represent exciting scenes—hounds flying away with a +burning scent; horses taking at a bound, or tumbling neck and crop over, +frightful fences. Such lucky days, such bruising horsemen, such burning +scents and flying foxes are the exception.</p> + +<p>“At least two-thirds of those who go out, even in the most fashionable +counties, never attempt brooks or five-barred gates, or anything +difficult or dangerous; but, by help of open gates and bridle-roads, +which are plentiful, parallel lanes, and gaps, which are conveniently +made by the first rush of the straight riders and the dealers with +horses to sell, helped by the curves that hounds generally make, and a +fair knowledge of the country, manage to be as near the hounds as the +most thrusting horseman. Among this crowd of skirters and road-riders +are to be found some very good sportsmen, who, from some cause or other, +have lost their nerve; others, who live in the county, like the +excitement and society, but never took a jump in their lives; young +ladies with their papas; boys on ponies; farmers educating +four-year-olds; surgeons and lawyers, who are looking for professional +practice as well as sport. On cold scenting days, with a ringing fox, +this crowd keeps on until nearly dark, and heads many a fox. Many a +beginner, in his first season, has been cheated by a succession of these +easy days over an easy part of the county into the idea that there was +no difficulty in riding to hounds. But a straight fox and a burning +scent over a grass country has undeceived him, and left him in the third +or fourth field with his horse half on a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> hedge and half in a ditch, or +pounded before a ‘bulfinch,’ feeling very ridiculous. There are men who +cut a very respectable figure in the hunting-field who never saw a pack +of hounds until they were past thirty. The city of London turns out many +such; so does every great town where money is made by men of pluck, +bred, perhaps, as ploughboys in the country. We could name three—one an +M.P.—under these conditions, who would pass muster in Leicestershire, +if necessary. But a good seat on horseback, pluck, and a love of the +sport, are essential. A few years ago a scientific manufacturer, a very +moderate horseman, was ordered horse exercise as a remedy for mind and +body prostrated by over-anxiety. He found that, riding along the road, +his mind was as busy and wretched as ever. A friend prescribed hunting, +purchased for him a couple of made hunters, and gave him the needful +elementary instruction. The first result was, that he obtained such +sound, refreshing sleep as he had not enjoyed since boyhood; the next, +that in less than two seasons he made himself quite at home with a +provincial pack, and now rides so as to enjoy himself without attracting +any more notice than one who had been a fox-hunter from his youth +upwards.”</p> + +<p>The illustration at the commencement of this chapter gives a very fair +idea of the seat of good horsemen going at a fence and broad ditch, +where pace is essential. A novice may advantageously study the seats of +the riders in Herring’s “Steeplechase Cracks,” painted by an artist who +was a sportsman in his day.</p> + +<p>A few invaluable hints on riding to hounds are to be found in the +Druid’s account of Dick Christian.</p> + +<p>The late Marquis of Hastings, father of the present Marquis, was one of +the best and keenest fox-hunters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> of his day; he died young, and here is +Dick’s account of his “first fence,” for which all fox-hunters are under +deep obligations to the Druid.</p> + +<p>“The Marquis of Hastings was one of my <a name="corr18" id="corr18"></a>pupils. I was two months at his +place before he came of age. He sent for me to Donnington, and I broke +all his horses. I had never seen him before. He had seven rare nice +horses, and very handy I got them. The first meet I went out with him +was Wartnaby Stone Pits. I rode by his side, and I says, ‘My lord, we’ll +save a bit of distance if we take this fence.’ So he looked at me and he +laughed, and says, ‘Why, Christian, I was never over a fence in my +life.’ ‘God bless me, my lord! you don’t say so?’ And I seemed quite +took aback at hearing him say it. ‘Its true enough, Christian, I really +mean it.’ ‘Well, my lord,’ says I, ‘you’re on a beautiful fencer, he’ll +walk up to it and jump it. Now I’ll go over the fence first. <i>Put your +hands well down on his withers and let him come.</i>’ It was a bit of a +low-staked hedge and a ditch; he got over as nice as possible, and he +gave quite a hurrah like. He says, ‘There, I’m over my first +fence—that’s a blessing!’ Then I got him over a great many little +places, and he quite took to it and went on uncommonly well. <i>He was a +nice gentleman to teach—he’d just do anything you told him. That’s the +way to get on!</i>”</p> + +<p>In another place Dick says, “A quick and safe jumper always goes from +hind-legs to fore-legs. I never rode a steeple-chase yet but I steadied +my horse on to his hind-legs twenty yards from his fence, and I was +always over and away before the rushers. Lots of the young riders think +horses can jump anything if they can only drive them at it fast enough. +They force them too much at their fences. If you don’t feel your +hors<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>e’s mouth, you can tell nothing about him. You hold him, he can +make a second effort; if you drop him, he won’t.”</p> + +<p>Now, Dick does not mean by this that you are to go slowly at every kind +of fence. He tells you that he “sent him with some powder at a +bullfinch;” but whatever the pace, you so hold your horse in the last +fifty yards up to the taking-off point, that instead of spreading +himself out all abroad at every stroke, he feels the bit and gets his +hind-legs well under him. If you stand to see Jim Mason or Tom Oliver in +the hunting-field going at water, even at what they call “forty miles an +hour,” you will find the stride of their horses a measured beat, and +while they spur and urge them they collect them. This is the art no book +can teach; <i>but it can teach that it ought to be learned</i>. Thousands of +falls have been caused by a common and most absurd phrase, which is +constantly repeated in every description of the leaps of a great race or +run. “<i>He took his horse by the head and lifted him</i>,” &c.</p> + +<p>No man in the world ever lifted a horse over anything—it is a +mechanical impossibility—but a horseman of the first order can at a +critical moment so rouse a horse, and so accurately place his head and +hind-legs in the right position, that he can make an extraordinary +effort and achieve a miraculous leap. This in metaphorical language is +called lifting a horse, because, to a bye-stander, it looks like it. But +when a novice, or even an average horseman, attempts this sort of <i>tour +de force</i>, he only worries his horse, and, ten to one, throws him into +the fence. Those who are wise will content themselves with keeping a +horse well in hand until he is about to rise for his effort, and to +collecting him the moment he lands. The right hold brings his hind legs +under him;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> too hard a pull brings him into the ditch, if there is one. +By holding your hands with the reins in each rather wide apart as you +come towards your fence, and closing them and dropping them near his +withers as he rises, you give him room to extend himself; and if you +stretch your arms as he descends, you have him in hand. But the perfect +hunter, as long as he is fresh, does his work perfectly, so the less you +meddle with him when he is rising the better.</p> + +<p>Young sportsmen generally err by being too bold and too fast. Instead of +studying the art in the way the best men out perform, they are hiding +their nervousness by going full speed at everything, or trying to rival +the whips in daring. Any hard-headed fool can ride boldly. To go well +when hounds are running hard—to save your horse as much as possible +while keeping well forward, for the end, the difficult part of a long +run—these are the acts a good sportsman seeks to acquire by observation +and experience.</p> + +<p>For this reason young sportsmen should commence their studies with +harriers, where the runs are usually circling and a good deal of hunting +is done slowly. If a young fellow can ride well in a close, enclosed +hedge, bank, and ditch country, with occasional practice at stiles and +gates, pluck will carry him through a flying country, if properly +mounted.</p> + +<p>Any horse that is formed for jumping, with good loins, hocks, and +thighs, can be taught to jump timber; but it is madness to ride at a +gate or a stile with a doubtful horse. A deer always slacks his pace to +a trot to jump a wall or park rails, and it is better to slacken to a +trot or canter where there is no ditch on either side to be cleared, +unless you expect a fall, and then go fast, that your horse may not +tumble on you.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>A rushing horse is generally a dangerous fencer; but it is a trick that +can only be cured in private lessons, and it is more dangerous to try to +make a rusher go slowly than to let him have his own way.</p> + +<p>The great error of young beginners is to select young horses under their +weight.</p> + +<p>It was the saying of a Judge of the old school, that all kinds of wine +were good, but the best wine of all was “two bottles of port!” In the +same style, one may venture to say that all kinds of hunting are good, +but that the best of all is fox-hunting, in a grass scent-holding +country, divided into large fields, with fences that may be taken in the +stride of a thorough-bred, and coverts that comprise good gorse and open +woods—that is, for men of the weight, with the nerve, and with the +horses that can shine in such a country. But it is not given to all to +have or retain the nerve or to afford a stud of the style of horses +required for going across the best part of Leicestershire and +Northamptonshire. In this world, the way to be happy is to put up with +what you can get. The majority of my readers will be obliged to ride +with the hounds that happen to live nearest their dwelling; it is only +given to the few to be able to choose their hunting country and change +their stud whenever the maggot bites them. After hard brain-work and +gray hairs have told on the pulse, or when the opening of the +nursery-door has almost shut the stable, a couple of hours or so once a +week may be made pleasant and profitable on a thirty-pound hack for the +quartogenarian, whom time has not handicapped with weight for age. I can +say, from the experience of many years, that as long as you are under +twelve stone, you may enjoy very good sport with such packs as the +Bramham Moor in Yorkshire, the Brocklesby in Lincolnshire, the +Hey<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>thrope in Oxfordshire, the Berkley or the Beaufort in +Gloucestershire, without any enormous outlay for horses, for the simple +reason that the average runs do not present the difficulties of grass +countries, where farmers are obliged to make strong fences and deep +ditches to keep the bullocks they fatten within bounds. Good-looking +little horses, clever jumpers, equal to moderate weights, are to be had, +by a man who has not too much money, at moderate prices; but the sixteen +hands, well-bred flyer, that can gallop and go straight in such +countries as the Vale of Aylesbury, is an expensive luxury. Of course I +am speaking of sound horses. There is scarcely ever a remarkable run in +which some well-ridden screw does not figure in the first flight among +the two hundred guinea nags.</p> + +<p>When an old sportsman of my acquaintance heard any of the +thousand-and-one tales of extraordinary runs with fox-hounds, “after +dinner,” he used to ask—“Were any of the boys or ponies up at the +kill?” If the answer was “Yes,” he would say, “Then it was not a severe +thing;” and he was generally right. Men of moderate means had better +choose a hunting county where the boys can live with the hounds.</p> + +<p>“As to harriers, the people who sneer at them are ludicrously ignorant +of the history of modern fox-hunting, which is altogether founded on the +experience and maxims of hare-hunters. The two oldest fox-hound packs in +England—the Brocklesby and the Cheshire—were originally formed for +hare-hunting. The best book ever written on hounds and hunting, a +text-book to every master of hounds to this day, is by Beckford, who +learned all he knew as master of a pack of harriers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>“The great Meynell and Warwickshire Corbett both entered their young +hounds to hare, a practice which cannot, however, be approved. The late +Parson Froude, in North Devon, than whom a keener sportsman never +holloaed to hounds, and the breeder of one of the best packs for showing +sport ever seen, hunted hare, fox, deer, and even polecats, sooner than +not keep his darlings doing something; and, while his hounds would +puzzle out the faintest scent, there were among the leaders several +that, with admirable dash, jumped every gate, disdaining to creep. Some +of this stock are still hunting on Exmoor. There are at present several +very good M.F.H. who began with hare-hounds.</p> + +<p>“The intense pretentious snobbishness of the age has something to do +with the mysterious manner in which many men, blushing, own that they +have been out with harriers. In the first place, as a rule, harriers are +slow; although there are days when, with a stout, well-fed, +straight-running hare, the best men will have enough to do to keep their +place in the field: over the dinner-table that is always an easy task; +but in this fast, competitive age, the man who can contrive to stick on +a good horse can show in front without having the least idea of the +meaning of hunting. To such, harriers afford no amusement. Then again, +harrier packs are of all degrees, from the perfection of the Blackmoor +Vale, the Brookside, and some Devon or Welsh packs with unpronounceable +names, down to the little scratch packs of six or seven couple kept +among jovial farmers in out-of-the-way places, or for the amusement of +Sheffield cutlers running afoot. The same failing that makes a +considerable class reverently worship an alderman or a city baronet +until they can get on speak<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>ing terms with a peer, leads others to boast +of fox-hunting when the Brighton harriers are more than they can +comfortably manage.”</p> + +<p>The greater number of what are called harriers now-a-days are dwarf +fox-hounds, or partake largely of fox-hound blood.</p> + +<p>If Leicestershire is the county for “swells,” Devonshire is the county +of sportsmen; for although there is very little riding to hounds as +compared with the midland counties, there is a great deal of hunting. +Every village has its little pack; every man, woman, and child, from the +highest to the humblest, takes an interest in the sport; and the science +of hunting is better understood than in the hard-riding, horse-dealing +counties. To produce a finished fox-hunter, I would have him commence +his studies in Devonshire, and finish his practice in Northamptonshire. +On the whole, I should say that a student of the noble science, whose +early education has been neglected, cannot do better than go through a +course of fox-hunting near Oxford, in the winter vacation, where plenty +of perfect hunters are to be hired, and hounds meet within easy reach of +the University City, six days in the week, hunting over a country where +you may usually be with them at the finish without doing anything +desperate, if content to come in with the ruck, the ponies, and the old +farmers; or where, if so inclined, you may have more than an average +number of fast and furious runs, and study the admirable style of some +of the best horsemen in the world among the Oxfordshire and Berkshire +squires.</p> + +<p>Stag-hunting from a cart is a pursuit very generally contemned in print, +and very ardently followed by many hundred hard-riding gentlemen every +hunting day in the year. A man who can ride up to stag-hounds on a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +straight running day must have a perfect hunter, in first-rate +condition, and be, in the strongest sense of the term, “a horseman.” But +it wants the uncertainties which give so great a charm to fox-hunting, +where there are any foxes. There is no find, and no finish; and the +checks generally consist in whipping off the too eager hounds. As a +compensation, when the deer does not run cunning, or along roads, the +pace is tremendous.</p> + +<p>The Surrey stag-hounds, in the season of 1857, had some runs with the +Ketton Hind equal in every respect to the best fox-hunts on record; for +she repeatedly beat them, was loose in the woods for days, was drawn for +like a wild deer, and then, with a burning scent, ran clear away from +the hounds, while the hounds ran away from the horsemen. But, according +to the usual order of the day, the deer begins in a cart, and ends in a +barn.</p> + +<p>But stag-hunting may be defended as the very best mode of obtaining a +constitutional gallop for those whose time is too valuable to be +expended in looking for a fox. It is suited to punctual, commercial, +military, or political duties. You may read your letters, dictate +replies, breakfast deliberately, order your dinner, and invite a party +to discuss it, and set off to hunt with the Queen’s, the Baron’s, or any +other stag-hound pack within reach of rail, almost certain of two hours’ +galloping, and a return by the train you fixed in the morning.</p> + +<hr class="decshort" /> + +<p>There are a few hints to which pupils in the art of hunting may do well +to attend.</p> + +<p>“Don’t go into the field until you can sit a horse over any reasonable +fence. But practice at real fences, for at the leaping-bar only the +rudiments of fencing are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> to be learned by either man or horse. The +hunting-field is not the place for practising the rudiments of the art. +Buy a perfect hunter; no matter how blemished or how ugly, so that he +has legs, eyes, and wind to carry him and his rider across the country. +It is essential that one of the two should perfectly understand the +business in hand. Have nothing to say to a puller, a rusher, or a +kicker, even if you fancy you are competent; a colt should only be +ridden by a man who is paid to risk his bones. An amateur endangers +himself, his neighbours, and the pack, by attempting rough-riding. The +best plan for a man of moderate means—those who can afford to spend +hundreds on experiments can pick and choose in the best stables—is to +hire a hack hunter; and, if he suits, buy him, to teach you how to go.</p> + +<p>“Never take a jump when an open gate or gap is handy, unless the hounds +are going fast. Don’t attempt to show in front, unless you feel you can +keep there. Beginners, who try to make a display, even if lucky at +first, are sure to make some horrid blunder. Go slowly at your fences, +except water and wide ditches, and don’t pull at the curb when your +horse is rising. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the horse will +be better without your assistance than with it. Don’t wear spurs until +you are quite sure that you won’t spur at the wrong time. Never lose +your temper with your horse, and never strike him with the whip when +going at a fence; it is almost sure to make him swerve. Pick out the +firmest ground; hold your horse together across ploughed land; if you +want a pilot, choose not a scarlet and cap, but some well-mounted old +farmer, who has not got a horse to sell: if he has, ten to one but he +leads you into grief.</p> + +<p>“In going from cover to cover, keep in the same field<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> as the hounds, +unless you know the country—then you can’t be left behind without a +struggle. To keep in the same field as the hounds when they are running, +is more than any man can undertake to do. Make your commencement in an +easy country, and defer trying the pasture counties until you are sure +of yourself and your horse.</p> + +<p>“If you should have a cold-scenting day, and any first-rate steeplechase +rider be in the field, breaking in a young one, watch him; you may learn +more from seeing what he does, than from hours of advice, or pages of +reading.</p> + +<p>“Above all, hold your tongue until you have learnt your lesson; and talk +neither of your triumphs nor your failures. Any fool can boast; and +though to ride boldly and with judgment is very pleasant, there is +nothing for a gentleman to be specially proud of, considering that two +hundred huntsmen, or whips, do it better than most gentlemen every +hunting day in the season.”</p> + +<p>When you meet the pack with a strange horse, don’t go near it until sure +that he will not kick at hounds, as some ill-educated horses will do.</p> + +<p>Before the hounds begin to draw, you may get some useful information as +to a strange country from a talkative farmer.</p> + +<p>When hounds are drawing a large cover, and when you cannot see them, +keep down wind, so as to hear the huntsman, who, in large woodlands, +must keep on cheering his hounds. When a fox breaks cover near you, or +you think he does, don’t be in a hurry to give the “Tally-a-e-o!” for, +in the first place, if you are not experienced and quick-eyed, it may +not be a fox at all, but a dog, or a hare. The mistake is common to +people who are always in a hurry, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> equally annoying to the huntsman +and the blunderer; and, in the next place, if you halloo too soon, ten +to one the fox heads back into cover. When he is well away through the +hedge of a good-sized field, halloo, at the same time raising your cap, +“Tally-o aw-ay-o-o!” giving each syllable very slowly, and with your +mouth well open; for this is the way to be heard a long distance. Do +this once or twice, and then be quiet for a short spell, and be ready to +tell the huntsman, when he comes up, in a few sentences, exactly which +way the fox is gone. If the fox makes a short bolt, and returns, it is +“Tally-o <i>back</i>!” with the “<i>back</i>” loud and clear. If the fox crosses +the side of a wood when the hounds are at check, the cry should be +“Tally-o over!”</p> + +<p><i>Foxes.</i>—Study the change in the appearance of the fox between the +beginning and the end of a run; a fresh fox slips away with his brush +straight, whisking it with an air of defiance now and then; a beaten fox +looks dark, hangs his brush, and arches his back as he labours along.</p> + +<p>With the hounds well away, it is a great point to get a good start; so +while they are running in cover, cast your eyes over the boundary-fence, +and make up your mind where you will take it: a big jump at starting is +better than thrusting with a crowd in a gap or gateway—always presuming +that you can depend on your horse.</p> + +<p>Dismiss the moment you start two ideas which are the bane of sport, +jealousy of what others are doing, and conceit of what you are doing +yourself; keep your eyes on the pack, on your horse’s ears, and the next +fence, instead of burning to beat Thompson, or hoping that Brown saw how +cleverly you got over that rasper!</p> + +<p>Acquire an eye to hounds, that is, learn to detect the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> moment when the +leading hound turns right or left, or, losing the scent, checks, or, +catching it breast high, races away mute, “dropping his stem as straight +as a tobacco-pipe.”</p> + +<p>By thus studying the leading hounds instead of racing against your +neighbours’ horses, you see how they turn, save many an angle, and are +ready to pull up the moment the hounds throw up their heads.</p> + +<p>Never let your anxiety to be forward induce you to press upon the hounds +when they are hunting; nothing makes a huntsman more angry, or spoils +sport more.</p> + +<p>Set the example of getting out of the way when the huntsman, all +anxious, comes trotting back through a narrow road to make his cast +after a check.</p> + +<p>Attention to these hints, which are familiar to every old sportsman, +will tend to make a young one successful and popular.</p> + +<p>When you are well up, and hounds come to a check, instead of beginning +to relate how wonderfully the bay horse or the gray mare carried you, +notice every point that may help the huntsman to make his cast—sheep, +cattle, magpies, and the exact point where the scent began to fail. It +is observation that makes a true sportsman.</p> + +<p>As soon as the run has ended, begin to pay attention to the condition of +your horse, whose spirit may have carried him further than his strength +warranted; it is to be presumed, that you have eased him at every check +by turning his nose to the wind, and if a heavy man, by dismounting on +every safe opportunity.</p> + +<p>The first thing is to let him have just enough water to wash his mouth +out without chilling him. The next to feed him—the horse has a small +stomach, and requires food often.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>At the first roadside inn or cottage get a quart of oatmeal or +wheat-flour <i>boiled</i> in half a pail of water—mere soaking the raw +oatmeal is not sufficient. I have found the water of boiled linseed used +for cattle answer well with a tired horse. In cases of serious distress +a pint of wine or glass of spirits mixed with water may be administered +advantageously; to decide on the propriety of bleeding requires some +veterinary experience; quite as many horses as men have been killed by +bleeding when stimulants would have answered better.</p> + +<p>With respect to the treatment of hunters on their return, I can do +nothing better than quote the directions of that capital sportsman and +horseman, Scrutator, in “Horses and Hounds.”</p> + +<p>“When a horse returns to the stable, either after hunting or a journey, +the first thing to be done to him is to take off the bridle, but to let +the saddle <i>remain on</i> for some time at least, merely loosening the +girths. The head and ears are first to be rubbed dry, either with a wisp +of hay or a cloth, and then by the hand, until the ears are warm and +comfortable; this will occupy only a few minutes, and the horse can then +have his bit of hay or feed of corn, having previously, if returned from +hunting, or from a long journey, despatched his bucket of thick gruel: +the process of washing his legs may now be going on, whilst he is +discussing his feed of corn in peace; as each leg is washed, it should +be wrapped round with a flannel or serge bandage, and by the time the +four legs are done with, the horse will have finished his feed of corn. +A little hay may then be given, which will occupy his attention while +the rubbing his body is proceeded with. I am a great advocate for plenty +of dry clean wheat straw for this purpose; and a good groom, with a +large wisp in each hand, will in a very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> short space of time make a +clean sweep of all outward dirt and wet. It cannot, however, be properly +done without a great deal of <i>elbow grease</i> as well, of which the +present generation are inclined to be very chary. When the body of the +horse is dry, a large loose rug should be thrown over him, and the legs +then attended to, and rubbed thoroughly dry by the hand; I know the +usual practice with idle and knowing grooms is to let the bandages +remain on until the legs become dry of themselves, but I also know that +there cannot be a worse practice; for horses’ legs, after hunting, the +large knee-bucket should be used, with plenty of warm water, which will +sooth the sinews after such violent exertion, and allay any irritation +proceeding from cuts and thorns. The system of bandaging horses’ legs, +and letting them remain in this state for hours, must tend to relax the +sinews; such practices have never gained favour with me, but I have +heard salt and water and vinegar highly extolled by some, with which the +bandages are to be kept constantly wet, as tending to strengthen the +sinews and keep them cool; if, however, used too long or allowed to +become dry, I conceive more injury likely to result from their use than +benefit. It is generally known that those who have recourse to belts for +support in riding, cannot do well without them afterwards, and although +often advised to try these extra aids, I never availed myself of them; +cold water is the best strengthener either to man or horse, and a +thorough good dry rubbing afterwards. After severe walking exercise, the +benefit of immersing the feet in warm water for a short time must be +fully appreciated by all who have tried it; but I very much question if +any man would feel himself stronger upon his legs the next morning, by +having them bandaged with hot flannels during the night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> Very much may +be done by the judicious use of hot and cold water—in fact, more than +by half the prescriptions in general use; but the proper time must be +attended to as well, for its application. When a horse has had a long +and severe day’s work, he should not be harassed more than is absolutely +necessary, by grooming and dressing; the chief business should be to get +him dry and comfortable as quickly as possible, and when that has been +effected, a slight wisping over with a dry cloth will be sufficient for +that night.”</p> + +<p>The expenses of horse-keep vary according to the knowledge of the master +and the honesty of his groom; but what the expense ought to be may be +calculated from the fact that horses in first-rate condition cannot +consume more than thirteen quarters of oats and two and a half tons of +hay in a year; that is, as to oats, from three to six quarterns a day, +according to the work they are doing. But in some stables, horses are +supposed to eat a bushel a day every day in the year: there is no doubt +that the surplus is converted into beer or gin.</p> + +<p>“Upon our return from hunting, every horse had his bucket of thick gruel +directly he came into the stable, and a little hay to eat whilst he was +being cleaned. We never gave any corn until just before littering down, +the last thing at night. The horse’s legs were plunged into a high +bucket of warm water, and if dirty, soft soap was used. The first leg +being washed, was sponged as dry as possible, and then bandaged with +thick woollen bandages until the others were washed; the bandages were +then <i>removed entirely</i>, and the legs rubbed by hand until quite dry. We +used the best old white <a name="corr19" id="corr19"></a>potato oats, weighing usually <a name="corr20" id="corr20"></a>45 lbs. per +bushel, but so <i>few beans</i> that a quarter lasted us <i>a season</i>. The oats +were bruised, and a little sweet hay chaff mixed with them. We also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +gave our horses a few carrots the day after hunting, to cool their +bodies, or a bran mash or two. They were never coddled up in hoods or +half a dozen rugs at night, but a single blanket sufficed, which was +never so tight but that you might thrust your hand easily under it. This +was a thing I always looked to myself, when paying a visit to the stable +the last thing at night. A tried horse should have everything +comfortable about him, but carefully avoid any tight bandage round the +body. In over-reaches or wounds, warm water was our first application, +and plenty of it, to clean all dirt or grit from the wound; then Fryer’s +balsam and brandy with a clean linen bandage. Our usual allowance of +corn to each horse per diem was four quarterns, but more if they +required it, and from 14 lbs. to 16 lbs. of hay, eight of which were +given at night, at racking-up time, about eight o’clock. Our hours of +feeding were about five in the morning, a feed of corn, bruised, with a +little hay chaff; the horse then went to exercise. At eight o’clock, 4 +lbs. of hay; twelve o’clock, feed of corn; two o’clock, 2 lbs. of hay; +four o’clock, corn; at six o’clock, another feed of corn, with chaff; +and at eight o’clock, 8 lbs. of hay; water they could always drink when +they wanted it.”</p> + +<p>I cannot conclude these hints on hunting more appropriately than by +quoting another of the songs of the Squire of Arley Hall, Honorary +Laureate of the Tarporley Hunt Club:—</p> + +<p class="center">“A WORD ERE WE START.</p> + +<p class="poem">“The order of march and due regulation<br /> +<span class="i1">That guide us in warfare we need in the chase;</span><br /> +Huntsman and whips, each his own proper station—<br /> +<span class="i1">Horse, hound, and fox, each his own proper place.</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p class="poem">“The fox takes precedence of all from the cover;<br /> +<span class="i1">The horse is the animal purposely bred,</span><br /> +<i>After</i> the pack to be ridden, not <i>over</i>—<br /> +<span class="i1">Good hounds are not reared to be knocked on the head.</span></p> + +<p class="poem">“Buckskin’s the only wear fit for the saddle;<br /> +<span class="i1">Hats for Hyde Park, but a cap for the chase;</span><br /> +In tops of black leather let fishermen paddle,<br /> +<span class="i1">The calves of a fox-hunter white ones encase.</span></p> + +<p class="poem">“If your horse be well bred and in blooming condition,<br /> +<span class="i1">Both up to the country and up to your weight,</span><br /> +Oh! then give the reins to your youthful ambition,<br /> +<span class="i1">Sit down in the saddle and keep his head straight.</span></p> + +<p class="poem">“Eager and emulous only, not spiteful,<br /> +<span class="i1">Grudging no friend, though ourselves he may beat;</span><br /> +Just enough danger to make sport delightful,<br /> +<span class="i1">Toil just sufficient to make slumbers sweet!”</span></p> + + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">SKETCHES OF HUNTING WITH FOX-HOUNDS AND HARRIERS.</span></h2> + +<p class="chapintrocent">The Fitzwilliam.—Brocklesby.—A day on the Wolds.—Brighton +harriers.—Prince Albert’s harriers.</p> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">The</span> following descriptions of my own sport with fox-hounds and harriers +will give the uninitiated some idea of the average adventures of a +hunting-day:—</p> + +<p class="center">A DAY WITH THE LATE EARL FITZWILLIAM’S HOUNDS.<a name="FNanchor_176-1_17" id="FNanchor_176-1_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_176-1_17" class="fnanchor">176-*</a></p> + +<p class="center">“<span class="smcap">Loo in, Little Dearies. Loo in.</span>”<br /></p> + +<p class="poem">How eagerly forward they rush;<br /> +<span class="i1">In a moment how widely they spread;</span><br /> +Have at him there, Hotspur. Hush, hush!<br /> +<span class="i1">’Tis a find, or I’ll forfeit my head.</span><br /> +Now fast flies the fox, and still faster<br /> +<span class="i1">The hounds from the cover are freed,</span><br /> +The horn to the mouth of the master,<br /> +<span class="i1">The spur to the flank of his steed.</span><br /> +With Chorister, Concord, and Chorus,<br /> +<span class="i1">Now Chantress commences her song;</span><br /> +Now Bellman goes jingling before us,<br /> +<span class="i1">And Sinbad is sailing along.</span></p> + +<p>The Fitzwilliam pack was established by the grandfather of the present +Earl between seventy and eighty years ago; they hunt four days a week +over a north-east strip of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire—a wide, +wild, thinly-populated district, with some fine woodlands; country that +was almost all grass, until deep draining turned some cold clay pastures +into arable. It holds a rare scent, and the woodland country can be +hunted, when a hot sun does not bake the ground too hard, up to the +first week in May, when, in most other countries, horns are silenced. +The country is wide enough, with foxes enough, to bear hunting six days +a week. “Bless your heart, sir,” said an old farmer, “there be foxes as +tall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> as donkeys, as fat as pigs, in these woods, that go and die of old +age.”</p> + +<p>The Fitzwilliam are supposed to be the biggest-boned hounds now bred, +and exquisitely handsome. If they have a fault, they are, for want of +work, or excess of numbers, rather too full of flesh; so that at the end +of the year, when the days grow warm, they seem to tire and tail in a +long run.</p> + +<p>Many of the pasture fences are big enough to keep out a bullock; the +ditches wide and full of water; bulfinches are to be met with, stiff +rails, gates not always unlocked; so, although a Pytchley flyer is not +indispensable, on a going day, nothing less than a hunter can get along.</p> + +<p>Tom Sebright, as a huntsman and breeder of hounds, has been a celebrity +ever since he hunted the Quorn, under Squire Osbaldeston, six-and-thirty +years ago. Sebright looks the huntsman, and the huntsman of an +hereditary pack, to perfection; rather under than over the middle +height; stout without being unwieldy; with a fine, full, intelligent, +and fresh-complexioned oval countenance; keen gray eyes; and the decided +nose of a Cromwellian Ironside. A fringe of white hair below his cap, +and a broad bald forehead, when he lifts his cap to cheer his hounds, +tell the tale of Time on this accomplished veteran of the chase.</p> + +<p>“The field,” with the Fitzwilliam, is more aristocratic than +fashionable; it includes a few peers and their friends from neighbouring +noble mansions, a good many squires, now and then undergraduates from +Cambridge, a very few strangers by rail, and a great many first-class +yeoman farmers and graziers. Thus it is equally unlike the fashionable +“cut-me-down” multitude to be met at coverside in the “Shires” <i>par<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +excellence</i>, and the scarlet mob who rush, and race, and lark from and +back to Leamington and Cheltenham. For seeing a good deal of sport in a +short time, the Fitzwilliam is certainly the best, within a hundred +miles of London. You have a first-rate pack, first-rate huntsman, a good +scenting country, plenty of foxes, fair fences to ride over, and though +last not least, very courteous reception, if you know how to ride and +when to hold your tongue and your horse.</p> + +<p>My fortunate day with the Fitzwilliam was in their open pasture, +Huntingdon country. My head-quarters were at the celebrated “Haycock,” +which is known, or ought to be known, to every wandering fox-hunter, +standing as it does in the middle of the Fitzwilliam Hunt, within reach +of some of the best meets of the Pytchley and the Warwickshire, and not +out of reach of the Cottesmore and Belvoir. It is much more like a +Lincolnshire Wolds farmhouse than an inn. The guests are regular +<i>habitués</i>; you find yourself in a sort of fox-hunting clubhouse, in a +large, snug dining-room; not the least like Albert Smith’s favourite +aversion, a coffee-room; you have a first-rate English dinner, +undeniable wine, real cream with your tea, in a word, all the comforts +and most of the luxuries of town and country life combined. If needful, +Tom Percival will provide you with a flyer for every day in the week, +and you will be sure to meet with one or two guests, able and willing, +ready to canter with you to cover, explain the chart of the country, +and, if you are in the first year of boots and breeches, show you as +Squire Warburton sings, how “To sit down in your saddle and put his head +straight.”</p> + +<p>The meet, within four miles of the inn, was in a park by the side of a +small firwood plantation. Punctual to a minute, up trotted Sebright on a +compact, well-bred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> chestnut in blooming condition, the whips equally +well mounted on thoroughbreds, all dressed in ample scarlet coats and +dark cord breeches—a style of dress in much better taste than the +tight, short dandified costume of the fashionable hunt, where the +huntsman can scarcely be distinguished from the “swell.”</p> + +<p>Of the Earl’s family there were present a son and daughter, and three +grandsons, beautiful boys, in Lincoln green loose jackets, brown cord +breeches, black boots, and caps; of these, the youngest, a fair, rosy +child of about eight or nine years old, on a thorough-bred chestnut +pony, was all day the admiration of the field; he dashed along full of +genuine enthusiasm, stopping at nothing practicable.</p> + +<p>Amongst others present was a tall, lithe, white-haired, +white-moustached, dignified old gentleman, in scarlet and velvet cap, +riding forward on a magnificent gray horse, who realised completely the +poetical idea of a nobleman. This was the Marquess of H——, known well +forty years ago in fashionable circles, when George IV. was Prince, now +popular and much esteemed as a country gentleman and improving landlord. +There was also Mr. H——, an M.P., celebrated, before he settled into +place and “ceased his hum,” as a hunter of bishops—a handsome, dark +man, in leathers and patent Napoleons; with his wife on a fine bay +horse, who rode boldly throughout the day.</p> + +<p>In strange countries I usually pick out a leader in some well-knowing +farmer; but this day I made a grand mistake, by selecting for my guide a +slim, quiet-looking, young fellow, in a black hat and coat, white cords, +and boots, on a young chestnut—never dreaming that my quiet man was +Alec ——, a farmer truly, but also a provincial celebrity as a +steeplechaser.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>The day was mild, cloudy, with a gentle wind. We drew several covers +blank, and found a fox, about one o’clock, in a small spinney, from +which he bolted at the first summons. A beautiful picture it was to see +gallant old Sebright get his hounds away, the ladies racing down a +convenient green lane, and the little Fitzwilliam, in Lincoln green, +charging a double flight of hurdles. In half-an-hour’s strong running I +had good reason to rejoice that Percival had, with due respect for the +fourth estate, put me on an unmistakable hunter. Our line took us over +big undulating fields (almost hills), with, on the flats or valleys, a +large share of willow-bordered ditches (they would call them brooks in +some counties), with thick undeniable hedges between the pollards. At +the beginning of the run, my black-coated friend led me—much as a dog +in a string leads a blind man—at a great pace, into a farm-yard, thus +artfully cutting off a great angle, over a most respectable stone wall +into a home paddock, over a stile into a deep lane, and then up a bank +as steep as a gothic roof, and almost as long; into a fifty-acre +pasture, where, racing at best pace, we got close to the hounds just +before they checked, between a broad unjumpable drain and a willow +bed—two fine resources for a cunning fox. There I thought it well, +having so far escaped grief, to look out for a leader who was less of a +bruiser, while I took breath. In the meantime Sebright, well up, hit our +friend off with a short cast forward, and after five minutes’ slow +hunting, we began to race again over a flat country of grass, with a few +big ploughed fields, fences easier, ladies and ponies well up again. +After brushing through two small coverts without hanging, we came out on +a series of very large level grass fields, where I could see the gray +horse of the marquis, and the black hat of my first leader sail<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>ing in +front; a couple of stiff hedges and ditches were got over comfortably; +the third was a regular bulfinch, six or seven feet high, with a gate so +far away to the right that to make for it was to lose too much time, as +the hounds were running breast high. Ten yards ahead of me was Mr. Frank +G——, on a Stormer colt, evidently with no notion of turning; so I +hardened my heart, felt my bay nag full of going, and kept my eye on Mr. +Frank, who made for the only practicable place beside an oak-tree with +low branches, and, stooping his head, popped through a place where the +hedge showed daylight, with his hand over his eyes, in the neatest +possible style. Without hesitating a moment I followed, rather too fast +and too much afraid of the tree, and pulled too much into the hedge. In +an instant I found myself torn out of the saddle, balanced on a +blackthorn bough (fortunately I wore leathers), and deposited on the +right side of the hedge on my back; whence I rose just in time to see +Bay Middleton disappear over the next fence. So there I was alone in a +big grass field, with strong notions that I should have to walk an +unknown number of miles home. Judge of my delight as I paced slowly +along—running was of no use—at seeing Frank G—— returning with my +truant in hand. Such an action in the middle of a run deserves a Humane +Society’s medal. To struggle breathless into my seat; to go off at +score, to find a lucky string of open gates, to come upon the hounds at +a check, was my good fortune. But our fox was doomed—in another quarter +of an hour at a hand gallop we hunted him into a shrubbery, across a +home field into an ornamental clump of laurels, back again to the +plantation, where a couple and a half of leading hounds pulled him down, +and he was brought out by the first whip dead and almost stiff, without +a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> mark—regularly run down by an hour and twenty minutes with two very +short checks. Had the latter part of the run been as fast as the first, +there would have been very few of us there to see the finish.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">ON THE LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS.</h3> + +<p>I started to meet Lord Yarborough’s hounds, from the house of a friend, +on a capital Wold pony for cover hack. It used to be said, before +non-riding masters of hounds had broadcasted bridle-gates over the Quorn +country, that a Leicestershire hack was a pretty good hunter for other +counties. We may say the same of a Lincolnshire Wolds pony—his master, +farming not less than three hundred and more likely fifteen hundred +acres, has no time to lose in crawling about on a punchy half-bred +cart-horse, like a smock-frocked tenant—the farm must be visited before +hunting, and the market-towns lie too far off for five miles an hour +jog-trot to suit. It is the Wold fashion to ride farming at a pretty +good pace, and take the fences in a fly where the gate stands at the +wrong corner of the field. Broad strips of turf fringe the road, +offering every excuse for a gallop, and our guide continually turned +through a gate or over a hurdle, and through half a dozen fields, to +save two sides of an angle. These fields contrast strangely with the +ancient counties—large, and square, and clean, with little ground lost +in hedgerows. The great cop banks of Essex, Devon, and Cheshire are +almost unknown—villages you scarcely see, farmhouses rarely from the +roadside, for they mostly stand well back in the midst of their acres. +Gradually creeping up the Wold—passing through, here vast +turnip-fields, fed over by armies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> of long-woolled Lincoln sheep; there, +stubble yielding before from a dozen to a score of pair-horse ploughs, +silent witnesses of the scale of Lincolnshire farming—at length we see +descending and winding along a bridle-road before us, the pied pack and +the gleam of the huntsman’s scarlet. Around, from every point of the +compass the “field” come ambling, trotting, cantering, galloping, on +hacks, on hunters, through gates or over fences, practising their +Yorkshire four-year-olds. There are squires of every degree, +Lincolnshire M.P.’s, parsons in black, in number beyond average; +tenant-farmers, in quantity and quality such as no other county we have +ever seen can boast, velvet-capped and scarlet-coated, many with the +Brocklesby hunt button, mounted on first-class hunters, whom it was a +pleasure to see them handle; and these were not young bloods, outrunning +the constable, astonishing their landlords and alarming their fathers; +but amongst the ruck were respectable grandfathers who had begun hunting +on ponies when Stubbs was painting great-grandfather Smith, and who had +as a matter of course brought up their sons to follow the line in which +they had been cheered on by Arthur Young’s Lord Yarborough. There they +were, of all ages, from the white-haired veteran who could tell you when +every field had been inclosed, to the little petticoated orphan boy on a +pony, “whose father’s farm had been put in trust for him by the good +Earl.”</p> + +<p>Of the ordinary mob that crowd fox-hound meets from great cities and +fashionable watering-places, there were none. The swell who comes out to +show his clothes and his horse; the nondescript, who may be a fast +Life-Guardsman or a fishmonger; the lot of horse-dealers; and, above +all, those <i>blasé</i> gentlemen who, bored with everything, openly express +their pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>ference for a carted deer or red-herring drag, if a straight +running fox is not found in a quarter of an hour after the hounds are +thrown into cover. The men who ride on the Lincolnshire Wolds are all +sportsmen, who know the whole country as well as their own gardens, and +are not unfrequently personally acquainted with the peculiar appearance +and habits of each fox on foot. Altogether they are as formidable +critics as any professional huntsman would care to encounter.</p> + +<p>There is another pleasant thing. In consequence, perhaps, of the rarity, +strangers are not snubbed as in some counties; and you have no +difficulty in getting information to any extent on subjects agricultural +and fox-hunting (even without that excellent passport which I enjoyed of +a hunter from the stables of the noble Master of the Hounds), and may be +pretty sure of more than one hospitable and really-meant invitation in +the course of the return ride when the sport is ended.</p> + +<p>But time is up, and away we trot—leaving the woods of Limber for the +present—to one of the regular Wolds, artificial coverts, a square of +gorse of several acres, surrounded by a turf bank and ditch, and outside +again by fields of the ancient turf of the moorlands. In go the hounds +at a word, without a straggler; and while they make the gorse alive with +their lashing sterns, there is no fear of our being left behind for want +of seeing which way they go, for there is neither plantation nor hedge, +nor hill of any account to screen us. And there is no fear either of the +fox being stupidly headed, for the field all know their business, and +are fully agreed, as old friends should be, on the probable line.</p> + +<p>A very faint Tally-away, and cap held up, by a fresh complexioned, +iron-gray, bullet-headed old gentleman, of sixteen stone, mounted on a +four-year-old, brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> the pack out in a minute from the far end of the +covert, and we were soon going, holding hard, over a newly-ploughed +field, looking out sharp for the next open gate; but it is at the wrong +corner, and by the time we have reached the middle of fifty acres, a +young farmer in scarlet, sitting upright as a dart, showed the way over +a new rail in the middle of a six-foot quickset. Our nag, +“Leicestershire,” needs no spurring, but takes it pleasantly, with a +hop, skip, and jump; and by the time we had settled into the pace on the +other side, the senior on the four-year-old was alongside, crying, “Push +along, sir; push along, or they’ll run clean away from you. The fences +are all fair on the line we’re going.” And so they were—hedges thick, +but jumpable enough, yet needing a hunter nevertheless, especially as +the big fields warmed up the pace amazingly; and, as the majority of the +farmers out were riding young ones destined for finished hunters in the +pasture counties, there was above an average of resolution in the style +of going at the fences. The ground almost all plough, naturally drained +by chalk sub-subsoil, fortunately rode light; but presently we passed +the edge of the Wolds, held on through some thin plantations over the +demesne grass of a squire’s house, then on a bit of unreclaimed heath, +where a flock of sheep brought us to a few minutes’ check. With the help +of a veteran of the hunt, who had been riding well up, a cast forward +set us agoing again, and brought us, still running hard, away from the +Wolds to low ground of new inclosures, all grass, fenced in by ditch and +new double undeniable rails. As we had a good view of the style of +country from a distance, we <a name="corr21" id="corr21"></a>thought it wisest, as a stranger, on a +strange horse, with personally a special distaste to double fences, to +pull gently, and let half-a-dozen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> young fellows on half-made, +heavy-weight four or five years old, go first. The results of this +prudent and unplucky step were most satisfactory; while two or three, +with a skill we admired, without venturing to imitate, went the “in and +out” clever, the rest, some down and some blundering well over, smashed +at least one rail out of every two, and let the “stranger” through +comfortably at a fair flying jump. After three or four of these +tremendous fields, each about the size of Mr. Mechi’s farm, a shepherd +riding after his flock on a pony opened a gate just as the hounds, after +throwing up their heads for a minute, turned to the right, and began to +run back to the Wolds at a slower rate than we started, for the fox was +no doubt blown by the pace; and so up what are called hills there (they +would scarcely be felt in Devonshire or Surrey), we followed at a hand +gallop right up to the plantations of Brocklesby Park, and for a good +hour the hounds worked him round and round the woods, while we kept as +near them as we could, racing along green rides as magnificent in their +broad spread verdures and overhanging evergreen walls of holly and +laurel as any Watteau ever painted. The Lincolnshire gentry and +yeomanry, scarlet coated and velvet capped, on their great blood horses +sweeping down one of the grand evergreen avenues of Brocklesby Park, say +toward the Pelham Pillar, is a capital untried subject, in colour, +contrast, and living interest, for an artist who can paint men as well +as horses.</p> + +<p>At length when every dodge had been tried, Master Reynard made a bolt in +despair. We raced him down a line of fields of very pretty fencing to a +small lake, where wild ducks squatted up, and there ran into him, after +a fair although not a very fast day’s sport: a more honest hunting, yet +courageous dashing pack we never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> rode to. The scarcity of villages, the +general sparseness of the population, the few roads, and those almost +all turf-bordered, and on a level with the fields, the great size of the +enclosures, the prevalence of light arable land, the nuisance of flocks +of sheep, and yet a good scenting country, are the special features of +the Wolds. When you leave them and descend, there is a country of water, +drains, and deep ditches, that require a real water-jumper. Two points +specially strike a stranger—the complete hereditary air of the pack, +and the attendants, so different from the piebald, new-varnished +appearance of fashionable subscription packs. Smith, the huntsman, is +fourth in descent of a line of Brocklesby huntsmen; Robinson, the head +groom, had just completed his half century of service at Brocklesby; and +Barnetby, who rode Lord Yarborough’s second horse, was many years in the +same capacity with the first Earl. But, after all, the Brocklesby +tenants—the Nainbys, the Brookes, the Skipwiths, and other Woldsmen, +names “whom to mention would take up too much room,” as the “Eton +Grammar” says—tenants who, from generation to generation, have lived, +and flourished, and hunted under the Pelham family—a spirited, +intelligent, hospitable race of men—these alone are worth travelling +from Land’s End to see, to hear, to dine with; to learn from their +sayings and doings what a wise, liberal, resident landlord—a lover of +field sports, a promoter of improved agriculture—can do in the course +of generations toward “breeding” a first-class tenantry, and feeding +thousands of townsfolk from acres that a hundred years ago only fed +rabbits. We should recommend those M.P.’s who think fox-hunting folly, +to leave their books and debates for a day’s hunting on the Wolds. We +think it will be hard to obtain such happy results from the mere +pen-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>and-ink regulations of chamber legislators and haters of field +sports. Three generations of the Pelhams turned thousands of acres of +waste in heaths and Wolds into rich farm-land; the fourth did his part +by giving the same district railways and seaport communication. When we +find learned mole-eyed pedants sneering at fox-hunters, we may call the +Brocklesby kennels and the Pelham Pillar as witnesses on the side of the +common sense of English field sports. It was hunting that settled the +Pelhams in a remote country and led them to colonise a waste.</p> + +<p>There is one excellent custom at the hunting-dinners at Brocklesby Park +which we may mention, without being guilty of intrusion on private +hospitality. At a certain hour the stud-groom enters and says, “My Lord, +the horses are bedded up;” then the whole party rise, make a procession +through the stables, and return to coffee in the drawing-room. This +custom was introduced by the first Lord Yarborough some half-century +ago, in order to break through the habit of late sitting over wine that +then was too prevalent.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HARRIERS—ON THE BRIGHTON DOWNS.</h3> + +<p>Long before hunting sounds are to be heard, except the early morning +cub-hunters routing woodlands, and the autumn stag-hunters of Exmoor, +harrier packs are hard at work racing down and up the steep hillside and +along the chalky valleys of Brighton Downs, preparing old sportsmen for +the more earnest work of November—training young ones into the meaning +of pace, the habit of riding fast down, and the art of climbing quickly, +yet not too quickly, up hill—giving consti<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>tutional gallops to wheezy +aldermen, or enterprizing adults fresh from the riding-school—affording +fun for fast young ladies and pleasant sights for a crowd of foot-folks +and fly-loads, halting on the brows of the steep combs, content with the +living panorama.</p> + +<p>The Downs and the sea are the redeeming features of Brighton, considered +as a place of change and recreation for the over-worked of London. +Without these advantages one might quite as well migrate from the City +to Regent Street, varying the exercise by a stroll along the Serpentine. +To a man who needs rest there is something at first sight truly +frightful in the townish gregariousness of Brighton proper, with its +pretentious common-place architecture, and its ceaseless bustle and +rolling of wheels. But then comes into view first the sea, stretching +away into infinite silence and solitude, dotted over on sunny days with +pleasure-boats; and next, perpetually dashing along the league of +sea-borded highway, group after group of gay riding-parties of all ages +and both sexes—Spanish hats, feathers, and riding-habits—<i>amazones</i>, +according to the French classic title, in the majority. First comes Papa +Briggs, with all his progeny, down to the little bare-legged imitation +Highlander on a shaggy Shetland pony; then a riding-master in +mustachios, boots, and breeches, with a dozen pupils in divers stages of +timidity and full-blown temerity; and then again loving pairs in the +process of courtship or the ecstasies of the honeymoon, pacing or racing +along, indifferent to the interest and admiration that such pairs always +excite. Besides the groups there are single figures, military and civil, +on prancing thorough-bred hacks and solid weight-carrying cobs, +contrasted with a great army of hard-worked animals, at half-a-crown an +hour which compose the bulk of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> Brighton cavalry, for horse-hiring +at Brighton is the rule, private possession the exception; nowhere else, +except, perhaps, at Oxford, is the custom so universal, and nowhere do +such odd, strange people venture to exhibit themselves “a-horseback.” As +Dublin is said to be the car-drivingest, so is Brighton the +horse-ridingest city in creation; and it is this most healthy, mental +and physical exercise, with the summer-sea yacht excursions, which +constitute the difference and establishes the superiority of this marine +offshoot of London over any foreign bathing-place. Under French auspices +we should have had something infinitely more magnificent, gay, gilded, +and luxurious in architecture, in shops, in restaurants, cafés, +theatres, and ball-rooms; but pleasure-boat sails would have been +utterly unknown, and the horse-exercise confined to a few daring +cavaliers and theatrical ladies.</p> + +<p>It is doubtless the open Downs that originally gave the visitors of +Brighton (when it was Brighthelmstone, the little village patronised by +the Prince, by “the Burney,” and Mrs. Thrale) the habit of +constitutional canters to a degree unknown in other pleasure towns; and +the traditional custom has been preserved in the face of miles of brick +and stucco. With horses in legions, and Downs at hand, a pack of hounds +follows naturally; hares of a rare stout breed are plentiful; and the +tradesmen have been acute enough to discover that a plentiful and varied +supply of hunting facilities is one of the most safe, certain, and +profitable attractions they can provide. Cheltenham and Bath has each +its stag-hounds; Brighton does better, less expensively, and pleases +more people, with two packs of harriers, hunting four days (and, by +recent arrangements, a pack of fox-hounds filling up the other two days) +of the week; so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> that now it may be considered about the best place in +the country for making sure of a daily constitutional gallop from +October to March at short notice, and with no particular attention to +costume and a very moderate stud, or no stud at all.</p> + +<p>With these and a few other floating notions of air, exercise, and change +of scene in my head—having decided that, however tempting to the +caricaturist, the amusement of hundreds was not to be despised—I took +my place at eight o’clock, at London-bridge station, in a railway +carriage—the best of hacks for a long distance—on a bright October +morning, with no other change from ordinary road-riding costume than one +of Callow’s long-lashed, instead of a straight-cutting, whips, so saving +all the impediments of baggage. By ten o’clock I was wondering what the +“sad sea waves” were saying to the strange costumes in which it pleases +the fair denizens of Brighton to deck themselves. My horse, a little, +wiry, well-bred chestnut, had been secured beforehand at a dealer’s, +well known in the Surrey country.</p> + +<p>The meet was the race-course, a good three miles from the Parade. The +Brighton meets are stereotyped. The Race-course, Telscombe Tye, the +Devil’s Dyke, and Thunders Barrow are repeated weekly. But of the way +along the green-topped chalk cliffs, beside the far-spreading sea, or up +and down the moorland hills and valleys, who can ever weary? Who can +weary of hill and dale and the eternal sea?</p> + +<p>To those accustomed to an inclosed country there is something extremely +curious in mile after mile of open undulating downs lost in the distant +horizon. My day was bright. About eleven o’clock the horsemen and +<i>amazones</i> arrived in rapidly-succeeding parties, and gathered on the +high ground. Pleasure visitors, out for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> the first time—distinguished +by their correct costume and unmistakably hired animals—caps and white +breeches, spotless tops and shining Napoleons—were mounted on hacks +battered about the legs, and rather rough in the coat, though hard and +full of go; but trousers were the prevailing order of the day. Medical +men were evident, in correct white ties, on neat ponies and superior +cobs; military in mufti, on pulling steeplechasers; some farmers in +leggings on good young nags for sale, and good old ones for use. London +lawyers in heather mixture shooting-suits and Park hacks; lots of little +boys and girls on ponies—white or cream-coloured being the favourites; +at least one master of far distant fox-hounds pack, on a blood-colt, +master and horse alike new to the country and to the sport. +Riding-masters, with their lady pupils tittupping about on the live +rocking-horses that form the essential stock of every riding-master’s +establishment, with one or two papas of the pupils—“worthy” aldermen, +or authorities of the Stock Exchange, expensively mounted, gravely +looking on, with an expression of doubt as to whether they ought to have +been there or not; and then a crowd of the nondescripts, bankers and +brewers trying to look like squires, neat and grim, among the well and +ill dressed, well and ill mounted, who form the staple of every +watering-place,—with this satisfactory feature pervading the whole +gathering, that with the exception of a few whose first appearance it +was in saddle on any turf, and the before-mentioned grim brewers, all +seemed decidedly jolly and determined to enjoy themselves.</p> + +<p>The hounds drew up; to criticise them elaborately would be as unfair, +under the circumstances, as to criticise a pot-luck dinner of beans and +bacon put before a hungry man. They are not particularly +handsome<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>—white patches being the prevailing colour; and they certainly +do not keep very close; but they are fast enough, persevering, and, +killing a fair share of hares, show very good sport to both lookers-on +and hard riders. The huntsman Willard, who has no “whip” to help him, +and often more assistance than he requires, is a heavy man, but +contrives, in spite of his weight, to get his hounds in the fastest +runs.</p> + +<p>The country, it may be as well to say for the benefit of the thousands +who have never been on these famous mutton-producing “South Downs,” is +composed of a series of table-lands divided by basin-like valleys, for +the most part covered with short turf, with large patches of gorse and +heather, in which the hares, when beaten, take refuge. Of late years, +high prices and Brighton demand, with the new system of artificial +agriculture, have pushed root crops and corn crops into sheltered +valleys and far over the hills, much to the disgust of the ancient race +of shepherds.</p> + +<p>It is scarcely necessary to observe, that on Brighton Downs there are no +blank days, but the drawing is a real operation performed seriously +until such a time as the company having all assembled, say at half-past +seven o’clock, when, if the unaided faculties of the pack have not +brought them up to a form, a shepherd appears as the <i>Deus ex machinâ</i>. +In spite of all manner of precautions, the hounds will generally rush up +to the point without hunting; loud rises the joyful cry; and, if it is +level ground, the whole meet—hacks, hobbie-horses, and hunters—look as +if their riders meant to go off in a whirlwind of trampling feet. There +is usually a circle or two with the stoutest hare before making a long +stretch; but, on lucky days like that of our first and last visit, the +pace mends the hounds settle, the riding-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>masters check their more +dashing pupils, the crowd gets dispersed, and rides round, or halts on +the edges, or crawls slowly down the steep-sided valleys; while the hard +riders catch their nags by the head, in with the spurs, and go down +straight and furious, as if they were away for ever and a day; but the +pedestrians and constitutional cob-owners are comforted by assurances +that the hare is sure to run a ring back. But, on our day, Pussy, having +lain <i>perdu</i> during a few minutes’ check, started up suddenly amid a +full cry, and rather too much hallooing. A gentleman in large mustachios +and a velvet cap rode at her as if he meant to catch her himself. Away +we all dashed, losing sight of the dignity of fox-hunters—all mad as +hatters (though why hatters should be madder than cappers it would be +difficult to say). The pace becomes tremendous; the pack tails by twos +and threes; the valleys grow steeper; the field lingers and halts more +and more at each steeper comb; the lads who have hurried straight up the +hillsides, instead of creeping up by degrees blow their horses and come +to a full stop; while old hands at Devonshire combs and Surrey steeps +take their nags by the head, rush down like thunder, and slily zigzag up +the opposite face at a trot; and so, for ten minutes, so straight, that +a stranger, one of three in front, cried, “By Jove, it must be a fox!” +But at that moment the leading hounds turned sharp to the right and then +to the left—a shrill squeak, a cry of hounds, and all was over. The sun +shone out bright and clear; looking up from the valley on the hills, +nine-tenths of the field were to be seen a mile in the distance, +galloping, trotting, walking, or standing still, scattered like a pulk +of pursuing Cossacks. The sight reminded me that, putting aside the +delicious excitement of a mad rush down hill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> at full-speed, the +lookers-on, the young ladies on ponies, and old gentlemen on cobs, see +the most of the sport in such a country as the Brighton Downs; while in +a flat inclosed, or wooded country, those who do not ride are left alone +quite deserted, five minutes after the hounds get well away.</p> + +<p>We killed two more hares before retiring for the day, but as they ran +rings in the approved style, continually coming back to the slow, +prudent, and constitutional riders, there was nothing to distinguish +them from all other hare-hunts. After killing the last hare there was +ample time to get back to Brighton, take a warm bath, dress, and stroll +on the Esplanade for an hour in the midst of as gay and brilliant crowd, +vehicular, equestrian, and pedestrian, as can be found in Europe, before +sitting down to a quiet dinner, in which the delicious Southdown haunch +was not forgotten. So ended a day of glorious weather and pleasant +sport, jolly—if not in the highest degree genteel.</p> + +<p>Tempted to stay another day, I went the next morning six miles through +Rottingdean to Telscombe Tye, to meet the Brookside; and, after seeing +them, have no hesitation in saying that every one who cares to look at a +first-rate pack of harriers would find it worth his while to travel a +hundred miles to meet the Brookside, for the whole turnout is +perfection. Royalty cannot excel it.</p> + +<p>A delicious ride over turf all the way, after passing Rottingdean, under +a blue sky and a June-like sun, in sight of the sea, calm as a lake, +brought us to the top of a hill of rich close turf, enveloped in a cloud +of mist, which rendered horses and horsemen alike invisible at the +distance of a few yards; and when we came upon three tall shepherds, +leaning on their iron-<i>hooked</i> crooks, in the midst of a gorse covert, +it was almost impossible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> to believe that we were not in some remote +Highland district instead of within half an hour of a town of 70,000 +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>The costumes of the field, more exact than the previous day, showed that +the master was considered worthy of the compliment; and when, the mist +clearing, the beautiful black-and-tan pack, all of a size, and as like +as peas, came clustering up with Mr. Saxby, a white-haired, healthy, +fresh-coloured, neat-figured, upright squire, riding in the midst on a +rare black horse, it was a picture that, taking in the wild heathland +scenery, the deep valleys below, bright in sun, the dark hills beyond +it, was indeed a bright page in the poetry of field sports.</p> + +<p>The Brookside are as good and honest as they are handsome; hunting, all +together, almost entirely without assistance. If they have a fault they +are a little too fast for hare-hounds. After killing the second hare, we +were able to leave Brighton by the 3.30 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> train. Thus, under modern +advantages, a man troubled with indigestion has only to order a horse by +post the previous day, leave town at eight in the morning, have a day’s +gallop, with excitement more valuable than gallons of physic, and be +back in town by half-past five o’clock. Can eight hours be passed more +pleasantly or profitably?</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">PRINCE ALBERT’S HARRIERS.</h3> + +<p>The South-Western Rail made a very good hack up to the Castle station.</p> + +<p>That Prince Albert should never have taken to the Royal stag-hounds is +not at all surprising. It requires to be “to the manner born” to endure +the vast jostling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> shouting, thrusting mob of gentlemen and horse +dealers, “legs” and horse-breakers, that whirl away after the uncarted +deer. Without the revival of the old Court etiquette, which forbade any +one to ride before royalty, his Royal Highness might have been ridden +down by some ambitious butcher or experimental cockney horseman on a +runaway. If the etiquette of the time of George III had been revived, +then only Leech could have done justice to the appearance of the field, +following impatiently at a respectful distance—not the stag, as they do +now very often, or the hounds, as they ought to do—but the Prince’s +horse’s tail.</p> + +<p>Prince Albert’s harriers are in the strictest sense of the term a +private pack, kept by his Royal Highness for his own amusement, under +the management of Colonel Hood. The meets are not advertised. The fields +consist, in addition to the Royal and official party from the Castle, of +a few neighbouring gentlemen and farmers, the hunting establishment of a +huntsman and one whip, both splendidly mounted, and a boy on foot. The +costume of the hunt is a very dark green cloth double-breasted coat, +with the Prince’s gilt button, brown cords, and velvet cap.</p> + +<p>The hounds were about fifteen couple, of medium size, with considerable +variety of true colours, inclining to the fox-hound stamp, yet very +honest hunters. In each run the lead was taken by a hound of peculiar +and uncommon marking—black and tan, but the tan so far spreading that +the black was reduced to merely a saddle.</p> + +<p>The day was rather too bright, perhaps, for the scent to lie well; but +there was the better opportunity for seeing the hounds work, which they +did most admirably, without any assistance. It is one of the advantages +of a pack like this that no one presumes to interfere and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> do the +business of either the huntsman or hounds. The first hare was found on +land apparently recently inclosed near Eton; but, after two hours’ +perseverance, it was impossible to make anything of the scent over +ploughed land.</p> + +<p>We then crossed the railway into some fields, partly in grass, divided +by broad ditches full of water, with plenty of willow stumps on the +banks, and partly arable on higher, sloping ground, divided by fair +growing fences into large square inclosures. Here we soon found a stout +hare that gave us an opportunity of seeing and admiring the qualities of +the pack. After the first short burst there was a quarter of an hour of +slow hunting, when the hounds, left entirely to themselves, did their +work beautifully. At length, as the sun went behind clouds, the scent +improved; the hounds got on good terms with puss, and rattled away at a +pace, and over a line of big fields and undeniable fences, that soon +found out the slows and the nags that dared not face shining water. +Short checks of a few minutes gave puss a short respite; then followed a +full cry, and soon a view. Over a score of big fields the pack raced +within a dozen yards of pussy’s scent, without gaining a yard, the +black-tanned leading hound almost coursing his game; but this was too +fast to last, and, just as we were squaring our shoulders and settling +down to take a very uncompromising hedge with evident signs of a broad +ditch of running water on the other side, the hounds threw up their +heads; poor puss had shuffled through the fence into the brook, and sunk +like a stone.</p> + +<p>There is something painful about the helpless finish with a hare. A fox +dies snarling and fighting.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_176-1_17" id="Footnote_176-1_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_176-1_17"><span class="label">176-*</span></a> This sketch was written in 1857.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">HUNTING TERMS.</span></h2> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Hunting</span> terms are difficult to write, because they are often rather sung +than said. I shall take as my authority one of the best sportsmen of his +day, Mr. Thomas Smith, author of the “Diary of a Huntsman,” a book which +has only one fault, it is too short; and give some explanations of my +own.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HUNTSMAN’S LANGUAGE.</h3> + +<p class="hanging">On throwing off.—<i>Cover hoick!</i> i. e. <i>Hark into cover!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">Also—<i>Eloo in!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">Over the fence.—<i>Yoi over!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">To make hounds draw.—<i>Edawick!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">Also—<i>Yoi, wind him! Yoi, rouse him, my boys!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">And to a particular hound—<i>Hoick, Rector! Hoick, Bonny Lass!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">The variety of Tally-ho’s I have given in another place.</p> + +<p class="hanging">To call the rest when some hounds have gone away.—<i>Elope forward, +aw-ay-woy!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">If they have hit off the scent.—<i>Forrid, hoick!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">When hounds have overrun the scent, or he wants them to come back to +him.—<i>Yo-geote!</i></p> + +<p class="hanging">When the hounds are near their fox.—<i>Eloo, at him!</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">HUNTING TERMS</h3> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Billet.</i>—The excrement of a fox.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Burst.</i>—The first part of a run.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Burning scent.</i>—When hounds go so fast, from the goodness of the +scent, they have no breath to spare, and run almost mute.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Breast high.</i>—When hounds do not stoop their heads, but go a racing +pace.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Capping.</i>—To wave your cap to bring on the hounds. Also to subscribe +for the huntsman, by dropping into a cap after a good run with +fox-hounds. At watering places, before a run with harriers.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Carry a good head.</i>—When hounds run well together, owing to the +scent being good, and spreading so wide that the whole pack can +feel it. But it usually happens that the scent is good only on the +line for one hound to get it, so that the rest follow him; hence +the necessity of keeping your eyes on the leading hounds, if you +wish to be forward.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Challenge.</i>—When drawing a fox, the first hound that gives tongue, +“challenges.”</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Changed.</i>—When the pack changed from the hunted fox to a fresh one.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Check.</i>—When hounds stop for want of scent in running, or over-run +it.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Chopped a fox.</i>—When a fox is killed in cover without running.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Crash.</i>—When in cover, every hound seems giving tongue at the same +moment: that is a crash of hounds.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Cub.</i>—Until November, a young fox is a cub.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span><i>Drawing.</i>—The act of hunting to find a fox in a cover, or covert, as +some term it.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Drag.</i>—The scent left by the footsteps of the fox on his way from +his rural rambles to his earth, or kennel. Our forefathers rose +early; and instead of drawing, hunted the fox by “dragging” up to +him.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Dwelling.</i>—When hounds do not come up to the huntsman’s halloo till +moved by the whipper-in, they are said to dwell.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Drafted.</i>—Hounds drawn from the pack to be disposed of, or <i>hung</i>, +are drafted.</p> + +<p class="hanging">“<i>Earths are drawn.</i>”—When a vixen fox has drawn out fresh earth, it +is a proof she intends to lay up her cubs there.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Eye to hounds.</i>—A man has a good eye to hounds who turns his horse’s +head with the leading hounds.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Flighty.</i>—A hound that is not a steady hunter.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Feeling a scent.</i>—You say, if scent is bad, “The hounds could +scarcely feel the scent.”</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Foil.</i>—When a fox runs the ground over which he has been before, he +is running his foil.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Headed.</i>—When a fox is going away, and is met and driven back to +cover. Jealous riders, anxious for a start, are very apt to head +the fox. It is one of the greatest crimes in the hunting-field.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Heel.</i>—When hounds get on the scent of a fox, and run it back the +way he came, they are said to be running heel.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Hold hard.</i>—A cry that speaks for itself, which every one who wishes +for sport will at once attend to when uttered by the huntsman.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Holding scent.</i>—When the scent is just good enough for hounds to +hunt a fox a fair pace, but not enough to press him.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span><i>Kennel.</i>—Where a fox lays all day in cover.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Line holders.</i>—Hounds which will not go a yard beyond the scent.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Left-handed.</i>—A hunting pun on hounds that are not always <i>right</i>.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Lifting.</i>—When a huntsman carries the pack forward from an +indifferent, or no scent, to a place the fox is hoped to have more +recently passed, or to a view halloo. It is an expedient found +needful where the field is large, and unruly, and impatient, +oftener than good sportsmen approve.<a name="FNanchor_202-1_18" id="FNanchor_202-1_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_202-1_18" class="fnanchor">202-*</a></p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Laid up.</i>—When a vixen fox has had cubs she is said to have laid up.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Metal.</i>—When hounds fly for a short distance on a wrong scent, or +without one, it is said to be “all metal.”</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Moving scent.</i>—When hounds get on a scent that is fresher than a +drag, it is called a moving scent; that is, the scent of a fox +which has been disturbed by travelling.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Mobbing a <a name="corr22" id="corr22"></a>fox.</i>—Is when foot passengers, or foolish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> jealous +horsemen so surround a cover, that the fox is driven into the teeth +of the hounds, instead of being allowed to break away and show +sport.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Mute.</i>—When the pace is great hounds are mute, they have no breath +to spare; but a hound that is always mute is as useless as a rich +epicure who has capital dinners and eats them alone. Hounds that do +not help each other are worthless.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Noisy.</i>—To throw the tongue without scent is an opposite and equal +fault to muteness.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Open.</i>—When a hound throws his tongue, or gives tongue, he is said +to open.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Owning a scent.</i>—When hounds throw their tongues on the scent.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Pad.</i>—The foot of a fox.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Riot.</i>—When the hounds hunt anything beside fox, the word is “Ware +Riot.”</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Skirter.</i>—A hound which is wide of the pack, or a man riding wide of +the hounds, is called a skirter.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Stroke of a fox.</i>—Is when hounds are drawing. It is evident, from +their manner, that they feel the scent of a fox, slashing their +stern significantly, although they do not speak to it.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Sinking.</i>—A fox nearly beaten is said to be sinking.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Sinking the wind.</i>—Is going down wind, usually done by knowing +sportsmen to catch the cry of the hounds.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Stained.</i>—When the scent is lost by cattle or sheep having passed +over the line.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Stooping.</i>—Hounds stoop to the scent.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Slack.</i>—Indifferent. A succession of bad days, or a slack huntsman, +will make hounds slack.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Streaming.</i>—An expressive word applied to hounds in full cry, or +breast high and mute, “streaming away.”</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Speaks.</i>—When a hound throws his tongue he is said to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> speak; and +one word from a sure hound makes the presence of a fox certain.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Throw up.</i>—When hounds lose the scent they “throw up their heads.” A +good sportsman always takes note of the exact spot and cause, if he +can, to tell the huntsman.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Tailing.</i>—The reverse of streaming. The result of bad scent, tired +hounds, or an uneven pack.</p> + +<p class="hanging"><i>Throw off.</i>—After reaching the “meet,” at the master’s word the pack +is “thrown into cover,” hence “throw off.”</p> + + +<p>There are many other terms in common use too plain to need explanation, +and there are a good many slang phrases to be found in newspaper +descriptions of runs, which are both vulgar and unnecessary. One of the +finest descriptions of a fox-hunt ever written is to be found in the +account of Jorrocks’ day with the “Old Customer,” disfigured, +unfortunately, by an overload of impossible cockneyisms, put in the +mouth of the impossible grocer. Another capitally-told story of a +fox-hunt is to be found in Whyte Melville’s “Kate Coventry.” But the +Rev. Charles Kingsley has, in his opening chapter of “Yeast,” and his +papers in Fraser on North Devon, shown that if he chose he could throw +all writers on hunting into the shade. Would that he would give us some +hunting-songs, for he is a true poet, as well as a true sportsman!</p> + +<p>Another clergyman, under the pseudonym of “Uncle Scribble,” contributed +to the pages of the <i>Sporting Magazine</i> an admirable series of +photographs—to adopt a modern word—of hunting and hunting men, as +remarkable for dry wit and common sense, as a thorough knowledge of +sport. But “Uncle Scribble,” as the head of a most successful Boarding +School, writes no more.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>I may perhaps be pardoned for concluding my hints on hunting, by +re-quoting from <i>Household Words</i> an “Apology for Fox-hunting,” which, +at the time I wrote it, received the approbation, by quotation, of +almost every sporting journal in the country. It will be seen that it +contains a sentence very similar to one to be found in Mr. Rarey’s +“Horse Training”—“A bad-tempered man cannot be a good horseman.”</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">“TALLY-HO!</h3> + +<p>“Fox-hunting, I maintain, is entitled to be considered one of the fine +arts, standing somewhere between music and dancing. For ‘Tally-ho!’ like +the favourite evening gun of colonising orators, has been ‘carried round +the world.’ The plump mole-fed foxes of the neutral ground of Gibraltar +have fled from the jolly cry; it has been echoed back from the rocky +hills of our island possessions in the Mediterranean; it has startled +the jackal on the mountains of the Cape, and his red brother on the +burning plains of Bengal; the wolf of the pine forests of Canada has +heard it, cheering on fox-hounds to an unequal contest; and even the +wretched dingoe and the bounding kangaroo of ‘Australia have learned to +dread the sound.</p> + +<p>“In our native land ‘Tally-ho!’ is shouted and welcomed in due season by +all conditions of men; by the ploughman, holding hard his startled colt; +by the woodman, leaning on his axe before the half-felled oak; by +bird-boys from the tops of leafless trees; even Dolly Dumpling, as she +sees the white-tipped brush flash before her market-cart in a +deep-banked lane, stops, points her whip and in shrill treble screams +‘Tally-ho!'</p> + +<p>“And when at full speed the pink, green, brown, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> black-coated +followers of any of the ninety packs which our England maintains, sweep +through a village, with what intense delight the whole population turn +out! Young mothers stand at the doors, holding up their crowing babies; +the shopkeeper, with his customers, adjourns to the street; the windows +of the school are covered with flattened noses; the parson, if of the +right sort, smiles blandly, and waves his hand from the porch of the +vicarage to half-a-dozen friends; while the surgeon pushes on his +galloway and joins for half-an-hour; all the little boys holla in +chorus, and run on to open gates without expecting sixpence. As for the +farmers, those who do not join the hunt criticise the horseflesh, +speculate on the probable price of oats, and tell ‘Missis’ to set out +the big round of beef, the bread, the cheese, and get ready to draw some +strong ale,—‘in case of a check, some of the gentlemen might like a bit +as they come back.</p> + +<p>“It is true, among the five thousand who follow the hounds daily in the +hunting season, there are to be found, as among most medleys of five +thousand, a certain number of fools and brutes—mere animals, deaf to +the music, blind to the living poetry of nature. To such men hunting is +a piece of fashion or vulgar excitement, but bring hunting in comparison +with other amusements, and it will stand a severe test. Are you an +admirer of scenery, an amateur or artist? Have you traversed Greece and +Italy, Switzerland and Norway, in search of the picturesque? You do not +know the beauties of your own country, until, having hunted from +Northumberland to Cornwall, you have viewed the various counties under +the three aspects of a fox-hunter’s day—the ‘morning ride,’ ‘the run,’ +and ‘the return home.’</p> + +<p>“The morning ride, slowly pacing, full of expectation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> your horse as +pleased as yourself; sharp and clear in the gray atmosphere the leafless +trees and white farmhouses stand out, backed by a curtain of mist +hanging on the hills in the horizon. With eager eyes you take all in; +nothing escapes you; you have cast off care for the day. How pleasant +and cheerful everything and everyone looks! Even the cocks and hens, +scratching by the road-side, have a friendly air. The turnpike-man +relaxes, in favour of your ‘pink,’ his usual grimness. A tramping woman, +with one child at her back and two running beside her, asks charity; you +suspect she is an impostor, but she looks cold and pitiful; you give her +a shilling, and the next day you don’t regret your foolish benevolence. +To your mind the well-cultivated land looks beautiful. In the monotony +of ten acres of turnips, you see a hundred pictures of English farming +life, well-fed cattle, good wheat crops, and a little barley for beer. +Not less beautiful is the wild gorse-covered moor—never to be +reclaimed, I hope—where the wiry, white-headed, bright-eyed huntsman +sits motionless on his old white horse, surrounded by the pied pack—a +study for Landseer.</p> + +<p>“But if the morning ride creates unexecuted cabinet pictures and +unwritten sonnets, how delightful ‘the find,’ ‘the run’ along +brook-intersected vales, up steep hills, through woodlands, parks, and +villages, showing you in byways little gothic churches, ivy-covered +cottages, and nooks of beauty you never dreamed of, alive with startled +cattle and hilarious rustics.</p> + +<p>“Talk of epic poems, read in bowers or at firesides, what poet’s +description of a battle could make the blood boil in delirious +excitement, like a seat on a long-striding hunter, clearing every +obstacle with firm elastic bounds, holding in sight without gaining a +yard on the flying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> pack, while the tip of Reynard’s tail disappears +over the wall at the top of the hill!</p> + +<p>“And, lastly,—tired, successful, hungry, happy,—the return home, when +the shades of evening, closing round, give a fantastic, curious, +mysterious aspect to familiar road-side objects! Loosely lounging on +your saddle, with half-closed eyes, you almost dream—the gnarled trees +grow into giants, cottages into castles, ponds into lakes. The maid of +the inn is a lovely princess, and the bread and cheese she brings +(while, without dismounting, you let your thirsty horse drink his +gruel), tastes more delicious than the finest supper of champagne, with +a <i>pâté</i> of tortured goose’s liver, that ever tempted the appetite of a +humane, anti-fox hunting, poet-critic, exhausted by a long night of +opera, ballet, and Roman punch.</p> + +<p>“Are you fond of agriculture?—You may survey all the progress and +ignorance of an agricultural district in rides across country; you may +sound the depth of the average agricultural mind while trotting from +cover to cover. Are you of a social disposition?—What a fund of +information is to be gathered from the acquaintances made, returning +home after a famous day, ‘thirty-five minutes without a check.’ In a +word, fox-hunting affords exercise and healthy excitement without +headaches, or heartaches, without late hours, without the ‘terrible next +morning’ that follows so many town amusements. Fox-hunting draws men +from towns, promotes a love of country life, fosters skill, courage, +temper; for a bad-tempered man can never be a good horseman.</p> + +<p>“To the right-minded, as many feelings of thankfulness and praise to the +Giver of all good will arise, sitting on a fiery horse, subdued to +courageous obedience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> for the use of man, while surveying a pack of +hounds ranging an autumnal thicket with fierce intelligence, or looking +down on a late moorland, broken up to fertility by man’s skill and +industry, as in a solitary walk by the sea-shore or over a Highland +hill.”</p> + +<p class="poem">Oh, give me the man to whom nought comes amiss,<br /> +One horse or another—that country or this;<br /> +Through falls and bad starts who undauntedly still<br /> +Bides up to this motto, “Be with them I will!”<br /> +And give me the man who can ride through a run,<br /> +Nor engross to himself all the glory when done;<br /> +Who calls not each horse that o’ertakes him a screw;<br /> +Who loves a run best when a friend sees it too.<br /> +<span style="padding-left: 10em;"><span class="smcap">Warburton</span> of Arley Hall.</span></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_202-1_18" id="Footnote_202-1_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_202-1_18"><span class="label">202-*</span></a> The late Sir Richard Sutton, Master of the Quorn, used +to say that he liked “to stick to the band and keep hold of the bridle,” +that is to say, make his pack hold to the line of the fox as long as +they could; but there were times when he could not resist the temptation +of a sure “holloa,” and off he would start at a tremendous pace, for he +was always a bruising rider, with a blast or two upon his “little +merry-toned horn” which he had the art of blowing better than other +people. To his intimate friends he used to excuse himself for these +occasional outbreaks by quoting a saying of his old huntsman Goosey +(late the Duke of Rutland’s)—for whose opinion on hunting matters he +had a great respect—“I take leave to say, sir, a fox is a very quick +animal, and you must make haste after him during some part of the day, +or you will not catch him.”—<i>Letter from Captain Percy Williams, Master +of the Rufford Hounds, to the Editor.</i></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">THE ORIGIN OF FOX-HUNTING.</span></h2> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">The</span> origin of modern fox-hunting is involved in a degree of obscurity +which can only be attributed to the illiterate character of the +originators, the Squire Westerns, who rode all day, and drank all the +evening. We need the assistance of the ingenious correspondent of <i>Notes +and Queries</i>:—</p> + +<p>“It is quite certain that the fox was not accounted a noble beast of +chase before the Revolution of 1688; for Gervase Markham classes the fox +with the badger in his ‘Cavalrie, or that part of Arte wherein is +contained the Choice Trayning and Dyeting of Hunting Horses whether for +Pleasure or for Wager. The Third Booke. Printed by Edw. Allde, for +Edward White; and are to be sold at his Shop, neare the Little North +Door of St. Paule’s Church, at the signe of the Gun. 1616.’ He says:—</p> + +<p>“‘The chase of the foxe or badger, although it be a chase of much more +swiftness (than the otter), and is ever kept upon firm ground, yet I +cannot allow it for training horses, because for the most part it +continues in woody rough grounds, where a horse can neither conveniently +make foorth his way nor can heed without danger of <a name="corr23" id="corr23"></a>stubbing. The chase, +much better than any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> of these, is hunting of the bucke or stag, +especially if they be not confined within a park or pale, but having +liberty to chuse their waies, which some huntsmen call “hunting at +force.” When he is at liberty he will break forth his chase into the +winde, sometimes four, five, and six miles foorth right: nay, I have +myself followed a stag better than ten miles foorth right from the place +of his rousing to the place of his death, besides all his windings, +turnings, and cross passages. The time of the year for these chases is +from the middle of May to middle of September.’ He goes on to say, +‘which being of all chases the worthiest, and belonging only Princes and +men of best quality, there is no horse too good to be employed in such a +service; yet the horses which are aptest and best to be employed in this +chase is the Barbary jennet, or a light-made English gelding, being of a +middle stature.’ ‘But to conclude and come to the chase which is of all +chases the best for the purpose whereof we are now entreating; it is the +chase of the hare, which is a chase both swift and pleasant, and of long +endurance; it is a sport ever readie, equally distributed, as well to +the wealthie farmer as the great gentleman. It hath its beginning +contrary to the stag and bucke; for it begins at Michaelmas, when they +end, and is out of date after April, when they first come into season.’</p> + +<p>“This low estimate of the fox, at that period, is borne out by a speech +of Oliver St. John, to the Long Parliament, against Strafford, quoted by +Macaulay, in which he declares—‘Strafford was to be regarded not as a +stag or hare, but as a fox, who was to be snared by any means and +knocked on the head without pity.’ The same historian relates that red +deer were as plentiful on the hills of Hampshire and Gloucestershire, in +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> reign of Queen Anne, as they are now in the preserved deer-forests +of the Highlands of Scotland.</p> + +<p>“When wild deer became scarce, the attention of sportsmen was probably +turned to the sporting qualities of the fox by the accident of harriers +getting upon the scent of some wanderer in the clicketing season, and +being led a straight long run. We have more than once met with such +accidents on the Devonshire moors, and have known well-bred harriers run +clear away from the huntsmen, after an on-lying fox, over an unrideable +country.</p> + +<p>“Fox-hunting rose into favour with the increase of population attendant +on improved agriculture. In a wild woodland country, with earths +unstopped, no pack of hounds could fairly run down a fox.</p> + +<p>“I have found in private records two instances in which packs of hounds, +since celebrated, were turned from hare-hounds to fox-hounds. There are, +no doubt, many more. The Tarporley, or Cheshire Hunt, was established in +1762 for Hare-hunting, and held its first meeting on the 14th November +in that year. ‘Those who kept harriers brought them in turn.’ It is +ordered by the 8th Rule, ‘that if no member of the society kept hounds, +or that it were inconvenient for masters to bring them, a pack be +borrowed at the expense of the society.’</p> + +<p>“The uniform was ordered to be ‘a blue frock with plain yellow mettled +buttons, scarlet velvet cape, and double-breasted flannel waistcoat. The +coat sleeve to be cut and turned. A scarlet saddle-cloth, bound singly +with blue, and the front of the bridle lapt with scarlet.’ The third +rule contrasts oddly with our modern meets at half-past ten and +half-past eleven o’clock:—‘The harriers shall not wait for any member +after eight o’clock in the morning.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>’</p> + +<p>“As to drinking, it was ordered ‘that three collar bumpers be drunk +after dinner, and the same after supper; after that every member might +do as he pleased in regard to drinking.’</p> + +<p>“By another rule every member was ‘to present on his marriage to each +member of the hunt, a pair of well-stitched leather breeches,’<a name="FNanchor_213-1_19" id="FNanchor_213-1_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_213-1_19" class="fnanchor">213-*</a> +then costing a guinea a pair.</p> + +<p>“In 1769, the club commenced Fox-hunting. The uniform was ordered to be +changed to ‘a red coat, unbound, with small frock sleeve, a green velvet +cape, and green waistcoat, and that the sleeve have no buttons; in every +other form to be like the old uniform; and the red saddle-cloth to be +bound with green instead of blue, the fronts of the saddles to remain +the same.’</p> + +<p>“At the same time there was an alteration in regard to drinking +orders—‘That instead of three collar bumpers, only one shall be drunk, +except a fox be killed above ground, and then one other collar glass +shall be drunk to “Fox-hunting.” Among the names of the original members +in 1762, we recognise many whose descendants have maintained in this +generation their ancestral reputation as sportsmen. For instance, Crewe, +Mainwaring, Wilbraham, Smith, Barry, Cholmondeley, Stanley, Grosvenor, +Townley, Watkin Williams Wynne, Stanford. But, although the Tarporley +Hunt Club has been maintained and thriven through the reigns of George +III., George IV., William IV., and Victoria, the pack of hounds, +destroyed or removed by various accidents, have been more than once +renewed. But the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> Brocklesby pack has been maintained in the family of +the present Earl of Yarborough more than 130 years without break or +change of blood; and a written pedigree of the pack has been kept for +upwards of 100 years; and it is now the oldest pack in the kingdom. The +Cottesmore, which was established before the Brocklesby, has been +repeatedly dispersed and has long passed out of the hands of the family +of the Noels—by whom it was first established 200 years ago.”</p> + +<p>By the kindness of Lord Yarborough, I was permitted to examine all the +papers connected with his hounds. Among them is a memorandum dated April +20, 1713: it is agreed “between Sir John Tyrwhitt, Charles Pelham, Esq., +and Robert Vyner, Esq. (another name well known in modern hunting +annals), that the foxhounds now kept by the said Sir John Tyrwhitt and +Mr. Pelham shall be joyned in one pack, and the three have a joint +interest in the said hounds for five years, each for one-third of the +year.” And it was agreed that the establishment should consist of +“sixteen couple of hounds, three horses, and a huntsman and a boy.” So +apparently they only hunted one day a week. It would seem that, under +the terms of the agreement, the united pack soon passed into the hands +of Mr. Pelham, and down to the present day the hounds have been branded +with a P. I also found at Brocklesby a rough memoranda of the kennel +from 1710 to 1746; after that date the Stud Book has been distinctly +kept up without a break. From 1797 the first Lord Yarborough kept +journals of the pedigree of hounds in his own handwriting; and since his +time by the father, the grandfather, and great-grandfather of the +present huntsman.</p> + +<p>In the time of the first Lord Yarborough, his country extended over the +whole of the South Wold country,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> part of the now Burton Hunt, and part +of North Nottinghamshire; and he used to go down into both those +districts for a month at a time to hunt the woodlands. There were, as he +told his grandson when he began hunting, only three or four fences +between Horncastle and Brigg, a distance of at least thirty miles.</p> + +<p>Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt kept harriers at his Manor House of Aylsby, at the +foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, before he turned them into fox-hounds. A +barn at Aylsby was formerly known as the “Kennels.” The Aylsby estate +has passed, in the female line, into the Oxfordshire family of the +Tyrwhitt Drakes, who are so well known as masters of hounds, and +first-rate sportsmen; while a descendant of Squire Vyner, of +Lincolnshire, has, within the last twenty years, been a master of +fox-hounds in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Mr. Meynell, the father +of modern fox-hunting, and founder of the Quorn Hunt, formed his pack +chiefly of drafts from the Brocklesby.</p> + +<p>Between the period that fox-hunting superseded hare-hunting in the +estimation of country squires, and that when the celebrated Mr. Meynell +reduced it to a science, and prepared the way for making hunting in +Leicestershire almost an aristocratic institution, a great change took +place in the breed of the hounds and horses, and in the style of +horsemanship. Under the old system, the hounds were taken out before +light to hunt back by his drag the fox who had been foraging all night, +and set on him as he lay above his stopped-earth, before he had digested +his meal of rats or rabbits. The breed of hounds partook more of the +long-eared, dew-lapped, heavy, crock-kneed southern hound, or of the +bloodhound. Well-bred horses, too, were less plentiful than they are +now.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>But the change to fast hounds, fast horses, and fast men, took place at +a much more distant date than some of our hard-riding young swells of +1854 seem to imagine. A portrait of a celebrated hound, Ringwood, at +Brocklesby Park, painted by Stubbs, the well-known animal painter in +1792, presents in an extraordinary manner the type and character of some +of the best hounds remotely descended from him, although the Cheshire +song says:—</p> + +<p class="poem">“When each horse wore a crupper, each squire a pigtail,<br /> +Ere Blue Cap and Wanton taught greyhounds to scurry,<br /> +With music in plenty—oh, where was the hurry?”</p> + +<p>But it is more than eighty years since Blue Cap and Wanton ran their +race over Newmarket Heath, which for speed has never been excelled by +any modern hounds.</p> + +<p>And it is a curious fact, that although Somerville, the author of The +Chase, died in 1742, his poem contains as clear and correct directions +for fox-hunting, with few exceptions, as if it were written yesterday. +So that the art must have arrived at perfection within sixty or seventy +years. In the long reign of George III. the distinction <a name="corr24" id="corr24"></a>between town and +country was much broken down, and the isolation in which country squires +lived destroyed. Packs of hounds, kept for the amusement of a small +district, became, as it were, public property. At length the meets of +hounds began to be regularly given in the country newspapers.</p> + +<p>With every change sportsmen of the old school have prophesied the total +ruin of fox-hunting. Roads and canals excited great alarm to our +fathers. In our time every one expected to see sport entirely destroyed +by railroads; but we were mistaken, and have lived to consider them +almost an essential auxiliary of a good hunting district.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>Looking back at the manner in which fox-hunting has grown up with our +habits and customs, and increased in the number of packs, number of +hunting days, and number of horsemen, in full proportion with wealth and +population, one cannot help being amused at the simplicity with which +Mrs. Beecher Stowe, who comes from a country where people seldom amuse +themselves out of doors (except in making money), tells in her “Sunny +Memories,” how, when she dined with Lord John Russell, at Richmond, the +conversation turned on hunting; and she expressed her astonishment +“that, in the height of English civilisation, this vestige of the savage +state should remain.” “Thereupon they only laughed, and told stories +about fox-hunters.” They might have answered with old Gervase Markham, +“Of all the field pleasures wherewith Old Time and man’s inventions hath +blessed the hours of our recreations, there is none so excellent as the +delight of hunting, being compounded like an harmonious concert of all +the best partes of most refined pleasures, as music, dancing, running +and ryding.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stowe’s distinguished countryman, Washington Irving, took a sounder +view of our rural pleasures; for he says in his charming “Sketch +Book:”—</p> + +<p>“The fondness for rural life among the higher classes of the English has +had a great and salutary effect upon national character. I do not know a +finer race of men than the English gentlemen. Instead of the softness +and effeminacy which characterizes the men of rank of most countries, +they exhibit a union of elegance and strength, of robustness of frame +and freshness of complexion, which I am inclined to attribute to their +living so much in the open air, pursuing so eagerly the invigorating +recreations of the country.”</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_213-1_19" id="Footnote_213-1_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_213-1_19"><span class="label">213-*</span></a> I think this is a mistake. In a copy of the rules +forwarded to me by a Cheshire squire, one of the hereditary members of +the club, it is a pair of <i>gloves</i>. But in the notes, the songs and +ballads by R. Egerton Warburton, Esq., of Arley Hall, it is printed +“breeches.”</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="chapterhead"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">THE WILD PONIES OF EXMOOR.</span></h2> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">In</span> England there are so few wild horses, that the following description +of a visit I made to Exmoor a few years ago in the month of September, +may be doubly interesting, since Mr. Rarey has shown a short and easy +method of dealing with the principal produce of that truly wild region.</p> + +<p>The road from South Molton to Exmoor is a gradual ascent over a +succession of hills, of which each descent, however steep, leads to a +still longer ascent, until you reach the high level of Exmoor. The first +six miles are through real Devonshire lanes; on each side high banks, +all covered with fern and grass, and topped with shrubs and trees; for +miles we were hedged in with hazels, bearing nuts with a luxuriance +wonderful to the eyes of those accustomed to see them sold at the +corners of streets for a penny the dozen. In spring and summer, wild +flowers give all the charms of colour to these game-preserving +hedgerows; but a rainy autumn had left no colour among the rich green +foliage, except here and there a pyramid of the bright red berries of +the mountain ash.</p> + +<p>So, up hill and down dale, over water-courses—now merrily trotting, +anon descending, and not less merrily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> trudging up, steep ascents—we +proceed by a track as sound as if it had been under the care of a model +board of trustees—for the simple reason that it rested on natural rock. +We pushed along at an average rate of some six miles an hour, allowing +for the slow crawling up hills; passing many rich fields wherein fat +oxen of the Devon breed calmly grazed, with sheep that had certainly not +been bred on mountains. Once we passed a deserted copper-mine; which, +after having been worked for many years, had at length failed, or grown +unprofitable, under the competition of the richer mines of Cuba and +South Australia. A long chimney, peering above deserted cottages, and a +plentiful crop of weeds, was the sole monument of departed glories—in +shares and dividends—and mine-captain’s promises.</p> + +<p>At length the hedges began to grow thinner; beeches succeeded the +hazels; the road, more rugged and bare showed the marks where winter’s +rains had ploughed deep channels; and, at the turn of a steep hill, we +saw, on the one hand, the brown and blue moor stretching before and +above us; and on the other hand, below, like a map, the fertile vale lay +unrolled, various in colour, according to the crops, divided by +enclosures into every angle from most acute to most obtuse. Below was +the cultivation of centuries; above, the turnip—the greatest +improvement of modern agriculture—flourished, a deep green, under the +protection of fences of very recent date.</p> + +<p>One turnpike, and cottages at rare intervals, had so far kept up the +idea of population; but now, far as the horizon extended, not a place of +habitation was to be seen; until, just in a hollow bend out of the +ascending road, we came upon a low white farm-house, of humble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +pretensions, flanked by a great turf-stack (but no signs of corn; no +fold-yard full of cattle), which bore, on a board of great size, in long +letters, this imposing announcement, “The Poltimore Arms.” Our driver +not being of the usual thirsty disposition of his tribe, we did not test +the capabilities of the one hostelry and habitation on Lord Poltimore’s +Moorland Estate, but, pushing on, took the reins while our conductor +descended to open a gate in a large turf and stone wall. We passed +through—left Devon—entered Somerset; and the famous Exmoor estate of +20,000 acres, bounded by a wall forty miles in length, the object of our +journey, lay before us.</p> + +<p>Very dreary was this part of our journey, although, contrary to the +custom of the country, the day was bright and clear, and the September +sun defeated the fogs, and kept at a distance the drizzling rains which +in winter sweep over Exmoor. We had now left the smooth, rocky-floored +road, and were travelling along what most resembled the dry bed of a +torrent: turf banks on each side seemed rather intended to define than +to divide the property. As far as the eye could reach, the rushy tufted +moorland extended, bounded in the distance by lofty, round-backed hills. +Thinly scattered about were horned sheep and Devon red oxen. For about +two miles we jolted gently on, until, beginning to descend a hill, our +driver pointed in the valley below to a spot where stacks of hay and +turf guarded a series of stone buildings, saying, “There’s the Grange.” +The first glance was not encouraging—no sheep-station in Australia +could seem more utterly desolate; but it improved on closer examination. +The effects of cultivation were to be seen in the different colours of +the fields<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> round the house, where the number of stock grazing showed +that more than ordinary means must have been taken to improve the +pasture.</p> + +<p>We started on Exmoor ponies to ride to Simon’s Bath.</p> + +<p>Exmoor, previous to 1818, was the property of the Crown, and leased to +Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, who has an estate of a similar character close +adjoining. He used its wild pasture (at that time it was without roads) +for breeding ponies and feeding Exmoor sheep. There are no traces of any +population having ever existed on this forest since Roman times. The +Romans are believed to have worked iron-mines on the moor, which have +recently been re-opened.</p> + +<p>Exmoor consists of 20,000 acres, on an elevation varying from 1000 to +1200 feet above the sea, of undulating table-land, divided by valleys, +or “combes,” through which the River Exe—which rises in one of its +valleys—with its tributary, the Barle, forces a devious way, in the +form of pleasant trout-streams, rattling over and among huge stones, and +creeping through deep pools—a very angler’s paradise. Like many similar +districts in the Scotch Highlands, the resort of the red deer, it is +called a forest, although trees—with the exception of some very +insignificant plantations—are as rare as men. After riding all day with +a party of explorers, one of them suddenly exclaimed, “Look, there is a +man!” A similar expression escaped me when we came in sight of the first +tree—a gnarled thorn, standing alone on the side of a valley.</p> + +<p>The sides of the steep valleys, of which some include an acre, and +others extend for miles, are usually covered with coarse herbage, +heather, and bilberry plants, springing from a deep black or red soil: +at certain spots a greener hue marks the site of the bogs which impede,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +and at times almost engulph, the incautious horseman. These bogs are +formed by springs, which, having been intercepted by a pan of sediment, +and prevented from percolating through the soil, stagnate, and cause, at +the same time, decay and vicious vegetation. They are seldom deep, and +can usually be reclaimed by subsoiling or otherwise breaking the pan, +and so drying the upper layers of bog. Bog-turf is largely employed on +Exmoor as fuel. On other precipitous descents, winter torrents have +washed away all the earth, and left avalanches of bare loose stones, +called, in the western dialect, “crees.” To descend these crees at a +slapping pace in the course of a stag-hunt, requires no slight degree of +nerve; but it is done, and is not so dangerous as it looks.</p> + +<p>Exmoor may be nothing strange to those accustomed to the wild, barren +scenery. To one who has known country scenes only in the best-cultivated +regions of England, and who has but recently quitted the perpetual roar +of London, there is something strangely solemn and impressive in the +deep silence of a ride across the forest. Horses bred on the moors, if +left to themselves, rapidly pick their way through pools and bogs, and +canter smoothly over dry flats of natural meadow; creep safely down the +precipitous descents, and climb with scarcely a puff of distress these +steep ascents; splash through fords in the trout-streams, swelled by +rain, without a moment’s hesitation, and trot along sheep-paths, +bestrewed with rolling stones, without a stumble: so that you are +perfectly at liberty to enjoy the luxury of excitement, and follow out +the winding valleys, and study the rich brown and purple herbage.</p> + +<p>It was while advancing over a great brown plain in the centre of the +moor, with a deep valley on our left, that our young quick-eyed guide +suddenly held up his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> hand, whispering, “Ride on without seeming to take +notice; there are the deer.” A great red stag, lying on the brown grass, +had sprung up, and was gazing on our party—too numerous and too +brightly attired to be herdsmen, whom he would have allowed to pass +without notice. Behind him were clustered four hinds and a calf. They +stood still for some minutes watching our every movement, as we tried to +approach them in a narrowing circle. Then the stag moved off slowly, +with stately, easy, gliding steps, constantly looking back. The hinds +preceded him: they reached the edge of the valley, and disappeared. We +galloped up, and found that they had exchanged the slow retreat for a +rapid flight, clearing every slight or suspicious obstacle with a grace, +ease, and swiftness it was delightful to witness. In an incredibly short +time they had disappeared, hidden by undulations in the apparently flat +moor.</p> + +<p>These were one of the few herds still remaining on the forest. In a +short time the wild deer of Exmoor will be a matter of tradition; and +the hunt, which may be traced back to the time of Queen Elizabeth, will, +if continued, descend to the “cart and calf” business.</p> + +<p>A sight scarcely less interesting than the deer was afforded by a white +pony mare, with her young stock—consisting of a foal still sucking, a +yearling, and a two-year-old—which we met in a valley of the Barle. The +two-year-old had strayed away feeding, until alarmed by the cracking of +our whips and the neighing of its dam, when it came galloping down a +steep combe, neighing loudly, at headlong speed. It is thus these ponies +learn their action and sure-footedness.</p> + +<p>It was a district such as we had traversed—entirely wild, without +inclosures, or roads, or fences—that came into the hands of the father +of the present proprietor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> He built a fence of forty miles around it, +made roads, reclaimed a farm for his own use at Simon’s Bath, introduced +Highland cattle on the hills, and set up a considerable stud for +improving the indigenous race of ponies, and for rearing full-sized +horses. These improvements, on which some three hundred thousand pounds +were sunk, were not profitable; and it is very doubtful whether any +considerable improvements could have been prosecuted successfully, if +railways had not brought better markets within reach of the district.</p> + +<p>Coming from a part of the country where ponies are the perquisites of +old ladies and little children, and where the nearer a well-shaped horse +can be got to sixteen hands the better, the first feeling on mounting a +rough little unkemped brute, fresh from the moor, barely twelve hands +(four feet) in height, was intensely ridiculous. It seemed as if the +slightest mistake would send the rider clean over the animal’s head. But +we learned soon that the indigenous pony, in certain useful qualities, +is not to be surpassed by animals of greater size and pretensions.</p> + +<p>From the Grange to Simon’s Bath (about three miles), the road, which +runs through the heart of Exmoor proper, was constructed, with all the +other roads in this vast extra-parochial estate, by the father of the +present proprietor, F. Knight, Esq., of Wolverly House, Worcestershire, +M.P. for East Worcestershire (Parliamentary Secretary of the Poor Law +Board, under Lord Derby’s Government). In the course of a considerable +part of the route, the contrast of wild moorland and high cultivation +may be found only divided by the carriage-way.</p> + +<p>At length, descending a steep hill, we came in sight of a view—of which +Exmoor and its kindred district in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> North Devon affords many—a deep +gorge, at whose precipitous base a trout-stream rolled along, gurgling +and plashing, and winding round huge masses of white spar. The far bank +sometimes extended out into natural meadows, where red cattle and wild +ponies grazed, and sometimes rose precipitously. At one point, where +both banks were equally steep and lofty, the far side was covered by a +plantation with a cover of under-wood; but no trees of sufficient +magnitude to deserve the name of a wood. This is a spot famous in the +annals of a grand sport that soon will be among things of the past—Wild +Stag Hunting. In this wood more than once the red monarch of Exmoor has +been roused, and bounded over the rolling plains beyond, amid the shouts +of excited hunters and the deep cry of the hounds, as with a burring +scent they dashed up the steep breast of the hill.</p> + +<p>But there was no defiant stag there that day; so on we trotted on our +shaggy sure-footed nags, beneath a burning sun—a sun that sparkled on +the flowing waters as they gleamed between far distant hills, and threw +a golden glow upon the fading tints of foliage and herbage, and cast +deep shadows from the white overhanging rocks.</p> + +<p>Next we came to the deep pool that gives the name to Simon’s Bath, where +some unhappy man of that name, in times when deer were more plentiful +than sheep, drowned himself for love, or in madness, or both—long +before roads, farms, turnip crops, a school, and a church were dreamed +of on Exmoor. Here fences give signs of habitation and cultivation. A +rude, ancient bridge, with two arches of different curves, covered with +turf, without side battlements or rails, stretches across the stream, +and leads to a small house built for his own occupation by the father of +Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> Knight, pending the completion of a mansion of which the unfinished +walls of one wing rise like a dismantled castle from the midst of a +grove of trees and ornamented shrubs.</p> + +<p>A series of gentle declivities, plantations, a winding, full-flowing +stream, seem only to require a suitable edifice and the hand of an +artist gardener to make, at comparatively trifling expense, an abode +unequalled in luxuriant and romantic beauty. We crossed the stream—not +by the narrow bridge, but by the ford; and, passing through the +straggling stone village of Simon’s Bath, arrived in sight of the field +where the Tattersall of the West was to sell the wild and tame horse +stock bred on the moors. It was a field of some ten acres and a half, +forming a very steep slope, with the upper path comparatively flat, the +sloping side broken by a stone quarry, and dotted over with huge blocks +of granite. At its base flowed an arm of the stream we had found +margining our route. A substantial, but, as the event proved, not +sufficiently high stone fence bounded the whole field. On the upper +part, a sort of double pound, united by a narrow neck, with a gate at +each end, had been constructed of rails, upwards of five feet in height. +Into the first of these pounds, by ingenious management, all the ponies, +wild and tame, had been driven. When the sale commenced, it was the duty +of the herdsmen to separate two at a time, and drive them through the +narrow neck into the pound before the auctioneer. Around a crowd of +spectators of every degree were clustered—‘squires and clergymen, +horse-dealers and farmers, from Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, as +well as South Devon, and the immediate neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>These ponies are the result of crosses made years<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> ago with Arab, +Dongola, and thorough-bred stallions, on the indigenous race of Exmoors, +since carefully culled from year to year for the purpose of securing the +utmost amount of perfection among the stallions and mares reserved for +breeding purposes. The real Exmoor seldom exceeds twelve hands; has a +well-shaped head, with very small ears; but the thick round shoulder +peculiar to all breeds of wild horses, which seem specially adapted for +inclemencies of the weather; indeed, the whole body is round, compact, +and well ribbed. The Exmoor has very good quarters and powerful hocks; +legs straight, flat, and clean; the muscles well developed by early +racing up and down steep mountain sides while following their dams. In +about forty lots the prevailing colours were bay, brown, and gray; +chestnuts and blacks were less frequent, and not in favour with the +country people, many of whom seemed to consider that the indigenous race +had been deteriorated by the sedulous efforts made and making to improve +it—an opinion which we could not share after examining some of the best +specimens, in which a clean blood-like head and increased size seemed to +have been given, without any diminution of the enduring qualities of the +Exmoor.</p> + +<p>The sale was great fun. Perched on convenient rails, we had the whole +scene before us. The auctioneer rather hoarse and quite matter-of-fact; +the ponies wildly rushing about the first enclosure, were with +difficulty separated into pairs to be driven in the sale section; when +fairly hemmed in through the open gate, they dashed and made a sort of +circus circuit, with mane and tail erect, in a style that would draw +great applause at Astley’s. Then there was the difficulty of deciding +whether the figures marked in white on the animal’s hind-quarters were 8 +or 3 or 5. Instead of the regular<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> trot up and down of Tattersall’s, a +whisk of a cap was sufficient to produce a tremendous caper. A very +pretty exhibition was made by a little mare, with a late foal about the +size of a setter dog.<a name="FNanchor_228-1_20" id="FNanchor_228-1_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_228-1_20" class="fnanchor">228-*</a></p> + +<p>The sale over, a most amusing scene ensued: every man who had bought a +pony wanted to catch it. In order to clear the way, each lot, as sold, +as wild and nearly as active as deer, had been turned into the field. A +joint-stock company of pony-catchers, headed by the champion wrestler of +the district—a hawk-nosed, fresh-complexioned, rustic Don Juan—stood +ready to be hired, at the moderate rate of sixpence per pony caught and +delivered. One carried a bundle of new halters; the others, warmed by a +liberal distribution of beer, seemed as much inspired by the fun as the +sixpence. When the word was given, the first step was to drive a herd +into the lowest corner of the field in as compact a mass as possible. +The bay, gray, or chestnut, from that hour doomed to perpetual slavery +and exile from his native hills, was pointed out by the nervous anxious +purchaser. Three wiry fellows crept cat-like among the mob, sheltering +behind some tame cart-horses; on a mutual signal they rushed on the +devoted animal; two—one bearing a halter—strove to fling each one arm +round its neck, and with one hand to grasp its nostrils—while the +insidious third, clinging to the flowing tail; tried to throw the poor +quadruped off its balance. Often they were baffled in the first effort, +for with one wild spring the pony would clear the whole lot, and flying +with streaming mane and tail across the brook up the field, leave the +whole work to be recommenced. Sometimes when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> the feat was cleverly +performed, pony and pony-catchers were to be seen all rolling on the +ground together; the pony yelling, snorting, and fighting with his fore +feet, the men clinging on like the Lapithæ and the Centaurs, and how +escaping crushed ribs or broken legs it is impossible to imagine. On one +occasion a fine brown stallion dashed away, with two plucky fellows +hanging on to his mane: rearing, plunging, fighting with his fore feet, +away he bounded down a declivity among the huge rocks, amid the +encouraging cheers of the spectators: for a moment the contest was +doubtful, so tough were the sinews, and so determined the grip of Davy, +the champion; but the steep bank of the brook, down which the brown +stallion recklessly plunged, was too much for human efforts (in a moment +they all went together into the brook), but the pony, up first, leaped +the opposite bank and galloped away, whinnying in short-lived triumph.</p> + +<p>After a series of such contests, well worth the study of artists not +content with pale copies from marbles or casts, the difficulty of +haltering these snorting steeds—equal in spirit and probably in size to +those which drew the car of Boadicea—was diminished by all those +uncaught being driven back to the pound; and there, not without furious +battles, one by one enslaved.</p> + +<p>Yet even when haltered, the conquest was by no means concluded. Some +refused to stir, others started off at such a pace as speedily brought +the holder of the halter on his nose. One respectable old gentleman, in +gray stockings and knee-breeches, lost his animal in much less time than +it took him to extract the sixpence from his knotted purse.</p> + +<p>Yet in all these fights there was little display of vice; it was pure +fright on the part of the ponies that made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> them struggle so. A few +days’ confinement in a shed, a few carrots, with a little salt, and +gentle treatment, reduces the wildest of the three-year-olds to +docility. When older they are more difficult to manage. It was a pretty +sight to view them led away, splashing through the brook—conquered, but +not yet subdued.</p> + +<p>In the course of the evening a little chestnut stallion, twelve hands, +or four feet in height, jumped, at a standing jump, over the bars out of +a pound upward of five feet from the ground, only just touching the top +rail with his hind feet.</p> + +<p>We had hoped to have a day’s wild stag hunting, but the hounds were out +on the other side of the country. However, we had a few runs with a +scratch pack of harriers after stout moorland hares. The dandy school, +who revel in descriptions of coats and waistcoats, boots and breeches, +and who pretend that there is no sport without an outfit which is only +within the reach of a man with ten thousand a year, would no doubt have +been extremely disgusted with the whole affair. We rose at five o’clock +in the morning and hunted puss up to her form (instead of paying a +shilling to a boy to turn her out) with six couples, giving tongue most +melodiously. Viewing her away we rattled across the crispy brown moor, +and splattered through bogs with a loose rein, in lunatic enjoyment, +until we checked at the edge of a deep “combe.” Then—when the old +yellow Southerner challenged, and our young host cheered him with “Hark +to Reveller, hark!”—to hear the challenge and the cheer re-echoed again +from the opposite cliff; and—as the little pack in full cry again took +up the running, and scaled the steep ascent—to see our young huntsman, +bred in these hills, go rattling down the valleys, and to follow by +instinct, under a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> vague idea, not unmixed with nervous apprehensions of +the consequences of a slip, that what one could do two could, was vastly +exciting, and amusing, and, in a word, decidedly jolly. So with many +facts, some new ideas, and a fine stock of health from a week of open +air, I bade farewell to my hospitable hosts and to romantic Exmoor.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +<p><a name="Footnote_228-1_20" id="Footnote_228-1_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_228-1_20"><span class="label">228-*</span></a> According to tradition, the Exmoor ponies are descended +from horses brought from the East by the Phœnicians, who traded there +with Cornwall for metals.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 298px;"> +<a name="illus-p232" id="illus-p232"></a><a href="images/illus-232-full.png"><img src="images/illus-232.png" width="298" height="231" alt="Man, wrapped in blanket and seated in a bath, smoking long pipe" title="SITZ BATH." /></a> +<span class="caption">SITZ BATH.</span> +</div> + +<h2 class="chapafterillus"><a name="POSTSCRIPT" id="POSTSCRIPT"></a>POSTSCRIPT.<br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">THE HUNTING MAN’S HEALTH.</span></h2> + + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Without</span> health there can be no sport. A man at the commencement of the +hunting often requires condition more than his horse, especially if +engaged in sedentary occupations, and averse to summer riding or +walking. Of course the proper plan is to train by walking or riding. I +remember, some years ago, when three months of severe mental occupation +had kept me entirely out of the saddle, going out in Northamptonshire, +fortunately admirably mounted, when the hounds were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> no sooner in cover +than they were out of it, “running breast high,” five minutes after I +had changed from my seat in a dog-cart to the saddle. We had thirty-five +minutes’ sharp run, without a check, and for the latter part of the run +I was perfectly beaten, almost black in the face, and scarcely able to +hold my horse together. I did not recover from this too sudden exertion +for many days. Those who are out of condition will do well to ride, +instead of driving to cover.</p> + +<p>In changing from town to country life, between the different hours of +rising and hearty meals—the result of fresh air and exercise—the +stomach and bowels are very likely to get out of order. It is as well, +therefore, to be provided with some mild digestive pills: violent purges +are as injurious to men as to horses, and more inconvenient.</p> + +<p>The enema is a valuable instrument, which a hunting man should not be +without, as its use, when you are in strong exercise, is often more +advisable than medicine.</p> + +<p>But one of the most valuable aids to the health and spirits of a +hard-riding man is the Sitz Bath, which, taken morning and evening, cold +or tepid, according to individual taste, has even more advantageous +effects on the system than a complete bath. It braces the muscles, +strengthens the nerves, and tends to keep the bowels open. Sitz baths +are made in zinc, and are tolerably portable; but in a country place you +may make shift with a tub half-filled with water. In taking this kind of +bath, it is essential that the parts not in the water should be warm and +comfortable. For this end, in cold weather, case your feet and legs in +warm stockings, and cover your person and tub with a poncho, through the +hole of which you can thrust your head. In default of a poncho, a plaid +or blanket will do, and in warm weather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> a sheet. If you begin with +tepid water, you will soon be able to bear cold, as after the first +shock the cold disappears. The water must not reach higher than your +hips, rather under than over. The time for a Sitz bath varies from ten +to twenty minutes, not longer, during which you may read or smoke; but +then you will need sleeves, for it is essential that you should be +covered all the time. I often take a cup of coffee in this bath, it +saves time in breakfasting. In the illustration, the blanket has been +turned back to show the right position.</p> + + +<h3 class="sectionhead">THE HOT-AIR OR INDIAN BATH.</h3> + +<p>In case of an attack of cold or influenza, or a necessity for sweating +off a few pounds, or especially after a severe fall, there is no bath so +effective and so simple as the hot-air or Indian bath. This is made with +a wooden-bottomed kitchen chair, a few blankets, a tin cup, and a +claret-glass of spirits of wine. For want of spirits of wine you might +use a dozen of Price’s night lights.</p> + +<p>Take a wooden-bottomed chair, and place it in a convenient part of the +bedroom, where a fire should be previously lighted. Put under the chair +a narrow metal cup or gallipot, if it will stand fire filled with +spirits of wine. Let the bather strip to his drawers, and sit down on +the chair with a fold of flannel under him, for the seat will get +extremely hot—put on his knees a slop-basin, with a sponge and a little +cold water. Then take four blankets or rugs, and lay them, one over his +back, one over his front, and one on each side, so as to cover him +closely in a woollen tent, and wrap his head up in flannel or silk—if +he is cold or shivering put his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> feet in warm water, or on a hot brick +wrapped in flannel. Then light the spirits of wine, which will very soon +make a famous hot-air bath. By giving the patient a little <i>cold water</i> +to drink, perspiration will be encouraged; if he finds the air +inconveniently hot before he begins to perspire, he can use the sponge +and slop-basin to bathe his chest, &c.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 285px;"> +<a name="illus-p235" id="illus-p235"></a><a href="images/illus-235-full.png"><img src="images/illus-235.png" width="285" height="260" alt="Man seated on a stool with an alcohol lamp under it, wrapped in blankets for steam bath" title="INDIAN BATH." /></a> +<span class="caption">INDIAN BATH.</span> +</div> + +<p>When the perspiration rolls like rain from his face, and you think he +has had enough, have a blanket warmed at the fire, strip him, roll him +in it, and tumble him into bed. In five or ten minutes, you can take +away the blanket and put on his night shirt—give him a drink of white +wine whey, and he will be ready to go to sleep comfortably.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>This bath can be administered when a patient is too ill to be put in a +warm bath, and is more effective. I have seen admirable results from it +on a gentleman after a horse had rolled over him.</p> + +<p>It can also be prepared in a few minutes, in places where to get a warm +bath would be out of the question.</p> + +<p>In the illustration, the blanket is turned back, to show the proper +position, and by error the head is not covered.</p> + + +<p class="titlepage" style="margin-top: 3em;">Woodfall and Kinder Printers, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London.</p> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads1" id="Page_ads1">[1]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="hanging">“<i>If the steamboat and the railway have abridged time and space, and +made a large addition to the available length of human existence, why +may not our intellectual journey be also accelerated, our knowledge more +cheaply and quickly acquired, its records rendered more accessible and +portable, its cultivators increased in number, and its blessings more +cheaply and widely diffused?</i>”—<span class="smcap">Quarterly Review</span>.</p> + + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">London: Farringdon Street.</span></p> + +<h2 style="font-weight: normal;">GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & CO.’S<br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">NEW AND CHEAP EDITIONS</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%;">OF</span><br /> +Standard and Popular Works<br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%;">IN</span></h2> + +<div style="width: 70%; margin: auto;"> +<ul class="IX" style="float: left;"> + <li>HISTORY,</li> + <li>BIOGRAPHY,</li> + <li>FICTION,</li> + <li>TRAVELS & VOYAGES,</li> + <li>NATURAL HISTORY,</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="IX" style="float: right;"> + <li>POETRY & the DRAMA,</li> + <li>SPORTING, USEFUL,</li> + <li>RELIGIOUS, JUVENILE,</li> + <li>And MISCELLANEOUS</li> + <li>LITERATURE;</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="titlepage" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: 80%;">WITH THE ADDITION OF</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 120%;"><b>Illustrated Present Books,</b></span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 80%;">AND</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: 120%;"><b>THE POPULAR CHEAP LIBRARIES.</b></span></p> + +<p class="titlepage">TO BE OBTAINED BY ORDER OF ALL BOOKSELLERS, HOME OR COLONIAL.</p> + +<p class="titlepage">In ordering, specially mention “<span class="smcap">Routledge’s Editions</span>.”</p> + +<hr class="decdouble" /> + +<h3 class="ads">HISTORY.</h3> + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. price <b>5</b>s. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">R</span>USSELL’S MODERN EUROPE EPITOMIZED. For the use of Students and Schools, +with an Index, forming a complete Text-Book of Modern History; a perfect +treasury of Facts, Dates, and Important Events; the History of Kingdoms +and States, and Lives of celebrated Characters. By <span class="smcap">George Townsend</span>.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">In epitomizing this valuable book of reference, Mr. Townsend has +endeavoured to give as fair a view of the leading details of Modern +History as was possible within the limits. The more interesting portions +of the subjects that stand out in bold and full relief on the map of the +past have been described at greater length, while less important matters +have been abridged, without interrupting the thread of the narrative. +Every date has been verified, and the entire work submitted to the most +careful revision. In fact, Mr. Townsend’s aim has been to supply what +has long been wanting in English literature—a Handbook in which the +chief events of Modern History are set forth in a clear, concise, and +intelligent form.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">All candidates for offices in her Majesty’s Civil Service are examined +in “Russell’s Modern Europe.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads2" id="Page_ads2">[2]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">Three Editions of Robertson and Prescott’s Charles the Fifth.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">P</span>RESCOTT AND ROBERTSON’S HISTORY OF CHARLES the FIFTH, being <span class="smcap">Robertson’s</span> +History of his Reign. With important original additions by <span class="smcap">W. H. +Prescott</span>. New Index, and Steel Portrait. Uniform with the Editions of +Mr. <span class="smcap">Prescott’s</span> other Works published by <span class="smcap">R. Bentley</span>.</p> + +<ul class="IX"> + <li>1. 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The result of Mr. Prescott’s examination of the +Archives of Simancas has been to exhibit, under a very different aspect, +the monastic life of Charles, from that in which it has hitherto been +written, and to give great completeness to the original work of +Robertson.”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">Each in 2 vols. boards, <b>4</b>s.; or in cloth, <b>5</b>s.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">P</span>RESCOTT’S (W. H.) HISTORICAL WORKS. Cheap Complete Edition. Viz.:</p> + +<ul class="IX"> + <li>FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. 2 vols.</li> + <li>CONQUEST OF MEXICO. 2 vols.</li> + <li>CONQUEST OF PERU. 2 vols.</li> + <li>PHILIP THE SECOND. 2 vols.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="titlepage">Also, uniform,</p> + +<ul class="IX"> + <li>CHARLES THE FIFTH. 2 vols. 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His works have been +translated into Spanish, German, French, and Italian; and, into whatever +region they have penetrated, they have met a cordial welcome, and done +much to raise the character of American letters and +scholarship.”—<i>Whipple’s Essay.</i></p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“Prescott’s Works in point of style rank with the ablest English +historians, and paragraphs may be found in which the grace and elegance +of Addison are combined with Robertson’s cadence and Gibson’s +brilliancy.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">Price <b>2</b>s. boards, or <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">P</span>RESCOTT’S ESSAYS, BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL.—Comprising:</p> + +<p>C. B. Brown, the Novelist. Irving’s Conquest of Granada. Cervantes. Sir +Walter Scott. Chateaubriand’s Eastern Literature. <a name="corr25" id="corr25"></a>Bancroft’s United +States. Molière. Italian Narrative Poetry. Scottish Song. 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It +takes its stand in literature by the side of Alison’s “Europe,” and +Macaulay’s “England.” Its style is lofty and eloquent, written with +candour, neither exaggerating vices of character, nor reviving national +animosities, but rendering a just tribute to virtue, wherever found.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 8vo, boards, each vol. <b>2</b>s., or in cloth, <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">B</span>ANCROFT’S HISTORY OF AMERICA. Vols. 3, 4, and 5, with Index. 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Illustrated with One Hundred and Twenty Engravings, +from scarce Prints and other authentic sources.</p> + +<p>Among which will be found the following interesting subjects:—The <span class="smcap">South +Sea Bubble</span>, The <span class="smcap">Tulipomania, Relics, Modern Prophecies, Duels and +Ordeals, Love of the Marvellous</span>, The <span class="smcap">O. P. Mania</span>, The <span class="smcap">Crusades</span>, The +<span class="smcap">Witch Mania</span>, The <span class="smcap">Slow Poisoners, Haunted Houses</span>, The +<span class="smcap">Alchymists,—Pretended Antiquity of the Art, Avicenna, Albertus Magnus, +Thomas Aquinas, Raymond Lulli, Roger Bacon, Pope John XXII., Cornelius +Agrippa, Paracelsus, Dr. Dee</span> and <span class="smcap">Edward Kelly</span>, The <span class="smcap">Cosmopolite, +Sendivogius</span>, The <span class="smcap">Rosicrucians</span>, Alchymical Writers of the Seventeenth +Century, <span class="smcap">De Lisle, Albert Aluys, Count de St. Germains, Cagliostro</span>, +Present State of the Sciences, &c.—<span class="smcap">Fortune-telling</span>, The <span class="smcap">Magnetisers</span>, +&c.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“These volumes will captivate the attention of readers who, according to +their various tempers, feel either inclined to laugh at or sigh over the +follies of mankind.”—<i>Times.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. post 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">B</span>ONNECHOSE’S HISTORY OF FRANCE. The first English Edition. Translated by +<span class="smcap">W. Robson</span>, Esq., Translator of Michaud’s “History of the Crusades,” &c. +With Illustrations and Index.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“It is a cleverly written volume, the translation also being easy and +flowing; and there is no English manual of French history at once so +portable and authentic as this.”—<i>The Guardian.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. post 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">F</span>ELICE’S HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANTS OF FRANCE, from the Commencement of +the Reformation to the Present Time. Translated from the Revised and +Corrected Edition.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“We recommend this work to our readers as one of the most interesting of +Religious History that we have met with after Merle d’Aubigné’s +‘Reformation;’ and perhaps, to the reading public generally, more +interesting and more novel than even that very popular work.”—<i>Atlas.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads5" id="Page_ads5">[5]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. royal 8vo, price <b>6</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth extra.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">H</span>ISTORY OF THE POPES. By <span class="smcap">Leopold Ranke</span>. Including their Church and +State, the Re-organization of the Inquisition, the Rise, Progress, and +Consolidation of the Jesuits, and the means taken to effect the +Counter-reformation in Germany, to revive Romanism in France, and to +suppress Protestant Principles in the South of Europe. Translated from +the last edition of the German by <span class="smcap">Walter K. Kelly</span>, of Trinity College, +Dublin.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“This translation of Ranke we consider to be very superior to any other +in the English language.”—<i>Dublin Review.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In small post 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth extra.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">E</span>MBASSIES AND FOREIGN COURTS. A History of Diplomacy. By <span class="smcap">The Roving +Englishman</span>. The Second Edition.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“The ‘Roving Englishman’ is a satirical chronicler. His style is not +less lively than severe—not subtle enough for irony, but caustic, free, +and full of earnest meaning. This volume is also an admirable manual, +skilfully adapted to the purpose of diffusing a general knowledge of +history and the working of diplomacy.”—<i>The Athenæum.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In small post 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth extra, gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">P</span>ICTURES FROM THE BATTLE FIELDS. By <span class="smcap">The Roving Englishman</span>. The Third +Edition, with Illustrations from Sketches taken on the spot, and +Chapters respecting—</p> + +<div style="width: 70%; margin: auto;"> +<ul class="IX" style="float: left;"> + <li>Scutari and its Hospitals.</li> + <li>Miss Nightingale.</li> + <li>Balaklava.</li> + <li>A Snow Storm.</li> + <li>The Commissariat again.</li> + <li>A Camp Dinner.</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="IX" style="float: left;"> + <li>The Heights before Sebastopol.</li> + <li>The Bashi-Bazouk.</li> + <li>Russian Officers and Soldiers.</li> + <li>The French Officer.</li> + <li>The Zouave.</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="bookdesc" style="clear: both;">“Who is unfamiliar with those brilliant little sketches of +travel—particularly the pictures of Turkish life and manners—from the +pen of the ‘Roving Englishman,’ that were, week after week, the very +tit-bits of ‘Household Words?’—Who did not hail their collection into a +companionable-sized volume?—and who will not thank our truly ‘fast’ +friend—the friend of almost everything and everybody but foreign +noodles—the ‘Roving Englishman,’ for this new book of sketches?”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 8vo, price <b>1</b>s. <b>8</b>d. strongly bound,<br /> +or in cloth gilt, <b>2</b>s., or with the Questions and Coloured Map, red sheep, <b>3</b>s.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">L</span>ANDMARKS OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">James White</span>. (The +Twenty-second Thousand.)</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“We hold this to be a pattern volume of cheap literature. It is so +written that it cannot fail to amuse and enlighten the more ignorant; +yet it is a book that may be read with pleasure and profit, too, by the +most polished scholar. In a word, excellent gifts are applied to the +advantage of the people—a poetical instinct and a full knowledge of +English History. It has nothing about it of common-place compilation. It +is the work of a man of remarkable ability, having as such a style of +its own, and a grace that cannot fail to exercise its refining influence +upon uneducated people. The amount of solid information it compresses in +a small compass excites in the reader’s mind repeated surprise.”—<i>The +Examiner.</i></p> + +<p class="bookdesc"><sup class="astsup">*</sup><sub class="astsub">*</sub><sup class="astsup">*</sup> Is placed on the list of School Books of the Educational +Committee of the Privy Council.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads6" id="Page_ads6">[6]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 8vo, price <b>1</b>s. <b>6</b>d., or <b>2</b>s. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">L</span>ANDMARKS OF THE HISTORY OF GREECE. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">James White</span>.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“This book, with its companion volume, deserves to have a place in every +house where there are young readers, and in many a house where there are +none but elder ones, able to appreciate the genial writings of a man, +who having taste and knowledge at command, sits down to write in the +simplest way the story of a people for a people’s reading.”—<i>Examiner.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. cloth, or <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. roan lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">G</span>OLDSMITH’S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A New Edition, with Continuation to the +Death of Wellington. With Portraits of all the Sovereigns.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“In this edition, the editor has added some facts which had been +overlooked by the author, and preceded the original work by a short +notice of the earlier history, gathered from the old chroniclers, and +continued to the present time. To each chapter is appended a series of +questions, by means of which the tutor will readily be enabled to +examine the pupil as to the impressions the facts have made on his +memory.”</p> + +<p class="bookdesc"><sup class="astsup">*</sup><sub class="astsub">*</sub><sup class="astsup">*</sup> Is placed on the list of School Books of the Educational +Committee of the Privy Council.</p> + + +<h3 class="ads">BIOGRAPHY.</h3> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 4 vols. crown 8vo, price <b>10</b>s., or in 2 vols. cloth gilt, <b>10</b>s.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">B</span>OSWELL’S LIFE OF DR. JOHNSON, with numerous Portraits, Views, and +Characteristic Designs, engraved from authentic sources.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“Homer is not more decidedly the first of heroic poets, Shakspeare is +not more decidedly the first of dramatists, Demosthenes is not more +decidedly the first of orators, than Boswell is the first of +biographers. Many of the greatest men that have ever lived have written +biography. Boswell was one of the smallest men that ever lived, and he +has beaten them all. His was talent, and uncommon talent, and to Jemmy +Boswell we indeed owe many hours of supreme delight.”—<i>Macaulay.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In crown 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth extra, gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE LIFE, PUBLIC AND DOMESTIC, OF THE RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. By <span class="smcap">Peter +Burke</span>, Esq. (of the Inner Temple and the Northern Circuit). Profusely +illustrated with Portraits, Scenes of Events, and Landscape Views, +relating to the great Orator and the other noted persons of his time and +career.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“This volume attempts to relate the biography of Edmund Burke as a +private person and a public character in an easily intelligible shape. +The author’s aim has been to furnish a plain and popular biography, in +which he trusts he has succeeded.”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 8vo, <b>3</b>s. boards, or <b>3</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">E</span>LLISTON’S LIFE and ENTERPRISES. By <span class="smcap">George Raymond</span>. Illustrated with +Portrait and Engravings on steel, from designs by Phiz, Cruikshank, &c.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“This is a very entertaining memoir of one of the most gentlemanly, +accomplished, and versatile actors who adorned the English stage. The +life of R. W. Elliston, unlike that of the majority of his professional +brethren, affords ample materials for a readable book, and this volume +presents indubitable testimony in proof of that fact.”—<i>Morning Post.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads7" id="Page_ads7">[7]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. crown 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth extra.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">E</span>XTRAORDINARY MEN: their Boyhood and Early Youth. By <span class="smcap">William Russell</span>, +Esq. The Sixth Edition, illustrated with 50 Engravings of Portraits, +Birthplaces, Incidents, &c. &c.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“What a title to interest the youth of this nation! It teaches in every +page lessons of prudence, frugality, industry, and perseverance; and how +difficulties, moral and physical, have been successfully overcome.”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. crown 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth extra, gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">E</span>XTRAORDINARY WOMEN: their Girlhood and Early Years. By <span class="smcap">William Russell</span>, +Esq. Illustrated with numerous Engravings designed and executed by +Messrs. Dalziel.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">This volume contains the lives of the Empress Josephine, Christina Queen +of Sweden, Catherine Empress of Russia, Mrs. Fry, Madame Roland, Mrs. +Hutchinson, Isabella of Castile, Marie Antoinette, Lady Stanhope, Madame +de Genlis, Mrs. Opie, &c. &c.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <span class="smcap">6</span>d. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">E</span>XMOUTH’S (LORD) LIFE. BY <span class="smcap">Edward Osler</span>.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“It is the wisdom of those to whom England will hereafter commit the +honour of her flag, to study well the examples of the great sea officers +whose services illustrate the annals of their country. Among these +bright examples, none is more worthy of careful study than Admiral Lord +Exmouth. We therefore hail with pleasure the cheap edition of this great +and good sailor.”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">M</span>ARLBOROUGH’S LIFE. By <span class="smcap">Charles MacFarlane</span>. With Two Illustrations.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“This is an excellent life of the great General for young readers, and +for those who have not time to make themselves acquainted with the +larger works on the subject.”—<i>Atlas.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. post 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE GREAT COMMANDERS OF ALL NATIONS. By <span class="smcap">G. P. R. James</span>. A new revised +Edition, comprising the Lives of Henry the Fifth, Turenne, the Great +Condé, Marlboro’, Peterboro’, General Wolfe, Cromwell, Duke of Alva, +Gonzalvo de Cordova, &c., &c., with Eight Illustrations.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. post 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE BUCCANEERS (HISTORY OF); or, The Monarchs of the Spanish Main. By +<span class="smcap">Walter Thornbury</span>. With Eight Illustrations by Phiz.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">W</span>ELLINGTON (LIFE OF). By <span class="smcap">Chas. MacFarlane</span>. With Illustrations by John +Gilbert.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“The times in which we live seem to call for an animated revival of our +military prowess, and of the science, skill, valour, and achievements of +our fathers, as well on the battle-field as on the ocean.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads8" id="Page_ads8">[8]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">G</span>RIMALDI’S LIFE. Edited by <span class="smcap">Charles Dickens</span>, and Illustrated by George +Cruikshank.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“The editor has made such alterations in the original manuscript as he +conceived would improve the narration of the facts, without any +departure from the facts themselves.”—<i>Introductory Chapter.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 2 vols. post 8vo, price <b>10</b>s. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">C</span>RANMER’S LIFE. By <span class="smcap">John Strype</span>, M.A., being Memorials of the Most +Reverend Father in God, Thomas Cranmer, some time Lord Archbishop of +Canterbury. A New Edition, by <span class="smcap">Philip E. Barnes</span>, Esq., B.A., F.L.S., of +the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">The works of Strype hold a place amongst the very best authorities, as +forming a most valuable portion of the history of the reformation of +religion in this country, no less than as of standard excellence, +inasmuch as the narratives of the most interesting events in the annals +of our country were based by this truly Protestant author upon +documentary evidence, and drawn from original MSS., the greater part of +which are still extant.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">N</span>ELSON’S LIFE. By <span class="smcap">Joseph Allen</span>, Author of “Battles of the British Navy.” +With a Portrait of Nelson.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“To Mr. Allen we owe the inexpressible advantage of being able to read +Nelson’s biography unencumbered by idle speculations, denuded of the +tedious detail, and yet sufficiently nautical to give an appropriate +colouring to the exciting and glorious narrative.”—<i>United Service +Gazette.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth extra, or with gilt edges, <b>5</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">R</span>ICHELIEU’S LIFE. By <span class="smcap">W. Robson</span>. With Illustrations.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“The reader will find much pleasure and profit in perusing Mr. Robson’s +very able and intelligent biography.”—<i>Observer.</i></p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“The student will find the events of Richelieu’s life reflected as in a +mirror.”—<i>Liverpool Albion.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 2 vols. post 8vo, price <b>7</b>s. cloth lettered.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">C</span>HANNING’S (<span class="smcap">Dr</span>.) LIFE and CORRESPONDENCE. Edited by his Nephew, <span class="smcap">William +Henry Channing</span>. A New Edition, with a Portrait.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“His nephew has compiled his biography with singular judgment. He has +followed the method of Lockhart in his Life of Scott. As far as +possible, the narrative is woven with letters and diaries: the subject +speaks for himself, and only such intermediate observations of the +editor are given as are necessary to form a connected whole.”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. cloth extra, or with gilt edges, <b>5</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">J</span>ULIUS CÆSAR (LIFE OF). By the Ven. <span class="smcap">John Williams</span>, Archdeacon of +Cardigan, Author of “Life of Alexander.” Printed on superfine paper, +with Four Illustrations.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“In writing this Life of Julius Cæsar, it has been the aim of the author +to give as truthful a view of the thoughts, words, and deeds of this +‘foremost man of all the world,’ as well as the chief characters of his +opponents and supporters; thus rendering it, as it were, a biography of +the celebrated characters who lived in Cæsar’s time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads9" id="Page_ads9">[9]</a></span></p> + + +<h4 class="ads">STANDARD BIOGRAPHY.—CHEAP EDITIONS</h4> + +<p class="titlepage">In vols. fcap. 8vo, price <b>1</b>s. <b>6</b>d. each, cloth extra.</p> + +<ul class="IX"> + <li><b>Life of Nelson.</b> By Joseph Allen.</li> + <li><b>Life of Wellington.</b> By MacFarlane.</li> + <li><b>Peel (Sir Robert), Life of.</b> With a Portrait by W. Harvey.</li> + <li><b>Life of Oliver Goldsmith.</b> By Washington Irving.</li> + <li><b>Lives of the Successors of Mahomet.</b> By Washington Irving.</li> + <li><b>Monk and Washington.</b> By F. Guizot.</li> + <li><b>Representative Men.</b> By R. W. Emerson.</li> +</ul> + + +<h3 class="ads">FICTION.</h3> + + +<p class="adsprice">THE STANDARD EDITION OF THE</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">N</span>OVELS AND ROMANCES OF SIR EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, BART., M.P. Uniformly +printed in crown 8vo, corrected and revised throughout, with new +Prefaces.</p> + +<p>20 vols. in 10, price <b>£3</b> <b>3</b>s. cloth extra; or any volumes separately, in +cloth binding, as under:—</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 45%; float: left;" summary="Fiction listings"> +<tr> + <td></td> + <td><i>s.</i></td> + <td><i>d.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">RIENZI: The Last of the Tribunes</span></td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>PAUL CLIFFORD</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">PELHAM: or, The Adventures of a Gentleman</span></td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>EUGENE ARAM. A Tale</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>LAST OF THE BARONS</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>LAST DAYS OF POMPEII</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>GODOLPHIN</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>PILGRIMS OF THE RHINE</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>NIGHT AND MORNING</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 45%; float: right;" summary="Fiction listings"> +<tr> + <td></td> + <td><i>s.</i></td> + <td><i>d.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>ERNEST MALTRAVERS</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">ALICE; or The Mysteries</span></td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>THE DISOWNED</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>DEVEREUX</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>ZANONI</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span class="smcap">LEILA; or The Siege of Granada</span></td> + <td>2</td> + <td>6</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>HAROLD</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>LUCRETIA</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>THE CAXTONS</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>MY NOVEL (2 vols.)</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>0</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: auto; clear: both;" summary="Fiction listings"> +<tr> + <td>Or the Set complete in 20 vols.</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>£3</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>11</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6</b></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span style="padding-left: 3em;">”</span> <span style="padding-left: 4.5em; padding-right: 3.5em;">”</span> half-calf extra </td> + <td class="tdr"><b>5</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>5</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>0</b></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><span style="padding-left: 3em;">”</span> <span style="padding-left: 4.5em; padding-right: 3.5em;">”</span> half-morocco</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>5</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>11</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6</b></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="bookdesc">“No collection of prose fictions, by any single author, contains the +same variety of experience—the same amplitude of knowledge and +thought—the same combination of opposite extremes, harmonized by an +equal mastership of art; here, lively and sparkling fancies; there, +vigorous passion or practical wisdom—these works abound in +illustrations that teach benevolence to the rich, and courage to the +poor; they glow with the love of freedom; they speak a sympathy with all +high aspirations, and all manly struggle; and where, in their more +tragic portraitures, they depict the dread images of guilt and woe, they +so clear our judgment by profound analysis, while they move our hearts +by terror or compassion, that we learn to detect and stifle in ourselves +the evil thought which we see gradually unfolding itself into the guilty +deed.”—<i>Extract from Bulwer Lytton and his Works.</i></p> + +<p class="bookdesc">The above are printed on superior paper, bound in cloth. Each volume is +embellished with an Illustration; and this Standard Edition is admirably +suited for private, select, and public Libraries.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">The odd Numbers and Parts to complete volumes may be obtained; and the +complete series is now in course of issue in Three-halfpenny Weekly +Numbers, or in Monthly Parts, Sevenpence each.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads10" id="Page_ads10">[10]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">UNIFORM ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS OF MR. AINSWORTH’S WORKS.</p> + +<p class="titlepage">In 1 vol. demy 8vo, price <b>6</b>s. each, cloth, emblematically gilt.</p> + +<p>TOWER OF LONDON (The). With Forty Illustrations on Steel; and numerous +Engravings on Wood by George Cruikshank.</p> + +<p>LANCASHIRE WITCHES. Illustrated by J. Gilbert.</p> + +<p>JACK SHEPPARD. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.</p> + +<p>OLD ST. PAUL’S. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.</p> + +<p>GUY FAWKES. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. demy 8vo, price <b>5</b>s. each, cloth gilt.</p> + +<p>CRICHTON. With Steel Illustrations, from designs by H. K. Browne.</p> + +<p>WINDSOR CASTLE. With Steel Engravings, and Woodcuts by Cruikshank.</p> + +<p>MISER’S DAUGHTER. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.</p> + +<p>ROOKWOOD. With Illustrations by John Gilbert.</p> + +<p>SPENDTHRIFT. With Illustrations by Phiz.</p> + +<p>STAR CHAMBER. With Illustrations by Phiz.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“It is scarcely surprising that Harrison Ainsworth should have secured +to himself a very wide popularity, when we consider how happily he has +chosen his themes. Sometimes, by the luckiest inspiration, he has chosen +a romance of captivating and enthralling fascinations, such as +‘Crichton,’ the ‘Admirable Crichton.’ Surely no one ever hit upon a +worthier hero of romance, not from the days of Apuleius to those of Le +Sage or of Bulwer Lytton. Sometimes the scene and the very title of his +romance have been some renowned structure, a palace, a prison, or a +fortress. It is thus with the ‘Tower of London,’ ‘Windsor Castle,’ ‘Old +St. Paul’s.’ Scarcely less ability, or, rather, we should say, perhaps +more correctly, scarcely less adroitness in the choice of a new theme, +in the instance of one of his latest literary productions, viz., the +‘Star Chamber.’ But the readers of Mr. Ainsworth—and they now number +thousands upon thousands—need hardly be informed of this: and now that +a uniform illustrated edition of his works is published, we do not doubt +but that this large number of readers even will be considerably +increased.”—<i>Sun.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price <b>3</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth gilt, or with gilt edges, <b>4</b>s.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">F</span>LITCH OF BACON (The); or, the Custom of Dunmow. A Tale of English Home. +By <span class="smcap">W. H. Ainsworth</span>, Esq. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. The Second +Edition.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“Certainly no custom was ever more popular; the fame of it is bruited +throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is a subject that +gives excellent scope to a writer of fiction; and Mr. Ainsworth, by +skilful treatment, has rendered it most entertaining. The materials are +put together with dramatic force.”—<i>Examiner.</i></p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“In our judgment, one of the best of Mr. Ainsworth’s +romances.”—<i>Scottish Citizen.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads11" id="Page_ads11">[11]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 1 vol., price <b>8</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">C</span>OUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. By <span class="smcap">Alexandre Dumas</span>. Comprising the Château d’If, +with 20 Illustrations, drawn on Wood by M. Valentin, and executed by the +best English engravers.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“‘Monte Cristo’ is Dumas’ best production, and the work that will convey +his name to the remembrance of future generations as a writer.”</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 8vo, cloth extra, price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. gilt back.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">F</span>ANNY, THE LITTLE MILLINER; or, the Rich and the Poor. By <span class="smcap">Charles +Rowcroft</span>, Author of “Tales of the Colonies,” &c. With 27 Illustrations +by Phiz.</p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 2 vols. 8vo, reduced to <b>12</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth, emblematically gilt; or the 2 +vols. in 1, price <b>10</b>s. <b>6</b>d. cloth extra, gilt.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">C</span>ARLETON’S TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. A new Pictorial +Edition, with an Autobiographical Introduction, Explanatory Notes, and +numerous Illustrations on Wood and Steel, by Phiz, &c.</p> + +<p>The following Tales and Sketches are comprised in this Edition:—</p> + +<div style="width: 70%; margin: auto;"> +<ul class="IX" style="float: left;"> + <li>Ned M’Keown.</li> + <li>The Three Tasks.</li> + <li>Shane Fadh’s Wedding.</li> + <li>Larry M’Farland’s Wake.</li> + <li>The Battle of the Factions.</li> + <li>The Station.</li> + <li>The Party Fight and Funeral.</li> + <li>The Lough Derg Pilgrim.</li> + <li>The Hedge School.</li> + <li>The Midnight Mass.</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="IX" style="float: right;"> + <li>The Donah, or the Horse Stealers.</li> + <li>Phil Purcell, The Pig Driver.</li> + <li>Geography of an Irish Oath.</li> + <li>The Llanham Shee.</li> + <li>Going to Maynooth.</li> + <li>Phelim O’Toole’s Courtship.</li> + <li>The Poor Scholar.</li> + <li>Wildgoose Lodge.</li> + <li>Tubber Derg, or the Red Well.</li> + <li>Neal Malone.</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<p class="titlepage" style="clear: both;"><b>Also, a New Cheap Re-Issue.</b></p> + +<p class="titlepage">In 5 vols. fcap. 8vo, fancy boards, with new illustrations, <b>7</b>s. <b>6</b>d.; or +in cloth extra, gilt, with steel portrait, <b>10</b>s.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“Unless another master-hand like Carleton’s should appear, it is in his +pages, and his alone, that future generations must look for the truest +and fullest picture of the Irish peasantry, who will ere long have +passed away from the troubled land, and from the records of +history.”—<i>Edinburgh Review</i>, Oct. 1852.</p> + +<p>“Truly—Intensely Irish.”—<i>Blackwood.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In 8vo, cloth, full gilt, price <b>6</b>s.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE FORTUNES OF TORLOGH O’BRIEN: a Tale of the Wars of King James. With +Steel Illustrations by Phiz.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“This stirring tale contains the best history of the Battle of the +Boyne, and is written with a master hand. It is fully equal to any of +Lever’s works.”—<i>Observer.</i></p> + + +<p class="adsprice">In fcap. 16mo, price <b>1</b>s. sewed wrapper.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE NEW TALE OF A TUB. By <span class="smcap">F. W. N. Bayley</span>. Illustrated by Engravings +reduced from the original Drawing by Aubrey.</p> + +<p class="bookdesc">“Fun and humour from beginning to end.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ads12" id="Page_ads12">[12]</a></span></p> + + +<h4 class="ads">ROUTLEDGE’S STANDARD NOVELS.</h4> + +<p class="titlepage">Price <b>2</b>s. <b>6</b>d. each, cloth gilt.</p> + +<p>This Collection now comprises the best Novels of our more celebrated +Authors. The volumes are all printed on good paper, with an +Illustration, and form, without exception, the best and cheapest +collection of light reading that is anywhere to be obtained.</p> + +<p class="titlepage"><i>The following are now ready</i>:—</p> + +<ul class="IX"> + <li> <b>1. Romance of War.</b> By James Grant.</li> + <li> <b>2. Peter Simple.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li> <b>3. Adventures of an Aide-de-Camp.</b> By James Grant.</li> + <li> <b>4. Whitefriars.</b> By the Author of “Whitehall.”</li> + <li> <b>5. Stories of Waterloo.</b> By W. H. Maxwell.</li> + <li> <b>6. Jasper Lyle.</b> By Mrs. Ward.</li> + <li> <b>7. Mothers and Daughters.</b> By Mrs. Gore.</li> + <li> <b>8. Scottish Cavalier.</b> By James Grant.</li> + <li> <b>9. The Country Curate.</b> By Gleig.</li> + <li><b>10. Trevelyan.</b> By Lady Scott.</li> + <li><b>11. Captain Blake; or, My Life.</b> By W. H. Maxwell.</li> + <li><b>13. Tylney Hall.</b> By Thomas Hood.</li> + <li><b>14. Whitehall.</b> By the Author of “Whitefriars.”</li> + <li><b>15. Clan Albyn.</b> By Mrs. Johnstone.</li> + <li><b>16. Cæsar Borgia.</b> By the Author of “Whitefriars.”</li> + <li><b>17. The Scottish Chiefs.</b> By Miss Porter.</li> + <li><b>18. Lancashire Witches.</b> By W. H. Ainsworth.</li> + <li><b>19. Tower of London.</b> By W. H. Ainsworth.</li> + <li><b>20. The Family Feud.</b> By the Author of “Alderman Ralph.”</li> + <li><b>21. Frank Hilton; or, the Queen’s Own.</b> By James Grant.</li> + <li><b>22. The Yellow Frigate.</b> By James Grant.</li> + <li><b>24. The Three Musketeers.</b> By Alexandre Dumas.</li> + <li><b>25. The Bivouac.</b> By W. H. Maxwell.</li> + <li><b>26. The Soldier of Lyons.</b> By Mrs. Gore.</li> + <li><b>27. Adventures of Mr. Ledbury.</b> By Albert Smith.</li> + <li><b>28. Jacob Faithful.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>29. Japhet in Search of a Father.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>30. The King’s Own.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>31. Mr. Midshipman Easy.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>32. Newton Forster.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>33. The Pacha of Many Tales.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>34. Rattlin the Reefer.</b> Edited by Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>35. The Poacher.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>36. The Phantom Ship.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>37. The Dog Fiend.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>38. Percival Keene.</b> By Captain Marryat.</li> + <li><b>39. Hector O’Halloran.</b> By W. H. Maxwell.</li> + <li><b>40. The Pottleton Legacy.</b> By Albert Smith.</li> + <li><b>41. The Pastor’s Fireside.</b> By Miss Porter.</li> + <li><b>42. My Cousin Nicholas.</b> By Ingoldsby.</li> + <li><b>43. The Black Dragoons.</b> By James Grant.</li> +</ul> + + +<hr class="chapbreak" /> + +<div class="tn"> +<p class="titlepage"><a name="trans_note" id="trans_note"></a><b>Transcriber’s Note</b></p> + + +<p class="noindent">The following typographical errors were corrected:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left: 0;" summary="Typographical errors"> +<tr> + <td>Page</td> + <td>Error</td> + <td>Correction</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td style="width: 10%;"><a href="#corr1">iii</a></td> + <td style="width: 40%;">Mr. Rarey’s Introduction</td> + <td style="width: 40%;">Mr. Rarey’s Introduction.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr2">v</a></td> + <td>snaffle.—the</td> + <td>snaffle.—The</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr3">vii</a></td> + <td>struogling</td> + <td>struggling</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr4">10</a></td> + <td>under the auspicies</td> + <td>under the auspices</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr5">11</a></td> + <td>violent loungings</td> + <td>violent longeings</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr6">fn 20-*</a></td> + <td>April 7.’</td> + <td>April 7.”</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr7">23</a></td> + <td>shere humbug</td> + <td>sheer humbug</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr8">26</a></td> + <td>omiting</td> + <td>omitting</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr9">30</a></td> + <td>scimetar</td> + <td>scimitar</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr10">31</a></td> + <td>spangled troope</td> + <td>spangled troupe</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr11">31</a></td> + <td>horse wont</td> + <td>horse won’t</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr12">64</a></td> + <td>suppleing</td> + <td>suppling</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr13">88</a></td> + <td>long wholebone whip</td> + <td>long whalebone whip</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr14">95</a></td> + <td>any horse</td> + <td>any horse.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr15">128</a></td> + <td>round to the right.</td> + <td>round to the right.” (based on +comparison to another edition of the book)</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr16">129</a></td> + <td>gotamongst</td> + <td>got amongst</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr17">129</a></td> + <td>aid-de-camps</td> + <td>aide-de-camps</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr18">159</a></td> + <td>of my pupils</td> + <td>of my pupils.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr19">173</a></td> + <td>white potatoe oats</td> + <td>white potato oats</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr20">173</a></td> + <td>45lbs.</td> + <td>45 lbs.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr21">185</a></td> + <td>distance, we though</td> + <td>distance, we thought</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr22">202</a></td> + <td>Mobbing a fox</td> + <td>Mobbing a fox.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr23">210</a></td> + <td>danger of stubbing</td> + <td>danger of stubbing.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr24">216</a></td> + <td>distinction bewteen</td> + <td>distinction between</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td><a href="#corr25">Ads 2</a></td> + <td>Bancrofts</td> + <td>Bancroft’s</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>The following words were inconsistently spelled or hyphenated:</p> + +<ul class="IX"> + <li>bullfinch / bulfinch</li> + <li>farm-house / farmhouse</li> + <li>fox-hounds / foxhounds</li> + <li>jibbing / gibbing</li> + <li>off-side / offside</li> + <li>over-run / overrun</li> + <li>practice / practise (and other forms of the word also vary)</li> + <li>road-side / roadside</li> + <li>steeple-chase / steeplechase</li> + <li>thorough-bred / thoroughbred</li> +</ul> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. +Rarey's Art of Taming Horses, by J. S. Rarey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAREY'S ART OF TAMING HORSES *** + +***** This file should be named 28612-h.htm or 28612-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/6/1/28612/ + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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S. Rarey's +Art of Taming Horses, by J. S. Rarey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. Rarey's Art of Taming Horses + With the Substance of the Lectures at the Round House, and + Additional Chapters on Horsemanship and Hunting, for the + Young and Timid + +Author: J. S. Rarey + +Release Date: April 26, 2009 [EBook #28612] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAREY'S ART OF TAMING HORSES *** + + + + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + +Transcriber's Note + +Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. A list of corrections +is found at the end of the text. Inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been maintained. A list of inconsistently spelled +and hyphenated words is found at the end of the text. + +Oe ligatures have been expanded. + + + + +[Illustration: Zebra strapped up.] + + + + + HORSE-TAMING--HORSEMANSHIP--HUNTING. + + + A New Illustrated Edition of + + J. S. RAREY'S + + ART OF TAMING HORSES; + + + WITH THE SUBSTANCE OF + THE LECTURES AT THE ROUND HOUSE, + AND ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS ON + HORSEMANSHIP AND HUNTING, + FOR THE YOUNG AND TIMID. + + + BY THE SECRETARY + TO THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION OF FIVE THOUSAND GUINEAS, + + AUTHOR OF "GALLOPS AND GOSSIPS," AND + HUNTING CORRESPONDENT OF THE "ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS." + + + LONDON: + ROUTLEDGE, WARNES, AND ROUTLEDGE, + FARRINGDON STREET. + 1859. + + + [_The right of Translation is reserved._] + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + + PAGE + + Mr. Rarey's pamphlet first published in Ohio.--Experience of + old system.--Compiled and invented new.--Tying up the + fore-leg known many years ago, _see_ Stamford + Almanack.--Forgotten and not valued.--Reference to Captain + Nolan's and Colonel Greenwood's works on horsemanship.--Dick + Christian missed the discovery.--Baucher's plan of laying + down a horse explained.--Mademoiselle Isabel's whip-and-spur + plan.--Account of the Irish whisperer Dan Sullivan.--Usual + modes of taming vicious horses.--Starving.--Physic.--Sleepless + nights.--Bleeding.--Biting the ear.--Story of Kentish + coachman.--The Ellis system.--Value of the Rarey system as + compared with that of ordinary horse-tamers.--Systems of + Australia and Arabia compared.--The South American plan + explained.--A French plan.--Grisone the Neapolitan's + advice.--The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.--Visit + to Canada.--To England.--Lord Alfred Paget.--Sir Richard + Airey.--System made known to them.--To Mr. Jos. + Anderson.--Messrs. Tattersall.--Sir Matthew Ridley's black + horse tamed.--Subscription list of 500 opened.--Stafford + tamed.--Description of.--Teaching commenced with Lords + Palmerston, Granville, &c.--Cruiser tamed.--History + of.--Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser exhibition.--System + approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton Sykes.--Close + of first subscription list.--Anecdote of Mr. Gurney's + colt--Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey 1 + + +CHAPTER II. + + Mr. Rarey's Introduction.--Remarks on 26 + + +CHAPTER III. + + The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.--Heads + of the Rarey Lectures.--Editor's paraphrase.--That any horse + may be taught docility.--That a horse should be so handled + and tied as to feel inferior to man.--That a horse should be + allowed to see, smell, and feel all fearful objects.--Key + note of the Rarey system 32 + + +CHAPTER IV. + + How to drive a colt from pasture.--How to drive into a + stable.--The kind of halter.--Experiment with a robe or + cloak.--Horse-taming drugs.--The Editor's remarks.--Importance + of patience.--Best kind of head-stall.--Danger of approaching + some colts.--Hints from a Colonel of the Life Guards 39 + + +CHAPTER V. + + Powell's system of approaching a colt.--Rarey's remarks + on.--Lively high-spirited horses tamed easily.--Stubborn + sulky ones more difficult.--Motto, "Fear, love and + obey."--Use of a whalebone gig-whip.--How to frighten and + then approach.--Use kind words.--How to halter and lead a + colt.--By the side of a horse.--To lead into a stable.--To + tie up to a manger.--Editor's remarks.--Longeing.--Use and + abuse of.--On bitting.--Sort of bit for a colt.--Dick + Christian's bit.--The wooden gag bit 51 + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Taming a colt or horse.--Rarey's directions for strapping up + and laying down detailed.--Explanations by Editor.--To + approach a vicious horse with half door.--Cartwheel.--No. 1 + strap applied.--No. 2 strap applied.--Woodcuts of.--How to + hop about.--Knot up bridle.--Struggle described.--Lord B.'s + improved No. 2 strap.--Not much danger.--How to steer a + horse.--Laid down, how to gentle.--To mount, tied up.--Place + and preparations for training described 67 + + +CHAPTER VII. + + The Drum.--The Umbrella.--Riding-habit.--How to bit a colt.--How + to saddle.--To mount.--To ride.--To break.--To harness.--To + make a horse follow and stand without holding.--Baucher's + plan.--Nolan's plan 90 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.--On teaching + children.--Anecdote.--Havelock's opinion.--Rarey's plan to + train ponies.--The use of books.--Necessity of regular + teaching for girls; boys can be self-taught.--Commence + without a bridle.--Ride with one pair of reins and two + hands.--Advantage of hunting-horn on side-saddle.--On the + best plan for mounting.--Rarey's plan.--On a man's + seat.--Nolan's opinion.--Military style.--Hunting style.--Two + examples in Lord Cardigan.--The Prussian style.--Anecdote by + Mr. Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.--Hints for men + learning to ride.--How to use the reins.--Pull right for + right, and left for left.--How to collect your horse 111 + + +CHAPTER IX. + + On bits.--The snaffle.--The use of the curb.--The Pelham.--The + Hanoverian bit described.--Martingales.--The gentleman's + saddle to be large enough.--Spurs.--Not to be too sharp.--The + Somerset saddle for the timid and aged.--The Nolan saddle + without flaps.--Ladies' saddle described.--Advantages of the + hunting-horn crutch.--Ladies' stirrup.--Ladies' dress.--Hints + on.--Habit.--Boots.--Whips.--Hunting-whips.--Use of the + lash.--Gentleman's riding costume.--Hunting dress.--Poole, + the great authority.--Advantage of cap over hat in + hunting.--Boot-tops and Napoleons.--Quotation from + Warburton's ballads 135 + + +CHAPTER X. + + Advantage of hunting.--Libels on.--Great men who have + hunted.--Popular notion unlike reality.--Dick Christian and + the Marquis of Hastings.--Fallacy of "lifting" a horse + refuted.--Hints on riding at fences.--Harriers + discussed.--Stag-hunting a necessity and use where time an + object.--Hints for novices.--"Tally-ho!" expounded.--To feed + a horse after a hard ride.--Expenses of horse-keep.--Song by + Squire Warburton, "A word ere we start" 154 + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The Fitzwilliam.--Brocklesby.--A day on the Wolds.--Brighton + harriers.--Prince Albert's harriers 176 + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Hunting Terms 199 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + The origin of Fox-hunting 210 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + The wild ponies of Exmoor 218 + +POSTSCRIPT 232 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + TO FACE + 1. ZEBRA STRAPPED UP Drawn by Louis Huard, Esq. Title-page + 2. HORSE WITH STRAP NO. 1 Ditto " 67 + 3. HORSE WITH STRAPS NOS. 1 AND 2 Ditto " 76 + 4. THE HORSE STRUGGLING Ditto " 79 + 5. THE HORSE EXHAUSTED Ditto " 80 + 6. THE HORSE TAMED Ditto " 82 + 7. SECOND LESSON IN HARNESS Ditto " 100 + 8. RAILS AND DOUBLE DITCH Ditto " 153 + + +VIGNETTES. + + PAGE + WILD HORSE'S HEAD 25 + HALTER OR BRIDLE 39 + WOODEN GAG BIT 66 + STRAP NO. 1 74 + STRAP NO. 2 76 + LORD B.'S IMPROVED NO. 2 77 + SURCINGLE STRAP FOR NO. 2 78 + SIDE SADDLE, AND LADY'S SEAT ON 111 + SIDE SADDLE, OFFSIDE VIEW OF 135 + CURB, OR HARD AND SHARP 136 + PLAIN SNAFFLE 137 + PELHAM 138 + HANOVERIAN 139 + SITZ, OR HUNTSMAN'S BATH 232 + HOT-AIR OR INDIAN BATH 235 + + + + + THE + ART OF TAMING HORSES. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Mr. Rarey's pamphlet first published in Ohio.--Experience of old + system.--Compiled and invented new.--Tying up the fore-leg known + many years ago, _see_ Stamford Almanack.--Forgotten and not + valued.--Reference to Captain Nolan's and Colonel Greenwood's works + on horsemanship.--Dick Christian missed the discovery.--Baucher's + plan of laying down a horse explained.--Mademoiselle Isabel's + whip-and-spur plan.--Account of the Irish whisperer Dan + Sullivan.--Usual modes of taming vicious + horses.--Starving.--Physic.--Sleepless nights.--Bleeding.--Biting + the ear.--Story of Kentish coachman.--The Ellis system.--Value of + the Rarey system as compared with that of ordinary + horse-tamers.--Systems of Australia and Arabia compared.--The South + American plan explained.--A French plan.--Grisone the Neapolitan's + advice.--The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.--Visit to + Canada.--To England.--Lord Alfred Paget.--Sir Richard + Airey.--System made known to them.--To Mr. Jos. Anderson.--Messrs. + Tattersall.--Sir Matthew Ridley's black horse tamed.--Subscription + list of 500 opened.--Stafford tamed.--Description of.--Teaching + commenced with Lords Palmerston, Granville, &c.--Cruiser + tamed.--History of.--Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser + exhibition.--System approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton + Sykes.--Close of first subscription list.--Anecdote of Mr. Gurney's + colt.--Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey. + + +Mr. Rarey is a farmer from Ohio, in the United States. Five years ago he +wrote the little book which forms the _text_ of the following complete +account of his system, with pictorial illustrations, which are +essential for explaining the means he now employs for subduing the most +refractory animals. Without these explanations, it would be extremely +difficult for any one who had not enjoyed the advantage of hearing Mr. +Rarey's explanations, to practise his system successfully, or even +safely. The original work contains a mere outline of the art, since +perfected by five years' further study and practice. The author did not +revise his first sketch, for very obvious reasons. + +He was living in obscurity, teaching his system for a few dollars in +Ohio and Texas. He never taught in the great cities or seabord states of +the United States. When he had imparted his art to a pupil, he bound him +to secrecy, and presented him with a copy of his pamphlet. He did not +dream, then, of becoming the great Lion of the London Season, and +realising from English subscribers nearly 20,000_l._ It will be +observed, that in the original American edition, the operation of tying +up the foot is described in one chapter, and, at an interval of some +pages, that of laying a horse down, in another; and that neither the +difficulties nor the necessary precautions, nor the extraordinary +results, are described with the clearness their importance requires. + +Mr. Rarey has now very properly released his subscribers from the +contract which bound them to secrecy; and it is now in every point of +view important that this valuable system of rendering horses docile and +affectionate, fit for hacks or chargers, ladies' pads or harness, or the +safe conveyance of the aged, crippled, and sick, should be placed within +the reach of the thousands whose business it is to deal with horses, as +well as of that large class of gentlemen who are obliged to observe +economy while keeping up their equestrian tastes. After all, it is to +the horse-breeding farmers and grooms to whom Mr. Rarey's art will be of +the most practical use. + +As it is, enough of the system has oozed out to suggest to the ignorant +new means of cruelty. A horse's leg is strapped up, and then the +unlearned proceed to bully the crippled animal, instead of--to borrow an +expressive Americanism--"to gentle him." + +Before entering into the details for practising the Rarey system, it may +be interesting to give a sketch of the "facts" that have placed Mr. +Rarey in his present well-deserved position, as an invincible +Horse-Tamer, as well as a Reformer of the whole modern system of +training horses--a position unanimously assigned to him by all the first +horsemen of the day. + +Mr. Rarey has been a horse-breaker in the United States from his +earliest youth, and had frequently to break in horses five or six years +old, that had run wild until that mature undocile age. + +At first he employed the old English rough-rider method, and in the +course of his adventures broke almost every bone in his body, for his +pluck was greater than his science. But he was not satisfied with +following old routine; he inquired from the wandering horsemen and +circus trainers into their methods (it may be that he was at one time +attached to a circus himself), and read every book he could lay his +hands on. By inquiry and by study--as he says in one of his +advertisements--"he thought out" the plan and the principles of his +present system. + +The methods he uses for placing a colt or horse completely in his power +are not absolutely new, although it is possible that he has re-invented +and has certainly much improved them. The Russian (_i. e._ Courland) +Circus Riders have long known how, single-handed, to make a horse lie +down by fastening up one fore-leg, and then with a rope suddenly pulling +the other leg from under him. The trick was practised in England more +than forty years ago, and forgotten. That no importance was attached to +this method of throwing a horse is proved by the fact, that in the works +on horsemanship, published during the last twenty years, no reference is +made to it. When Mr. Starkey, of Wiltshire, a breeder and runner of +race-horses,[4-*] saw Mr. Rarey operate for the first time, he said, +"Why I knew how to throw a horse in that way years ago, but I did not +know the use of it, and was always in too great a hurry!" Lord Berners +made nearly the same remark to me. Nimrod, Cecil, Harry Hieover, +Scrutator--do not appear to have ever heard of it. The best modern +authority on such subjects (British Rural Sports), describes a number of +difficulties in breaking colts which altogether disappear under the +Rarey system--especially the difficulty of shoeing. + +Captain Nolan, who was killed at Balaklava, served in an Hungarian +regiment, in the Austrian service, afterwards in our own service in +India, and visited Russia, France, Denmark, and South Germany, to +collect materials for his work on the "History of Cavalry and on the +Training of Horses," although he set out with the golden rule laid down +by the great Greek horseman, Xenophon, more than a thousand years +ago--"HORSES ARE TAUGHT, NOT BY HARSHNESS, BUT BY GENTLENESS," only +refers incidentally to a plan for throwing a horse down, in an extract +from Baucher's great work, which will presently be quoted, but attaches +no importance to it, and was evidently totally ignorant of the +foundation of the Rarey system. + +The accomplished Colonel Greenwood, who was equally learned in the +_manege_ of the _Haute Ecole_, and skilled in the style of the English +hunting-fields, gives no hint of a method which reduces the time for +taming colts from months to hours, and makes the docility of five horses +out of six merely a matter of a few weeks' patience. + +The sporting newspapers of England and America were so completely off +the true scent when guessing at the Rarey method, that they put faith in +recipes of oils and scents for taming horses. + +Dick Christian--a genius in his way--when on horseback unmatched for +patience and pluck, but with no taste for reading and no talent for +generalizing, used to conquer savages for temporary use by tying up one +fore-foot, and made good water-jumpers of horses afraid of water by +making them smell it and wade through it; so that he came very near the +Rarey methods, but missed the chain of reasoning that would have led him +to go further with these expedients.[5-*] + +Mons. Baucher, of Paris (misprinted Faucher in the American edition), +the great modern authority in horse-training and elaborate school +equitation, under whom our principal English cavalry generals have +studied--amongst others, two enthusiastic disciples of Mr. Rarey, Lord +Vivian and General Laurenson, commanding the cavalry at +Aldershott--admitted Mr. Rarey's system was not only "most valuable," +but "quite new to him." + +After Mr. Rarey had taught five or six hundred subscribers, some of whom +of course had wives, Mr. Cooke, of Astley's, began to exhibit a way of +making a horse lie down, which bore as much resemblance to Mr. Rarey's +system, as Buckstone's or Keeley's travestie of Othello would to a +serious performance by a first-rate tragedian. Mr. Cooke pulling at a +strap over the horse's back, was, until he grew, by practice, skilful, +more than once thrown down by the extension of the off fore-leg. + +Indeed, the proof that the circus people knew neither the Rarey plan, +nor the results to be obtained from it, is to be found in the fact, that +they continually failed in subduing unruly horses sent to them for that +purpose. + +A friend of mine, an eminent engineer, sent to Astley's, about two years +ago, a horse which had cost him two hundred pounds, and was useless from +a habit of standing still and rearing at the corner of streets; he was +returned worse rather than better, and sold for forty pounds. Six +lessons from Mr. Rarey would have produced, at least, temporary +docility. + +Monsieur Baucher, in his _Methode d'Equitation_, says, _speaking of the +surprise created by the feats_ he performed with trained +horses,--"According to some, I was a new 'Carter,'[6-*] taming my horses +by depriving them of rest and nourishment: others would have it, that I +tied ropes to their legs, and suspended them in the air; some again +supposed that I fascinated them by the power of the eye; and part of the +audience, seeing my horses (Partisan, Capitaine, Neptune, and Baridan) +work in time to my friend Monsieur Paul Cuzent's charming music, +seriously argued that the horses had a capital ear for music, and that +they stopped when the clarionets and trombones ceased to play, and that +the music had more power over the horse than I had. That the beast +obeyed an '_ut_' or a '_sol_' or '_staccato_,' but my hands and legs +went for nothing. + +"Could any one imagine that such nonsense could emanate from people who +passed for horsemen? + +"Now from this, although in some respects the same class of nonsense +that was talked about Mr. Rarey, it does not seem that any Parisian +veterinary surgeon staked his reputation on the efficacy of oils and +scents." + +M. Baucher then proceeds to give what he calls sixteen "_Airs de +Manege_," which reflect the highest credit on his skill as a rational +horseman, using his hands and legs. But he proceeds to say--"It is with +regret I publish the means of making a horse kneel, limp, lie down, and +sit on his haunches in the position called the '_Cheval Gastronomie_,' +or 'The Horse at Dinner.' This work is degrading to the poor horse, and +painful to the trainer, who no longer sees in the poor trembling beast +the proud courser, full of spirit and energy, he took such pleasure in +training. + +"To make a horse kneel, tie his pastern-joint to his elbow, make fast a +longer line to the other pastern-joint, have this held tight, and strike +the leg with the whip; the instant he raises it from the ground, pull at +the longeing line to bend the leg. He cannot help it--he must fall on +his knees. Make much of the horse in this position, and let him get up +free of all hindrance. + +"As soon as he does this without difficulty, leave off the use of the +longeing line, and next leave both legs at liberty: by striking him on +the shins with the whip, he will understand that he is to kneel down. + +"When on his knees, send his head well to the off-side, and, supporting +him with the left rein, pull the right rein down against his neck till +he falls to the near side; when down at full length, you cannot make +too much of him; _have his head held that he may not get up too +suddenly_, or before you wish him. You can do this by placing your right +foot on the right reins; this keeps the horse's nose raised from the +ground, and thus deprives him of the power of struggling successfully +against you. Profit by his present position to make him sit up on his +haunches, and in the position of the 'Cheval Gastronomie.'" + +The difference between this and Rarey's plan of laying down a horse is +as great as between Franklin's kite and Wheatstone's electrical +telegraph; and foremost to acknowledge the American's merits was M. +Baucher. + +So little idea had cavalry authorities that a horse could be trained +without severity, that, during the Crimean war, a Mademoiselle Isabel +came over to this country with strong recommendations from the French +war minister, and was employed at considerable cost at Maidstone for +some months in spoiling a number of horses by _her system_, the +principal features of which consisted in a new dumb jockey, and a severe +spur attached to a whip! + +It is true that Mademoiselle Isabel's experiment was made contrary to +the wishes and plans of the head of the Cavalry Training Department, the +late General Griffiths; but it is not less true that within the last two +years influential cavalry officers were looking for an improvement in +training horses from an adroit use of the whip and spur. + +From the time of Alexander the Great down to the Northumberland +Horse-Breaker, there have been instances of courageous men who have been +able to do extraordinary things with horses. But they may be divided +into two classes, neither of which have been able to originate or impart +a system for the use of ordinary horsemen. + +The one class relied and relies on personal influence over lower +animals. They terrify, subdue, or conciliate by eye, voice, and touch, +just as some wicked women, not endowed with any extraordinary external +charms, bewitch and betray the wisest men. + +The other class rely on the infliction of acute pain, or, stupefaction +by drugs, or other similar expedients for acquiring a temporary +ascendancy. + +In a work printed in 1664, quoted by Nolan, we have a melancholy account +of the fate of an ingenious horse-tamer. "A Neapolitan, called Pietro, +had a little horse, named Mauroco, doubtless a Barb or Arab, which he +had taught to perform many tricks. He would, at a sign from his master, +lie down, kneel, and make as many courvettes (springs on his hind-legs +forward, like rearing), as his master told him. He jumped over a stick, +and through hoops, carried a glove to the person Pietro pointed out, and +performed a thousand pretty antics. He travelled through the greater +part of the Continent, but unfortunately passing through Arles, the +people in that 'age of faith,' took him for a sorcerer, and burned him +and poor Mauroco in the market-place." It was probably from this +incident that Victor Hugo took the catastrophe of La Esmeralda and her +goat. + +Dan Sullivan, who flourished about fifty years ago, was the greatest +horse-tamer of whom there is any record in modern times. His triumph +commenced by his purchasing for an old song a dragoon's horse at Mallow, +who was so savage "that he was obliged to be fed through a hole in the +wall." After one of Sullivan's lessons the trooper drew a car quietly +through Mallow, and remained a very proverb of gentleness for years +after. In fact, with mule or horse, one half-hour's lesson from Sullivan +was enough; but they relapsed in other hands. Sullivan's own account of +the secret was, that he originally acquired it from a wearied soldier +who had not money to pay for a pint of porter he had drunk. The landlord +was retaining part of his kit as a pledge, when Sullivan, who sat in the +bar, vowed he would never see a hungry man want, and gave the soldier so +good a luncheon, that, in his gratitude, he drew him aside at parting, +and revealed what he believed to be an Indian charm. + +Sullivan never took any pupils, and, as far as I can learn, never +attempted to train colts by his method, although that is a more +profitable and useful branch of business than training vicious horses. +It is stated in an article in "Household Words" on Horse-Tamers, that he +was so jealous of his gift that even the priest of Ballyclough could not +wring it from him at the confessional. His son used to boast how his +reverence met his sire as they both rode towards Mallow, and charged him +with being a confederate of the wicked one, and how the "whisperer" laid +the priest's horse under a spell, and forthwith led him a weary chase +among the cross roads, till he promised in despair to let Sullivan alone +for ever. Sullivan left three sons: one only practised his art, with +imperfect success till his death; neither of the others pretended to any +knowledge of it. One of them is to this day a horse-breaker at Mallow. + +The reputation of Mr. Rarey brought to light a number of provincial +horse-tamers, and, amongst others, a grandson of Sullivan has opened a +list under the auspices of the Marquis of Waterford, for teaching his +grandfather's art of horse-taming. It is impossible not to ask, why, if +the art is of any value, it has not been taught long ago? + +In Ireland as in England, the accepted modes of taming a determined +colt, or vicious horse, are either by a resolute rider with whip and +spur, and violent longeings, or by starving, physic, and sleepless +nights. It was by these means combined that the well-known horseman, +Bartley the bootmaker, twenty years ago, tamed a splendid thorough-bred +horse, that had defied all the efforts of all the rough-riders of the +Household Cavalry regiments. + +Bleeding a vicious horse has been recommended in German books on +equitation. In the family Robinson Crusoe, paterfamilias conquers the +quagga by biting its ear, and every farrier knows how to apply a twitch +to a horse's ear or nose to secure his quietness under an operation. A +Mr. King, some years since, exhibited a learned horse, which he said he +subdued by pinching a nerve of its mouth, called "_the nerve of +susceptibility_." + +The writer in the "Household Words" article, to which I have already +referred, tells how "a coachman in Kent, who had been quite mastered by +horses, called in the assistance of a professed whisperer. After his +ghostly course the horses had the worst of it for two months, when their +ill-humour returned, and the coachman himself immediately darkened his +stable, and held what he termed a little conversation with them, which +kept them placid till two more months had passed. He did not seem +altogether to approve of the system, and plainly confessed that it was +cruel." Putting shot in the ear is an old stupid and fatal trick of +ignorant carters to cure a gibbing horse--it cures and kills him too. + +The latest instantaneous system which acquired a certain degree of +temporary popularity was that introduced from the western prairies, by +Mr. Ellis, of Trinity College, Cambridge, which consisted in breathing +into the nostrils of a colt, or buffalo colt, while its eyes were +covered. But although on some animals this seemed to produce a soothing +effect, on others it totally failed. + +There can be very little doubt that most of the mysterious +"horse-whisperers" relied for their power of subduing a vicious horse +partly on the special personal influence already referred to, and partly +on some one of those cruel modes of intimidating the animal. It has been +observed that idiots can sometimes manage the most savage horses and +bulls, and conciliate the most savage dogs at first sight. + +The value of Mr. Rarey's system consists in the fact that it may be +taught to, and successfully practised by, a ploughboy of thirteen or +fourteen for use on all except extremely vicious and powerful horses. + +It requires patience--it requires the habit of dealing with horses as +well as coolness; but the real work is rather a matter of skill than +strength. Not only have boys of five or six stone become successful +horse-tamers, but ladies of high rank have in the course of ten minutes +perfectly subdued and reduced to death-like calmness fiery blood-horses. + +Therefore, in dealing with Mr. Rarey's plan we are not wasting our time +about a trick for conquering these rare exceptions--incurably-savage +horses--but considering the principles of a universally applicable +system for taming and training horses for man's use, with a perfection +of docility rarely found except in aged pet horses, and with a rapidity +heretofore quite unknown. + +The system of Arabia and Australia are the two extremes. In Australia, +where the people are always in a hurry, the usual mode of breaking in +the bush horses is _to ride them quiet_; that is, to let the man fight +it out with the horse until the latter gives in; for the time, at any +rate. The result is, that nine-tenths of the Australian horses are +vicious, and especially given to the trick of "buck-jumping." This vile +vice consists in a succession of leaps from all-fours, the beast +descending with the back arched, the limbs rigid, and the head as low +down between the legs as possible. Not one horseman in a hundred can sit +three jumps of a confirmed buck-jumper. Charles Barter, who was one of +the hardest riders in the Heythrope Hunt, in his "Six Months in Natal," +says, "when my horse began buck-jumping I dismounted, and I recommend +every one under the same circumstances to do the same." + +The Guachos on the South American Pampas lasso a wild horse, throw him +down, cover his head with one of their ponchos, or cloaks, and, having +girthed on him one of their heavy demi-piqued saddles, from which it is +almost impossible to be dislodged, thrust a curb-bit, capable of +breaking the jaw with one tug, into the poor wretch's mouth, mount him +with a pair of spurs with rowels six inches long, and ride him over the +treeless plains until he sinks exhausted _in a fainting state_. But +horses thus broken are almost invariably either vicious or stupid; in +fact, idiotic. There is another milder method sometimes adopted by these +Pampas horsemen, on which, no doubt, Mr. Rarey partly founded his +system. After lassoing a horse, they blind his eyes with a poncho, tie +him fast to a post, and girth a heavy saddle on him. The animal +sometimes dies at once of fright and anger: if not, he trembles, sweats, +and would, after a time, fall down from terror and weakness. The Guacho +then goes up to him, caresses him, removes the poncho from his eyes, +continues to caress him; so that, according to the notion of the +country, the horse becomes grateful and attached to the man for +delivering him from something frightful; and from that moment the +process of training becomes easy, and, with the help of the long spurs, +is completed in a few days. This plan must spoil as many horses as it +makes quiet, and fail utterly with the more nervous and high-spirited; +for the very qualities that render a horse most useful and beautiful, +when properly trained, lead him, when unbroken, to resist more +obstinately rough violent usage. + +In a French newspaper article on Mr. Rarey's system, it is related that +a French horse-breaker, in 1846, made a good speculation by purchasing +vicious horses, which are more common in France than in England, and +selling them, after a few days' discipline, perfectly quiet. His remedy +lay in a loaded whip, freely applied between the ears when any symptom +of vice was displayed. This expedient was only a revival of the method +of Grisone, the Neapolitan, called, in the fifteenth century, the +regenerator of horsemanship, predecessor of the French school, who +says--"In breaking young horses, put them into a circular pit; be very +severe with those that are sensitive, and of high courage; beat them +between the ears with a stick." His followers tied their horses to the +pillars in riding-schools, and beat them to make them raise their +fore-legs. We do not approve of Grisone's maxims at the present day in +print, but we leave our horses too much to ignorant colt-breakers, who +practise them. + +The Arabs alone, who have no need to hurry the education of their +horses, and who live with them as we do with our pet dogs, train their +colts by degrees, with patient gentleness, and only resort to severe +measures to teach them to gallop and stop short. For this reason Arabs +are most docile until they fall into the hands of cruel grooms. + +It was from considering the docility of the high-bred Arab horse and +intractableness of the quibly, roughly broken prairie or Pampas horse, +that Mr. Rarey was led to think over and perfect the system which he has +repeatedly explained and illustrated by living examples in his lectures, +and very imperfectly explained in his valuable, original, but crude +little book. + +It is very fortunate that this book did not find its way to England +before Mr. Rarey himself came and conquered Cruiser, and in face-to-face +interviews gained the confidence and co-operation of all our +horse-loving aristocracy. For had the book appeared unsupported by +lectures (or such explanations written and pictorial as this edition +will supply), there would have been so many accidents and so many +failures, that Mr. Rarey would have had great difficulty in obtaining a +hearing, and for many years our splendid colts would have been left to +the empirical treatment of ignorant rough-riders. + +An accident withdrew the great reformer of horse-training from +obscurity. + +In the course of his travels as a teacher of horse-taming he met with +Mr. Goodenough, a sharp, hard-fisted New Englander, of the true "Yankee" +breed, so well-described by Sam Slick, settled in the city of Toronto, +Canada, as a general dealer. In fact, a "sort of Barnum." Mr. Goodenough +saw that there was money to be made out of the Rarey system--formed a +partnership with the Ohio farmer--conducted him to Canada--obtained an +opportunity of exhibiting his talents before Major Robertson, +Aide-de-camp to General Sir William Eyre, K.C.B., Commander of the +forces, and, through the Major, before Sir William himself, who is (as I +can say from having seen him with hounds) an accomplished horseman and +enthusiastic fox-hunter. From these high authorities the partners +obtained letters of introduction to the Horse Guards in England, and to +several gentlemen attached to the Court; in one of the letters of +introduction, General Eyre said, "that the system was new to him, and +valuable for military purposes." On arriving in England, Mr. Rarey made +known his system, and was fortunate enough to convert and obtain the +active assistance of Sir Richard Airey, Quarter-Master General, Lord +Alfred Paget,[16-*] and Colonel Hood, the two first being noted for +their skill as horsemen, and the two latter being attached to the Court. +From these gentlemen of high degree, Mr. Rarey proceeded, under good +advice, to make known his art to Mr. Joseph Anderson of Piccadilly, and +his prime minister, the well-known George Rice--tamed for them a black +horse that had been returned by Sir Matthew White Ridley, as unridable +from vice and nervousness. The next step was an introduction to Messrs. +Tattersall of Hyde Park, whose reputation for honour and integrity in +most difficult transactions is world wide and nearly a century old. +Introduced at Hyde Park Corner with the strongest recommendations and +certificates from such authorities as Lord Alfred Paget, Sir Richard +Airey, Colonel Hood, &c., &c., Messrs. Tattersall investigated Mr. +Rarey's system, and became convinced that its general adoption would +confer an invaluable benefit on what may be called "the great horse +interest," and do away with a great deal of cruelty and unnecessary +severity now practised on the best-bred and most high-spirited animals +through ignorance of colt-breakers and grooms. They, therefore, decided, +with that liberality which has always distinguished the firm, to lend +Mr. Rarey all the assistance in their power, without taking any +commission, or remuneration of any kind. + +As the methods used by Mr. Rarey are so exceedingly simple, the question +next arose of how Mr. Rarey was to be remunerated when teaching in a +city where hundreds live by collecting and retailing news. His previous +lessons had been given to the thinly-populated districts of Ohio and +Texas, where each pupil was a dealer in horses, and kept his secret for +his own sake. Had he been the inventor of an improved corkscrew or +stirrup-iron, a patent would have secured him that limited monopoly +which very imperfectly rewards many invaluable mechanical inventions. +Had his countrymen chosen to agree to a reciprocity treaty for copyright +of books, he might have secured some certain remuneration by a printed +publication of his Lectures. But they prefer the liberty of borrowing +our copyrights without consulting the author, and we occasionally return +the compliment. In this instance the author cannot say that the British +nation has not paid him handsomely. + +After a consultation with Mr. Rarey's noble patrons, it was decided that +a list should be opened at Hyde Park Corner for subscribers at L10 +10_s._ each, paid in advance, the teaching to commence as soon as five +hundred subscriptions had been paid, each subscriber signing an +engagement, under a penalty of L500, not to teach or divulge Mr. Rarey's +method, and Messrs. Tattersall undertaking to hold the subscriptions in +trust until Mr. Rarey had performed his part of the agreement.[17-*] To +this fund, at the request of my friends Messrs. Tattersall, I agreed to +act as Secretary. My duties ceased when the list was filled, and the +management of the business passed from those gentlemen to Mr. Rarey's +partner, Mr. Goodenough, on the 3rd of May, 1858. + +This list was opened the first day at Mr. Jos. Anderson's, after Mr. +Rarey had exhibited, not his method, but the results of his method on +the celebrated black, or rather iron-gray, horse already mentioned. + +Leaving the list to fill, Mr. Rarey went to Paris, and there tamed the +vicious and probably half-mad coaching stallion, Stafford.[18-*] It is +not generally known that having omitted the precautions of gagging this +wild beast with the wooden bit, which forms one of the vignettes of this +book, he turned round suddenly, while the tamer was soothing his legs, +caught his shoulder in his mouth, and would have made an end of the +Rarey system if assistance had not been at hand in the shape of Mr. +Goodenough and a pitchfork. + +Intense enthusiasm was created in Paris by the conquest of Stafford, but +250 francs was too large a sum to found a long subscription list in a +city so little given to private horsemanship, and a French experiment +did not produce much effect in England. + +In fact, the English list, which started so bravely under distinguished +patronage, after touching some 250 names, languished, and in spite of +testimonials from great names, only reached 320, when Mr. Rarey, at the +pressing recommendation of his English friends, returned from Paris, and +fixed the day for commencing his lessons in the private riding-school of +the Duke of Wellington, the use of which had been in the kindest manner +offered by his Grace as a testimony of his high opinion of the value of +the new system. + +The course was commenced on the 20th March, by inviting to a private +lesson a select party of noblemen and gentlemen, twenty-one in all, +including, amongst other accomplished horsemen and horse-breeders, Lord +Palmerston, the two ex-masters of the Royal Buckhounds, Earls Granville +and Bessborough, the Marquis of Stafford, Vice-President of the +Four-Horse Driving Club, and the Honourable Admiral Rous, the leading +authority of the Jockey Club on all racing matters. The favourable +report of these, perhaps, among the most competent judges of anything +appertaining to horses in the world, settled the value of Mr. Rarey's +lessons, and the list began to fill speedily; many of the subscribers, +no doubt, being more influenced by the prevailing fashion and curiosity, +than by an inclination to turn horse-tamers. + +But early in April, when it became known that Mr. Rarey had tamed +Cruiser,[20-*] the most vicious stallion in England, "who could do more +fighting in less time than any horse in the world," and that he had +brought him to London on the very day after, that he first backed him +and had ridden him within three hours after the first interview, slow +conviction swelled to enthusiasm. The list filled up rapidly. + +The school in Kinnerton Street, to which Mr. Rarey was obliged to +remove, was crowded, the excitement increasing with each lesson. On the +day that Cruiser was exhibited for the first time, long before the doors +were open, the little back street was filled with a fashionable mob, +including ladies of the highest rank. An admission by noble +non-subscribers with notes, gold, and cheques in hands, was begged for +with a polite insinuating humility that was quite edifying. A hatful of +ten-guinea subscriptions was thrust upon the unwilling secretary at the +door with as much eagerness as if he had been the allotter of shares in +a ten per cent railway in the day of Hudsonian guarantees. And it must +be observed that this crowd included among the mere fashion-mongers +almost every distinguished horseman and hunting-man in the three +kingdoms. + +It is quite too late now to attempt to depreciate a system the value of +which has been repeatedly and openly acknowledged by authorities above +question. As to the "secret," the subscribers must have known that it +was impossible that a system that required so much space, and involved +so much noise, could long remain a secret. + +The Earl of Jersey, so celebrated in this century as a breeder of +race-horses, in the last century as a rider to hounds, _stood_ through +a long lesson, and was as much delighted as his son the Honourable +Frederick Villiers, Master of the Pytchley Hounds. Sir Tatton Sykes of +Sledmere, perhaps the finest amateur horseman that ever rode a race, +whose equestrian performances on the course and in the hunting-field +date back more than sixty years, was as enthusiastic in his approval as +the young Guardsman who, fortified by Mr. Rarey's lessons, mastered a +mare that had defied the efforts of all the farriers of the Household +Cavalry. + +In a word, the five-hundred list was filled, and overflowed, the +subscribers were satisfied, and the responsibility of Messrs. Tattersall +as stakeholders for the public ceased, and the Secretary and Treasurer +to the fund, having wound up the accounts and retired, the connection +between Mr. Rarey and the Messrs. Tattersall resolved itself into the +use of an office at Hyde Park Corner. + +The London subscription list had passed eleven hundred names, and, in +conjunction with the subscription received in Yorkshire, Liverpool, +Manchester, Dublin, and Paris, besides private lessons at L25 each, had +realised upwards of L20,000 for Mr. Rarey and his partner, when the +five-hundred secrecy agreement was extinguished by the re-publication of +the little American pamphlet already mentioned. + +It was high time that it should, for, while Mr. Rarey had been +handsomely paid for his instruction, the more scrupulous of his +subscribers were unable to practise his lessons for want of a place +where they could work in secrecy. + +But although the re-publication of Mr. Rarey's American pamphlet +virtually absolved his subscribers from the agreement which he gave up +formally a few days later in his letter to the _Times_, it is quite +absurd to assert that the little pamphlet teaches the Art of +Horse-Taming as now practised by Mr. Rarey. Certainly no one but a +horseman skilled in the equitation of schools could do much with a horse +without great danger of injuring the animal and himself, if he had no +other instruction than that contained in Mr. Rarey's clever, original, +but vague chapters. + +In the following work I shall endeavour to fill up the blanks in Mr. +Rarey's sketch, and with the help of pictures and diagrams, show how a +cool determined man or boy may break in any colt, and make him a docile +hack, harness horse, or hunter; stand still, follow, and obey the voice +almost as much as the reins. + +To say that written or oral instructions will teach every man how to +grapple with savages like Stafford, Cruiser, Phlegon, or Mr. Gurney's +gray colt, would be sheer humbug--that must depend on the man; but we +have an instance of what can be done that is encouraging. When Mr. Rarey +was so ill that he was unable to sit Mr. Gurney's gray colt, the +boasting Mr. Goodenough tried his hand, and was beaten pale and +trembling out of the circus by that equine tiger; but Mr. Thomas Rice, +the jobmaster of Motcombe Street, who had had the charge of Cruiser in +Mr. Rarey's absence up to that time, although he had never before tried +his hand at Rareyfying a horse, stuck to the gray colt, laid down, made +him fast, and completely conquered him in one evening, so that he was +fit to be exhibited the next day, when Mr. Goodenough, _more suo_, +claimed the benefit of the victory. + +Several ladies have succeeded famously in horse-taming; but they have +been ladies accustomed to horses and to exercise, and always with +gentlemen by, in case a customer proved too tough. + +Before concluding this desultory but necessary introductory sketch of +the rise, progress, and success of the Rarey system, it will be as well, +perhaps, for the benefit of lady readers, to give a personal sketch of +Mr. Rarey, who is by no means the athletic giant that many imagine. + +Mr. Rarey is about thirty years of age, of middle height, and +well-proportioned figure, wiry and active rather than muscular--his +complexion is almost effeminately fair, with more colour than is usually +found in those of his countrymen who live in the cities of the +sea-coast. And his fair hair, large gray eyes, which only light up and +flash fire when he has an awkward customer to tackle, give him +altogether the appearance of a Saxon Englishman. His walk is remarkably +light and springy, yet regular, as he turns round his horse; something +between the set-up of a soldier and the light step of a sportsman. +Altogether his appearance and manners are eminently gentlemanly. +Although a self-educated and not a book-educated man, his conversation, +when he cares to talk, for he is rather reserved, always displays a good +deal of thoughtful originality, relieved by flashes of playful humour. +This may be seen in his writing. + +It may easily be imagined that he is extremely popular with all those +with whom he has been brought in contact, and has acquired the personal +friendship of some of the most accomplished noblemen and gentlemen of +the day. + +Mr. Rarey's system of horse-training will infallibly supersede all +others for both civil and military purposes, and his name will take rank +among the great social reformers of the nineteenth century. May we have +many more such importations from America! + +[Illustration] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[4-*] Owner of Fisherman. + +[5-*] See "The Post and the Paddock," by "The Druid." + +[6-*] Carter, one of the Van Amburgh showmen. + +[16-*] Son of the late Marquis of Anglesea, one of the finest horsemen +of his day, even with one leg, after he left the other at Waterloo. + +[17-*] The list itself is one of the most extraordinary documents ever +printed, in regard to the rank and equestrian accomplishments of the +subscribers. + +[18-*] "Stafford is a half-bred carriage stallion, six years old. For +three years he has formed one of the breeding-stud at Cluny, where he +has acquired the character of being a most dangerous animal. He was +about to be withdrawn from the stud and destroyed, in consequence of the +protests of the breeders--for a whole year he had obstinately refused to +be dressed, and was obliged to be closely confined in his box. He rushed +at every one who appeared with both fore-feet, and open mouthed. Every +means of subduing and restraining him was adopted; he was muzzled, +blindfolded, and hobbled. In order to give Mr. Rarey's method a trial, +Stafford was sent to Paris, and there a great number of persons, +including the principal members of the Jockey Club, had an opportunity +of judging of his vicious disposition. + +"After being alone with Stafford for an hour and a half, Mr. Rarey rode +on him into the Riding School, guiding him with a common snaffle-bridle. +The appearance of the horse was completely altered: he was calm and +docile. His docility did not seem to be produced by fear or constraint, +but the result of perfect confidence. The astonishment of the spectators +was increased when Mr. Rarey unbridled him, and guided the late savage +animal, with a mere motion of his hands or indication with his leg, as +easily as a trained circus-horse. Then, dashing into a gallop, he +stopped him short with a single word. + +"Mr. Rarey concluded his first exhibition by beating a drum on +Stafford's back, and passing his hand over his head and mouth. Stafford +was afterwards ridden by a groom, and showed the same docility in his +hands as in those of Mr. Rarey. + +"Mr. Rarey succeeded on the first attempt in putting him in harness with +a mare, although he had never had his head through a collar before; and +he went as quietly as the best-broken carriage-horse in Paris. Mr Rarey +concluded by firing a six-chambered revolver from his back."--_Paris +Illustrated Journal._ + +[20-*] "Cruiser was the property of Lord Dorchester, and was a good +favourite for the Derby in Wild Dayrell's year, but broke down before +the race. Like all Venison horses, his temper was not of the mildest +kind, and John Day was delighted to get rid of him. When started for +Rawcliffe, he told the man who led him on no account to put him into a +stable, as he would never get him out. This injunction was of course +disregarded, for when the man wanted some refreshment, he put him into a +country public-house stable, and left him, and to get him out, the roof +of the building had to be pulled off. At Rawcliffe, he was always +exhibited by a groom with a ticket-of-leave bludgeon in his hand, and +few were bold enough to venture into his yard. This animal, whose temper +has depreciated him perhaps a thousand pounds in value, I think would be +'the right horse in the right place' for Mr. Rarey. Phlegon and Vatican +would also be good patients. I am sorry to hear that the latter has been +blinded: if leathern blinds had been put on his eyes, the same effect +would have been produced."--_Morning Post_, March 2, 1858. + +"Mr. Rarey, when here, first subjugated a two-year old filly, perfectly +unbroken. This he accomplished under half an hour, riding on her, +opening an umbrella, beating a drum upon her, &c. He then took Cruiser +in hand, and in three hours Mr. Rarey and myself mounted him. He had not +been ridden for nearly three years, and was so vicious that it was +impossible even to dress him, and it was necessary to keep him muzzled +constantly. The following morning Mr. Rarey led him behind an open +carriage, on his road to London. This horse was returned to me by the +Rawcliffe and Stud Company on account of his vice, it being considered +as much as a man's life was worth to attend to him. + +"Greywell, April 7." "DORCHESTER." + + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Mr. Rarey's Pamphlet.--Introduction. + + +Mr. Rarey's American Pamphlet would make about fifty pages of this type, +if given in full; but, in revising my Illustrated Edition, I have +decided on omitting six pages of Introduction, which, copied from Mr. +Rollo Springfield, an American author, do not contain any reliable facts +or useful inferences. + +The speculations of the American author, as to the early history of the +horse, are written without sufficient information. So far from the +"polished Greeks" having, as he states, "ridden without bridles," we +have the best authority in the frieze of the Parthenon for knowing that, +although they rode barebacked on their compact cobby ponies, they used +reins and handled them skilfully and elegantly. + +To go still further back, the bas-reliefs in the British Museum, +discovered by Mr. Layard in the Assyrian Palace of Nimroud, contain +spirited representation of horses with bridles, ridden in hunting and in +pursuit of enemies, as well as driven in war-chariots. These horses are +Arabs, while those of the Elgin Marbles more resemble the cream-coloured +Hanoverians which draw the state carriage of our sovereigns. In one of +the Nimroud bas-reliefs, we have cavalry soldiers standing with the +bridles of their horses in their hands, "waiting," as Mr. Bonomi tells +us, "for the orders to mount;" but, as they stand on the left side, with +the bridles in their left hands, it is difficult to understand how they +could obey such an order with reasonable celerity. + +The Arabian stories, as to the performances of Arab horses and their +owners, must be received with considerable hesitation, for the horse is +one of the subjects on which Orientals love to found their poetical +fireside stories. This is certain, that the Arab horse being highly +bred, is very intelligent, being reared from its birth in the family of +its master, extremely docile, and, being always in the open air and fed +on a moderate quantity of dry food, very hardy. + +If we lived with our horses, as we do with our dogs, they would be +equally affectionate and tractable. + +In Norway, in consequence of the severity of the climate, the ponies are +all housed during the winter, and thus become so familiar with their +owner that there is scarcely any difficulty in putting them into +harness, even the first time. + +English thoroughbred horses, when once acclimatized and bred in the open +air on the dry pastures of Australia and South Africa, are found, if not +put to work too early, as enduring as the Arab. Experiments in the +Indian artillery have proved that the Australian horse and the +Cape[27-*] horse, which has also been improved by judicious crosses +with English blood, are superior for strength and endurance to the +Eastern horses bred in the stud establishments of the East India +Company. + +The exaggerated idea that long prevailed of the value of the Arab horse, +as compared with the English thorough-bred, which is an Eastern horse +improved by long years of care and ample food, has been to a great +extent dissipated by the large importation of Arabs that took place +after the Crimean war--in fact, they are on the average pretty ponies of +great endurance, but of very little use in this country, where size is +indispensable for profit. In the East they are of great value for +cavalry; they are hardy and full of fire and spirit. "But," says Captain +Nolan, "no horse can compare with the English--no horse is more easily +broken in to anything and everything--there is no quality in which the +English horse does not excel--no performance in which he cannot beat all +competition;" and Nolan was as familiar with the Eastern, Hungarian, and +German crosses with the Arab as with the English thorough-bred. + +We spoil our horses, first by pampering them in hot stables under warm +clothing; next, by working them too young; and, lastly, by entrusting +their training to rude, ignorant men, who rely for leading colt the way +he should go on mere force, harsh words, a sharp whip, and the worrying +use of the longeing rein. Rarey has shown how easily, quietly, and +safely horses may be tamed; but we must also train men before we can +obtain full benefit from our admirable breeds of horses. + +Proof that our horses have become feeble from pampering may be found in +Devonshire. There the common hacks of the county breed on the moors, +and, crossed with native ponies, are usually undersized and coarse and +heavy about the shoulders, like most wild horses, and all the inferior +breeds of Arabs, but they are hardy and enduring to a degree that a +Yorkshire breeder would scarcely believe. Mean-looking Galloways will +draw a heavy dog-cart over the Devonshire hills fifty miles a-day for +many days in succession. + +A little common sense has been introduced into the management of our +cavalry, since the real experience of the Crimean war. General Sir +Charles Napier was not noticed when, nearly ten years ago, he wrote, +"The cavalry charger, on a Hounslow Heath parade, well fed, well +groomed, goes through a field-day without injury, although carrying more +than twenty stone weight; he and his rider presenting together, a kind +of alderman centaur. But if in the field, half starved, they have, at +the end of a forced march, to charge an enemy! The biped full of fire +and courage, transformed by war-work to a wiry muscular dragoon, is able +and willing, but the overloaded quadruped cannot gallop--he staggers." + +Our poor horses thus loaded, are expected to bound to hand and spur, +while the riders wield their swords worthily. They cannot; and both man +and horse appear inferior to their Indian opponents. The Eastern +warrior's eye is quick, but not quicker than the European's; his heart +is big, yet not bigger than the European's; his arm is strong, but not +so strong as the European's; the swing of his razor-like scimitar is +terrible, but an English trooper's downright blow splits the skull. Why +then does the latter fail? The light-weighted horse of the dark +swordsman carries him round his foe with elastic bounds, and the strong +European, unable to deal the cleaving blow, falls under the activity of +an inferior adversary! + +Since the war, light men with broad chests have been enlisted for Indian +service. The next step, originally suggested by Nolan, that every +cavalry soldier should train his own horse, will be made easy by the +introduction of the Rarey system. Country horse-breakers are too +ignorant, too prejudiced, and too much interested in keeping up a +mystery that gives them three months employment, instead of three weeks, +to adopt it. The reform will probably commence in the army and in racing +stables. + + * * * * * + +In the following pages, I have given the text of the American edition of +Mr. Rarey's pamphlet, and added the information I have derived from +hearing his lectures, seeing his operations on "Cruiser," and other +difficult horses, and from the experience of my friends and self in +taming horses. Thus, in Chap. VI. to Mr. Rarey's five pages I have added +sixteen, and nine woodcut illustrations. In Chap. VII. the directions +for the drum, umbrella, and riding habit are in print for the first +time, as well as the directions for mounting with slack girths. Chaps. +VIII. to XIV. have been added, in order to make this little work a +complete manual for those who wish to benefit in riding as well as +training horses from the experience of others. + +In my opinion, the Rarey system is invaluable for training colts, +breaking horses into harness, and curing kickers and jibbers. I do not +profess to be a horse-tamer, my pursuits are too sedentary during the +greater part of the year, but I have succeeded with even colts. I tried +my hand on two of them wild from the Devonshire moors, in August last, +and succeeded perfectly in an hour. I made them as affectionate as pet +ponies, ready to follow me everywhere, as well as to submit to be +mounted and ridden. + +As to curing vicious horses, all that can be safely said is, that it +puts it into the power of a _courageous, calm-tempered horseman_ to +conquer any horse. "Cruiser" was quiet in the hands of Mr. Rarey and Mr. +Rice, but when insulted in the circus of Leicester Square by a violent +jerk, he rushed at his tormentor with such ferocity that he cleared the +ring of all the spangled troupe, yet, in the midst of his rage, he +halted and ran up on being called by Rarey. + +From this we learn that such a horse won't be bullied and must not be +feared. But such vicious horses are rare exceptions. It is curious, that +Mr. Rarey should have made his reputation by the least useful exercise +of his art. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[27-*] The Cape horse has recently come into notice, in consequence of +the publication of "Papers relating to the Purchase of Horses at the +Cape for the Army of India." It seems that not less than 3300 have been +purchased for that purpose; that Cape horses purchased by Colonel +Havelock arrived from India in the Crimea in better condition than any +other horses in the regiment; and that in the Caffre War Cape horses +condemned by the martinets of a Remount Committee, carried the 7th +Dragoons, averaging, in marching order, over nineteen stone, and no +privation or fatigue could make General Cathcart's horses succumb. These +horses are bred between the Arabs introduced by the Dutch and the +English thoroughbred. I confess I see with, surprise that Colonel +Apperley, the remount agent, recommends crosses with Norfolk trotting +and Cleveland stallions. No such cross has ever answered in this +country. Had he recommended thoroughbred weight-carrying stallions in +preference to Arabs, I could have understood his condemnation of the +latter. I should have hesitated to set my opinion against Colonel +Apperley, had I not found that he differs entirely from the late General +Sir Walter Gilbert, the greatest horseman, take him for all in all, as a +cavalry officer, as a flat and steeple-chase rider, and rider to hounds +of his day.--_See Napier's Indian Misgovernment_, p. 286 _et seq._ + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.--Heads of the + Rarey Lectures.--Editor's paraphrase.--That any horse may be taught + docility.--That a horse should be so handled and tied as to feel + inferior to man.--That a horse should be allowed to see, smell, and + feel all fearful objects.--Key note of the Rarey system. + + +FIRST.--That he is so constituted by nature that he will not offer +resistance to any demand made of him which he fully comprehends, if made +in a way consistent with the laws of his nature. + +SECOND.--That he has no consciousness of his strength beyond his +experience, and can be handled according to our will without force. + +THIRD.--That we can, in compliance with the laws of his nature, by which +he examines all things new to him, take any object, however frightful, +around, over, or on him, that does not inflict pain--without causing him +to fear. + +To take these assertions in order, I will first give you some of the +reasons why I think he is naturally obedient, and will not offer +resistance to anything fully comprehended. The horse, though possessed +of some faculties superior to man's, being deficient in reasoning +powers, has no knowledge of right or wrong, of free will and independent +government, and knows not of any imposition practised upon him, however +unreasonable these impositions may be. Consequently, he cannot come to +any decision as to what he should or should not do, because he has not +the reasoning faculties of man to argue the justice of the thing +demanded of him. If he had, taking into consideration his superior +strength, he would be useless to man as a servant. Give him _mind_ in +proportion to his strength, and he will demand of us the green fields +for his inheritance, where he will roam at leisure, denying the right of +servitude at all. God has wisely formed his nature so that it can be +operated upon by the knowledge of man according to the dictates of his +will; and he might well be termed an unconscious, submissive servant. +This truth we can see verified in every day's experience by the abuses +practised upon him. Any one who chooses to be so cruel can mount the +noble steed and run him till he drops with fatigue, or, as is often the +case with the more spirited, falls dead beneath his rider. If he had the +power to reason, would he not rear and pitch his rider, rather than +suffer him to run him to death? Or would he condescend to carry at all +the vain impostor, who, with but equal intellect, was trying to impose +on his equal rights and equally independent spirit? But, happily for us, +he has no consciousness of imposition, no thought of disobedience except +by impulse caused by the violation of the law of his nature. +Consequently, when disobedient, it is the fault of man. + +Then, we can but come to the conclusion that, if a horse is not taken in +a way at variance with the laws of his nature, he will do anything that +he fully comprehends, without making any offer of resistance. + +Second--The fact of the horse being unconscious of the amount of his +strength can be proven to the satisfaction of any one. For instance, +such remarks as these are common, and perhaps familiar to your +recollection. One person says to another, "If that wild horse there was +conscious of the amount of his strength, his owner would have no +business with him in that vehicle: such light reins and harness, too--if +he knew, he could snap them asunder in a minute, and be as free as the +air we breathe;" and, "That horse yonder, that is pawing and fretting to +follow the company that is fast leaving him--if he knew his strength, he +would not remain long fastened to that hitching post so much against his +will, by a strap that would no more resist his powerful weight and +strength than a cotton thread would bind a strong man." Yet these facts, +made common by every-day occurrence, are not thought of as anything +wonderful. Like the ignorant man who looks at the different phases of +the moon, you look at these things as he looks at her different changes, +without troubling your mind with the question, "Why are these things +so?" What would be the condition of the world if all our minds lay +dormant? If men did not think, reason, and act, our undisturbed, +slumbering intellects would not excel the imbecility of the brute; we +should live in chaos, hardly aware of our existence. And yet, with all +our activity of mind, we daily pass by unobserved that which would be +wonderful if philosophized and reasoned upon; and with the same +inconsistency wonder at that which a little consideration, reason, and +philosophy, would make but a simple affair. + +Third--He will allow any object, however frightful in appearance, to +come around, over, or on him, that does not inflict pain. + +We know, from a natural course of reasoning, that there has never been +an effect without a cause; and we infer from this that there can be no +action, either in animate or inanimate matter, without there first being +some cause to produce it. And from this self-evident fact we know that +there is some cause for every impulse or movement of either mind or +matter, and that this law governs every action or movement of the animal +kingdom. Then, according to this theory, there must be some cause before +fear can exist; and if fear exists from the effect of imagination, and +not from the infliction of real pain, it can be removed by complying +with those laws of nature by which the horse examines an object, and +determines upon its innocence or harm. + +A log or stump by the road-side may be, in the imagination of the horse, +some great beast about to pounce upon him; but after you take him up to +it, and let him stand by it a little while, and touch it with his nose, +and go through his process of examination, he will not care anything +more about it. And the same principle and process will have the same +effect with any other object, however frightful in appearance, in which +there is no harm. Take a boy that has been frightened by a false face, +or any other object that he could not comprehend at once; but let him +take that face or object in his hands and examine it, and he will not +care anything more about it. This is a demonstration of the same +principle. + +With this introduction to the principles of my theory, I shall next +attempt to teach you how to put it into practice; and whatever +instructions may follow, you can rely on as having been proven +practically by my own experiments. And knowing, from experience, just +what obstacles I have met with in handling bad horses, I shall try to +anticipate them for you, and assist you in surmounting them, by +commencing with the first steps to be taken with the colt, and +accompanying you through the whole task of breaking. + +These three principles have been enlarged upon and explained in a fuller +and more familiar manner by Mr. Rarey in his Lectures, of which the +following are the heads. + +"Principles on which horses should be treated and educated--not by fear +or force--By an intelligent application of skill with firmness and +patience--How to approach a colt--How to halter--How teach to lead in +twenty minutes--How to subdue and cause to lie down in fifteen +minutes--How to tame and cure fear and nervousness--How to saddle and +bridle--How to accustom to be mounted and ridden--How to accustom to a +drum--to an umbrella--to a lady's habit, or any other object, in a few +minutes--How to harness a horse for the first time--How to drive a horse +unbroken to harness, and make go steady, single or double, in a couple +of hours--How to make any horse stand still until called--How to make a +horse follow his owner." + + * * * * * + +In plain language, Mr. Rarey means, that-- + +1st. That any horse may be taught to do anything that a horse can do if +taught in a proper manner. + +2nd. That a horse is not conscious of his own strength until he has +resisted and conquered a man, and that by taking advantage of man's +reasoning powers a horse can be handled in such a manner that he shall +not find out his strength. + +3rd. That by enabling a horse to examine every object with which we +desire to make him familiar, with the organs naturally used for that +purpose, viz. _seeing_, _smelling_, and _feeling_, you may take any +object around, over, and on him that does not actually hurt him. + +Thus, for example, the objects which affright horses are the feel of +saddles, riding-habits, harness, and wheeled carriages; the sight of +umbrellas and flags; loaded waggons, troops, or a crowd; the sound of +wheels, of drums, of musketry. There are thousands of horses that by +degrees learn to bear all these things; others, under our old imperfect +system, never improve, and continue nervous or vicious to the end of +their lives. Every year good sound horses are drafted from the cavalry, +or from hunters' barbs and carriage-horses, into omnibuses and Hansom +cabs, because they cannot be made to bear the sound of drums and +firearms, or will not submit to be shod, and be safe and steady in +crowded cities, or at covert side. Nothing is more common than to hear +that such a horse would be invaluable if he would go in harness, or +carry a lady, or that a racehorse of great swiftness is almost valueless +because his temper is so bad, or his nervousness in a crowd so great +that he cannot be depended on to start or to run his best. + +All these varieties of nervous and vicious animals are deteriorated in +value, because they have not been educated to confide in and implicitly +obey man. + +The whole object of the Rarey system is, to give the horse full +confidence in his rider, to make him obedient to his voice and gestures, +and to impress the animal with the belief that he could not successfully +resist him. + +Lord Pembroke, in his treatise on Horsemanship, says, "His hand is the +best whose indications are so clear that his horse cannot mistake them, +_and whose gentleness and fearlessness_ alike induce obedience to them." +"The noblest animal," says Colonel Greenwood, "will obey such a rider; +and it is ever the noblest, most intelligent horses, that rebel the +most. In riding a colt or a restive horse we should never forget that he +has the right to resist, and that as far as he can judge we have not the +right to insist. The great thing in horsemanship is to get the horse to +be your party, not to obey only, but to obey willingly. For this reason +the lessons cannot be begun too early, or be too progressive." + +The key-note to the Rarey system is to be found in the opening sentence +of his early lectures in England: "Man has reason in addition to his +senses. A horse judges everything by SEEING, SMELLING, and FEELING." It +must be the business of every one who undertakes to train colts that +they shall _see_, _smell_, and _feel_ everything that they are to wear +or to bear. + + + + +[Illustration: HALTER OR BRIDLE FOR COLTS.] + +CHAPTER IV. + + How to drive a colt from pasture.--How to drive into a stable.--The + kind of halter.--Experiment with a robe or cloak.--Horse-taming + drugs.--The Editor's remarks.--Importance of patience.--Best kind + of head-stall.--Danger of approaching some colts.--Hints from a + Colonel of the Life Guards. + + +HOW TO DRIVE A COLT FROM PASTURE. + +Go to the pasture and walk around the whole herd quietly, and at such a +distance as not to cause them to scare and run. Then approach them very +slowly, and if they stick up their heads and seem to be frightened, +stand still until they become quiet, so as not to make them run before +you are close enough to drive them in the direction you want them to go. +And when you begin to drive, do not flourish your arms or halloo, but +gently follow them off, leaving the direction open that you wish them to +take. Thus taking advantage of their ignorance, you will be able to get +them into the pound as easily as the hunter drives the quails into his +net. For, if they have always run in the pasture uncared for (as many +horses do in prairie countries and on large plantations), there is no +reason why they should not be as wild as the sportsman's birds, and +require the same gentle treatment, if you want to get them without +trouble; for the horse, in his natural state, is as wild as a stag, or +any of the undomesticated animals, though more easily tamed. + + +HOW TO STABLE A COLT WITHOUT TROUBLE. + +The next step will be, to get the horse into a stable or shed. This +should be done as quietly as possible, so as not to excite any suspicion +in the horse of any danger befalling him. The best way to do this, is to +lead a broken horse into the stable first and hitch (tie) him, then +quietly walk around the colt and let him go in of his own accord. It is +almost impossible to get men who have never practised on this principle +to go slowly and considerately enough about it. They do not know that +in handling a wild horse, above all other things, is that good old adage +true, that "haste makes waste;" that is, waste of time--for the gain of +trouble and perplexity. + +One wrong move may frighten your horse, and make him think it necessary +to escape at all hazards for the safety of his life--and thus make two +hours' work of a ten minutes' job; and this would be all your own fault, +and entirely unnecessary--_for he will not run unless you run after him, +and that would not be good policy unless you knew that you could outrun +him, for you will have to let him stop of his own accord after all_. But +he will not try to break away unless you attempt to force him into +measures. If he does not see the way at once, and is a little fretful +about going in, do not undertake to drive him, but give him a little +less room outside, by gently closing in around him. Do not raise your +arms, but let them hang at your side, for you might as well raise a +club: _the horse has never studied anatomy, and does not know but that +they will unhinge themselves and fly at him_. If he attempts to turn +back, walk before him, but do not run; and if he gets past you, encircle +him again in the same quiet manner, and he will soon find that you are +not going to hurt him; and then you can walk so close around him that he +will go into the stable for more room, and to get farther from you. As +soon as he is in, remove the quiet horse and shut the door. This will be +his first notion of confinement--not knowing how he got into such a +place, nor how to get out of it. That he may take it as quietly at +possible, see that the shed is entirely free from dogs, chickens, or +anything that would annoy him. Then give him a few ears of corn, and let +him remain alone fifteen or twenty minutes, until he has examined his +apartment, and has become reconciled to his confinement. + + +TIME TO REFLECT. + +And now, while your horse is eating those few ears of corn, is the +proper time to see that your halter is ready and all right, and to +reflect on the best mode of operations; for in horse-breaking it is +highly important that you should be governed by some system. And you +should know, before you attempt to do anything, just what you are going +to do, and how you are going to do it. And, if you are experienced in +the art of taming wild horses, you ought to be able to tell, within a +few minutes, the length of time it would take you to halter the colt, +and teach him to lead. + + +THE KIND OF HALTER. + +Always use a leather halter, and be sure to have it made so that it will +not draw tight around his nose if he pulls on it. It should be of the +right size to fit his head easily and nicely; so that the nose-band will +not be too tight or too low. Never put a rope halter on an unbroken +colt, under any circumstances whatever. Rope halters have caused more +horses to hurt or kill themselves than would pay for twice the cost of +all the leather halters that have ever been needed for the purpose of +haltering colts. It is almost impossible to break a colt that is very +wild with a rope halter, without having him pull, rear, and throw +himself, and thus endanger his life; and I will tell you why. It is just +as natural for a horse to try to get his head out of anything that hurts +it, or feels unpleasant, at it would be for you to try to get your hand +out of a fire. The cords of the rope are hard and cutting; this makes +him raise his head and draw on it, and as soon as he pulls, the slip +noose (the way rope-halters are always made) tightens, and pinches his +nose, and then he will struggle for life, until, perchance, he throws +himself; and who would have his horse throw himself, and run the risk of +breaking his neck, rather than pay the price of a leather halter? But +this is not the worst. _A horse that has once pulled on his halter can +never be as well broken as one that has never pulled at all._ + +But before we attempt to do anything more with the colt, I will give you +some of the characteristics of his nature, that you may better +understand his motions. Every one that has ever paid any attention to +the horse, has noticed his natural inclination to smell everything which +to him looks new and frightful. This is their strange mode of examining +everything. And when they are frightened at anything, though they look +at it sharply, they seem to have no confidence in their eyesight alone, +but must touch it with their nose before they are entirely satisfied; +and, as soon as they have done that, all seems right. + + +EXPERIMENT WITH THE ROBE. + +If you want to satisfy yourself of this characteristic of the horse, and +to learn something of importance concerning the peculiarities of his +nature, &c., turn him into the barn-yard, or a large stable will do, and +then gather up something that you know will frighten him--a red blanket, +buffalo robe, or something of that kind. Hold it up so that he can see +it, he will stick up his head and snort. Then throw it down somewhere in +the centre of the lot or barn, and walk off to one side. Watch his +motions, and study his nature. If he is frightened at the object, he +will not rest until he has touched it with his nose. You will see him +begin to walk around the robe and snort, all the time getting a little +closer, as if drawn up by some magic spell, until he finally gets within +reach of it. He will then very cautiously stretch out his neck as far as +he can reach, merely touching it with his nose, as though he thought it +was ready to fly at him. But after he has repeated these touches a few +times, for the first time (though he has been looking at it all the +while) he seems to have an idea what it is. But now he has found, by the +sense of feeling, that it is nothing that will do him any harm, and he +is ready to play with it. And if you watch him closely, you will see him +take hold of it with his teeth, and raise it up and pull at it. And in a +few minutes you can see that he has not that same wild look about his +eye, but stands like a horse biting at some familiar stump. + +Yet the horse is never so well satisfied when he is about anything that +has frightened him, as when he is standing with his nose to it. And, in +nine cases out of ten, you will see some of that same wild look about +him again, as he turns to walk from it. And you will, probably, see him +looking back very suspiciously as he walks away, as though he thought it +might come after him yet. And in all probability, he will have to go +back and make another examination before he is satisfied. But he will +familiarize himself with it, and, if he should run in that field a few +days, the robe that frightened him so much at first will be no more to +him than a familiar stump. + +We might very naturally suppose from the fact of the horse's applying +his nose to everything new to him, that he always does so for the +purpose of smelling these objects. But I believe that it is as much or +more for the purpose of feeling, and that he makes use of his nose, or +muzzle (as it is sometimes called), as we would of our hands; because it +is the only organ by which he can touch or feel anything with much +susceptibility. + +I believe that he invariably makes use of the four senses, SEEING, +HEARING, SMELLING, and FEELING, in all of his examinations, of which the +sense of feeling is, perhaps, the most important. And I think that in +the experiment with the robe, his gradual approach and final touch with +his nose was as much for the purpose of feeling as anything else, his +sense of smell being so keen that it would not be necessary for him to +touch his nose against anything in order to get the proper scent; for it +is said that a horse can smell a man at a distance of a mile. And if the +scent of the robe was all that was necessary he could get that several +rods off. But we know from experience, that if a horse sees and smells a +robe a short distance from him he is very much frightened (unless he is +used to it) until he touches or feels it with his nose; which is a +positive proof that feeling is the controlling sense in this case. + + +HORSE-TAMING DRUGS (?). + +It is a prevailing opinion among horsemen generally that the sense of +smell is the governing sense of the horse. And Baucher, as well as +others, has with that view got up receipts of strong smelling oils, &c., +to tame the horse, sometimes using the chestnut of his leg, which they +dry, grind into powder, and blow into his nostrils, sometimes using the +oils of rhodium, origanum, &c., that are noted for their strong smell; +and sometimes they scent the hand with the sweat from under the arm, or +blow their breath into his nostrils, &c., &c. All of which, as far as +the scent goes, have no effect whatever in gentling the horse, or +conveying any idea to his mind; _though the acts that accompany these +efforts--handling him, touching him about the nose and head, and patting +him, as they direct you should, after administering the articles, may +have a very great effect, which they mistake for the effect of the +ingredients used_. And Baucher, in his work, entitled "The Arabian Art +of Taming Horses," page 17, tells us how to accustom a horse to a robe, +by administering certain articles to his nose; and goes on to say that +these articles must first be applied to the horse's nose, before you +attempt to break him, in order to operate successfully. + +Now, reader, can you, or any one else, give one single reason how scent +can convey any idea to the horse's mind of what we want him to do? If +not, then of course strong scents of any kind can be of no use in taming +the unbroken horse. For, everything that we get him to do of his own +accord, without force, must be accomplished by conveying our ideas to +his mind. I say to my horse, "Go-'long!" and he goes; "Ho!" and he +stops, because these two words, of which he has learned the meaning by +the tap of the whip and the pull of the rein that first accompanied +them, convey the two ideas to his mind of _go_ and _stop_. + +It is impossible to teach the horse a single thing by the means of scent +alone; and as for affection, that can be better created by other means. + +How long do you suppose a horse would have to stand and smell a bottle +of oil, before he would learn to bend his knee and make a bow at your +bidding, "Go yonder and bring my hat," or "Come here and lie down?" The +absurdity of trying to break or tame the horse by the means of receipts +for articles to smell at, or of medicine to swallow, is self-evident. + +The only science that has ever existed in the world, relative to the +breaking of horses, that has been of any value, is that method which, +taking them in their native state, improves their intelligence. + + +EDITOR'S REMARKS. + +The directions for driving colts from the pasture are of less importance +in this country where fields are enclosed, and the most valuable colts +wear headstalls, and are handled, or ought to be, from their earliest +infancy; but in Wales, and on wastes like Exmoor[47-*] or Dartmoor, the +advice may be found useful. + +Under all circumstances it is important that the whole training of a +colt (and training of the boy who is to manage horses) should be +conducted from first to last on consistent principles; for, in the mere +process of driving a colt from the field to the fold-yard, ideas of +terror may be instilled into the timid animal, for instance, by idle +drumming on a hat, which it will take weeks or months to eradicate. + +The next step is to get the colt into a stable, barn, or other building +sufficiently large for the early operations, and secluded from those +sights and sounds so common in a farm-yard, which would be likely to +distract his attention. In training a colt the squeaking of a litter of +pigs has lost me the work of three hours. An outfield, empty barn, or +bullock-shed, is better than any place near the homestead. + +It is a good plan to keep an intelligent old horse expressly for the +purpose of helping to train and lead the young colts. I have known +horses that seemed to take a positive pleasure in helping to subdue a +wild colt when first put in double harness. + +The great point is not to force or frighten a colt into the stable, but +to edge him into it quietly, and cause him to glide in of his own +accord. In this simple operation, the horse-trainer will test himself +the indispensable quality of a horse trainer--_patience_. A word I shall +have to repeat until my readers are almost heartily sick of the +"_damnable iteration_." There is a world of equestrian wisdom in two +sentences of the chapter just quoted, "he will not run unless you run +after him," and "the horse has not studied anatomy." + +The observations about rope halters are very sound, and in addition I +may add, that the mouths of hundreds of horses are spoiled by the +practice of passing a looped rope round the lower jaw of a fiery horse, +which the rider often makes the stay for keeping himself in his seat. + +The best kind of head-stall for training colts is that delineated at the +head of this chapter,[48-*] called the Bush Bridle, to which any kind of +bit may be attached, and by unbuckling the bit it is converted into a +capital halter, with a rope for leading a colt or picketing a horse at +night. + +The long rope is exactly what Mr. Rarey recommends for teaching a colt +to lead. Every one of any experience will agree that "a horse that has +once pulled on his halter can never be so well broken as one that has +never pulled at all." + +The directions for stroking and patting the body and limbs of a colt +are curious, as proving that an operation which we have been in the +habit of performing as a matter of course without attaching any +particular virtue to it, has really a sort of mesmeric effect in +soothing and conciliating a nervous animal. The directions in Chapter V. +for approaching a colt deserve to be studied very minutely, remembering +always the maxim printed at p. 57--_Fear and anger, a good horseman +should never feel._ + +It took Mr. Rarey himself two hours to halter a savage half-broken colt +in Liverpool, but then he had the disadvantage of being surrounded by an +impatient whispering circle of spectators. At Lord Poltimore's seat in +Devonshire, in February last (1858), Lord Rivers was two hours alone +with a very sulky biting colt, but finally succeeded in haltering and +saddling him. Yet his lordship had only seen one lesson illustrated on a +very difficult horse at the Duke of Wellington's school. But this +operation is much more easily described than executed, because some +colts will smell at your hand one moment, and turn round as quick as +lightning, and plant their heels in your ribs if you are not very +active, and don't stand very close to them. On the directions for using +the whip, p. 55, with colts of a stubborn disposition, I can say +nothing, never having seen it so employed; but it is evident, that it +must be employed with very great discretion. + +The directions for haltering are very complete, but to execute them with +a colt or horse that paws violently, even in play, with his fore-feet, +requires no common agility. But I may mention that I saw Mr. Rarey alone +put a bridle on a horse seventeen bands high that was notoriously +difficult to bridle even with two men assisting in the operation. + +In reference to the hints for treating a colt in a little work from +which I have already quoted, a colonel in the Life Guards says, "The +great thing in horsemanship is to get your horse to be of your party; +not only to obey, but to obey willingly. For this reason, a young horse +cannot be begun with too early, and his lessons cannot be too gradually +progressive. He should wear a head-stall from the beginning, be +accustomed to be held and made fast by the head, to give up all four +feet, to bear the girthing of a roller, to be led, &c." But if all this +useful preliminary education, in which climbing through gaps after an +old hunter, and taking little jumps, be omitted, then the Rarey system +comes in to shorten your domesticating labours. + +"A wild horse, until tamed, is just as wild and fearful as a wild stag +taken for the first time in the toils. + +"When a horse hangs back and leads unwillingly, the common error is to +get in front of him and pull him. This may answer when the man is +stronger than the horse, but not otherwise. + +"In leading you should never be further forward than your horse's +shoulder: with your right-hand hold his head in front of you by the +bridle close to his mouth or the head-stall, and with your left hand +touch him with a whip as far back as you can; if you have not a whip you +can use a stirrup-leather." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[47-*] See page 215--"The Wild Ponies of Exmoor." + +[48-*] Made by Stokey, North Street, Little Moorfields, London. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Powell's system of approaching a colt.--Haley's remarks on.--Lively + high-spirited horses tamed easily.--Stubborn sulky ones more + difficult.--Motto, "Fear, love and obey."--Use of a whalebone + gig-whip.--How to frighten and then approach.--Use kind words.--How + to halter and lead a colt.--By the side of a horse.--To lead into a + stable.--To tie up to a manger.--Editor's remarks.--Longeing.--Use + and abuse of.--On bitting.--Sort of bit for a colt.--Dick + Christian's bit.--The wooden gag bit. + + +But, before we go further, I will give you Willis J. Powell's system of +approaching a wild colt, as given by him in a work published in Europe, +about the year 1814, on the "Art of Taming Wild Horses."[51-*] He says, +"A horse is gentled by my secret in from two to sixteen hours." The time +I have most commonly employed has been from four to six hours. He goes +on to say, "Cause your horse to be put in a small yard, stable, or room. +If in a stable or room, it ought to be large, in order to give him some +exercise with the halter before you lead him out. If the horse belongs +to that class which appears only to fear man, you must introduce +yourself gently into the stable, room, or yard, where the horse is. He +will naturally run from you, and frequently turn his head from you; for +you must walk about extremely slow and softly, so that he can see you +whenever he turns his head towards you, which he never fails to do in a +short time, say in a quarter or half an hour. I never knew one to be +much longer without turning towards me. + +"At the very moment he turns his head, hold out your left hand towards +him, and stand perfectly still, keeping your eyes upon the horse, +watching his motions, if he makes any. If the horse does not stir for +ten or fifteen minutes, advance as slowly as possible, and without +making the least noise, always holding out your left hand, without any +other ingredient in it than what nature put in it." He says, "I have +made use of certain ingredients before people, such as the sweat under +my arm, &c., to disguise the real secret, and many believed that the +docility to which the horse arrived in so short a time was owing to +these ingredients: but you see from this explanation that they were of +no use whatever. The implicit faith placed in these ingredients, though +innocent of themselves, becomes 'faith without works.' And thus men +remained always in doubt concerning the secret. If the horse makes the +least motion when you advance towards him, stop, and remain perfectly +still until he is quiet. Remain a few moments in this condition, and +then advance again in the same slow and almost imperceptible manner. +Take notice--if the horse stirs, stop, without changing your position. +It is very uncommon for the horse to stir more than once after you begin +to advance, yet there are exceptions. He generally keeps his eyes +steadfast on you, until you get near enough to touch him on the +forehead. When you are thus near to him, raise slowly and by degrees +your hand, and let it come in contact with that part just above the +nostrils, as lightly as possible. If the horse flinches (as many will), +repeat with great rapidity these light strokes upon the forehead, going +a little farther up towards his ears by degrees, and descending with +the same rapidity until he will let you handle his forehead all over. +Now let the strokes be repeated with more force over all his forehead, +descending by lighter strokes to each side of his head, until you can +handle that part with equal facility. Then touch in the same light +manner, making your hands and fingers play around, the lower part of the +horse's ears, coming down now and then to his forehead, which may be +looked upon as the helm that governs all the rest. + +"Having succeeded in handling his ears, advance towards the neck, with +the same precautions, and in the same manner; observing always to +augment the force of the strokes whenever the horse will permit it. +Perform the same on both sides of the neck, until he lets you take it in +your arms without flinching. + +"Proceed in the same progressive manner to the sides, and then to the +back of the horse. Every time the horse shows any nervousness, return +immediately to the forehead, as the true standard, patting him with your +hands, and thence rapidly to where you had already arrived, always +gaining ground a considerable distance farther on every time this +happens. The head, ears, neck, and body being thus gentled, proceed from +the back to the root of the tail. + +"This must be managed with dexterity, as a horse is never to be depended +on that is skittish about the tail. Let your hand fall lightly and +rapidly on that part next to the body a minute or two, and then you will +begin to give it a slight pull upwards every quarter of a minute. At the +same time you continue this handling of him, augment the force of the +strokes as well as the raising of the tail, until you can raise it and +handle it with the greatest ease, which commonly happens in a quarter of +an hour in most horses, in others almost immediately, and in some much +longer. It now remains to handle all his legs; from the tail come back +again to the head, handle it well, as likewise the ears, breast, neck, +&c., speaking now and then to the horse. Begin by degrees to descend to +the legs, always ascending and descending, gaming ground every time you +descend, until you get to his feet. + +"Talk to the horse in Latin, Greek, French, English, or Spanish, or in +any other language you please; but let him hear the sound of your voice, +which at the beginning of the operation is not quite so necessary, but +which I have always done in making him lift up his feet. 'Hold up your +foot'--'Leve le pied'--'Alza el pie'--'Aron ton poda,' &c.; at the same +time lift his foot with your hand. He soon becomes familiar with the +sounds, and will hold up his foot at command. Then proceed to the hind +feet, and go on in the same manner; and in a short time the horse will +let you lift them, and even take them up in your arms. + +"All this operation is no magnetism, no galvanism; it is merely taking +away the fear a horse generally has of a man, and familiarizing the +animal with his master. As the horse doubtless experiences a certain +pleasure from this handling, he will soon become gentle under it, and +show a very marked attachment to his keeper." + + +RAREY'S REMARKS ON POWELL'S TREATMENT. + +These instructions are very good, but not quite sufficient for horses of +all kinds, and for haltering and leading the colt; but I have inserted +them here because they give some of the true philosophy of approaching +the horse, and of establishing confidence between man and horse. He +speaks only of the kind that fear man. + +To those who understand the philosophy of horsemanship, these are the +easiest trained; for when we have a horse that is wild and lively, we +can train him to our will in a very short time--for they are generally +quick to learn, and always ready to obey. But there is another kind that +are of a stubborn or vicious disposition; and although they are not +wild, and do not require taming, in the sense it is generally +understood, they are just as ignorant as a wild horse, if not more so, +and need to be taught just as much: and in order to have them obey +quickly, it is very necessary that they should be made to fear their +master; for, in order to obtain perfect obedience from any horse, we +must first have him fear us, for our motto is, "_Fear, love and obey_;" +and we must have the fulfilment of the first two before we can expect +the latter; for it is by our philosophy of creating fear, love, and +confidence, that we govern to our will every kind of horse whatever. + +Then, in order to take horses as we find them, of all kinds, and to +train them to our liking, we should always take with us, when we go into +a stable to train a colt, a long switch whip (whalebone buggy-whips are +the best), with a good silk cracker, so as to cut keenly and make a +sharp report. This, if handled with dexterity, and rightly applied, +accompanied with a sharp, fierce word, will be sufficient to enliven the +spirits of any horse. With this whip in your right hand, with the lash +pointing backward, enter the stable alone. It is a great disadvantage, +in training a horse, to have any one in the stable with you; you should +be entirely alone, so as to have nothing but yourself to attract his +attention. If he is wild, you will soon see him on the opposite side of +the stable from you; and now is the time to use a little judgment. I +should not require, myself, more than half or three-quarters of an hour +to handle any kind of colt, and have him running about in the stable +after me; though I would advise a new beginner to take more time, and +not be in too much of a hurry. If you have but one colt to gentle, and +are not particular about the length of time you spend, and have not had +any experience in handling colts, I would advise you to take Mr. +Powell's method at first, till you gentle him, which, he says, takes +from two to six hours. But as I want to accomplish the same, and, what +is more, teach the horse to lead, in less than one hour, I shall give +you a much quicker process of accomplishing the same end. Accordingly, +when you have entered the stable, stand still, and let your horse look +at you a minute or two, and as soon as he is settled in one place, +approach him slowly, with both arms stationary, your right hanging by +your side, holding the whip as directed, and the left bent at the elbow, +with your hand projecting. As you approach him, go not too much towards +his head or croup, so as not to make him move either forward or +backward, thus keeping your horse stationary; if he does move a little +either forward or backward, step a little to the right or left very +cautiously; this will keep him in one place. As you get very near him, +draw a little to his shoulder, and stop a few seconds. If you are in his +reach he will turn his head and smell your hand, not that he has any +preference for your hand, but because that is projecting, and is the +nearest portion of your body to the horse. This all colts will do, and +they will smell your naked hand just as quickly as they will of anything +that you can put in it, and with just as good an effect, however much +some men have preached the doctrine of taming horses by giving them the +scent of articles from the hand. I have already proved that to be a +mistake. As soon as he touches your hand with his nose, caress him as +before directed, always using a very light, soft hand, merely touching +the horse, always rubbing the way the hair lies, so that your hand will +pass along as smoothly as possible. As you stand by his side, you may +find it more convenient to rub his neck or the side of his head, which +will answer the same purpose as rubbing his forehead. Favour every +inclination of the horse to smell or touch you with his nose. _Always +follow each touch or communication of this kind with the most tender and +affectionate caresses, accompanied, with a kind look, and pleasant word +of some sort_, such as, "Ho! my little boy--ho! my little boy!" "Pretty +boy!" "Nice lady!" or something of that kind, constantly repeating the +same words, with the same kind, steady tone of voice; for the horse soon +learns to read the expression of the face and voice, and will know as +well when fear, love, or anger prevails, as you know your own feelings; +two of which, FEAR AND ANGER, A GOOD HORSEMAN SHOULD NEVER FEEL. + + +IF YOUR HORSE IS OF A STUBBORN DISPOSITION. + +If your horse, instead of being wild, seems to be of a stubborn or +_mulish_ disposition; if he lays back his ears as you approach him, or +turns his heels to kick you, he has not that regard or fear of man that +he should have, to enable you to handle him quickly and easily; and it +might be well to give him a few sharp cuts with the whip, about the +legs, pretty close to the body. It will crack keenly as it plies around +his legs, and the crack of the whip will affect him as much as the +stroke; besides, one sharp cut about his legs will affect him more than +two or three over his back, the skin on the inner part of his legs or +about his flank being thinner, more tender, than on his back. But do +not whip him much--just enough to frighten him; _it is not because we +want to hurt the horse that we whip him_--we only do it to frighten vice +and stubbornness out of him. But whatever you do, do quickly, sharply, +and with a good deal of fire, but always without anger. If you are going +to frighten him at all, you must do it at once. Never go into a pitched +battle with your horse, and whip him until he is mad and will fight you; +it would be better not to touch him at all, for you will establish, +instead of fear and respect, feelings of resentment, hatred, and +ill-will. It will do him no good, but harm, to strike him, unless you +can frighten him; but if you can succeed in frightening him, you can +whip him without making him mad; _for fear and anger never exist +together in the horse_, and as soon as one is visible, you will find +that the other has disappeared. As soon as you have frightened him, so +that he will stand up straight and pay some attention to you, approach +him again, and caress him a good deal more than you whipped him; thus +you will excite the two controlling passions of his nature, love and +fear; he will love and fear you, too; and, as soon as he learns what you +require, will obey quickly. + + +HOW TO HALTER AND LEAD A COLT. + +As soon as you have gentled the colt a little, take the halter in your +left hand, and approach him as before, and on the same side that you +have gentled him. If he is very timid about your approaching closely to +him, you can get up to him quicker by making the whip a part of your +arm, and reaching out very gently with the butt end of it, rubbing him +lightly on the neck, all the time getting a little closer, shortening +the whip by taking it up in your hand, until you finally get close +enough to put your hands on him. If he is inclined to hold his head from +you, put the end of the halter-strap around his neck, drop your whip, +and draw very gently; he will let his neck give, and you can pull his +head to you. Then take hold of that part of the halter which buckles +over the top of his head, and pass the long side, or that part which +goes into the buckle, under his neck, grasping it on the opposite side +with your right hand, letting the first strap loose--the latter will be +sufficient to hold his head to you. Lower the halter a little, just +enough to get his nose into that part which goes around it; then raise +it somewhat, and fasten the top buckle, and you will have it all right. +The first time you halter a colt you should stand on the left side, +pretty well back to his shoulder, only taking hold of that part of the +halter that goes around his neck; then with your two hands about his +neck you can hold his head to you, and raise the halter on it without +making him dodge by putting your hands about his nose. You should have a +long rope or strap ready, and as soon as you have the halter on, attach +this to it, so that you can let him walk the length of the stable +without letting go of the strap, or without making him pull on the +halter, for if you only let him feel the weight of your hand on the +halter, and give him rope when he runs from you, he will never rear, +pull, or throw himself, yet you will be holding him all the time, and +doing more towards gentling him than if you had the power to snub him +right up, and hold him to one spot; because he does not know anything +about his strength, and if you don't do anything to make him pull, he +will never know that he can. In a few minutes you can begin to control +him with the halter, then shorten the distance between yourself and the +horse by taking up the strap in your hand. + +As soon as he will allow you to hold him by a tolerably short strap, and +to step up to him without flying back, you can begin to give him some +idea about leading. But to do this, do not go before and attempt to pull +him after you, but commence by pulling him very quietly to one side. He +has nothing to brace either side of his neck, and will soon yield to a +steady, gradual pull of the halter; and as soon as you have pulled him a +step or two to one side, step up to him and caress him, and then pull +him again, repeating this operation until you can pull him around in +every direction, and walk about the stable with him, which you can do in +a few minutes, for he will soon think when you have made him step to the +right or left a few times, that he is compelled to follow the pull of +the halter, not knowing that he has the power to resist your pulling; +besides, you have handled him so gently that he is not afraid of you, +and you always caress him when he comes up to you, and he likes that, +and would just as lief follow you as not. And after he has had a few +lessons of that kind, if you turn him out in a field, he will come up to +you every opportunity he gets. + +You should lead him about in the stable some time before you take him +out, opening the door, so that he can see out, leading him up to it and +back again, and past it. + +See that there is nothing on the outside to make him jump when you take +him out, and as you go out with him, try to make him go very slowly, +catching hold of the halter close to the jaw with your left hand, while +the right is resting on the top of the neck, holding to his mane. After +you are out with him a little while, you can lead him about as you +please. + +Don't let any second person come up to you when you first take him out; +a stranger taking hold of the halter would frighten him, and make him +run. There should not even be any one standing near him, to attract his +attention or scare him. If you are alone, and manage him rightly, it +will not require any more force to lead or hold him than it would to +manage a broken horse. + + +HOW TO LEAD A COLT BY THE SIDE OF A BROKEN HORSE. + +If you should want to lead your colt by the side of another horse, as is +often the case, I would advise you to take your horse into the stable, +attach a second strap to the colt's halter, and lead your horse up +alongside of him. Then get on the broken horse and take one strap around +his breast, under his martingale (if he has any on), holding it in your +left hand. This will prevent the colt from getting back too far; +besides, you will have more power to hold him with the strap pulling +against the horse's breast. The other strap take up in your right hand +to prevent him from running ahead; then turn him about a few times in +the stable, and if the door is wide enough, ride out with him in that +position; if not, take the broken horse out first, and stand his breast +up against the door, then lead the colt to the same spot, and take the +straps as before directed, one on each side of his neck, then let some +one start the colt out, and as he comes out, turn your horse to the +left, and you will have them all right. This is the best way to lead a +colt; you can manage any kind of colt in this way, without any trouble; +for if he tries to run ahead, or pull back, the two straps will bring +the horses facing each other, so that you can very easily follow up his +movements without doing much holding, and as soon as he stops running +backward you are right with him, and all ready to go ahead; and if he +gets stubborn and does not want to go, you can remove all his +stubbornness by riding your horse against his neck, thus compelling him +to turn to the right; and as soon as you have turned him about a few +times, he will be willing to go along. The next thing after you have got +through leading him, will be to take him into a stable, and hitch him in +such a way as not to have him pull on the halter; and as they are often +troublesome to get into a stable the first few times, I will give you +some instructions about getting him in. + + +TO LEAD INTO A STABLE. + +You should lead the broken horse into the stable first, and get the +colt, if you can, to follow in after him. If he refuses to go, step unto +him, taking a little stick or switch in your right hand; then take hold +of the halter close to his head with your left hand, at the same time +reaching over his back with your right arm so that you can tap him on +the opposite side with your switch; bring him up facing the door, tap +him slightly with your switch, reaching as far back with it as you can. +This tapping, by being pretty well back, and on the opposite side, will +drive him ahead, and keep him close to you; then by giving him the right +direction with your left hand you can walk into the stable with him. I +have walked colts into the stable this way in less than a minute, after +men had worked at them half an hour, trying to pull them in. If you +cannot walk him in at once in this way, turn him about and walk him +around in every direction, until you can get him up to the door without +pulling at him. Then let him stand a few minutes, keeping his head in +the right direction with the halter, and he will walk in in less than +ten minutes. Never attempt to pull the colt into the stable; that would +make him think at once that it was a dangerous place, and if he was not +afraid of it before he would be then. Besides, we do not want him to +know anything about pulling on the halter. Colts are often hurt and +sometimes killed, by trying to force them into the stable; and those who +attempt to do it in that way go into an up-hill business, when a plain +smooth road is before them. + +If you want to tie up your colt, put him in a tolerably wide stall, +which should not be too long, and should be connected by a bar or +something of that kind to the partition behind it; so that, after the +colt is in he cannot go far enough back to take a straight, backward +pull on the halter; then by tying him in the centre of the stall, it +would be impossible for him to pull on the halter, the partition behind +preventing him from going back, and the halter in the centre checking +him every time he turns to the right or left. In a stall of this kind +you can break any horse to stand tied with a light strap, anywhere, +without his ever knowing anything about pulling. For if you have broken +your horse to lead, and have taught him the use of the halter (which you +should always do before you hitch him to anything), you can hitch him in +any kind of a stall, and if you give him something to eat to keep him up +to his place for a few minutes at first, there is not one colt in fifty +that will pull on his halter. + + +EDITORS REMARKS. + +Mr. Rarey says nothing about "longeing," which is the first step of +European and Eastern training. Perhaps he considers his plan of pulling +up the leg to be sufficient; but be that as it may, we think it well to +give the common sense of a much-abused practice. + +Ignorant horse-breakers will tell you that they _longe_ a colt to supple +him. That is ridiculous nonsense. A colt unbroken will bend himself with +most extraordinary flexibility. Look at a lot of two-years before +starting for a run; observe the agility of their antics: or watch a colt +scratching his head with his hind foot, and you will never believe that +such animals can require suppling. But it is an easy way of teaching a +horse simple acts of obedience--of getting him to go and stop at your +orders: but in brutal hands more horses are spoiled and lamed by the +longe than any other horse-breaking operation. A stupid fellow drags a +horse's head and shoulders into the circle with the cord, while his +hind-quarters are driven out by the whip. + +"_A colt should be longed at a walk only, until he circles without +force._ + +"He should never be compelled to canter in the longe, though he may be +permitted to do it of himself. + +"He must not be stopped by pulling the cord, which would pull him +across, but by meeting him, so that he stops himself straight. A skilful +person will, single-handed, longe, and, by heading him with the whip, +change him without stopping, and longe him in the figure of 8. No man is +fit to be trusted with such powerful implements as the longe-cord and +whip who cannot do this. + +"The snaffle may be added when he goes freely in the head-stall." + +A colt should never be buckled to the pillar reins by his bit, but by +the head-stall; for if tightly buckled to the bit, he will bear +heavily--even go to sleep: raw lip, which, when cured, becomes callous, +is the result. Yet nothing is more common than to see colts standing for +hours on the bit, with reins tightly buckled to the demi-jockey, under +the ignorant notion of giving him a mouth, or setting up his head in the +right place. The latter, if not done by nature, can only be done, if +ever, by delicate, skilful hands. + +A colt's bit should be large and smooth snaffle, with players to keep +his mouth moist. + +Dick Christian liked a bit for young horses as thick as his thumb--we +don't know how thick that was--and four and a half inches between the +cheeks; and there was no better judge than Dick. + +The Germans use a wooden bit to make a horse's mouth, and good judges +think they are right, as it may not be so unpleasant as metal to begin +with; but wood or iron, the bridle should be properly put on, a point +often neglected, and a fertile source of restiveness. There is as much +need to fit a bridle to the length of a horse's head, as to buckle the +girths of the saddle. + +For conquering a vicious, biting horse, there is nothing equal to the +large wooden gag-bit, which Mr. Rarey first exhibited in public on the +zebra. A muzzle only prevents a horse from biting; a gag, properly used, +cures; for when he finds he cannot bite, and that you caress him and rub +his ears kindly with perfect confidence, he by degrees abandons this +most dangerous vice. Stafford was driven in a wooden gag the first +time. Colts inclined to crib-bite, should be dressed with one on. + +[Illustration: WOODEN GAG BIT.] + +Our woodcut is taken from the improved model produced by Mr. Stokey; no +doubt Mr. Rarey took the idea of his gag-bit from the wooden gag, which +has been in use among country farriers from time immemorial, to keep a +horse's mouth while they are performing the cruel and useless operation +of firing for lampas. + +[Illustration: Leg strapped up.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[51-*] Is there such a work? I cannot find it in any English +catalogue.--EDITOR. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Taming a colt or horse.--Rarey's directions for strapping up and + laying down detailed.--Explanations by Editor.--To approach a + vicious horse with half door.--Cartwheel.--No. 1 strap + applied.--No. 2 strap applied.--Woodcuts of.--How to hop + about.--Knot up bridle.--Struggle described.--Lord B.'s improved + No. 2 strap.--Not much danger.--How to steer a horse.--Laid down, + how to gentle.--To mount, tied up.--Place and preparations for + training described. + + +In this chapter I change the arrangement of the original work, and unite +two sections which Mr. Rarey has divided, either because when he wrote +them he was not aware of the importance of what is really the cardinal +point, the mainstay, the foundation of his system, or because he wished +to conceal it from the uninitiated. The Rarey system substitutes for +severe longeing, for whipping and spurring, blinkers, physic, starving, +the twitch, tying the tail down, sewing the ears together, putting shot +in the ears, and all the cruelties hitherto resorted to for subduing +high-spirited and vicious animals (and very often the high-spirited +become, from injudicious treatment, the most vicious), a method of +laying a horse down, tying up his limbs, and gagging, if necessary, his +mouth, which makes him soon feel that man is his superior, and yet +neither excites his terror or his hatred. + +These two sections are to be found at pp. 48 and 51 and at pp. 59 and +60, _orig. edit._, under the titles of "How to drive a Horse that is +very wild, and has any vicious Habits," and "How to make a Horse lie +down." It is essential to unite these sections, because, if you put a +well-bred horse in harness with his leg up, without first putting him +down, it is ten to one but that he throws himself down violently, breaks +the shafts of the vehicle, and his own knees. + +The following are the sections verbatim, of which I shall afterwards +give a paraphrase, with illustrative woodcuts:-- + +"Take up one fore-foot and bend his knee till his hoof is bottom +upwards, and nearly touching his body; then slip a loop over his knee, +and up until it comes above the pastern-joint, to keep it up, being +careful to draw the loop together between the hoof and pastern-joint +with a second strap of some kind to prevent the loop from slipping down +and coming off. This will leave the horse standing on three legs; you +can now handle him as you wish, for it is utterly impossible for him to +kick in this position. There is something in this operation of taking up +one foot, that conquers a horse quicker and better than anything else +you can do to him. There is no process in the world equal to it to break +a kicking horse, for several reasons. First, there is a principle of +this kind in the nature of the horse; that by conquering one member, you +conquer, to a great extent, the whole horse. + +"You have perhaps seen men operate upon this principle, by sewing a +horse's ears together to prevent him from kicking. I once saw a plan +given in a newspaper to make a bad horse stand to be shod, which was to +fasten down one ear. There were no reasons given why you should do so; +but I tried it several times, and thought that it had a good +effect--though I would not recommend its use, especially stitching his +ears together. The only benefit arising from this process is, that by +disarranging his ears we draw his attention to them, and he is not so +apt to resist the shoeing. By tying up one foot we operate on the same +principle to a much better effect. When you first fasten up a horse's +foot, he will sometimes get very mad, and strike with his knee, and try +every possible way to get it down; but he cannot do that, and will soon +give up. + +"This will conquer him better than anything you could do, and without +any possible danger of hurting himself or you either, for you can tie up +his foot and sit down and look at him until he gives up. When you find +that he is conquered, go to him, let down his foot, rub his leg with +your hand, caress him, and let him rest a little; then put it up again. +Repeat this a few times, always putting up the same foot, and he will +soon learn to travel on three legs, so that you can drive him some +distance. As soon as he gets a little used to this way of travelling, +put on your harness, and hitch him to a sulky. If he is the worst +kicking horse that ever raised a foot, you need not be fearful of his +doing any damage while he has one foot up, for he cannot kick, neither +can he run fast enough to do any harm. And if he is the wildest horse +that ever had harness on, and has run away every time he has been +hitched, you can now hitch him in a sulky, and drive him as you please. +If he wants to run, you can let him have the lines, and the whip too, +with perfect safety, for he can go but a slow gait on three legs, and +will soon be tired, and willing to stop; only hold him enough to guide +him in the right direction, and he will soon be tired and willing to +stop at the word. Thus you will effectually cure him at once of any +further notion of running off. Kicking horses have always been the dread +of everybody; you always hear men say, when they speak about a bad +horse, 'I don't care what he does, so he don't kick.' This new method is +an effectual cure for this worst of all habits. There are plenty of ways +by which you can hitch a kicking horse, and force him to go, though he +kicks all the time; but this doesn't have any good effect towards +breaking him, for we know that horses kick because they are afraid of +what is behind them, and when they kick against it and it hurts them, +they will only kick the harder; and this will hurt them still more and +make them remember the scrape much longer, and make it still more +difficult to persuade them to have any confidence in anything dragging +behind them ever after. + +"But by this new method you can harness them to a rattling sulky, +plough, waggon, or anything else in its worst shape. They may be +frightened at first, but cannot kick or do anything to hurt themselves, +and will soon find that you do not intend to hurt them, and then they +will not care anything more about it. You can then let down the leg and +drive along gently without any further trouble. By this new process a +bad kicking horse can be learned to go gentle in harness in a few hours' +time."[70-*] + + +"HOW TO MAKE A HORSE LIE DOWN. + +"Everything that we want to teach the horse must be commenced in such a +way as to give him an idea of what you want him to do, and then be +repeated till he learns it perfectly. To make a horse lie down, bend +his left fore-leg and slip a loop over it, so that he cannot get it +down. Then put a surcingle around his body, and fasten one end of a long +strap around the other fore-leg, just above the hoof. Place the other +end under the before-described surcingle, so as to keep the strap in the +right direction; take a short hold of it with your right hand; stand on +the left side of the horse, grasp the bit in your left hand, pull +steadily on the strap with your right; bear against his shoulder till +you cause him to move. As soon as he lifts his weight, your pulling will +raise the other foot, and he will have to come on his knees. Keep the +strap tight in your hand, so that he cannot straighten his leg if he +rises up. Hold him in this position, and turn his head towards you; bear +against his side with your shoulder, not hard, but with a steady, equal +pressure, and in about ten minutes he will lie down. As soon as he lies +down, he will be completely conquered, and you can handle him as you +please. Take off the straps, and straighten out his legs; rub him +lightly about the face and neck with your hand the way the hair lies; +handle all his legs, and after he has lain ten or twenty minutes, let +him get up again. After resting him a short time, make him lie down as +before. Repeat the operation three or four times, which will be +sufficient for one lesson. Give him two lessons a day, and when you have +given him four lessons, he will lie down by taking hold of one foot. As +soon as he is well broken to lie down in this way, tap him on the +opposite leg with a stick when you take hold of his foot, and in a few +days he will lie down from the mere motion of the stick." + + +EDITORS DETAILED EXPLANATIONS. + +Although, as I before observed, the tying up of the fore-leg is not a +new expedient, or even the putting a horse down single-handed, the two +operations, as taught and performed by Mr. Rarey, not only subdue and +render docile the most violent horses, but, most strange of all, inspire +them with a positive confidence and affection after two or three lessons +from the horse-tamer. "How this is or why this is," Mr. Langworthy, the +veterinary surgeon to Her Majesty's stables, observed, "I cannot say or +explain, but I am convinced, by repeated observation on many horses, +that it is a fact." + +If, however, a man, however clever with horses, were to attempt to +perform the operations without other instruction than that contained in +the American pamphlet, he would infallibly break his horse's knees, and +probably get his toes trodden on, his eyes blacked, and his arm +dislocated--for all these accidents have happened within my own +knowledge to rash experimentalists; while under proper instructions, not +only have stout and gouty noblemen succeeded perfectly, but the +slight-built, professional horsewoman, Miss Gilbert, has conquered +thorough-bred colts and fighting Arabs, and a young and beautiful +peeress has taken off her bonnet before going to a morning _fete_, and +in ten minutes laid a full-sized horse prostrate and helpless as a sheep +in the hands of the shearer. + +Having, then, in your mind Mr. Rarey's maxim that a horseman should know +neither fear nor anger, and having laid in a good stock of patience, you +must make your approach to the colt or stallion in the mode prescribed +in the preceding chapters. In dealing with a colt, except upon an +emergency, he should be first accustomed to be handled and taught to +lead; this, first-rate horse-tamers will accomplish with the wildest +colt in three hours, but it is better to give at least one day up to +these first important steps in education. It will also be as well to +have a colt cleaned and his hoof trimmed by the blacksmith. If this +cannot be done the operation will be found very dirty and disagreeable. + +In approaching a spiteful stallion you had better make your first +advances with a half-door between you and him, as Mr. Rarey did in his +first interview with Cruiser: gradually make his acquaintance, and teach +him that you do not care for his open mouth; but a regular biter must be +gagged in the manner which will presently be described. + +Of course there is no difficulty in handling the leg of a quiet horse or +colt, and by constantly working from the neck down to the fetlock you +may do what you please. But many horses and even colts have a most +dangerous trick of striking out with their fore-legs. There is no better +protection against this than a cart-wheel. The wheel may either be used +loose, or the animal may be led up to a cart loaded with hay, when the +horse-tamer can work under the cart through one of the wheels, while the +colt is nibbling the load. + +Having, then, so far soothed a colt that he will permit you to take up +his legs without resistance, take the strap No. 1[73-*]--pass the tongue +through the loop under the buckle so as to form a noose, slip it over +the near fore-leg and draw it close up to the pastern-joint, then take +up the leg as if you were going to shoe him, and passing the strap over +the fore-arm, put it through the buckle, and buckle the lower limb as +close as you can to the arm without hurting the animal. + +[Illustration: STRAP NO. 1.] + +Take care that your buckle is of the very best quality, and the leather +sound. It is a good plan to stretch it before using it. The tongues of +buckles used for this purpose, if not of the very best quality, are very +likely to come out, when all your labour will have to be gone over +again. Sometimes you may find it better to lay the loop open on the +ground, and let the horse step into it. It is better the buckle should +be inside the leg if you mean the horse to fall toward you, because then +it is easier to unbuckle when he is on the ground. + +In those instances in which you have had no opportunity of previously +taming and soothing a colt, it will frequently take you an hour of +quiet, patient, silent perseverance before he will allow you to buckle +up his leg--if he resists you have nothing for it but _patience_. You +must stroke him, you must fondle him, until he lets you enthral him. Mr. +Rarey always works alone, and disdains assistance, and so do some of his +best pupils, Lord B., the Marquis of S., and Captain S. In travelling in +foreign countries you may have occasion to tame a colt or wild horse +alone, but there is no reason why you should not have assistance if you +can get it, and in that case the process is of course much easier. But +it must never be forgotten that to tame a horse properly no unnecessary +force must be employed; it is better that he should put down his foot +six times that he may yield it willingly at last, and under no +circumstances must the trainer lose patience, or give way to temper. + +The near fore-leg being securely strapped, and the horse, if so +inclined, secured from biting by a wooden bit, the next step is to make +him hop about on three legs. This is comparatively easy if the animal +has been taught to lead, but it is difficult with one which has not. The +trainer must take care to keep behind his horse's shoulder and walk in a +circle, or he will be likely to be struck by the horse's head or +strapped-up leg. + +Mr. Rarey is so skilful that he seldom considers it necessary to make +his horses hop about; but there is no doubt that it saves much +after-trouble by fatiguing the animal; and that it is a useful +preparation before putting a colt or kicking horse into harness. Like +every other operation it must be done very gently, and accompanied by +soothing words--"Come along"--"Come along, old fellow," &c. + +A horse can hop on three legs, if not severely pressed, for two or three +miles; and no plan is more successful for curing a kicker or jibber. + +When the horse has hopped for as long as you think necessary to tire +him, buckle a common single strap roller or surcingle on his body +tolerably tight. A single strap surcingle is the best. + +It is as well, if possible, to teach colts from a very early age to bear +a surcingle. At any rate it will require a little management the first +time. + +You have now advanced your colt so far that he is not afraid of a man, +he likes being patted and caressed, he will lead when you take hold of +the bridle, and you have buckled up his leg so that he cannot hop faster +than you can run. + +[Illustration: NO. 2 STRAP, FOR OFF FORE-LEG.] + +Shorten the bridle (the bit should be a thick plain snaffle) so that the +reins, when laid loose on his withers, come nearly straight. This is +best done by twisting the reins twice round two fore-fingers and passing +the ends through in a loop, because this knot can be easily untied. Next +take strap No. 2, and, making a loop, put it round the off fore-leg. +With a very quiet horse this can easily be done; with a wild or vicious +horse you may have to make him step into it; at any rate, when once the +off fore-leg is caught in the noose it must be drawn tight round the +pastern-joint. Then put a stout glove or mitten on your right hand, +having taken care that your nails have been cut short, pass the strap +through the belly part of the surcingle, take a firm short hold of it +with your gloved right hand, standing close to the horse behind his +shoulders, and with your left hand take hold of the near rein; by +pulling the horse gently to the near side he will be almost sure to hop; +if he will not he must be led, but Mr. Rarey always makes him hop +alone. The moment he lifts up his off fore-foot you must draw up strap +No. 2 tightly and steadily. The motion will draw up the off leg into the +same position as the near leg, and the horse will go down on his knees. +Your object is to hold the strap so firmly that he will not be able to +stretch his foot out again. Those who are very confident in their skill +are content to hold the strap only with a twist round their hand, but +others take the opportunity of the horse's first surprise to give the +strap a double turn round the surcingle. + +[Illustration: Horse with Straps Nos. 1 and 2.] + +Another way of performing this operation is to use with difficult +violent horses the strap invented by Lord B----h, which consists first +of the loop for the off fore-leg shown in our cut. A surcingle strap, at +least seven feet long, with a buckle, is thrown across the horse's back; +the buckle end is passed through the ring; the tongue is passed through +the buckle, and the moment the horse moves the Tamer draws the strap +tight round the body of the horse, and in buckling it makes the leg so +safe that he has no need to use any force in holding it up. + +[Illustration: LORD B.'S IMPROVED STRAP NO. 2.] + +As soon as a horse recovers from his astonishment at being brought to +his knees, he begins to resist; that is, he rears up on his hind-legs, +and springs about in a manner that is truly alarming for the spectators +to behold, and which in the case of a well-bred horse in good condition +requires a certain degree of activity in the Trainer. (See page of Horse +Struggling.) + +[Illustration: SURCINGLE FOR LORD B.'S STRAP NO. 2.] + +You must remember that your business is not to set your strength against +the horse's strength, but merely to follow him about, holding the strap +just tight enough to prevent him from putting out his off fore-leg. As +long as you keep _close to him_ and _behind his shoulders_ you are in +very little danger. The bridle in the left hand must be used like +steering lines: by pulling to the right or left as occasion requires, +the horse, turning on his hind-legs, maybe guided just as a boat is +steered by the rudder lines; or pulling straight, the horse may be +fatigued by being forced to walk backwards. The strap passing through +the surcingle keeps, or ought to keep, the Trainer in his right +place--he is not to pull or in any way fatigue himself more than he can +help, but, standing upright, simply follow the horse about, guiding +him with the bridle away from the walls of the training school when +needful. It must be admitted that to do this well requires considerable +nerve, coolness, patience, and at times agility; for although a +grass-fed colt will soon give in, a corn-fed colt, and, above all, a +high-couraged hunter in condition, will make a very stout fight; and I +have known one instance in which a horse with both fore-legs fast has +jumped sideways. + +[Illustration: The Horse struggling.] + +The proof that the danger is more apparent than real lies in the fact +that no serious accidents have as yet happened; and that, as I before +observed, many noblemen, and some noble ladies, and some boys, have +succeeded perfectly. But it would be untrue to assert that there is no +danger. When held and guided properly, few horses resist more than ten +minutes; and it is believed that a quarter of an hour is the utmost time +that any horse has ever fought before sinking exhausted to the earth. +But the time seems extremely long to an inexperienced performer; and it +is a great comfort to get your assistant to be tune-keeper, if there is +no clock in a conspicuous situation, and tell you how you are getting +on. Usually at the end of eight minutes' violent struggles, the animal +sinks forward on his knees, sweating profusely, with heaving flanks and +shaking tail, as if at the end of a thirty minutes' burst with +fox-hounds over a stiff country. + +Then is the time to get him into a comfortable position for lying down; +if he is still stout, he may be forced by the bit to walk backwards. +Then, too, by pushing gently at his shoulder, or by pulling steadily the +off-rein, you can get him to fall, in the one case on the near side, on +the other on the off side; but this assistance should be so slight that +the horse must not be able to resist it. The horse will often make a +final spring when you think he is quite beaten; but, at any rate, at +length he slides over, and lies down, panting and exhausted, on his +side. If he is full of corn and well bred, take advantage of the moment +to tie up the off fore-leg to the surcingle, as securely as the other, +in a slip loop knot. + +Now let your horse recover his wind, and then encourage him to make a +second fight. It will often be more stubborn and more fierce than the +first. The object of this tying-up operation is, that he shall +thoroughly exhaust without hurting himself, and that he shall come to +the conclusion that it is you who, by your superior strength, have +conquered him, and that you are always able to conquer him. + +Under the old rough-riding system, the most vicious horses were +occasionally conquered by daring men with firm seats and strong arms, +who rode and flogged them into subjection; but these conquests were +temporary, and usually _personal_; with every stranger, the animal would +begin his game again. + +One advantage of this Rarey system is, that the horse is allowed to +exhaust himself under circumstances that render it impossible for him to +struggle long enough to do himself any harm. It has been suggested that +a blood-vessel would be likely to be broken, or apoplexy produced by the +exertion of leaping from the hind legs; but, up to the present time, no +accident of any kind has been reported. + +When the horse lies down for the second or third time thoroughly beaten, +the time has arrived for teaching him a few more of the practical parts +of horse-training. + +[Illustration: The Horse exhausted.] + +When you have done all you desire to the horse tied up,--smoothed his +ears, if fidgety about the ears--the hind-legs, if a kicker--shown +him a saddle, and allowed him to smell it, and then placed it on his +back--mounted him yourself, and pulled him all over--take off all the +straps. In moving round him for the purpose of gentling him, walk slowly +always from the head round the tail, and again to the head: scrape the +sweat off him with a scraper; rub him down with a wisp; smooth the hair +of his legs, and draw the fore one straight out. If he has fought hard, +he will lie like a dead horse, and scarcely stir. You must now again go +over him as conscientiously as if you were a mesmeric doctor or +shampooer: every limb must be "_gentled_," to use Mr. Rarey's expressive +phrase; and with that operation you have completed your _first_ and +_most_ important lesson. + +You may now mount on the back of an unbroken colt, and teach him that +you do not hurt him in that attitude: if he were standing upright he +might resist, and throw you from fright; but as he is exhausted and +powerless, he has time to find out that you mean him no harm. You can +lay a saddle or harness on him, if he has previously shown aversion to +them, or any part of them: his head and his tail and his legs are all +safe for your friendly caresses; don't spare them, and speak to him all +the time. + +If he has hitherto resisted shoeing, now is the time for handling his +fore and hind legs; kindly, yet, if he attempts to resist, with a voice +of authority. If he is a violent, savage, confirmed kicker, like +Cruiser, or Mr. Gurney's gray colt, or the zebra, as soon as he is down +put a pair of hobbles on his hind-legs, like those used for mares during +covering. (Frontispiece of Zebra.) These must be held by an assistant on +whom you can depend; and passed through the rings of the surcingle. With +his fore-legs tied, you may usefully spend an hour, in handling his +legs, tapping the hoofs with your hand or hammer--all this to be done in +a firm, measured, soothing manner; only now and then, if he resist, +crying, as you paralyze him with the ropes, "_Wo ho!_" in a determined +manner. It is by this continual soothing and handling that you establish +confidence between the horse and yourself. After patting him as much as +you deem needful, say for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, you may +encourage him to rise. Some horses will require a good deal of helping, +and their fore-legs drawing out before them. + +It may be as well to remark, that the handling the limbs, of colts +particularly, requires caution. A cart colt, tormented by flies, will +kick forward nearly up to the fore-legs. + +If a horse, unstrapped, attempts to rise, you may easily stop him by +taking hold of a fore-leg and doubling it back to the strapped position. +If by chance he should be too quick, don't resist; it is an essential +principle in the Rarey system, never to enter into a contest with a +horse unless you are certain to be victorious. + +In all these operations, you must be calm, and not in a hurry. + +Thus, under the Rarey system, all indications are so direct, that the +horse must understand them. You place him in a position, and under such +restraint, that he cannot resist anything that you chose to do to him; +and then you proceed to caress him when he assents, to reprove him when +he _thinks_ of resisting--resist, with all his legs tied, he +cannot--repeated lessons end by persuading the most vicious horse that +it is useless to try to resist, and that acquiescence will be followed +by the caresses that horses evidently like. + +[Illustration: The Horse tamed.] + +The last instance of Mr. Rarey's power was a beautiful gray mare, which +had been fourteen years in the band of one of the Life Guards regiments, +and consequently at least seventeen years old; during all that time she +would never submit quietly to have her hind-legs shod; the farriers had +to put a twitch on her nose and ears, and tie her tail down: even then +she resisted violently. In three days Mr. Rarey was able to shoe her +with her head loose. And this was not done by a trick, but by proving to +her that she could not resist even to the extent of an inch, and that no +harm was meant her; her lessons were repeated many times a day for three +days. Such continual impressive perseverance is an essential part of the +system. + +When you have to deal with a horse as savage a kicker as Cruiser, or the +zebra, a horse that can kick from one leg as fiercely as others can from +two, in that case, to subdue and compel him to lie down, have a leather +surcingle with a ring sewed on the belly part, and when the hobbles are +buckled on the hind-legs, pass the ropes through the rings, and when the +horse rises again, by buckling up one fore-leg, and pulling steadily, +when needful, at the hind-legs, or tying the hobble-ropes to a collar, +you reduce him to perfect helplessness; he finds that he cannot rear, +for you pull his hind-legs--or kick, for you can pull at all three legs, +and after a few lessons he gives in in despair. + +These were the methods by which Cruiser and the zebra were subdued. They +seem, and are, very simple; properly carried out they are effective for +subduing the most spirited colt, and curing the most vicious horse. But +still in difficult and exceptional cases it cannot be too often repeated +that a MAN is required, as well as a method. Without nerve nothing can +be attempted; without patience and perseverance mere nerve will be of +little use; all the quackery and nonsense that has been talked and +written under the inspiration of the Barnum who has had an interest in +the success of the silent, reserved, practical Rarey, must be dismissed. +Horse-training is not a conjuror's trick. The principles may certainly +be learned by once reading this book; a few persons specially organised, +accustomed to horses all their lives, may succeed in their first +attempts with even difficult horses. The success of Lord Burghersh, +after one lesson from Rarey, with a very difficult mare; of Lord Elvers, +Lord Vivian, the Hon. Frederick Villiers, and the Marquess of Stafford, +with colts, is well known in the sporting world. Mr. Thomas Rice, of +Motcombe Street, who has studied everything connected with the horse, on +the Continent as well as in England, and who is thoroughly acquainted +with the Spanish school, as well as the English cross-country style of +horsemanship, succeeded, as I have already mentioned, the very first +time he took the straps in hand in subduing Mr. Gurney's gray colt--the +most vicious animal, next to Cruiser, that Mr. Rarey tackled in England. +This brute tore off the flaps of the saddle with his teeth. + +But it is sheer humbug to pretend that a person who knows no more of +horses than is to be learned by riding a perfectly-trained animal now +and then for an hour or two, can acquire the whole art of horse-taming, +or can even safely tackle a violent horse, without a previous +preparation and practice. + +As you must not be nervous or angry, so you must not be in a hurry. + +Many ladies have attended Mr. Rarey's lessons, and studied his art, but +very few have tried, and still fewer have succeeded. It is just one of +those things that all ladies fond of horses should know, as well as +those who are likely to visit India, or the Colonies, although it is not +exactly a feminine occupation; crinoline would be sadly in the way-- + + "Those little hands were never made + To hold a leather strap." + +But it may be useful as an emergency, as it will enable any lady to +instruct a friend, or groom, or sailor, or peasant, how to do what she +is not able to do herself, and to argue effectively that straps will do +more than whips and spurs. + +At the Practice Club of noblemen and gentlemen held at Miss Gilbert's +stables, it has been observed that every week some horse more determined +than the average has been too much for the wind, or the patience, of +most of the subscribers. One only has never been beaten, the Marquess of +S----, but then he was always in condition; a dab hand at every athletic +sport, extremely active, and gifted with a "calmness," as well as a +nerve, which few men of his position enjoy. + +In a word, the average horse may be subdued by the average horseman, and +colts usually come within the average; but a fierce, determined, vicious +horse requires a man above the average in temper, courage, and activity; +activity and skill in _steering_ being of more importance than strength. +It is seldom necessary to lay a colt down more than twice. + +Perhaps the best way is to begin practising the strap movements with a +donkey, or a quiet horse full of grass or water, and so go on from day +to day with as much perseverance as if you were practising skating or +walking on a tight rope; until you can approach, halter, lead, strap +up, and lay down a colt with as much calmness as a huntsman takes his +fences with his eye on his hounds, you are not perfect. + +Remember you must not hurry, and you must _not chatter_. When you feel +impatient you had better leave off, and begin again another day. And the +same with your horse: you must not tire him with one lesson, but you +must give him at least one lesson every day, and two or three to a +nervous customer; we have a striking example of patience and +perseverance in Mr. Rarey's first evening with Cruiser. He had gone +through the labour of securing him, and bringing him up forty miles +behind a dog-cart, yet he did not lose a moment, but set to work the +same night to tame him limb by limb, and inch by inch, and from that day +until he produced him in public, he never missed a day without spending +twice a day from two to three hours with him, first rendering him +helpless by gag-bit, straps and hobbles, then caressing him, then +forcing him to lie down, then caressing him again, stroking every limb, +talking to him in soothing tones, and now and then, if he turned +vicious, taking up his helpless head, giving it a good shake, while +scolding him as you would a naughty boy. And then again taking off the +gag and rewarding submission with a lock of sweet hay and a drink of +water, most grateful after a tempest of passion, then making him rise, +and riding him--making him stop at a word. + +I mention these facts, because an idea has gone abroad that any man with +Mr. Rarey's straps can manage any horse. It would be just as sensible to +assert that any boy could learn to steer a yacht by taking the tiller +for an hour under the care of an "old salt." + +The most curious and important fact of all in connection with this +strapping up and laying down process, is, that the moment the horse +rises _he seems to have contracted a personal friendship for the +operator_, and with a very little encouragement will generally follow +him round the box or circus; this feeling may as well be encouraged by a +little bit of carrot or bread and sugar. + + +PLACE AND PREPARATIONS FOR TRAINING A COLT. + +It is almost impossible to train or tame a horse quickly in an open +space. As his falls are violent, the floor must be very soft. The best +place is a space boarded off with partitions six or seven feet high, and +on the floor a deep layer of tan or sand or saw-dust, on which, a thick +layer of straw has been spread; but the floor must not be too soft; if +it is, the horse will sink on his knees without fighting, and without +the lesson of exhaustion, which is so important. To throw a horse for a +surgical operation, the floor cannot be too soft: the enclosure should +be about thirty feet from side to side, of a square or octagonal shape; +but not round if possible, because it is of great advantage to have a +corner into which a colt may turn when you are teaching him the first +haltering lesson. A barn may be converted into a training-school, if the +floor be made soft enough with straw. But in every case, it is extremely +dangerous to have pillars, posts, or any projections against which the +horse in rearing might strike; as when the legs are tied, a horse is apt +to miscalculate his distance. And if the space is too narrow, the +trainer, in dealing with a violent horse, may get crushed or kicked. It +is of great advantage that the training-school should be roofed, and if +possible, every living thing, that might distract the horse's attention +by sight or sound, should be removed. Other horses, cattle, pigs, and +even dogs or fowls moving about or making a noise, will spoil the +effect of a good lesson. + +In an emergency, the first lesson may be given in an open straw-yard. +Lord Burghersh trained his first pupil on a small space in the middle of +a thick wood; Cruiser was laid down the first time in a bullock-yard. +But if you have many colts to train, it is well worth while to dig out a +pit two feet deep, fill it with tan and straw, and build round it a shed +of rough poles, filled in with gorse plastered with clay, on the same +plan as a bullock feeding-box. The floor should not be too deep or soft, +because if it is, the colt will sink at once without fighting, and a +good lesson in obedience is lost. + +This may be done for from 30_s._ to 2_l._ on a farm. In a riding-school +it is very easy to have lofty temporary partitions. It is probable that +in future every riding-school will have a Rarey box for training hacks, +as well as to enable pupils to practise the art. + +It is quite out of the question to attempt to do anything with a +difficult horse while other horses can be seen or heard, or while a +party of lookers-on are chattering and laughing. + +As to the costume of the trainer, I recommend a close cap, a stout pair +of boots, short trousers or breeches of stout tweed or corduroy, a short +jacket with pockets outside, one to hold the straps and gloves, the +other a few pieces of carrot to reward the pupil. A pocket-handkerchief +should be handy to wipe your perspiring brow. A trainer should not be +without a knife and a piece of string, for emergencies. Spare straps, +bridles, a surcingle, a long whalebone whip, and a saddle, should be +hung up outside the training inclosure, where they can be handed, when +required, to the operator as quickly and with as little delay and fuss +as possible. A sort of dumb-waiter, with hooks instead of trays, could +be contrived for a man who worked alone. + +If a lady determines to become a horse-trainer, she had better adopt a +Bloomer costume, without any stiff petticoats, as long robes would be +sure to bring her to grief. To hold the long strap No. 2, it is +necessary to wear a stout glove, which will be all the more useful if +the tips of the fingers are cut off at the first joint, so as to make it +a sort of mitten. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[70-*] I should not recommend this plan with a well-bred horse without +first laying him down, as he would be likely to throw himself +down.--EDITOR. + +[73-*] All these straps may be obtained from Mr. Stokey, saddler, North +Street, Little Moorfields, who supplied Mr. Rarey, and has patterns of +the improvements by Lord B---- and Colonel R----. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + The Drum.--The Umbrella.--Riding-habit.--How to bit a colt.--How to + saddle.--To mount.--To ride.--To break.--To harness.--To make a + horse follow and stand without holding.--Baucher's plan.--Nolan's + plan. + + +It is an excellent practice to accustom all horses to strange sounds and +sights, and of very great importance to young horses which are to be +ridden or driven in large towns, or used as chargers. Although some +horses are very much more timid and nervous than others, the very worst +can be very much improved by acting on the first principles laid down in +the introduction to this book--that is, by proving that the strange +sights and sounds will do them no harm. + +When a railway is first opened, the sheep, the cattle, and especially +the horses, grazing in the neighbouring fields, are terribly alarmed at +the sight of the swift, dark, moving trains, and the terrible snorting +and hissing of the steam-engines. They start away--they gallop in +circles--and when they stop, gaze with head and tail erect, until the +monsters have disappeared. But from day to day the live stock become +more accustomed to the sight and sound of the steam horse, and after a +while they do not even cease grazing when the train passes. They have +learned that it will do them no harm. The same result may be observed +with respect to young horses when first they are brought to a large +town, and have to meet great loads of hay, omnibuses crowded with +passengers, and other strange or noisy objects--if judiciously treated, +not flogged and ill-used, they lose their fears without losing their +high courage. Nothing is more astonishing in London than the steadiness +of the high-bred and highly-fed horses in the streets and in Hyde Park. + +But until Mr. Rarey went to first principles, and taught "the reason +why" there were horses that could not be brought to bear the beating of +a drum, the rustling of an umbrella, or the flapping of a riding-habit +against their legs--and all attempts to compel them by force to submit +to these objects of their terror failed and made them furious. Mr. +Rarey, in his lectures, often told a story of a horse which shied at +buffalo-robes--the owner tied him up fast and laid a robe on him--the +poor animal died instantly with fright. And yet nothing can be more +simple. + +_To accustom a horse to a drum._--Place it near him on the ground, and, +without forcing him, induce him to smell it again and again until he is +thoroughly accustomed to it. Then lift it up, and slowly place it on the +side of his neck, where he can see it, and tap it gently with a stick or +your finger. If he starts, pause, and let him carefully examine it. Then +re-commence, gradually moving it backwards until it rests upon his +withers, by degrees playing louder and louder, pausing always when he +seems alarmed, to let him look at it and smell, if needful. In a very +few minutes you may play with all your force, without his taking any +notice. When this practice has been repeated a few times, your horse, +however spirited, will rest his nose unmoved on the big drum while the +most thundering piece is played. + +_To teach a horse to bear an umbrella_, go through the same cautious +forms, let him see it, and smell it, open it by degrees--gain your +point inch by inch, passing it always from his eyes to his neck, and +from his neck to his back and tail; and so with a riding-habit, in half +an hour any horse may be taught that it will not hurt him, and then the +difficulty is over. + +_To fire off a horse's back._--Begin with caps, and, by degrees, as with +the drum, instead of lengthening the reins, stretch the bridle hand to +the front, and raise it for the carbine to rest on, with the muzzle +clear of the horse's head, a little to one side. Lean the body forward +without rising in the stirrups. _Avoid interfering with the horse's +mouth, or exciting his fears by suddenly closing your legs either before +or after firing--be quiet yourself and your horse will be quiet._ The +colt can learn, as I have already observed, to bear a rider on his bare +back during his first lessons, when prostrate and powerless, fast bound +by straps. The surcingle has accustomed him to girths--he leads well, +and has learned that when the right rein is pulled he must go to the +right, and when the left rein to the left. You may now teach him to bear +the BIT and the SADDLE--if you have not placed it upon his back while on +the ground, and for this operation I cannot do better than return, and +quote literally from Mr. Rarey. + + +"HOW TO ACCUSTOM A HORSE TO A BIT. + +"You should use a large, smooth, snaffle bit, so as not to hurt his +mouth, with a bar to each side, to prevent the bit from pulling through +either way. This you should attach to the head-stall of your bridle, and +put it on your colt without any reins to it, and let him run loose in a +large stable or shed some time, until he becomes a little used to the +bit, and will bear it without trying to get it out of his mouth. It +would be well, if convenient, to repeat this several times, before you +do anything more with the colt; as soon as he will bear the bit, attach +a single rein to it. You should also have a halter on your colt, or a +bridle made after the fashion of a halter, with a strap to it, so that +you can hold or lead him about without pulling on the bit much. (See +Woodcut, p. 39.) He is now ready for the saddle. + + +"THE PROPER WAY TO BIT A COLT. + +"Farmers often put bitting harness on a colt the first thing they do to +him, buckling up the bitting as tight as they can draw it, to make him +carry his head high, and then turn him out in a field to run a half-day +at a time. This is one of the worst of punishments that they could +inflict on the colt, and very injurious to a young horse that has been +used to running in pasture with his head down. I have seen colts so +injured in this way that they never got over it. + +"A horse should be well accustomed to the bit before you put on the +bitting harness, and when you first bit him you should only rein his +head up to that point where he naturally holds it, let that be high or +low; he will soon learn that he cannot lower his head, and that raising +it a little will loosen the bit in his mouth. This will give him the +idea of raising his head to loosen the bit, and then you can draw the +bitting a little tighter every time you put it on, and he will still +raise his head to loosen it; by this means you will gradually get his +head and neck in the position you want him to carry it, and give him a +nice and graceful carriage without hurting him, making him mad, or +causing his mouth to get sore. + +"If you put the bitting on very tight the first time, he cannot raise +his head enough to loosen it, but will bear on it all the time, and paw, +sweat, and throw himself. Many horses have been killed by falling +backward with the bitting on; their heads being drawn up strike the +ground with the whole weight of the body. Horses that have their heads +drawn up tightly should not have the bitting on more than fifteen or +twenty minutes at a time. + + +"HOW TO SADDLE A COLT. + +"The first thing will be to tie each stirrup-strap into a loose knot to +make them short, and prevent the stirrups from flying about and hitting +him. Then double up the skirts and take the saddle under your right arm, +so as not to frighten him with it as you approach. When you get to him +rub him gently a few times with your hand, and then raise the saddle +very slowly, until he can see it, and smell and feel it with his nose. +Then let the skirt loose, and rub it very gently against his neck the +way the hair lies, letting him hear the rattle of the skirts as he feels +them against him; each time getting a little farther backward, and +finally slipping it over his shoulders on his back. Shake it a little +with your hand, and in less than five minutes you can rattle it about +over his back as much as you please, and pull it off and throw it on +again, without his paying much attention to it. + +"As soon as you have accustomed him to the saddle, fasten the girth. Be +careful how you do this. It often frightens the colt when he feels the +girth binding him, and making the saddle fit tight on his back. You +should bring up the girth very gently, and not draw it too tight at +first, just enough to hold the saddle on. Move him a little, and then +girth it as tight as you choose, and he will not mind it. + +"You should see that the pad of your saddle is all right before you put +it on, and that there is nothing to make it hurt him, or feel unpleasant +to his back. It should not have any loose straps on the back part of it, +to flap about and scare him. After you have saddled him in this way, +take a switch in your right hand to tap him up with, and walk about in +the stable a few times with your right arm over your saddle, taking hold +of the reins on each side of his neck with your right and left hands, +thus marching him about in the stable until you teach him the use of the +bridle and can turn him about in any direction, and stop him by a gentle +pull of the rein. Always caress him, and loose the reins a little every +time you stop him. + +"You should always be alone, and have your colt in some light stable or +shed, the first time you ride him; the loft should be high, so that you +can sit on his back without endangering your head. You can teach him +more in two hours' time in a stable of this kind, than you could in two +weeks in the common way of breaking colts, out in an open place. If you +follow my course of treatment, you need not run any risk, or have any +trouble in riding the worst kind of horse. You take him a step at a +time, until you get up a mutual confidence and trust between yourself +and horse. First teach him to lead and stand hitched; next acquaint him +with the saddle, and the use of the bit; and then all that remains is to +get on him without scaring him, and you can ride him as well as any +horse. + + +"HOW TO MOUNT THE COLT. + +"First gentle him well on both sides, about the saddle, and all over +until he will stand still without holding, and is not afraid to see you +anywhere about him. + +"As soon as you have him thus gentled, get a small block, about one foot +or eighteen inches in height, and set it down by the side of him, about +where you want to stand to mount him; step up on this, raising yourself +very gently: horses notice every change of position very closely, and, +if you were to step up suddenly on the block, it would be very apt to +scare him; but, by raising yourself gradually on it, he will see you, +without being frightened, in a position very nearly the same as when you +are on his back. + +"As soon as he will bear this without alarm, untie the stirrup-strap +next to you, and put your left foot into the stirrup, and stand square +over it, holding your knee against the horse, and your toe out, so as +not to touch him under the shoulder with the toe of your boot. Place +your right hand on the front of the saddle, and on the opposite side of +you, taking hold of a portion of the mane and the reins, as they hang +loosely over his neck, with your left hand; then gradually bear your +weight on the stirrup, and on your right hand, until the horse feels +your whole weight on the saddle: repeat this several times, each time +raising yourself a little higher from the block, until he will allow you +to raise your leg over his croup and place yourself in the saddle. + +"There are three great advantages in having a block to mount from. +First, a sudden change of position is very apt to frighten a young horse +who has never been handled: he will allow you to walk up to him, and +stand by his side without scaring at you, because you have gentled him +to that position; but if you get down on your hands and knees and crawl +towards him, he will be very much frightened; and upon the same +principle, he would be frightened at your new position if you had the +power to hold yourself over his back without touching him. Then the +first great advantage of the block is to gradually gentle him to that +new position in which he will see you when you ride him. + +"Secondly, by the process of leaning your weight in the stirrups, and on +your hand, you can gradually accustom him to your weight, so as not to +frighten him by having him feel it all at once. And, in the third place, +the block elevates you so that you will not have to make a spring in +order to get on the horse's back, but from it you can gradually raise +yourself into the saddle. When you take these precautions, there is no +horse so wild but what you can mount him without making him jump. I have +tried it on the worst horses that could be found, and have never failed +in any case. When mounting, your horse should always stand without being +held. _A horse is never well broken when he has to be held with a tight +rein when mounting_; and a colt is never so safe to mount as when you +see that assurance of confidence, and absence of fear, which cause him +to stand without holding." [Mr. Rarey's improved plan is to press the +palm of the right hand on the off-side of the Saddle, and as you rise +lean your weight on it; by this means you can mount with the girths +loose, or without any girths at all.--EDITOR.] + + +"HOW TO RIDE THE COLT. + +"When you want him to start do not touch him on the side with your heel, +or do anything to frighten him and make him jump. But speak to him +kindly, and if he does not start pull him a little to the left until he +starts, and then let him walk off slowly with the reins loose. Walk him +around in the stable a few times until he gets used to the bit, and you +can turn him about in every direction and stop him as you please. It +would be well to get on and off a good many times until he gets +perfectly used to it before you take him out of the stable. + +"After you have trained him in this way, which should not take you more +than one or two hours, you can ride him anywhere you choose without ever +having him jump or make any effort to throw you. + +"When you first take him out of the stable be very gentle with him, as +he will feel a little more at liberty to jump or run, and be a little +easier frightened than he was while in the stable. But after handling +him so much in the stable he will be pretty well broken, and you will be +able to manage him without trouble or danger. + +"When you first mount him take a little the shortest hold on the left +rein, so that if anything frightens him you can prevent him from jumping +by pulling his head round to you. This operation of pulling a horse's +head round against his side will prevent any horse from jumping ahead, +rearing up, or running away. If he is stubborn and will not go, you can +make him move by pulling his head round to one side, when whipping would +have no effect. And turning him round a few times will make him dizzy, +and then by letting him have his head straight, and giving him a little +touch with the whip, he will go along without any trouble. + +"Never use martingales on a colt when you first ride him; every movement +of the hand should go right to the bit in the direction in which it is +applied to the reins, without a martingale to change the direction of +the force applied. You can guide the colt much better without it, and +teach him the use of the bit in much less time. Besides, martingales +would prevent you from pulling his head round if he should try to jump. + +"After your colt has been ridden until he is gentle and well accustomed +to the bit, you may find it an advantage, if he carries his head too +high or his nose too far out, to put martingales on him. + +"_You should be careful not to ride your colt so far at first as to +heat, worry, or tire him._ Get off as soon as you see he is a little +fatigued; gentle him and let him rest; this will make him kind to you, +and prevent him from getting stubborn or mad. + + +"TO BREAK A HORSE TO HARNESS. + +"Take him in a light stable, as you did to ride him; take the harness +and go through the same process that you did with the saddle, until you +get him familiar with it, so that you can put it on him, and rattle it +about without his caring for it. As soon as he will bear this, put on +the lines, caress him as you draw them over him, and drive him about in +the stable till he will bear them over his hips. The _lines_ are a great +aggravation to some colts, and often frighten them as much as if you +were to raise a whip over them. As soon as he is familiar with the +harness and lines, take him out and put him by the side of a gentle +horse, and go through the same process that you did with the balking +horse. _Always use a bridle without blinkers when you are breaking a +horse to harness._ + +"Lead him to and around a light gig or phaeton; let him look at it, +touch it with his nose, and stand by it till he does not care for it; +then pull the shafts a little to the left, and stand your horse in front +of the off-wheel. Let some one stand on the right side of the horse, and +hold him by the bit, while you stand on the left side, facing the sulky. +This will keep him straight. Run your left hand back, and let it rest on +his hip, and lay hold of the shafts with your right, bringing them up +very gently to the left hand, which still remains stationary. Do not let +anything but your arm touch his back, and as soon as you have the shafts +square over him, let the person on the opposite side take hold of one of +them, and lower them very gently to the shaft-bearers. Be very slow and +deliberate about hitching; the longer time you take the better, as a +general thing. When you have the shafts placed, shake them slightly, so +that he will feel them against each side. As soon as he will bear them +without scaring, fasten your braces, &c., and start him along very +slowly. Let one man lead the horse, to keep him gentle, while the other +gradually works back with the lines till he can get behind and drive +him. After you have driven him in this way a short distance, you can get +into the sulky, and all will go right. It is very important to have your +horse go gently when you first hitch him. After you have walked him +awhile, there is not half so much danger of his scaring. Men do very +wrong to jump up behind a horse to drive him as soon as they have him +hitched. There are too many things for him to comprehend all at once. +The shifts, the lines, the harness, and the rattling of the sulky, all +tend to scare him, and he must be made familiar with them by degrees. If +your horse is very wild, I would advise you to put up one foot the first +time you drive him." + +[Illustration: Second Lesson in Harness.] + +With the leg strapped up, the lighter the break or gig the better, and +four wheels are better than two. + + +TO MAKE A HORSE FOLLOW YOU. + +The directions make simple what have hitherto been among the mysteries +of the circus. I can assert from personal observation that by the means +described by Mr. Rarey a very nervous thorough-bred mare, the property +of the Earl of Derby, was taught to stand, answer to her name, and +follow one of his pupils in less than a week. + +No hack, and certainly no lady's horse, is perfect until he has been +taught to stand still, and no hunter is complete until he has learned to +follow his master. Huntsmen may spend a few hours in the summer very +usefully in teaching their old favourites to wait outside cover until +wanted. + +Turn him into a large stable or shed, where there is no chance to get +out, with a halter or bridal on. Go to him and gentle him a little, take +hold of his halter, and turn him towards you, at the same time touching +him lightly over the hips with a long whip. Lead him the length of the +stable, rubbing him on the neck, saying in a steady tone of voice as you +lead him, "Come along, boy!" or use his name instead of "boy," if you +choose. Every time you turn, touch him slightly with the whip, to make +him step up close to you, and then caress him with your hand. He will +soon learn to hurry up to escape the whip and be caressed, and you can +make him follow you around without taking hold of the halter. If he +should stop and turn from you, give him a few sharp cuts about the hind +legs, and he will soon turn his head towards you, when you must always +caress him. A few lessons of this kind will make him run after you, when +he sees the motion of the whip--in twenty or thirty minutes he will +follow you about the stable. After you have given him two or three +lessons in the stable, take him out into a small field and train him; +and from thence you can take him into the road and make him follow you +anywhere, and run after you. + +To make a horse stand without holding, after you have him well broken to +follow you, place him in the centre of the stable--begin at his head to +caress him, gradually working backwards. If he move, give him a cut with +the whip, and put him back to the same spot from which he started. If he +stands, caress him as before, and continue gentling him in this way +until you can get round him without making him move. Keep walking around +him, increasing your pace, and only touch him occasionally. Enlarge your +circle as you walk around, and if he then moves, give him another cut +with the whip, and put him back to his place. If he stands, go to him +frequently and caress him, and then walk around him again. Do not keep +him in one position too long at a time, but make him come to you +occasionally, and follow you around the stable. Then make him stand in +another place, and proceed as before. You should not train your horse +more than half an hour at a time. + +The following is Baucher's method of making a horse stand to be mounted, +which, he says, may be taught in two lessons, of half an hour each. I +do not know any one who has tried, but it is worth trying. + +"Go up to him, pat him on the neck (_i. e._ gentle him), and speak to +him; then taking the curb reins a few inches from the rings with the +left hand, place yourself so as to offer as much resistance as possible +to him when he tries to break away. Take the whip in the right hand with +the point down, raise it quietly and tap the horse on the chest; he will +rein back to avoid punishment; resist and follow him, continuing the +tapping of the whip, but without anger or haste. The horse, soon tired +of running back, will endeavour to avoid the infliction by rushing +forward; then stop and make much of him. This repeated once or twice +will teach the horse that, to stand still, is to avoid punishment, and +will move up to you on a slight motion of the whip." + +I doubt whether high-spirited horses would stand this treatment. + +_To teach a horse to stand in the field._--Nolan's plan was, to draw the +reins over the horse's head and fasten them to the ground with a peg, +walk away, return in a few minutes and reward him with bread, salt, or +carrot; in a short time the horse will fancy himself fast whenever the +reins are drawn over his head. It may be doubted whether, in the +excitement of the hunting-field, either Rarey's or Nolan's plan would +avail to make a huntsman's horse stand while hounds were running. +Scrutator gives another method which is not within everyone's means to +execute. + +"In my father's time we had a large field, enclosed by a high wall, +round which the lads used to exercise their horses, with a thick rug +only, doubled, to sit upon. A single snaffle and a sharp curb-bit were +placed in the horse's mouth; the former to ride and guide by. To the +curb was attached a long single rein, which was placed in the boy's +hand, or attached to his wrist. When the horse was in motion, either +walking, trotting, or cantering, the lad would throw himself off, +holding only the long rein attached to the curb, the sudden pull upon +which, when the lad was on the ground, would cause the horse's head to +be turned round, and stop him in his career. The boy would then +gradually shorten the rein, until the horse was brought up to him, then +patting and caressing him, he would again mount. After a very few +lessons of this kind, the horse would always stop the instant the boy +fell, and remain stationary beside him. The lads, as well as the horses, +were rewarded by my father for their proper performance of this rather +singular manoeuvre, but I never saw or knew any accident occur. The +horses thus trained proved excellent hunters, and would never run away +from their riders when thrown, always standing by them until re-mounted. +From the lads constantly rubbing and pulling their legs about, we had no +kickers. When a boy of only fifteen, I was allowed to ride a fine mare +which has been thus broken in, in company with the hounds. Being nearly +sixteen hands high, I had some difficulty in clambering up and down; but +when dislodged from my seat, she would stand quietly by until +re-mounted, and appeared as anxious for me to get up again as I was +myself. + +"It may be said that all this was time and trouble thrown away, and that +the present plan of riding a young four-year-old, straight across +country at once, will answer the same purpose. My reply is, that a good +education, either upon man, horse, or dog, will never be thrown away; +and, notwithstanding the number of horses now brought into the +hunting-field, there are still few well-trained hunters to be met with. +The horse, the most beautiful and useful of animals to man, is seldom +sufficiently instructed or familiarised, although certainly capable of +the greatest attachment to his master when well used, and deserving to +be treated more as a friend than a slave. It is a general remark how +quiet some high-spirited horses will become when ridden by ladies. The +cause of this is, that they are more quietly handled, patted, and +caressed by them, and become soon sensible of this difference of +treatment, from the rough whip-and-spur system, too generally adopted by +men." + + +ON BAULKING OR JIBBING HORSES. + +Horses are taught the dangerous vice of baulking, or jibbing, as it is +called in England, by improper management. When a horse jibs in harness, +it is generally from some mismanagement, excitement, confusion, or from +not knowing how to pull, but seldom from any unwillingness to perform +all that he understands. High-spirited free-going horses are the most +subject to baulking, and only so because drivers do not properly +understand how to manage this kind. A free horse in a team may be so +anxious to go, that when he hears the word he will start with a jump, +which will not move the load, but give him such a severe jerk on the +shoulders that he will fly back and stop the other horse. The teamster +will continue his driving without any cessation, and by the time he has +the slow horse started again, he will find that the free horse has made +another jump, and again flown back. And now he has them both badly +baulked, and so confused that neither of them knows what is the matter, +or how to start the load. Next will come the slashing and cracking of +the whip, and hallooing of the driver, till something is broken, or he +is through with his course of treatment. But what a mistake the driver +commits by whipping his horse for this act! Reason and common sense +should teach him that the horse was willing and anxious to go, but did +not know how to start the load. And should he whip him for that? If so, +he should whip him again for not knowing how to talk. A man that wants +to act with reason should not fly into a passion, but should always +think before he strikes. It takes a steady pressure against the collar +to move a load, and you cannot expect him to act with a steady, +determined purpose while you are whipping him. There is hardly one +baulking horse in five hundred that will pull truly from whipping: it is +only adding fuel to fire, and will make him more liable to baulk another +time. You always see horses that have been baulked a few times turn +their heads and look back as soon as they are a little frustrated. This +is because they have been whipped, and are afraid of what is behind +them. This is an invariable rule with baulked horses, just as much as it +is for them to look around at their sides when they have the +bots.[106-*] In either case they are deserving of the same sympathy and +the same kind, rational treatment. + +When your horse baulks, or is a little excited, if he wants to start +quickly, or looks around and doesn't want to go, there is something +wrong, and he needs kind treatment immediately. Caress him kindly, and +if he doesn't understand at once what you want him to do, he will not be +so much excited as to jump and break things, and do everything wrong +through fear. As long as you are calm, and keep down the excitement of +the horse, there are ten chances that you will make him understand you, +where there would not be one under harsh treatment; and then the little +_flare up_ will not carry with it any unfavourable recollections, and he +will soon forget all about it, and learn to pull truly. Almost every +wrong act the horse commits is from mismanagement, fear, or excitement: +one harsh word will so excite a nervous horse as to increase his pulse +ten beats in a minute. + +When we remember that we are dealing with dumb brutes, and reflect how +difficult it must be for them to understand our motions, signs, and +language, we should never get out of patience with them because they +don't understand us, or wonder at their doing things wrong. With all our +intellect, if we were placed in the horse's situation, it would be +difficult for us to understand the driving of some foreigner, of foreign +ways and foreign language. We should always recollect that our ways and +language are just as foreign and unknown to the horse as any language in +the world is to us, and should try to practise what we could understand +were we the horse, endeavouring by some simple means to work on his +understanding rather than on the different parts of his body. All +baulked horses can be started true and steady in a few minutes' time: +they are all willing to pull as soon as they know how, and I never yet +found a baulked horse that I could not teach to start his load in +fifteen, and often less than three, minutes' time. + +Almost any team, when first baulked, will start kindly if you let them +stand five or ten minutes as though there was nothing wrong, and then +speak to them with a steady voice, and turn them a little to the right +or left, so as to get them both in motion before they feel the pinch of +the load. But if you want to start a team that you are not driving +yourself, that has been baulked, fooled, and whipped for some time, go +to them and hang the lines on their hames, or fasten them to the waggon, +so that they will be perfectly loose; make the driver and spectators (if +there are any) stand off some distance to one side, so as not to attract +the attention of the horses; unloose their check-reins, so that they can +get their heads down if they choose; let them stand a few minutes in +this condition until you can see that they are a little composed. While +they are standing, you should be about their heads, gentling them: it +will make them a little more kind, and the spectators will think that +you are doing something that they do not understand, and will not learn +the secret. When you have them ready to start, stand before them, and, +as you seldom have but one baulky horse in a team, get as near in front +of him as you can, and, if he is too fast for the other horse, let his +nose come against your breast: this will keep him steady, for he will go +slow rather than run on you. Turn them gently to the right, without +letting them pull on the traces as far as the tongue will let them go: +stop them with a kind word, gentle them a little, and then turn them +back to the left, by the same process. You will then have them under +your control by this time; and as you turn them again to the right, +steady them in the collar, and you can take them where you please. + +There is a quicker process that will generally start a baulky horse, but +not so sure. Stand him a little ahead, so that his shoulders will be +against the collar; and then take up one of his fore feet in your hand, +and let the driver start them, and when the weight comes against his +shoulders he will try to step: then let him have his foot, and he will +go right along. If you want to break a horse from baulking that has long +been in that habit, you ought to set apart a half-day for that purpose. +Put him by the side of some steady horse; have driving reins on them; +tie up all the traces and straps, so that there will be nothing to +excite them; do not rein them up, but let them have their heads loose. +Walk them about together for some time as slowly and lazily as possible; +stop often, and go up to your baulky horse and gentle him. Do not take +any whip about him, or do anything to excite him, but keep him just as +quiet as you can. He will soon learn to start off at the word, and stop +whenever you tell him. + +As soon as he performs rightly, hitch him in an empty waggon; have it +standing in a favourable position for starting. It would be well to +shorten the trace-chain behind the steady horse, so that, if it is +necessary, he can take the weight of the waggon the first time you start +them. Do not drive more than a few rods at first; watch your jibbing +horse closely, and if you see that he is getting excited, stop him +before he stops of his own accord, caress him a little, and start again. +As soon as they go well, drive them over a small hill a few times, and +then over a larger one, occasionally adding a little load. This process +will make any horse true to pull. + +The following anecdote from Scrutator's "Horses and Hounds," illustrates +the soundness of Mr. Rarey's system:--"A gentleman in our neighbourhood +having purchased a very fine carriage horse, at a high price, was not a +little annoyed, upon trial, to find that he would not pull an ounce, and +when the whip was applied he began plunging and kicking. After one or +two trials the coachman declared he could do nothing with him, and our +neighbour, meeting my father, expressed his grievances at being thus +taken in, and asked what he had better do. The reply was 'Send the horse +to me tomorrow morning, and I will return him a good puller within a +week.' The horse being brought, was put into the shafts of a wagon, in a +field, with the hind wheels tied, and being reined up so that he could +not get his head between his legs, was there left, with a man to watch +him for five or six hours, and, of course, without any food. When my +father thought he had enough of standing still, he went up to him with a +handful of sweet hay, let down the bearing rein, and had the wheels of +the wagon released. After patting the horse on the neck, when he had +taken a mouthful or two of hay, he took hold of the bridle and led him +away--the wagon followed--thus proving stratagem to be better than +force. Another lesson was scarcely required, but, to make sure, it was +repeated, and, after that, the horse was sent back to the owner. There +was no complaint ever made of his jibbing again. The wagon to which he +was attached was both light and empty, and the ground inclined rather +towards the stable." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[106-*] A much more severe disease in America than in England.--EDIT. + + + + +[Illustration: LADY'S SEAT, WITH HUNTING-HORN POMMEL.] + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.--On teaching + children.--Anecdote.--Havelock's opinion.--Rarey's plan to train + ponies.--The use of books.--Necessity of regular teaching for + girls, boys can be self-taught.--Commence without a bridle.--Ride + with one pair of reins and two hands.--Advantage of hunting-horn on + side-saddle.--On the best plan for mounting.--Rarey's plan.--On a + man's seat.--Nolan's opinion.--Military style.--Hunting style.--Two + examples in Lord Cardigan.--The Prussian style.--Anecdote by Mr. + Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.--Hints for men learning to + ride.--How to use the reins.--Pull right for right, and left for + left.--How to collect your horse. + + +You cannot learn to ride from a book, but you may learn how to do some +things and how to avoid many things of importance. Those who know all +about horses and horsemanship, or fancy they do, will not read this +chapter. But as there are riding-schools in the City of London, where an +excellent business is done in teaching well-grown men how to ride for +health or fashion, and as papas who know their own bump-bump style very +well often desire to teach their daughters, I have collected the +following instructions from my own experience, now extending over full +thirty years, on horses of all kinds, including the worst, and from the +best books on the subject, some of the best being anonymous +contributions by distinguished horsemen, printed for private +circulation. Every man and woman, girl and boy, who has the opportunity, +should learn to ride on horseback. It is almost an additional sense--it +is one of the healthiest exercises--it affords amusement when other +amusements fail--relaxation from the most severe toil, and often, in +colonies or wild countries, the only means of travelling or trading. + +A man feels twice a man on horseback. The student and the farmer meet, +when mounted, the Cabinet Minister and the landlord on even terms--good +horsemanship is a passport to acquaintances in all ranks of life, and to +make acquaintances is one of the arts of civilised life; to ripen them +into use or friendship is another art. On horseback you can call with +less ceremony, and meet or leave a superior with less form than on +foot. Rotten Row is the ride of idleness and pleasure, but there is a +great deal of business done in sober walks and slow canters, commercial, +political, and matrimonial. + +For a young lady not to be able to ride with a lover is a great loss; +not to be able to ride with a young husband a serious privation. + +The first element for enjoying horse exercise is good horsemanship. +Colonel Greenwood says very truly:--"_Good_ riding is worth acquiring by +those whose pleasure or business it is to ride, because it is soon and +easily acquired, and, when acquired, it becomes habitual; and it is as +easy, nay, much more easy, and infinitely more safe, than bad riding." +"Good riding will last through age, sickness, and decrepitude, but bad +riding will last only as long as youth, health, and strength supply +courage; _for good riding is an affair of skill, but bad riding is an +affair of courage_." + +A bold bad rider must not be merely brave; he must be fool-hardy; for he +is perpetually in as much danger as a blind man among precipices. + +In riding, as in most other things, danger is for the timid and the +unskilful. The skilful rider, when apparently courting danger in the +field, deserves no more credit for courage than for sitting in an +arm-chair, and the unskilful no more the imputation of timidity for +backwardness than if without practice he declined to perform on the +tight-rope. Depend upon it, the bold bad rider is the hero. + +There is nothing heroic in good riding, when dissected. The whole thing +is a matter of detail--a collection of trifles--and its principles are +so simple in theory and so easy in practice that they are despised. + +It is an accomplishment that may, to a certain extent, be acquired late +in life. I know instances in both sexes of a fair firm seat having been +acquired under the pressure of necessity after forty years of age (I +could name lawyers, sculptors, architects, and sailors), but it may be +acquired with ease and perfection in youth, and it is most important +that no awkward habits should be acquired. + +Children who have courage may be taught to ride almost as soon as they +can walk. On the Pampas of South America you may see a boy seven years +old on horseback, driving a herd of horses, and carrying a baby in his +arms! + +I began my own lessons at four, when I sat upon an old mare in the stall +while the groom polished harness or blacked his boots. Mr. Nathaniel +Gould, who, at upwards of seventy years, and sixteen stone weight, can +still ride hunting for seven or eight hours at a stretch, mentions, in +his observations on horses and hunting,[114-*] that a nephew of his +followed the Cheshire fox-hounds at seven years of age. "His manner of +gathering up his reins was most singular, and his power of keeping his +seat, with his little legs stretched horizontally along the saddle, +quite surprising." The hero Havelock, writing to his little boy, says, +"You are now seven years old, and ought to learn to ride. I hope to hear +soon that you have made progress in that important part of your +education. Your uncle William (a boy-hero in the Peninsula) rode well +before he was seven years old." The proper commencement for a boy is a +pony in which he can interest himself, and on which he may learn to sit +as a horseman should. + +I particularly warn parents against those broad-backed animals which, +however suitable for carrying heavy old gentlemen, or sacks to market, +are certainly very uncomfortable for the short legs of little boys, and +likely to induce rupture. On a narrow, well-bred pony, of 11 or 12 hands +high, a boy of six can sit like a little man. It is cruel to make +children ride with bare legs. + +Before Rarey introduced his system, there was no satisfactory mode of +training those ponies that were too small for a man to mount, unless the +owner happened to live near some racing stable, where he could obtain +the services of a "feather-weight doll," and then the pony often learned +tricks more comic than satisfactory. + +By patiently applying the practices explained in the preceding chapters, +the smallest and most highly-bred pony may be reduced to perfect +docility without impairing its spirit, and taught a number of amusing +tricks. + +Young ladies may learn on full-sized horses quite as well as on ponies, +if they are provided with suitable side-saddles. + +A man, or rather a boy, may learn to ride by practice and imitation, and +go on tumbling about until he has acquired a firm and even elegant seat, +but no lady can ever learn to ride as a lady should ride, without a good +deal of instruction; because her seat on horseback is so thoroughly +artificial, that without some competent person to tell her of her +faults, she is sure to fall into a number of awkward ungraceful tricks. +Besides, a riding-school, with its enclosed walls and trained horses, +affords an opportunity of going through the preliminary lessons without +any of those accidents which on the road, or in a field, are very likely +to occur with a raw pupil on a fresh horse. For a young lad to fall on +the grass, is not a serious affair, but a lady should never be allowed +to run the chance of a fall, because it is likely to destroy the nerve, +without which no lessons can be taught successfully. All who have +noticed the performances of Amazones in London, or at Brighton, must +have in remembrance the many examples of ladies who, with great courage, +sit in a manner that is at once fearful and ridiculous to behold; +entirely dependent on the good behaviour of horses, which they, in +reality, have no power of turning, and scarcely of stopping. + +Little girls who learn their first lessons by riding with papa, who is +either absorbed in other business, or himself a novice in the art of +horsemanship, get into poky habits, which it is extremely difficult to +eradicate when they reach the age when every real woman wishes to be +admired. + +Therefore, let everyone interested in the horsemanship of a young lady +commence by placing her, as early as possible, under the tuition of a +competent professional riding-master, unless he knows enough to teach +her himself. There are many riding-schools where a fair seat is acquired +by the lady pupils, but in London, at any rate, only two or three where +they learn to use the reins, so as to control an unruly horse. + +Both sexes are apt to acquire the habit of holding on by the bridle. To +avoid this grave error, the first lessons in walking and cantering +should be given to the pupil on a led horse, without taking hold of the +bridle; and this should be repeated in learning to leap. The +horsemanship of a lady is not complete until she has learned to leap, +whether she intends to ride farming or hunting, or to confine herself to +Rotten Row canters; for horses will leap and bound at times without +permission. + +I have high authority for recommending lessons without holding the +bridle. Lady Mildred H----, one of the most accomplished horsewomen of +the day, taught her daughter to walk, trot, canter, gallop, and leap, +without the steadying assistance of the reins. + +A second point is, that every pupil in horsemanship should begin by +holding the rein or reins (one is enough to begin with) in both hands, +pulling to the right when they want to go to the right, and to the left +when they wish to go to the left, that is the proper way of riding every +strange horse, every colt, and every hunter, that does not perfectly +know his business, for it is the only way in which you have any real +command over your horse. But almost all our riding-school rules are +military. Soldiers are obliged to carry a sword in one hand, and to +rely, to a great extent, on the training of their horses for turning +right or left. Ladies and gentlemen have no swords to carry, and neither +possess, nor can desire to possess, such machines as troop-horses. +Besides other more important advantages which will presently be +described by commencing with two-handed riding, a lady is more likely to +continue to sit squarely, than when holding the reins with one hand, and +pretending to guide a horse who really guides himself. A man has the +power of turning a horse, to a certain extent, with his legs and spurs; +a woman must depend on her reins, whip, and left leg. As only one rein +and the whip can be well held in one hand, double reins, except for +hunting, are to a lady merely a perplexing puzzle. The best way for a +lady is to knot up the snaffle, and hang it over the pommel, and ride +with a light hand on the curb. + +In order to give those ladies who may not have instruction at hand an +idea of a safe, firm, and elegant seat, I have placed at the head of +this chapter a woodcut, which shows how the legs should be placed. The +third or hunting-horn pommel must be fitted to the rider, as its +situation in the saddle will differ, to some extent, according to the +length of the lady's legs. I hope my plain speaking will not offend +American friends. + +The first step is to sit well down on the saddle, then pass the right +leg over the upstanding pommel, and let it hang straight down,--a little +back, if leaping; if the foot pokes out, the lady has no firm hold. The +stirrup must then be shortened, so as to bring the bent thigh next to +the knee of the left leg firmly against the under side of the +hunting-horn pommel. If, when this is done, an imaginary line were drawn +from the rider's backbone, which would go through the centre of the +saddle, close to the cantle, she is in her proper place, and leaning +rather back than forward, firm and close from the hips downwards, +flexible from her hips upwards, with her hands holding the reins apart, +a little above the level of her knee, she is in a position at once +powerful and graceful. This is a very imperfect description of a very +elegant picture. The originals, few and far between, are to be found for +nine months of the year daily in Rotten Row. A lady in mounting, should +hold the reins in her left hand, and place it on the pommel, the right +hand as far over the cantle as she can comfortably reach. If there is no +skilful man present to take her foot, make any man kneel down and put +out his right knee as a step, and let down the stirrup to be shortened +afterwards. Practise on a high chest of drawers! + +After all the rules of horsemanship have been perfectly learned, nothing +but practice can give the instinct which prepares a rider for the most +sudden starts, leaps, and "kickings up behind and before." + +The style of a man's seat must, to a certain extent, be settled by his +height and shape. A man with short round legs and thighs cannot sit down +on his horse like tall thin men, such as Jim Mason, or Tom Oliver, but +men of the most unlikely shapes, by dint of practice and pluck, go well +in the hunting-field, and don't look ridiculous on the road. + +There are certain rules laid down as to the length of a man's +stirrup-leathers, but the only good rule is that they should be short +enough to give the rider full confidence in his seat, and full power +over a pulling horse. For hunting it is generally well to take them up +one hole shorter than on the road. + +The military directions for mounting are absurd for civilians; in the +first place, there ought to be no right side or wrong side in mounting; +in both the street and hunting-field it is often most convenient to +mount on what is called the wrong side. In the next place horses trained +on the Rarey plan (and very soon all horses will be), will stand without +thinking of moving when placed by the rider, so that the military +direction to stand before the stirrup becomes unnecessary. + +The following is Mr. Rarey's plan of mounting for men, which is +excellent, but is not described in his book, and indeed is difficult to +describe at all. + +_To mount with the girths slack without bearing on the stirrup._--Take +up the reins and a lock of the mane, stand behind the withers looking at +your horse's head, put your foot in the stirrup, and while holding the +reins in one hand on the neck, place the other open and flat on the +other side of the saddle as far down as the edge of the little flap, +turn your toe out, so as not to touch the horse's belly, and rise by +leaning on your flat hand, thus pressing hard on the side of the saddle +opposite to that on which you are mounting. The pressure of your hands +will counterbalance your weight, and you will be able to mount without +straining the girths, or even without any girths at all. If you are not +tall enough to put your foot fairly in the stirrup, use a horse-block, +or, better still, a piece of solid wood about eighteen inches high, that +can be moved about anywhere. + +Young men should learn to leap into the saddle by placing both hands on +the cantle, as the horse moves. I have seen Daly, the steeplechaser, who +was a little man, do this often in the hunting-field, before he broke +his thigh. + +With respect to the best model for a seat, I recommend the very large +class who form the best customers of riding-school masters in the great +towns of England, I mean the gentlemen from eighteen to +eight-and-twenty, who begin to ride as soon as they have the means and +the opportunity, to study the style of the first-class steeplechase +jockeys and gentlemen riders in the hunting-field whenever they have the +opportunity. Almost all riding-masters are old dragoons, and what they +teach is good as far as it goes, as to general appearance and carriage +of the body, but generally the military notions about the use of a +rider's arms and legs are utterly wrong. + +On this point we cannot have a better authority then that of the late +Captain Nolan, who served in the Austrian, Hungarian, and in the English +cavalry in India, and who studied horsemanship in Russia, and all other +European countries celebrated for their cavalry. He says-- + +"The difference between a school (viz. an ordinary military horseman) +and a real horseman is this, the first depends upon guiding and managing +his horse for maintaining his seat; the second depends upon his seat for +controlling and guiding his horse. At a _trot_ the school rider, instead +of lightly rising to the action of the horse, bumps up and down, +falling heavily on the horse's loins, and hanging on the reins to +prevent the animal slipping from under him, whilst he is thrown up in +his seat." + +It is a curious circumstance that the English alone have two styles of +horsemanship. The one, natural and useful, formed in the hunting-field; +the other, artificial and military, imported from the Continent. If you +go into Rotten Row in the season you may see General the Earl of +Cardigan riding a trained charger in the most approved military +style--the toes in the stirrups, long stirrup-leathers, heels down, legs +from the knee carefully clear of the horse's sides--in fact, the balance +seat, handed down by tradition from the time when knights wore complete +armour and could ride in no other way, for the weight of the armour +rendered a fall certain if once the balance was lost; a very grand and +graceful style it is when performed by a master of the art of the length +of limb of the Earl, or his more brilliant predecessor, the late +Marquess of Anglesea. But if you go into Northamptonshire in the hunting +season, you may see the same Earl of Cardigan in his scarlet coat, +looking twice as thick in the waist, sailing away in the first flight, +sitting down on the part intended by nature for a seat, with his knees +well bent, and his calves employed in distributing his weight over the +horse's back and sides. In the one case the Earl is a real, in the other +a show, horseman. + +Therefore, when a riding-master tells you that you must ride by balance, +"with your body upright, knee drawn back, and the feet in a +perpendicular line with the shoulder, and your legs from the knee +downward brought away to prevent what is called _clinging_," listen to +him, learn all you can--do not argue, that would be useless--and then +take the first opportunity of studying those who are noted for combining +an easy, natural seat with grace--that is, if you are built for +gracefulness--some people are not. In Nolan's words, "Let a man have a +roomy saddle, and sit close to the horse's back; let the leg be +supported by the stirrup in a natural position, without being so short +as to throw back the thigh, and the nearer the whole leg is brought to +the horse the better, so long as the foot is not bent below the +ankle-joint." + +Soon after the battle of Waterloo, by influence of the Prince Regent, +who fancied he knew something about cavalry, a Prussian was introduced +to teach our cavalry a new style of equitation, which consisted in +entirely abandoning the use of that part of the person in which his +Royal Highness was so highly gifted, and riding on the fork like a pair +of compasses on a rolling pin, with perfectly straight legs. For a +considerable period this ridiculous drill, which deprived the soldiers +of all power over their horses, was carried on in the fields where +Belgrave Square now stands, and was not abandoned until the number of +men who suffered by it was the cause of a serious remonstrance from +commanding officers. It is a pity that the reverse system has never been +tried, and a regiment of cavalry taught riding on English fox-hunting +principles, using the snaffle on the road, and rising in the trot. But +it must be admitted that since the war there has been a great +improvement in this respect, and there will probably be more as the +martinets of the old school die off. + +It was not for want of examples of a better style that the continental +military style was forced upon our cavalry. Mr. Nathaniel Gould relates +in his little book as an instance of what determined hunting-men can +do, that-- + +"When, in the year 1815, Blucher arrived in London and drove at once to +Carlton House, I was one of a few out of an immense concourse of +horsemen who accompanied his carriage from Shooter's Hill, riding on +each side; spite of all obstacles we forced ourselves through the Horse +Guards gate and the troop of guardsmen, in like manner through the Light +Cavalry and gate at Carlton House, as well as the posse of constables in +the court-yard, and drove our horses up the flight of stone steps into +the salon, though the guards, beefeaters, and constables arrayed +themselves against this irruption of Cossacks, and actually came to the +charge. The Prince, however, in the noblest manner waved his hand, and +we were allowed to form a circle round the Regent while Blucher had the +blue ribbon placed on his shoulders, and was assisted to rise by the +Prince in the most dignified manner. His Royal Highness then slightly +acknowledged our presence, we backed to the door, and got down the steps +again with only one accident, that arising from a horse, which, on being +urged forward, took a leap down the whole flight of stairs." + +But to return to the subject of a man's seat on horseback. Nolan, +quoting Baucher, says, "When first put on horseback, devote a few +lessons to making his limbs supple, in the same way that you begin drill +on foot with extension motions. Show him how to close up the thigh and +leg to the saddle, and then work the leg backwards and forwards, up and +down, _without stirrups_; _make him swing a weight round in a circle +from the shoulder as centre_; the other hand placed on the thigh, thence +to the rear, change the weight to the opposite hand, and same." + +"_Placing one hand on the horse's mane_, make him lean down to each side +in succession, till he reaches to within a short distance of the +ground." "These exercises give a man a firm hold with his legs, on a +horse, and teach him to move his limbs without quitting his seat. Then +take him in the circle in the longe, and, by walking and trotting +alternately, teach him the necessity of leaning with the body to the +side the horse is turning to. This is the necessary balance. Then put +him with others, and give him plenty of trotting, to shake him into his +seat. By degrees teach him how to use the reins, then the leg." + +These directions for training a full-grown trooper may be of use to +civilians. + + +HANDS AND REINS. + +Presuming that you are in a fair way to obtain a secure seat, the next +point is the use of the reins and the employment of your legs, for it is +by these that a horseman holds, urges, and turns his horse. To handle a +horse in perfection, you must have, besides instruction, "good hands." +Good or light hands, like the touch of a first-rate violinist, are a +gift, not always to be acquired even by thought and practice. The +perfection of riding is to make your horse understand and obey your +directions, as conveyed through the reins--to halt, or go fast or slow; +to walk, trot, canter, or gallop; to lead off with right or left leg, to +change leg, to turn either way, and to rise in leaping at the exact +point you select. No one but a perfect horseman, with naturally fine +hands, can do this perfectly, but every young horseman should try. + +The golden rule of horsemanship is laid down by Colonel Greenwood, in a +sentence that noodles will despise for its "trite simplicity:"--"When +you wish to turn to the right, pull the right rein stronger than the +left." This is common sense. No horse becomes restive in the +colt-breaker's hands. The reason is, that they ride with one bridle and +two hands, instead of two bridles and one hand. "When they wish to go to +the left, they pull the left rein stronger than the right. When they +wish to go to the right, they pull the right rein stronger than the +left. If the colt does not obey these indications, at least he +understands them, even the first time he is mounted, and the most +obstinate will not long resist them. Acting on these plain principles, I +saw, in August last, a three-year-old colt which, placed absolutely raw +and unbridled in Mr. Rarey's hands, within seven days answered every +indication of the reins like an old horse--turned right or left, brought +his nose to the rider's knee, and backed like an old trooper. + +"But it takes a long time to make a colt understand that he is to turn +to the right when the left rein is pulled;" and if any horse resists, +the rider has no power one-handed, as the reins are usually held, to +compel him. + +The practice of one-handed riding originated in military schools; for a +soldier has to carry a sword or lance, and depends chiefly on his +well-trained horse and the pressure of his legs. No one ever attempts to +turn a horse in harness with one hand, although there the driver has the +assistance of the terrets, and it is equally absurd to attempt it with a +colt or horse with a delicate mouth. Of course, with an old-trained hack +even the reins are a mere form; any hint is enough. + +The advantage of double-handed riding is, that, in a few hours, any +colt and any pupil in horsemanship may learn it. + +To make the most of a horse, the reins must be held with a smooth, even +bearing, not hauling at a horse's mouth, as if it were made of Indian +rubber, nor yet leaving the reins slack, but so feeling him that you can +instantaneously direct his course in any direction, "as if," to use old +Chifney's phrase, "your rein was a worsted thread." Your legs are to be +used to force your horse forward up to the bit, and also to guide him. +That is, when you turn to the right pull the right rein sharpest and +press with the left leg; when to the left, _vice versa_. Unless a horse +rides up to the bit you have no control over him. + +A good horseman chooses his horse's ground and his pace for him. "To +avoid a falling leaf a horse will put his foot over a precipice. When a +horse has made a stumble, or is in difficulties at a fence, you cannot +leave him too much at liberty, or be too quiet with him." Don't believe +the nonsense people talk about holding a horse up _after_ he has +stumbled. + +The pupil horseman should remember to drop his hands as low as he can on +each side the withers, without stooping, when a horse becomes restive, +plunging or attempting to run away. The instinct of a novice is to do +exactly what he ought not to do--raise his hands. + +By a skilful use of the reins and your own legs, with or without spurs, +you collect, or, as Colonel Greenwood well expresses it, you condense +your horse, at a stand, that is, you make him stand square, yet ready to +move in any direction at any pace that you require; this is one use of +the curb bit. It is on the same principle that fashionable coachmen "hit +and hold" their high-bred horses while they thread the crowded streets +of the West end in season, or that you see a hard rider, when starting +with three hundred companions at the joyful sound of Tally-ho, pricking +and holding his horse, to have him ready for a great effort the moment +he is clear of the crowd. + +By a judicious use of the curb rein, you collect a tired horse; tired +horses are inclined to sprawl about. You draw his hind-legs under him, +throw him upon his haunches, and render him less liable to fall even on +his weary or weak fore-legs. But a pull at the reins when a horse is +falling may make him hold up his head, but cannot make him hold up his +legs. + +"When a horse is in movement there should be a constant touch or feeling +or play between his mouth and the rider's hands." Not the hold by which +riders of the foreign school retain their horses at an artificial parade +pace, which is inconceivably fatiguing to the animal, and quite contrary +to our English notions of natural riding; but a gradual, delicate firm +feeling of the mouth and steady indications of the legs, which keep a +fiery well-broken horse always, to use a school phrase, "between your +hands and legs." + +You cannot take too much pains to acquire this art, for although it is +not exercised on an old hack, that you ride with reins held any how, and +your legs dangling anywhere, it is called into action and gives +additional enjoyment to be striding the finest class of high-couraged +delicate-mouthed horses--beautiful creatures that seem to enjoy being +ridden by a real horseman or light-handed Amazone, but which become +frantic in ignorant or brutal hands. + +"A horse should never be turned without being made to collect himself, +without being retained by the hands and urged by the legs, as well as +guided by both; that is, in turning to the right both hands should +retain him, and the right hand guide him, by being used the strongest; +in turning to the left, both legs should urge him, and the left guide +him by being pressed the strongest. Don't turn into the contrary +extreme, slackening the left rein, and hauling the horse's head round to +the right." + +The same rules should be observed for making a horse canter with the +right leg, but the right rein should be only drawn enough to develop his +right nostril. + +_Reining Back._--You must collect a horse with your legs before you rein +him back, because if you press him back first with the reins he may +throw all his weight on his hind legs under him, stick out his nose, hug +his tail, and then he cannot stir--you must recover him to his balance, +and give him power to step back. This rule is often neglected by carters +in trying to make the shaft-horse back. + +_Rearing._--Knot the snaffle rein--loose it when the horse rears--put +your right arm round the horse's neck, with the hand well up and close +under the horse's gullet; press your left shoulder forward so as to +bring your chest to the horse's near side, for, if the horse falls, you +will fall clear; the moment he is descending, press him forward, take up +the rein, which, being knotted, is short to your hands, and ply the +spurs. But a horse, after being laid down and made walk, tied up like +the zebra a few times, will seldom persist, because the moment he +attempts to rise you pull his off hind leg under him and he is +powerless. + +_Leaping._--The riding-school is a bad place to teach a horse to leap. +The bar, with its posts, is very apt to frighten him; if a colt has not +been trained to leap as it should be by following its dam before it is +mounted, take it into the fields and let it follow well-trained horses +over easy low fences and little ditches, slowly without fuss, and, as +part of the ride, not backwards and forwards--always leap on the +snaffle. Our cavalry officers learn to leap, not in the school, but +"across country." Nolan tells a story that, during some manoeuvres in +Italy, an Austrian general, with his staff, got amongst some enclosures +and sent some of his aide-de-camps to find an outlet. They peered over +the stone walls, rode about, but could find no gap. The general turned +to one of his staff, a Yorkshireman, and said, "See if you can find a +way out of this place." Mr. W----k, mounted on a good English horse, +went straight at the wall, cleared it, and, while doing so, turned in +his saddle and touched his cap and said, "This way, general;" but his +way did not suit the rest of the party. + +There is a good deal taught in the best military schools, well worth +time and study, which, with practice in horse-taming, would fill up the +idle time of that numerous class who never read, and find time heavy on +their hands, when out of town life. + +"But a military riding-school," says Colonel Greenwood, "is too apt to +teach you to sit on your horse as stiff as a statue, to let your right +hand hang down as useless as if God had never gifted you with one, to +stick your left hand out, with a stiff straight wrist like a boltsprit, +and to turn your horse invariably on the wrong rein." I should not +venture to say so much on my own authority, but Captain Nolan says +further, speaking of the effect of the foreign school (not Baucher's), +on horses and men, "The result of this long monotonous course of study +is, that on the uninitiated the school rider makes a pleasing +impression, his horse turns, prances, and caracoles without any visible +aid, or without any motion in the horseman's upright, imposing +attitude. But I have lived and served with them. I have myself been a +riding-master, and know, from experience, the disadvantages of this +foreign seat and system." + +There is nothing that requires more patience and firmness than a shying +horse. Shying arises from three causes--defective eyesight, +skittishness, and fear. If a horse always shies from the same side you +may be sure the eye on that side is defective. + +You may know that a horse shies from skittishness if he flies one day +snorting from what he meets the next with indifference; dark stables +also produce this irregular shying. + +Nervousness, which is often increased by brutality, as the horse is not +only afraid of the object, but of the whipping and spurring he has been +accustomed to receive, can be alleviated, to some extent, by the +treatment already described in the horse-training chapter. But horses +first brought from the country to a large town are likely to be alarmed +at a number of objects. You must take time to make them acquainted with +each. For instance, I brought a mare from the country that everything +moving seemed to frighten. I am convinced she had been ill-used, or had +had an accident in harness. The first time a railway train passed in her +sight over a bridge spanning the road she was travelling, she would turn +round and would have run away had I not been able to restrain her; I +could feel her heart beat between my legs. Acting on the principles of +Xenophon and Mr. Rarey, I allowed her to turn, but compelled her to +stand, twenty yards off, while the train passed. She looked back with a +fearful eye all the time--it was a very slow luggage train--while I +soothed her. After once or twice she consented to face the train, +watching it with crested neck and ears erect; by degrees she walked +slowly forwards, and in the course of a few days passed under the bridge +in the midst of the thunder of a train with perfect indifference. + +If you can distinctly ascertain that a horse shies and turns round from +mere skittishness, correct him when he turns, not as long as he faces +the object: he will soon learn that it is for turning that he is visited +with whip and spurs. A few days' practice and patience essentially alter +the character of the most nervous horses. + +Books contain very elaborate descriptions of what a hack or a hunter +should be in form, &c. To most persons these descriptions convey no +practical ideas. The better plan is to take lessons on the proportions +and anatomy of a horse from some intelligent judge or veterinary +surgeon. You must study, and buy, and lose your money on many horses +before you can safely, if ever, depend on your own judgment in choosing +a horse. And, after all, a natural talent for comparison and eye for +proportion are only the gift of a few. Some men have horses all their +lives, and yet scarcely know a good animal from a bad one, although they +may know what they like to drive, or ride or hunt. The safe plan is to +distrust your own judgment until you feel you have had experience enough +to choose for yourself. + +Hacks for long distances are seldom required in England in these railway +days. A town hack should be good-looking, sure-footed, not too tall, and +active, for you are always in sight, you have to ride over slippery +pavement, to turn sharp corners, and to mount and dismount often. +Rarey's system of making the horse obey the voice, stand until called, +and follow the rider, may easily be taught, and is of great practical +value thus applied. A cover or country hack must be fast, but need not +be so showy in action or handsome as a town hack--his merit is to get +over the ground. + +Teach your hack to walk well with the reins loose--no pace is more +gentlemanly and useful than a good steady walk. Any well-bred screw can +gallop; it is the slow paces that show a gentleman's hack. + +If on a long journey, walk a quarter of a mile for every four you trot +or canter, choosing the softest bits of road or turf. + +Do not permit the saddle to be removed for at least half an hour after +arriving with your horse hot. A neglect of this precaution will give a +sore back. + +A lady's horse, beside other well-known qualifications of beauty and +pace, should be up to the lady's weight. It is one of the fictions of +society that all ladies eat little and weigh little. Now, a saddle and +habit weigh nearly three stone, a very slim lady will weigh nine, so +there you reach twelve stone, which, considering how fond young girls +are of riding fast and long over hard roads, is no mean weight. The best +plan is to put the dear creatures into the scales with their saddles, +register the result, and choose a horse calculated to be a good stone +over the gross weight. How few ladies remember, as for hours they canter +up and down Rotten Row, that that famous promenade is a mile and a +quarter in length, so ten turns make twelve miles and a half. + +The qualifications of a hunter need not be described, because all those +who need these hints will, if they have common sense, only take hunters +like servants, with established characters of at least one season. + +Remember that a horse for driving requires "courage," for he is always +going fast--he never walks. People who only keep one or two horses +often make the same mistake, as if they engaged Lord Gourmet's cook for +a servant of all work. They see a fiery caprioling animal, sleek as a +mole, gentle, but full of fire, come out of a nobleman's stud, where he +was nursed like a child, and only ridden or driven in his turn, with +half-a-dozen others. Seduced by his lively appearance, they purchase +him, and place him under the care of a gardener-groom, or at livery, +work him every day, early and late, and are surprised to find his flesh +melt, his coat lose its bloom, and his lively pace exchanged for a dull +shamble. This is a common case. The wise course is to select for a horse +of all work an animal that has been always accustomed to work hard; he +will then improve with care and regular exercise. + +Horses under six years' old are seldom equal to very hard work: they are +not, full-grown, of much use, where only one or two are kept. + +Make a point of caressing your horse, and giving him a carrot or apple +whenever he is brought to you, at the same time carefully examine him +all over, see to his legs, his shoes, and feet; notice if he is well +groomed; see to the condition of his furniture, and see always that he +is properly bitted. Grooms are often careless and ignorant. + +As to _Shoeing_. In large towns there are always veterinary surgeons' +forges, where the art is well understood, and so, too, in hunting +districts; but where you have to rely on ignorant blacksmiths you cannot +do better than rely on the rather exaggerated instructions contained in +"Miles on the Horse's Foot," issued at a low price by the Royal +Agricultural Society. Good shoeing prolongs the use of a horse for +years. + +_Stables._--Most elaborate directions are given for the construction of +stables; but most people are obliged to put up with what they find on +their premises. Stables should be so ventilated that they never stink, +and are never decidedly warm in cold weather, if you wish your horses to +be healthy. Grooms will almost always stop up ventilation if they can. +Loose boxes are to be preferred to stalls, because in them a tired horse +can place himself in the position most easy to him. Sloping stalls are +chambers of torture. + +Hunters should be placed away from other horses, where, after a +fatiguing day, they can lie at length, undisturbed by men or other +horses in use. Stables should be as light as living rooms, but with +louvers to darken them in summer, in order to keep out the flies. An +ample supply of cold and hot water without troubling the cook is +essential in a well-managed stable. + +Large stables are magnificent, but a mistake. Four or five horses are +quite as many as can be comfortably lodged together. I have seen hunters +in an old barn in better condition than in the grandest temples of +fashionable architects. + +It takes an hour to dress a horse well in the morning, and more on +return hot from work. From this hint you may calculate what time your +servant must devote to his horses if they are to be well dressed. + +If you are in the middle class, with a small stud, never take a swell +groom from a great stable--he will despise you and your horses. Hunting +farmers and hunting country surgeons train the best class of grooms. + +When you find an honest, sober man, who thoroughly knows his business, +you cannot treat him too well, for half the goodness of a horse depends, +like a French dish, on the treatment. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[114-*] "Hints on Horses and Hunting," by Senex. + + + + +[Illustration: SIDE SADDLE.] + +CHAPTER IX. + +ON HORSEMAN'S AND HORSEWOMAN'S DRESS, AND HORSE FURNITURE. + + On bits.--The snaffle.--The use of the curb.--The Pelham.--The + Hanoverian bit described.--Martingales.--The gentleman's saddle + to be large enough.--Spurs.--Not to be too sharp.--The Somerset + saddle for the timid and aged.--The Nolan saddle without + flaps.--Ladies' saddle described.--Advantages of the hunting-horn + crutch.--Ladies' stirrup.--Ladies' dress.--Hints + on.--Habit.--Boots.--Whips.--Hunting whips.--Use of the + lash.--Gentleman's riding costume.--Hunting dress.--Poole, the + great authority.--Advantage of cap over hat in hunting.--Boot-tops + and Napoleons.--Quotation from Warburton's ballads. + + +If you wish to ride comfortably, you must look as carefully to see that +your horse's furniture fits and suits him as to your own boots and +breeches. + +[Illustration: CURB-BIT.] + +When a farmer buys a team of oxen, if he knows his business he asks +their names, because oxen answer to their names. On the same principle +it is well to inquire what bit a horse has been accustomed to, and if +you cannot learn, try several until you find out what suits him. There +are rare horses, "that carry their own heads," in dealers' phrase, +safely and elegantly with a plain snaffle bridle; but except in the +hands of a steeple-chase jock, few are to be so trusted. Besides, as +reins, as well as snaffles, break, it is not safe to hunt much with one +bit and one bridle-rein. The average of horses go best on a double +bridle, that is to say, the common hard and sharp or curb, with a +snaffle. The best way is to ride on the snaffle, and use the curb only +when it is required to stop your horse suddenly, to moderate his speed +when he is pulling too hard, or when he is tired or lazy to collect him, +by drawing his nose down and his hind-legs more under him, for that is +the first effect of taking hold of the curb-rein. There are many horses +with good mouths, so far that they can be stopped easily with a plain +snaffle, and yet require a curb-bit, to make them carry their heads in +the right place, and this they often seem to do from the mere hint of +the curb-chain dangling against their chins, without the rider being +obliged to pull at the reins with any perceptible force. + +[Illustration: PLAIN SNAFFLE.] + +The Pelham-bit (see cut), which is a sort of snaffle-bit with cheeks and +a curb-chain, is a convenient style for this class of horse. A powerful +variation of the Pelham, called the Hanoverian, has within the last few +years come very much into use. It requires the light hands of a +practised horseman to use the curb-reins of the Hanoverian on a +delicate-mouthed horse; but when properly used no bit makes a horse bend +and display himself more handsomely, and in the hunting-field it will +hold a horse when nothing else will, for this bit is a very powerful +snaffle, as well as curb, with rollers or rings, that keep the horse's +mouth moist, and prevent it from becoming dead (see cut). For hunting, +use the first; if the Hanoverian it should not be too narrow. + +[Illustration: PELHAM-BIT.] + +The Chifney is a curb with, a very powerful leverage, and one of the +best for a pulling horse, or a lady's use. + +A perfect horseman will make shift with any bit. Sir Tatton Sykes and +Sir Charles Knightley, in their prime, could hold any horse with a plain +snaffle; but a lady, or a weak-wristed horseman, should be provided with +a bit that can stop the horse on an emergency; and many horses, +perfectly quiet on the road, pull hard in the field at the beginning of +a run. But it should be remembered, that when a horse runs away, it is +useless to rely on the curb, as, when once he has fully resisted it, the +longer he runs the less he cares for it. The better plan is to keep the +snaffle moving and sawing in his mouth, and from time to time take a +sharp pull at the curb. + +[Illustration: HANOVERIAN-BIT.] + +It is of great importance, especially with a high-spirited horse, that +the headpiece should fit him, that it is neither too tight nor too low +down in his mouth. I have known a violently restive horse to become +perfectly calm and docile when his bridle had been altered so as to fit +him comfortably. The curb-bit should be placed so low as only just to +clear the tushes in a horse's mouth, and one inch above the corner teeth +in a mare's. There should be room for at least one finger between the +curb-chain and the chin. If the horse is tender-skinned, the chain may +be covered with leather. + +When you are learning to ride, you should take pains to learn everything +concerning the horse and his equipments. In this country we are so well +waited upon, that we often forget that we may at some time or other be +obliged to become our own grooms and farriers. + +For the colonies, the best bridle is that described in the chapter on +training colts, which is a halter, a bridle, and a gag combined. + +Bridle reins should be soft, yet tough; so long, and no longer, so that +by extending your arms you can shorten them to any desired length; then, +if your horse pokes out his head, or extends himself in leaping, you +can, if you hold the reins in each hand, as you ought, let them slip +through your fingers, and shorten them in an instant by extending your +arms. A very good sportsman of my acquaintance has tabs sewn on the +curb-reins, which prevents them from slipping. This is a useful plan for +ladies who ride or drive; but, as before observed, in hunting the +snaffle-reins should slip through the fingers. + +Some horses require martingales to keep their heads down, and in the +right place. But imperfect horsemen are not to be trusted with running +martingales. Running martingales require tabs on the reins, to prevent +the rings getting fixed close to the mouth. + +For hacks and ladies' horses on the road, a standing martingale, buckled +to the nose-band of the bridle, is the best. It should be fixed, as Mr. +Rarey directs, not so short as to bring the horse's head exactly where +you want it--your hands must do that--but just short enough to keep his +nose down, and prevent him from flinging his poll into your teeth. If +his neck is rightly shaped, he will by degrees lower his head, and get +into the habit of so arching his neck that the martingale may be +dispensed with; this is very desirable, because you cannot leap with a +standing martingale, and a running one requires the hands of a +steeplechase jock. + +The saddle of a gentleman should be large enough. In racing, a few +pounds are of consequence; but in carrying a heavy man on the road or +in the field, to have the weight evenly distributed over the horse's +back is of more consequence than three or four pounds. The common +general fitting saddle will fit nine horses out of ten. Colonial horses +usually have low shoulders; therefore colonial saddles should be narrow, +thickly stuffed, and provided with cruppers, although they have gone out +of fashion in this country, because it is presumed that gentlemen will +only ride horses that have a place for carrying a saddle properly. + +On a journey, see to the stuffing of your saddle, and have it put in a +draft, or to the fire, to dry, when saturated with sweat; the neglect of +either precaution may give your horse a sore back, one of the most +troublesome of horse maladies. + +Before hunting, look to the spring bars of the stirrup-leathers, and see +that they will work: if they are tight, pull them down and leave them +open. Of all accidents, that of being caught, after your horses fall, in +the stirrup, is the most dangerous, and not uncommon. I have seen at +least six instances of it. When raw to the hunting-field, and of course +liable to falls, it is well to use the spring-bar stirrups which open, +not at the side, but at the eye holding the stirrup-leather; the same +that I recommend for the use of ladies. + +Spurs are only to be used by those who have the habit of riding, and +will not use them at the wrong time. In most instances, the sharp points +of the rowels should be filed or rubbed off, for they are seldom +required for more than to rouse a horse at a fence, or turn him suddenly +away from a vehicle in the street. Sharp spurs may be left to jockeys. +Long-legged men can squeeze their horses so hard, that they can dispense +with spurs; but short-legged men need them at the close of a run, when +a horse begins to lumber carelessly over his fences, or with a horse +inclined to refuse. Dick Christian broke difficult horses to leaping +without the spur; and when he did, only used one on the left heel. +Having myself had falls with horses at the close of a run, which rushed +and pulled at the beginning, for want of spurs, I have found the +advantage of carrying one in my sandwich-bag, and buckling it on, if +needed, at a check. Of course, first-rate horsemen need none of these +hints; but I write for novices only, of whom, I trust, every prosperous +year of Old England will produce a plentiful crop from the fortunate and +the sons of the fortunate. + +A great many persons in this country learn, or relearn, to ride after +they have reached manhood, either because they can then for the first +time afford the dignity and luxury, or because the doctor prescribes +horse exercise as the only remedy for weak digestion, disordered liver, +trembling nerves--the result of overwork or over-feeding. Thus the +lawyer, overwhelmed with briefs; the artist, maintaining his position as +a Royal Academician; the philosopher, deep in laborious historical +researches; and the young alderman, exhausted by his first year's +apprenticeship to City feeding, come under the hands of the +riding-master. + +Now although for the man "to the manner bred," there is no saddle for +hard work and long work, whether in the hunting-field or Indian +campaign, like a broad seated English hunting saddle, there is no doubt +that its smooth slippery surface offers additional difficulties to the +middle-aged, the timid, and those crippled by gout, rheumatism or +pounds. There can be very little benefit derived from horse exercise as +long as the patient travels in mortal fear. Foreigners teach riding on a +buff leather demi-pique saddle,--a bad plan for the young, as the +English saddle becomes a separate difficulty. But to those who merely +aspire to constitutional canters, and who ride only for health, or as a +matter of dignity, I strongly recommend the Somerset saddle, invented +for one of that family of cavaliers who had lost a leg below the knee. +This saddle is padded before the knee and behind the thigh to fit the +seat of the purchaser, and if provided with a stuffed seat of brown +buckskin will give the quartogenarian pupil the comfort and the +confidence of an arm-chair. They are, it may be encouraging to mention, +fashionable among the more aristocratic middle-aged, and the front roll +of stuffing is much used among those who ride and break their own colts, +as it affords a fulcrum against a puller, and a protection against a +kicker. Australians use a rolled blanket, strapped over the pommel of +the saddle, for the same purpose. To bad horsemen who are too conceited +to use a Somerset, I say, in the words of the old proverb, "Pride must +have a fall." + +The late Captain Nolan had a military saddle improved from an Hungarian +model, made for him by Gibson, of Coventry Street, London, without +flaps, and with a felt saddle cloth, which had the advantage of being +light, while affording the rider a close seat and more complete control +over his horse, in consequence of the more direct pressure of the legs +on the horse's flanks. It would be worth while to try a saddle of this +kind for hunting purposes, and for breaking in colts. Of course it could +only be worn with boots, to protect the rider's legs from the sweat of +the horse's flanks. + +With the hunting-horn crutch the seat of a woman is stronger than that +of a man, for she presses her right leg down over the upright pommel, +and the left leg up against the hunting-horn, and thus grasps the two +pommels between her legs at that angle which gives her the most power. + +Ladies' saddles ought invariably to be made with what is called the +hunting-horn, or crutch, at the left side. The right-hand pommel has not +yet gone out of fashion, but it is of no use, and is injurious to the +security of a lady's seat, by preventing the right hand from being put +down as low as it ought to be with a restive horse, and by encouraging +the bad habit of leaning the right hand on it. A flat projection is +quite sufficient. The security of the hunting-horn saddle will be quite +clear to you, if, when sitting in your chair, you put a cylinder three +or four inches in diameter between your legs, press your two knees +together by crossing them, in the position of a woman on a side-saddle; +when a man clasps his horse, however firmly, it has a tendency, to raise +the seat from the saddle. This is not the case with the side-saddle +seat: if a man wishes to use a lance and ride at a ring, he will find +that he has a firmer seat with this kind of side-saddle than with his +own. There is no danger in this side-pommel, since you cannot be thrown +on it, and it renders it next to impossible that the rider should be +thrown upon the other pommel. In case of a horse leaping suddenly into +the air and coming down on all four feet, technically, "_bucking_," +without the leaping-horn there is nothing to prevent a lady from being +thrown up. But the leaping-horn holds down the left knee, and makes it a +fulcrum to keep the right knee down in its proper place. If the horse in +violent action throws himself suddenly to the left, the upper part of +the rider's body will tend downwards, to the right, and the lower limbs +to the left: nothing can prevent this but the support of the +leaping-horn. The fear of over-balancing to the right causes many ladies +to get into the bad habit of leaning over their saddles to the left. +This fear disappears when the hunting-horn pommel is used. The +leaping-horn is also of great use with a hard puller, or in riding down +a steep place, for it prevents the lady from sliding forward. + +But these advantages render the right-hand pommel quite useless, a +slight projection being all sufficient (see woodcut); while this +arrangement gives the habit and figure a much better appearance. Every +lady ought to be measured for this part of the saddle, as the distance +between the two pommels will depend partly on the length of her legs. + +When a timid inexperienced lady has to ride a fiery horse it is not a +bad plan to attach a strap to the outside girth on the right hand, so +that she may hold it and the right hand rein at the same time without +disturbing her seat. This little expedient gives confidence, and is +particularly useful if a fresh horse should begin to kick a little. Of +course it is not to be continued, but only used to give a timid rider +temporary assistance. I have also used for the same purpose a broad tape +passed across the knees, and so fastened that in a fall of the horse it +would give way. + +Colonel Greenwood recommends that for fastening a ladies' saddle-flaps +an elastic webbing girth, and not a leather girth, should be used, and +this attached, not, as is usually the case, to the small, but to the +_large flap_ on the near side. This will leave the near side small flap +loose, as in a man's saddle, and allow a spring bar to be used. But I +have never seen, either in use or in a saddler's shop, although I have +constantly sought, a lady's saddle so arranged with a spring bar for the +stirrup-leather. This mode of attaching a web girth to the large flap +will render the near side perfectly smooth, with the exception of the +stirrup-leather, which he recommends to be a single thin strap as broad +as a gentleman's, fastened to the stirrup-leg by a loop or slipknot, and +fixed over the spring bar of the saddle by a buckle like that on a man's +stirrup-leather. This arrangement, which the Colonel also recommends to +gentlemen, presumes that the length of the stirrup-leather never +requires altering more than an inch or two. It is a good plan for short +men when travelling, and likely to ride strange horses, to carry their +stirrup-leathers with them, as nothing is more annoying than to have to +alter them in a hurry with the help of a blunt pen-knife. + +"The stirrup for ladies should be in all respects like a man's, large +and heavy, and open at the side, or the eyelet hole, with a spring." The +stirrups made small and padded out of compliment to ladies' small feet +are very dangerous. If any padding be required to protect the front of +the ankle-joint, it had better be a fixture on the boot. + +It is a mistake to imagine that people are dragged owing to the stirrup +being too large, and the foot passing through it; such accidents arise +from the stirrup being too small, and the foot clasped by the pressure +of the upper part on the toe and the lower part on the sole. + +Few ladies know how to dress for horse exercise, although there has been +a great improvement, so far as taste is concerned, of late years. As to +the head-dress, it may be whatever is in fashion, provided it so fits +the head as not to require continual adjustment, often needed when the +hands would be better employed with the reins and whip. It should shade +from the sun, and if used in hunting protect the nape of the neck from +rain. The recent fashions of wearing the plumes or feathers of the +ostrich, the cock, the capercailzie, the pheasant, the peacock, and the +kingfisher, in the riding-hats of young ladies, in my humble opinion, +are highly to be commended. + +As to the riding-habit, it may be of any colour and material suitable to +the wearer and the season of year, but the sleeves must fit rather +closely; nothing can be more out of place, inconvenient, and ridiculous, +than the wide, hanging sleeves which look so well in a drawing-room. For +country use the skirt of a habit may be short, and bordered at the +bottom a foot deep with leather. The fashion of a waistcoat of light +material for summer, revived from the fashion of last century, is a +decided improvement, and so is the over-jacket of cloth, or sealskin, +for rough weather. There is no reason why pretty young girls should not +indulge in picturesque riding costume so long as it is appropriate. + +Many ladies entirely spoil the sit of the skirts by retaining the usual +_impedimenta_ of petticoats[147-*]. The best-dressed horsewomen wear +nothing more than a flannel chemise with long coloured sleeves, under +their trousers. + +Ladies' trousers should be of the same material and colour as the habit, +and if full flowing like a Turk's, and fastened with an elastic band +round the ankle, they will not be distinguished from the skirt. In this +costume, which may be made amply warm by the folds of the trousers, +plaited like a Highlander's kilt (fastened with an elastic band at the +waist), a lady can sit down in a manner impossible for one encumbered by +two or three short petticoats. It is the chest and back which require +double folds of protection during, and after, strong exercise. + +There is a prejudice against ladies wearing long Wellington boots; but +it is quite absurd, for they need never be seen, and are a great +comfort and protection in riding long distances, when worn with the +trousers tucked inside. They should, for obvious reasons, be large +enough for warm woollen stockings, and easy to get on and off. It would +not look well to see a lady struggling out of a pair of wet boots with +the help of a bootjack and a couple of chambermaids. The heels of +riding-boots, whether for ladies or gentlemen, should be low, but +_long_, to keep the stirrup in its place. + +The yellow patent leather recently introduced seems a suitable thing for +the "Napoleons" of hunting ladies. And I have often thought that the +long leather gaiters of the Zouave would suit them. + +Whips require consideration. By gentlemen on the road or in the park +they are rather for ornament than use. A jockey whip is the most +punishing, but on the Rarey system it is seldom necessary to use the +whip except to a slug, and then spurs are more effective. + +A lady's whip is intended to supply the place of a man's right leg and +spur; it should therefore, however ornamental and thin, be stiff and +real. Messrs. Callow, of Park Lane, make some very pretty ones, pink, +green and amber, from the skin of the hippopotamus, light but severe. A +loop to hang it from the wrist may be made ornamental in colours and +gold, and is useful, for a lady may require all the power of her little +hand to grasp the right rein without the encumbrance of the whip, which +on this plan will still be ready if required at a moment's notice. +Hunting-whips must vary according to the country. In some districts the +formidable metal hammers are still required to break intractable horses, +but such whips and jobs should be left to the servants and hard-riding +farmers. + +As a general rule the hunting-whip of a man who has nothing to do with +the hounds may be light, but it should have a good crook and be stiff +enough to stop a gate. A small steel stud outside the crook prevents the +gate from slipping; flat lashes of a brown colour have recently come +into fashion, but they are mere matters of fashion like the colour of +top boots, points to which only snobs pay any attention--that is, those +asses who pin their faith in externals, and who, in the days of +pigtails, were ready to die in defence of those absurd excrescences. + +The stock of a whip made by Callow for a hunting nobleman to present to +a steeple-chasing and fox-hunting professional, was of oak, a yard long, +with a buck-horn crook, and a steel stud; but then the presentee is six +feet high. + +Every hunting-whip should have a lash, but it need not be long. The lash +may be required to rouse a hound under your horse's feet, or turn the +pack; as for whipping off the pack from the fox in the absence of the +huntsman, the whips and the master, that is an event that happens to one +per cent of the field once in a lifetime, although it is a common and +favourite anecdote after dinner. But then Saint Munchausen presides over +the mahogany where fox-hunting feats are discussed. One use of a lash is +to lead a horse by putting it through the rings of the snaffle, and to +flip him up as you stand on the bank when he gets stuck fast, or dead +beat in a ditch or brook. I once owed the extrication of my horse from a +brook with a deep clay bottom entirely to having a long lash to my whip; +for when he had plumped in close enough to the opposite bank for me to +escape over his head, I was able first to guide him to a shelving spot, +and then make him try one effort more by adroit flicks on his rump at a +moment when he seemed prepared to give in and be drowned. In leading a +horse, always pass the reins through the ring of the snaffle, so that if +he pulls he is held by the mouth, not by the top of his head. + +The riding costume of a gentleman should be suitable without being +groomish. It is a fact that does not seem universally known, that a man +does not ride any better for dressing like a groom. + +It has lately been the fashion to discard straps. This is all very well +if the horse and the rider can keep the trousers down, which can only be +done by keeping the legs away from the horse's sides; but when the +trousers rise to the top of the boot, and the stocking or bare leg +appears, the sooner straps or knee-breeches are adopted the better. + +For hunting, nothing will do but boots and breeches, unless you +condescend to gaiters--for trousers wet, draggled and torn, are +uncomfortable and expensive wear. Leathers are pleasant, except in wet +weather, and economical wear if you have a man who can clean them; but +if they have to go weekly to the breeches-maker they become expensive, +and are not to be had when wanted; besides, wet leather breeches are +troublesome things to travel with. White cord breeches have one great +convenience; they wash well, although not so elastic, warm, and +comfortable as woollen cords. It is essential for comfort that +hunting-breeches should be built by a tailor who knows that particular +branch of business, _and tried on sitting down_ if not on horseback, for +half your comfort depends on their fit. Many schneiders who are +first-rate at ordinary garments, have no idea of riding clothes. Poole, +of Saville Row, makes hunting-dress a special study, and supplies more +hunting-men and masters of hounds than any tailor in London, but his +customers must be prepared to pay for perfection. + +In the coats, since the modern shooting jacket fashion came in, there is +great scope for variety. The fashion does not much matter so long as it +is fit for riding--ample enough to cover the chest and stomach in wet +weather, easy enough to allow full play for the arms and shoulders, and +not so long as to catch in hedgerows and brambles. Our forefathers in +some counties rode in coats like scarlet dressing-gowns. There is one +still to be seen in Surrey. For appearance, for wear, and as a universal +passport to civility in a strange country, there is nothing like +scarlet, provided the horseman can afford to wear it without offending +the prejudices of valuable patrons, friends or landlords. In +Lincolnshire, farmers are expected to appear in pink. In +Northamptonshire a yeoman farming his own 400 acres would be thought +presumptuous if he followed the Lincolnshire example. Near London you +may see the "pals" of fighting men and hell-keepers in pink and velvet. +A scarlet coat should never be assumed until the rider's experience in +the field is such that he is in no danger of becoming at once +conspicuous and ridiculous. + +A cap is to be preferred to a hat because it fits closer, is less in the +way when riding through cover, protects the head better from a bough or +a fall, and will wear out two or three hats. It should be ventilated by +a good hole at the top. + +Top-boots are very pretty wear for men of the right height and right +sort of leg when they fit perfectly--that is difficult on fat +calves--and are cleaned to perfection, which is also difficult unless +you have a more than ordinarily clever groom. + +For men of moderate means, the patent black leather Napoleon, which +costs from 3_l._ 10_s._ to 4_l._ 4_s._, and can be cleaned with a wet +sponge in five minutes, is the neatest and most economical boot--one in +which travelling does not put you under any obligation to your host's +servants. + +I have often found the convenience of patent leather boots when staying +with a party at the house of a master of hounds, while others, as the +hounds were coming out of the kennel, were in an agony for tops +entrusted two or three days previously to a not-to-be-found servant. In +this point of the boots I differ from the author of "A Word ere we +Start;" but then, squires of ten thousand a-year are not supposed to +understand the shifts of those who on a twentieth part of that income +manage to enjoy a good deal of sport with all sorts of hounds and all +sorts of horses. + +There is a certain class of sporting snobs who endeavour to enhance +their own consequence or indulge their cynical humour by talking with +the utmost contempt of any variation from the kind of hunting-dress in +use, in their own particular district. The best commentary on the +supercilious tailoring criticism of these gents is to be found in the +fact that within a century every variety of hunting clothes has been in +and out of fashion, and that the dress in fashion with the Quorn hunt in +its most palmy days was not only the exact reverse of the present +fashion in that flying country, but, if comfort and convenience are to +be regarded, as ridiculous as brass helmets, tight stocks, and +buttoned-up red jackets for Indian warfare. It consisted, as may be seen +in old Alken's and Sir John Dean Paul's hunting sketches, of a +high-crowned hat, a high tight stock, a tight dress coat, with narrow +skirts that could protect neither the chest, stomach, or thighs, long +tight white cord breeches, and pale top-boots thrust low down the leg, +the tops being supposed to be cleaned with champagne. Leather breeches, +caps, and brown top-boots were voted slow in those days. But the men +went well as they do in every dress. + + "Old wiseheads, complacently smoothing the brim, + May jeer at my velvet, and call it a whim; + They may think in a cap little wisdom there dwells; + They may say he who wears it should wear it with bells; + But when Broadbrim lies flat, + I will answer him pat, + Oh! who but a crackskull would ride in a hat!" + + SQUIRE WARBURTON. + +[Illustration: Rails and Double Ditch.] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[147-*] At an inquest on a young lady killed at Totnes in September +last, it appeared that she lost her seat and hung by a _crinoline +petticoat_ from the right hand _pommel_! + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON HUNTING. + + "The sailor who rides on the ocean, + Delights when the stormy winds blow: + Wind and steam, what are they to horse motion? + Sea cheers to a land Tally-ho? + The canvas, the screw, and the paddle, + The stride of the thorough-bred hack, + When, fastened like glue to the saddle, + We gallop astern of the pack." + + TARPORLEY HUNT SONG, 1855. + + Advantage of hunting.--Libels on.--Great men who have + hunted.--Popular notion unlike reality.--Dick Christian and the + Marquis of Hastings.--Fallacy of "lifting" a horse refuted.--Hints + on riding at fences.--Harriers discussed.--Stag-hunting a necessity + and use where time an object.--Hints for novices.--Tally-ho! + expounded.--To feed a horse after a hard ride.--Expenses of horse + keep.--Song by Squire Warburton, "A word ere we start." + + +Every man who can ride, and, living within a couple of hours' distance +of a pack of hounds, can spare a day now and then, should hunt. It will +improve his horsemanship, enlarge his circle of acquaintance, as well as +his tastes and sympathies, and make, as Shakspeare hath it-- + + "Good digestion wait on appetite, and health on both." + +Not that I mean that every horseman should attempt to follow the hounds +in the first flight, or even the second; because age, nerves, weight, or +other good reasons may forbid: but every man who keeps a good hack may +meet his friends at cover side, enjoy the morning air, with a little +pleasant chat, and follow the hounds, if not in the front, in the rear, +galloping across pastures, trotting through bridle gates, creeping +through gaps, and cantering along the green rides of a wood, thus +causing a healthy excitement, with no painful reaction: and if, +unhappily, soured or overpressed by work and anxious thoughts, drinking +in such draughts of Lethe as can no otherwise be drained. + +Hunting has suffered as much from overpraise as from the traditionary +libels of the fribbles and fops of the time of the first Georges, when a +fool, a sot, and a fox-hunter were considered synonymous terms. Of late +years it has pleased a sportsman, with a wonderful talent for +picturesquely describing the events of a fox-hunt, to write two sporting +novels, in which all the leading characters are either fools or rogues. + +"In England all conditions of men, except bishops, from ratcatchers to +Royalty, are to be found in the hunting-field--equalised by +horsemanship, and fraternising under the influence of a genial sport. +Among fox-hunters we can trace a long line of statesmen, from William of +Orange to Pitt and Fox. Lord Althorp was a master of hounds; and Lord +Palmerston we have seen, within the last few years, going--as he goes +everywhere--in the first flight." This was before the French fall of the +late Premier. Cromwell's Ironsides were hunting men; Pope, the poet, +writes in raptures of a gallop with the Wiltshire Harriers; and +Gladstone, theologian, politician, and editor of Homer, bestrides his +celebrated white mare in Nottinghamshire, and scurries along by the side +of the ex-War Minister, the Duke of Newcastle. + +"The progress of agriculture is indelibly associated with fox-hunting; +for the three great landlords, who did more to turn sand and heath into +corn and wool, and make popular the best breeds of stock and best course +of cultivation--Francis, Duke of Bedford; Coke, Earl of Leicester; and +the first Lord Yarborough--were all masters of hounds. + +"When indecency formed the staple of our plays, and a drunken debauch +formed the inevitable sequence of every dinner-party, a fool and a +fox-hunter were synonymous. Squire Western was the representative of a +class, which, however, was not more ridiculous than the patched, +perfumed Sir Plumes, whom Hogarth painted, and Pope satirised. +Fox-hunters are not a class now--roads, newspapers, and manufacturing +emigration have equalised the condition of the whole kingdom; and +fox-hunters are just like any other people, who wear clean shirts, and +can afford to keep one or more horses. + +"It is safe to assert that hunting-men, as a class, are temperate. No +man can ride well across a difficult country who is not. We must, +however, admit that the birds who have most fouled their own nest have +been broken-down sportsmen, chiefly racing men, who have turned writers +to turn a penny. These unfortunate people, with the fatal example of +'Noctes Ambrosianae' before them, fill up a page, whenever their memory +or their industry fails them, in describing in detail a breakfast, a +luncheon, a dinner, and a supper. And this has been repeated so often, +that the uninitiated are led to believe that every fox-hunter must, as a +matter of course, keep a French cook, and consume an immense cellar of +port, sherry, madeira, hock, champagne, with gallons of strong ale, and +all manner of liqueurs. + +"The popular notion of a fox-hunt is as unlike the reality as a girl's +notion of war--a grand charge and a splendid victory. + +"Pictures always represent exciting scenes--hounds flying away with a +burning scent; horses taking at a bound, or tumbling neck and crop over, +frightful fences. Such lucky days, such bruising horsemen, such burning +scents and flying foxes are the exception. + +"At least two-thirds of those who go out, even in the most fashionable +counties, never attempt brooks or five-barred gates, or anything +difficult or dangerous; but, by help of open gates and bridle-roads, +which are plentiful, parallel lanes, and gaps, which are conveniently +made by the first rush of the straight riders and the dealers with +horses to sell, helped by the curves that hounds generally make, and a +fair knowledge of the country, manage to be as near the hounds as the +most thrusting horseman. Among this crowd of skirters and road-riders +are to be found some very good sportsmen, who, from some cause or other, +have lost their nerve; others, who live in the county, like the +excitement and society, but never took a jump in their lives; young +ladies with their papas; boys on ponies; farmers educating +four-year-olds; surgeons and lawyers, who are looking for professional +practice as well as sport. On cold scenting days, with a ringing fox, +this crowd keeps on until nearly dark, and heads many a fox. Many a +beginner, in his first season, has been cheated by a succession of these +easy days over an easy part of the county into the idea that there was +no difficulty in riding to hounds. But a straight fox and a burning +scent over a grass country has undeceived him, and left him in the third +or fourth field with his horse half on a hedge and half in a ditch, or +pounded before a 'bulfinch,' feeling very ridiculous. There are men who +cut a very respectable figure in the hunting-field who never saw a pack +of hounds until they were past thirty. The city of London turns out many +such; so does every great town where money is made by men of pluck, +bred, perhaps, as ploughboys in the country. We could name three--one an +M.P.--under these conditions, who would pass muster in Leicestershire, +if necessary. But a good seat on horseback, pluck, and a love of the +sport, are essential. A few years ago a scientific manufacturer, a very +moderate horseman, was ordered horse exercise as a remedy for mind and +body prostrated by over-anxiety. He found that, riding along the road, +his mind was as busy and wretched as ever. A friend prescribed hunting, +purchased for him a couple of made hunters, and gave him the needful +elementary instruction. The first result was, that he obtained such +sound, refreshing sleep as he had not enjoyed since boyhood; the next, +that in less than two seasons he made himself quite at home with a +provincial pack, and now rides so as to enjoy himself without attracting +any more notice than one who had been a fox-hunter from his youth +upwards." + +The illustration at the commencement of this chapter gives a very fair +idea of the seat of good horsemen going at a fence and broad ditch, +where pace is essential. A novice may advantageously study the seats of +the riders in Herring's "Steeplechase Cracks," painted by an artist who +was a sportsman in his day. + +A few invaluable hints on riding to hounds are to be found in the +Druid's account of Dick Christian. + +The late Marquis of Hastings, father of the present Marquis, was one of +the best and keenest fox-hunters of his day; he died young, and here is +Dick's account of his "first fence," for which all fox-hunters are under +deep obligations to the Druid. + +"The Marquis of Hastings was one of my pupils. I was two months at his +place before he came of age. He sent for me to Donnington, and I broke +all his horses. I had never seen him before. He had seven rare nice +horses, and very handy I got them. The first meet I went out with him +was Wartnaby Stone Pits. I rode by his side, and I says, 'My lord, we'll +save a bit of distance if we take this fence.' So he looked at me and he +laughed, and says, 'Why, Christian, I was never over a fence in my +life.' 'God bless me, my lord! you don't say so?' And I seemed quite +took aback at hearing him say it. 'Its true enough, Christian, I really +mean it.' 'Well, my lord,' says I, 'you're on a beautiful fencer, he'll +walk up to it and jump it. Now I'll go over the fence first. _Put your +hands well down on his withers and let him come._' It was a bit of a +low-staked hedge and a ditch; he got over as nice as possible, and he +gave quite a hurrah like. He says, 'There, I'm over my first +fence--that's a blessing!' Then I got him over a great many little +places, and he quite took to it and went on uncommonly well. _He was a +nice gentleman to teach--he'd just do anything you told him. That's the +way to get on!_" + +In another place Dick says, "A quick and safe jumper always goes from +hind-legs to fore-legs. I never rode a steeple-chase yet but I steadied +my horse on to his hind-legs twenty yards from his fence, and I was +always over and away before the rushers. Lots of the young riders think +horses can jump anything if they can only drive them at it fast enough. +They force them too much at their fences. If you don't feel your +horse's mouth, you can tell nothing about him. You hold him, he can +make a second effort; if you drop him, he won't." + +Now, Dick does not mean by this that you are to go slowly at every kind +of fence. He tells you that he "sent him with some powder at a +bullfinch;" but whatever the pace, you so hold your horse in the last +fifty yards up to the taking-off point, that instead of spreading +himself out all abroad at every stroke, he feels the bit and gets his +hind-legs well under him. If you stand to see Jim Mason or Tom Oliver in +the hunting-field going at water, even at what they call "forty miles an +hour," you will find the stride of their horses a measured beat, and +while they spur and urge them they collect them. This is the art no book +can teach; _but it can teach that it ought to be learned_. Thousands of +falls have been caused by a common and most absurd phrase, which is +constantly repeated in every description of the leaps of a great race or +run. "_He took his horse by the head and lifted him_," &c. + +No man in the world ever lifted a horse over anything--it is a +mechanical impossibility--but a horseman of the first order can at a +critical moment so rouse a horse, and so accurately place his head and +hind-legs in the right position, that he can make an extraordinary +effort and achieve a miraculous leap. This in metaphorical language is +called lifting a horse, because, to a bye-stander, it looks like it. But +when a novice, or even an average horseman, attempts this sort of _tour +de force_, he only worries his horse, and, ten to one, throws him into +the fence. Those who are wise will content themselves with keeping a +horse well in hand until he is about to rise for his effort, and to +collecting him the moment he lands. The right hold brings his hind legs +under him; too hard a pull brings him into the ditch, if there is one. +By holding your hands with the reins in each rather wide apart as you +come towards your fence, and closing them and dropping them near his +withers as he rises, you give him room to extend himself; and if you +stretch your arms as he descends, you have him in hand. But the perfect +hunter, as long as he is fresh, does his work perfectly, so the less you +meddle with him when he is rising the better. + +Young sportsmen generally err by being too bold and too fast. Instead of +studying the art in the way the best men out perform, they are hiding +their nervousness by going full speed at everything, or trying to rival +the whips in daring. Any hard-headed fool can ride boldly. To go well +when hounds are running hard--to save your horse as much as possible +while keeping well forward, for the end, the difficult part of a long +run--these are the acts a good sportsman seeks to acquire by observation +and experience. + +For this reason young sportsmen should commence their studies with +harriers, where the runs are usually circling and a good deal of hunting +is done slowly. If a young fellow can ride well in a close, enclosed +hedge, bank, and ditch country, with occasional practice at stiles and +gates, pluck will carry him through a flying country, if properly +mounted. + +Any horse that is formed for jumping, with good loins, hocks, and +thighs, can be taught to jump timber; but it is madness to ride at a +gate or a stile with a doubtful horse. A deer always slacks his pace to +a trot to jump a wall or park rails, and it is better to slacken to a +trot or canter where there is no ditch on either side to be cleared, +unless you expect a fall, and then go fast, that your horse may not +tumble on you. + +A rushing horse is generally a dangerous fencer; but it is a trick that +can only be cured in private lessons, and it is more dangerous to try to +make a rusher go slowly than to let him have his own way. + +The great error of young beginners is to select young horses under their +weight. + +It was the saying of a Judge of the old school, that all kinds of wine +were good, but the best wine of all was "two bottles of port!" In the +same style, one may venture to say that all kinds of hunting are good, +but that the best of all is fox-hunting, in a grass scent-holding +country, divided into large fields, with fences that may be taken in the +stride of a thorough-bred, and coverts that comprise good gorse and open +woods--that is, for men of the weight, with the nerve, and with the +horses that can shine in such a country. But it is not given to all to +have or retain the nerve or to afford a stud of the style of horses +required for going across the best part of Leicestershire and +Northamptonshire. In this world, the way to be happy is to put up with +what you can get. The majority of my readers will be obliged to ride +with the hounds that happen to live nearest their dwelling; it is only +given to the few to be able to choose their hunting country and change +their stud whenever the maggot bites them. After hard brain-work and +gray hairs have told on the pulse, or when the opening of the +nursery-door has almost shut the stable, a couple of hours or so once a +week may be made pleasant and profitable on a thirty-pound hack for the +quartogenarian, whom time has not handicapped with weight for age. I can +say, from the experience of many years, that as long as you are under +twelve stone, you may enjoy very good sport with such packs as the +Bramham Moor in Yorkshire, the Brocklesby in Lincolnshire, the +Heythrope in Oxfordshire, the Berkley or the Beaufort in +Gloucestershire, without any enormous outlay for horses, for the simple +reason that the average runs do not present the difficulties of grass +countries, where farmers are obliged to make strong fences and deep +ditches to keep the bullocks they fatten within bounds. Good-looking +little horses, clever jumpers, equal to moderate weights, are to be had, +by a man who has not too much money, at moderate prices; but the sixteen +hands, well-bred flyer, that can gallop and go straight in such +countries as the Vale of Aylesbury, is an expensive luxury. Of course I +am speaking of sound horses. There is scarcely ever a remarkable run in +which some well-ridden screw does not figure in the first flight among +the two hundred guinea nags. + +When an old sportsman of my acquaintance heard any of the +thousand-and-one tales of extraordinary runs with fox-hounds, "after +dinner," he used to ask--"Were any of the boys or ponies up at the +kill?" If the answer was "Yes," he would say, "Then it was not a severe +thing;" and he was generally right. Men of moderate means had better +choose a hunting county where the boys can live with the hounds. + +"As to harriers, the people who sneer at them are ludicrously ignorant +of the history of modern fox-hunting, which is altogether founded on the +experience and maxims of hare-hunters. The two oldest fox-hound packs in +England--the Brocklesby and the Cheshire--were originally formed for +hare-hunting. The best book ever written on hounds and hunting, a +text-book to every master of hounds to this day, is by Beckford, who +learned all he knew as master of a pack of harriers. + +"The great Meynell and Warwickshire Corbett both entered their young +hounds to hare, a practice which cannot, however, be approved. The late +Parson Froude, in North Devon, than whom a keener sportsman never +holloaed to hounds, and the breeder of one of the best packs for showing +sport ever seen, hunted hare, fox, deer, and even polecats, sooner than +not keep his darlings doing something; and, while his hounds would +puzzle out the faintest scent, there were among the leaders several +that, with admirable dash, jumped every gate, disdaining to creep. Some +of this stock are still hunting on Exmoor. There are at present several +very good M.F.H. who began with hare-hounds. + +"The intense pretentious snobbishness of the age has something to do +with the mysterious manner in which many men, blushing, own that they +have been out with harriers. In the first place, as a rule, harriers are +slow; although there are days when, with a stout, well-fed, +straight-running hare, the best men will have enough to do to keep their +place in the field: over the dinner-table that is always an easy task; +but in this fast, competitive age, the man who can contrive to stick on +a good horse can show in front without having the least idea of the +meaning of hunting. To such, harriers afford no amusement. Then again, +harrier packs are of all degrees, from the perfection of the Blackmoor +Vale, the Brookside, and some Devon or Welsh packs with unpronounceable +names, down to the little scratch packs of six or seven couple kept +among jovial farmers in out-of-the-way places, or for the amusement of +Sheffield cutlers running afoot. The same failing that makes a +considerable class reverently worship an alderman or a city baronet +until they can get on speaking terms with a peer, leads others to boast +of fox-hunting when the Brighton harriers are more than they can +comfortably manage." + +The greater number of what are called harriers now-a-days are dwarf +fox-hounds, or partake largely of fox-hound blood. + +If Leicestershire is the county for "swells," Devonshire is the county +of sportsmen; for although there is very little riding to hounds as +compared with the midland counties, there is a great deal of hunting. +Every village has its little pack; every man, woman, and child, from the +highest to the humblest, takes an interest in the sport; and the science +of hunting is better understood than in the hard-riding, horse-dealing +counties. To produce a finished fox-hunter, I would have him commence +his studies in Devonshire, and finish his practice in Northamptonshire. +On the whole, I should say that a student of the noble science, whose +early education has been neglected, cannot do better than go through a +course of fox-hunting near Oxford, in the winter vacation, where plenty +of perfect hunters are to be hired, and hounds meet within easy reach of +the University City, six days in the week, hunting over a country where +you may usually be with them at the finish without doing anything +desperate, if content to come in with the ruck, the ponies, and the old +farmers; or where, if so inclined, you may have more than an average +number of fast and furious runs, and study the admirable style of some +of the best horsemen in the world among the Oxfordshire and Berkshire +squires. + +Stag-hunting from a cart is a pursuit very generally contemned in print, +and very ardently followed by many hundred hard-riding gentlemen every +hunting day in the year. A man who can ride up to stag-hounds on a +straight running day must have a perfect hunter, in first-rate +condition, and be, in the strongest sense of the term, "a horseman." But +it wants the uncertainties which give so great a charm to fox-hunting, +where there are any foxes. There is no find, and no finish; and the +checks generally consist in whipping off the too eager hounds. As a +compensation, when the deer does not run cunning, or along roads, the +pace is tremendous. + +The Surrey stag-hounds, in the season of 1857, had some runs with the +Ketton Hind equal in every respect to the best fox-hunts on record; for +she repeatedly beat them, was loose in the woods for days, was drawn for +like a wild deer, and then, with a burning scent, ran clear away from +the hounds, while the hounds ran away from the horsemen. But, according +to the usual order of the day, the deer begins in a cart, and ends in a +barn. + +But stag-hunting may be defended as the very best mode of obtaining a +constitutional gallop for those whose time is too valuable to be +expended in looking for a fox. It is suited to punctual, commercial, +military, or political duties. You may read your letters, dictate +replies, breakfast deliberately, order your dinner, and invite a party +to discuss it, and set off to hunt with the Queen's, the Baron's, or any +other stag-hound pack within reach of rail, almost certain of two hours' +galloping, and a return by the train you fixed in the morning. + + * * * * * + +There are a few hints to which pupils in the art of hunting may do well +to attend. + +"Don't go into the field until you can sit a horse over any reasonable +fence. But practice at real fences, for at the leaping-bar only the +rudiments of fencing are to be learned by either man or horse. The +hunting-field is not the place for practising the rudiments of the art. +Buy a perfect hunter; no matter how blemished or how ugly, so that he +has legs, eyes, and wind to carry him and his rider across the country. +It is essential that one of the two should perfectly understand the +business in hand. Have nothing to say to a puller, a rusher, or a +kicker, even if you fancy you are competent; a colt should only be +ridden by a man who is paid to risk his bones. An amateur endangers +himself, his neighbours, and the pack, by attempting rough-riding. The +best plan for a man of moderate means--those who can afford to spend +hundreds on experiments can pick and choose in the best stables--is to +hire a hack hunter; and, if he suits, buy him, to teach you how to go. + +"Never take a jump when an open gate or gap is handy, unless the hounds +are going fast. Don't attempt to show in front, unless you feel you can +keep there. Beginners, who try to make a display, even if lucky at +first, are sure to make some horrid blunder. Go slowly at your fences, +except water and wide ditches, and don't pull at the curb when your +horse is rising. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the horse will +be better without your assistance than with it. Don't wear spurs until +you are quite sure that you won't spur at the wrong time. Never lose +your temper with your horse, and never strike him with the whip when +going at a fence; it is almost sure to make him swerve. Pick out the +firmest ground; hold your horse together across ploughed land; if you +want a pilot, choose not a scarlet and cap, but some well-mounted old +farmer, who has not got a horse to sell: if he has, ten to one but he +leads you into grief. + +"In going from cover to cover, keep in the same field as the hounds, +unless you know the country--then you can't be left behind without a +struggle. To keep in the same field as the hounds when they are running, +is more than any man can undertake to do. Make your commencement in an +easy country, and defer trying the pasture counties until you are sure +of yourself and your horse. + +"If you should have a cold-scenting day, and any first-rate steeplechase +rider be in the field, breaking in a young one, watch him; you may learn +more from seeing what he does, than from hours of advice, or pages of +reading. + +"Above all, hold your tongue until you have learnt your lesson; and talk +neither of your triumphs nor your failures. Any fool can boast; and +though to ride boldly and with judgment is very pleasant, there is +nothing for a gentleman to be specially proud of, considering that two +hundred huntsmen, or whips, do it better than most gentlemen every +hunting day in the season." + +When you meet the pack with a strange horse, don't go near it until sure +that he will not kick at hounds, as some ill-educated horses will do. + +Before the hounds begin to draw, you may get some useful information as +to a strange country from a talkative farmer. + +When hounds are drawing a large cover, and when you cannot see them, +keep down wind, so as to hear the huntsman, who, in large woodlands, +must keep on cheering his hounds. When a fox breaks cover near you, or +you think he does, don't be in a hurry to give the "Tally-a-e-o!" for, +in the first place, if you are not experienced and quick-eyed, it may +not be a fox at all, but a dog, or a hare. The mistake is common to +people who are always in a hurry, and equally annoying to the huntsman +and the blunderer; and, in the next place, if you halloo too soon, ten +to one the fox heads back into cover. When he is well away through the +hedge of a good-sized field, halloo, at the same time raising your cap, +"Tally-o aw-ay-o-o!" giving each syllable very slowly, and with your +mouth well open; for this is the way to be heard a long distance. Do +this once or twice, and then be quiet for a short spell, and be ready to +tell the huntsman, when he comes up, in a few sentences, exactly which +way the fox is gone. If the fox makes a short bolt, and returns, it is +"Tally-o _back_!" with the "_back_" loud and clear. If the fox crosses +the side of a wood when the hounds are at check, the cry should be +"Tally-o over!" + +_Foxes._--Study the change in the appearance of the fox between the +beginning and the end of a run; a fresh fox slips away with his brush +straight, whisking it with an air of defiance now and then; a beaten fox +looks dark, hangs his brush, and arches his back as he labours along. + +With the hounds well away, it is a great point to get a good start; so +while they are running in cover, cast your eyes over the boundary-fence, +and make up your mind where you will take it: a big jump at starting is +better than thrusting with a crowd in a gap or gateway--always presuming +that you can depend on your horse. + +Dismiss the moment you start two ideas which are the bane of sport, +jealousy of what others are doing, and conceit of what you are doing +yourself; keep your eyes on the pack, on your horse's ears, and the next +fence, instead of burning to beat Thompson, or hoping that Brown saw how +cleverly you got over that rasper! + +Acquire an eye to hounds, that is, learn to detect the moment when the +leading hound turns right or left, or, losing the scent, checks, or, +catching it breast high, races away mute, "dropping his stem as straight +as a tobacco-pipe." + +By thus studying the leading hounds instead of racing against your +neighbours' horses, you see how they turn, save many an angle, and are +ready to pull up the moment the hounds throw up their heads. + +Never let your anxiety to be forward induce you to press upon the hounds +when they are hunting; nothing makes a huntsman more angry, or spoils +sport more. + +Set the example of getting out of the way when the huntsman, all +anxious, comes trotting back through a narrow road to make his cast +after a check. + +Attention to these hints, which are familiar to every old sportsman, +will tend to make a young one successful and popular. + +When you are well up, and hounds come to a check, instead of beginning +to relate how wonderfully the bay horse or the gray mare carried you, +notice every point that may help the huntsman to make his cast--sheep, +cattle, magpies, and the exact point where the scent began to fail. It +is observation that makes a true sportsman. + +As soon as the run has ended, begin to pay attention to the condition of +your horse, whose spirit may have carried him further than his strength +warranted; it is to be presumed, that you have eased him at every check +by turning his nose to the wind, and if a heavy man, by dismounting on +every safe opportunity. + +The first thing is to let him have just enough water to wash his mouth +out without chilling him. The next to feed him--the horse has a small +stomach, and requires food often. + +At the first roadside inn or cottage get a quart of oatmeal or +wheat-flour _boiled_ in half a pail of water--mere soaking the raw +oatmeal is not sufficient. I have found the water of boiled linseed used +for cattle answer well with a tired horse. In cases of serious distress +a pint of wine or glass of spirits mixed with water may be administered +advantageously; to decide on the propriety of bleeding requires some +veterinary experience; quite as many horses as men have been killed by +bleeding when stimulants would have answered better. + +With respect to the treatment of hunters on their return, I can do +nothing better than quote the directions of that capital sportsman and +horseman, Scrutator, in "Horses and Hounds." + +"When a horse returns to the stable, either after hunting or a journey, +the first thing to be done to him is to take off the bridle, but to let +the saddle _remain on_ for some time at least, merely loosening the +girths. The head and ears are first to be rubbed dry, either with a wisp +of hay or a cloth, and then by the hand, until the ears are warm and +comfortable; this will occupy only a few minutes, and the horse can then +have his bit of hay or feed of corn, having previously, if returned from +hunting, or from a long journey, despatched his bucket of thick gruel: +the process of washing his legs may now be going on, whilst he is +discussing his feed of corn in peace; as each leg is washed, it should +be wrapped round with a flannel or serge bandage, and by the time the +four legs are done with, the horse will have finished his feed of corn. +A little hay may then be given, which will occupy his attention while +the rubbing his body is proceeded with. I am a great advocate for plenty +of dry clean wheat straw for this purpose; and a good groom, with a +large wisp in each hand, will in a very short space of time make a +clean sweep of all outward dirt and wet. It cannot, however, be properly +done without a great deal of _elbow grease_ as well, of which the +present generation are inclined to be very chary. When the body of the +horse is dry, a large loose rug should be thrown over him, and the legs +then attended to, and rubbed thoroughly dry by the hand; I know the +usual practice with idle and knowing grooms is to let the bandages +remain on until the legs become dry of themselves, but I also know that +there cannot be a worse practice; for horses' legs, after hunting, the +large knee-bucket should be used, with plenty of warm water, which will +sooth the sinews after such violent exertion, and allay any irritation +proceeding from cuts and thorns. The system of bandaging horses' legs, +and letting them remain in this state for hours, must tend to relax the +sinews; such practices have never gained favour with me, but I have +heard salt and water and vinegar highly extolled by some, with which the +bandages are to be kept constantly wet, as tending to strengthen the +sinews and keep them cool; if, however, used too long or allowed to +become dry, I conceive more injury likely to result from their use than +benefit. It is generally known that those who have recourse to belts for +support in riding, cannot do well without them afterwards, and although +often advised to try these extra aids, I never availed myself of them; +cold water is the best strengthener either to man or horse, and a +thorough good dry rubbing afterwards. After severe walking exercise, the +benefit of immersing the feet in warm water for a short time must be +fully appreciated by all who have tried it; but I very much question if +any man would feel himself stronger upon his legs the next morning, by +having them bandaged with hot flannels during the night. Very much may +be done by the judicious use of hot and cold water--in fact, more than +by half the prescriptions in general use; but the proper time must be +attended to as well, for its application. When a horse has had a long +and severe day's work, he should not be harassed more than is absolutely +necessary, by grooming and dressing; the chief business should be to get +him dry and comfortable as quickly as possible, and when that has been +effected, a slight wisping over with a dry cloth will be sufficient for +that night." + +The expenses of horse-keep vary according to the knowledge of the master +and the honesty of his groom; but what the expense ought to be may be +calculated from the fact that horses in first-rate condition cannot +consume more than thirteen quarters of oats and two and a half tons of +hay in a year; that is, as to oats, from three to six quarterns a day, +according to the work they are doing. But in some stables, horses are +supposed to eat a bushel a day every day in the year: there is no doubt +that the surplus is converted into beer or gin. + +"Upon our return from hunting, every horse had his bucket of thick gruel +directly he came into the stable, and a little hay to eat whilst he was +being cleaned. We never gave any corn until just before littering down, +the last thing at night. The horse's legs were plunged into a high +bucket of warm water, and if dirty, soft soap was used. The first leg +being washed, was sponged as dry as possible, and then bandaged with +thick woollen bandages until the others were washed; the bandages were +then _removed entirely_, and the legs rubbed by hand until quite dry. We +used the best old white potato oats, weighing usually 45 lbs. per +bushel, but so _few beans_ that a quarter lasted us _a season_. The oats +were bruised, and a little sweet hay chaff mixed with them. We also +gave our horses a few carrots the day after hunting, to cool their +bodies, or a bran mash or two. They were never coddled up in hoods or +half a dozen rugs at night, but a single blanket sufficed, which was +never so tight but that you might thrust your hand easily under it. This +was a thing I always looked to myself, when paying a visit to the stable +the last thing at night. A tried horse should have everything +comfortable about him, but carefully avoid any tight bandage round the +body. In over-reaches or wounds, warm water was our first application, +and plenty of it, to clean all dirt or grit from the wound; then Fryer's +balsam and brandy with a clean linen bandage. Our usual allowance of +corn to each horse per diem was four quarterns, but more if they +required it, and from 14 lbs. to 16 lbs. of hay, eight of which were +given at night, at racking-up time, about eight o'clock. Our hours of +feeding were about five in the morning, a feed of corn, bruised, with a +little hay chaff; the horse then went to exercise. At eight o'clock, 4 +lbs. of hay; twelve o'clock, feed of corn; two o'clock, 2 lbs. of hay; +four o'clock, corn; at six o'clock, another feed of corn, with chaff; +and at eight o'clock, 8 lbs. of hay; water they could always drink when +they wanted it." + +I cannot conclude these hints on hunting more appropriately than by +quoting another of the songs of the Squire of Arley Hall, Honorary +Laureate of the Tarporley Hunt Club:-- + + "A WORD ERE WE START. + + "The order of march and due regulation + That guide us in warfare we need in the chase; + Huntsman and whips, each his own proper station-- + Horse, hound, and fox, each his own proper place. + + "The fox takes precedence of all from the cover; + The horse is the animal purposely bred, + _After_ the pack to be ridden, not _over_-- + Good hounds are not reared to be knocked on the head. + + "Buckskin's the only wear fit for the saddle; + Hats for Hyde Park, but a cap for the chase; + In tops of black leather let fishermen paddle, + The calves of a fox-hunter white ones encase. + + "If your horse be well bred and in blooming condition, + Both up to the country and up to your weight, + Oh! then give the reins to your youthful ambition, + Sit down in the saddle and keep his head straight. + + "Eager and emulous only, not spiteful, + Grudging no friend, though ourselves he may beat; + Just enough danger to make sport delightful, + Toil just sufficient to make slumbers sweet!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SKETCHES OF HUNTING WITH FOX-HOUNDS AND HARRIERS. + + The Fitzwilliam.--Brocklesby.--A day on the Wolds.--Brighton + harriers.--Prince Albert's harriers. + + +The following descriptions of my own sport with fox-hounds and harriers +will give the uninitiated some idea of the average adventures of a +hunting-day:-- + + A DAY WITH THE LATE EARL FITZWILLIAM'S HOUNDS.[176-*] + + "LOO IN, LITTLE DEARIES. LOO IN." + + How eagerly forward they rush; + In a moment how widely they spread; + Have at him there, Hotspur. Hush, hush! + 'Tis a find, or I'll forfeit my head. + Now fast flies the fox, and still faster + The hounds from the cover are freed, + The horn to the mouth of the master, + The spur to the flank of his steed. + With Chorister, Concord, and Chorus, + Now Chantress commences her song; + Now Bellman goes jingling before us, + And Sinbad is sailing along. + +The Fitzwilliam pack was established by the grandfather of the present +Earl between seventy and eighty years ago; they hunt four days a week +over a north-east strip of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire--a wide, +wild, thinly-populated district, with some fine woodlands; country that +was almost all grass, until deep draining turned some cold clay pastures +into arable. It holds a rare scent, and the woodland country can be +hunted, when a hot sun does not bake the ground too hard, up to the +first week in May, when, in most other countries, horns are silenced. +The country is wide enough, with foxes enough, to bear hunting six days +a week. "Bless your heart, sir," said an old farmer, "there be foxes as +tall as donkeys, as fat as pigs, in these woods, that go and die of old +age." + +The Fitzwilliam are supposed to be the biggest-boned hounds now bred, +and exquisitely handsome. If they have a fault, they are, for want of +work, or excess of numbers, rather too full of flesh; so that at the end +of the year, when the days grow warm, they seem to tire and tail in a +long run. + +Many of the pasture fences are big enough to keep out a bullock; the +ditches wide and full of water; bulfinches are to be met with, stiff +rails, gates not always unlocked; so, although a Pytchley flyer is not +indispensable, on a going day, nothing less than a hunter can get along. + +Tom Sebright, as a huntsman and breeder of hounds, has been a celebrity +ever since he hunted the Quorn, under Squire Osbaldeston, six-and-thirty +years ago. Sebright looks the huntsman, and the huntsman of an +hereditary pack, to perfection; rather under than over the middle +height; stout without being unwieldy; with a fine, full, intelligent, +and fresh-complexioned oval countenance; keen gray eyes; and the decided +nose of a Cromwellian Ironside. A fringe of white hair below his cap, +and a broad bald forehead, when he lifts his cap to cheer his hounds, +tell the tale of Time on this accomplished veteran of the chase. + +"The field," with the Fitzwilliam, is more aristocratic than +fashionable; it includes a few peers and their friends from neighbouring +noble mansions, a good many squires, now and then undergraduates from +Cambridge, a very few strangers by rail, and a great many first-class +yeoman farmers and graziers. Thus it is equally unlike the fashionable +"cut-me-down" multitude to be met at coverside in the "Shires" _par +excellence_, and the scarlet mob who rush, and race, and lark from and +back to Leamington and Cheltenham. For seeing a good deal of sport in a +short time, the Fitzwilliam is certainly the best, within a hundred +miles of London. You have a first-rate pack, first-rate huntsman, a good +scenting country, plenty of foxes, fair fences to ride over, and though +last not least, very courteous reception, if you know how to ride and +when to hold your tongue and your horse. + +My fortunate day with the Fitzwilliam was in their open pasture, +Huntingdon country. My head-quarters were at the celebrated "Haycock," +which is known, or ought to be known, to every wandering fox-hunter, +standing as it does in the middle of the Fitzwilliam Hunt, within reach +of some of the best meets of the Pytchley and the Warwickshire, and not +out of reach of the Cottesmore and Belvoir. It is much more like a +Lincolnshire Wolds farmhouse than an inn. The guests are regular +_habitues_; you find yourself in a sort of fox-hunting clubhouse, in a +large, snug dining-room; not the least like Albert Smith's favourite +aversion, a coffee-room; you have a first-rate English dinner, +undeniable wine, real cream with your tea, in a word, all the comforts +and most of the luxuries of town and country life combined. If needful, +Tom Percival will provide you with a flyer for every day in the week, +and you will be sure to meet with one or two guests, able and willing, +ready to canter with you to cover, explain the chart of the country, +and, if you are in the first year of boots and breeches, show you as +Squire Warburton sings, how "To sit down in your saddle and put his head +straight." + +The meet, within four miles of the inn, was in a park by the side of a +small firwood plantation. Punctual to a minute, up trotted Sebright on a +compact, well-bred chestnut in blooming condition, the whips equally +well mounted on thoroughbreds, all dressed in ample scarlet coats and +dark cord breeches--a style of dress in much better taste than the +tight, short dandified costume of the fashionable hunt, where the +huntsman can scarcely be distinguished from the "swell." + +Of the Earl's family there were present a son and daughter, and three +grandsons, beautiful boys, in Lincoln green loose jackets, brown cord +breeches, black boots, and caps; of these, the youngest, a fair, rosy +child of about eight or nine years old, on a thorough-bred chestnut +pony, was all day the admiration of the field; he dashed along full of +genuine enthusiasm, stopping at nothing practicable. + +Amongst others present was a tall, lithe, white-haired, +white-moustached, dignified old gentleman, in scarlet and velvet cap, +riding forward on a magnificent gray horse, who realised completely the +poetical idea of a nobleman. This was the Marquess of H----, known well +forty years ago in fashionable circles, when George IV. was Prince, now +popular and much esteemed as a country gentleman and improving landlord. +There was also Mr. H----, an M.P., celebrated, before he settled into +place and "ceased his hum," as a hunter of bishops--a handsome, dark +man, in leathers and patent Napoleons; with his wife on a fine bay +horse, who rode boldly throughout the day. + +In strange countries I usually pick out a leader in some well-knowing +farmer; but this day I made a grand mistake, by selecting for my guide a +slim, quiet-looking, young fellow, in a black hat and coat, white cords, +and boots, on a young chestnut--never dreaming that my quiet man was +Alec ----, a farmer truly, but also a provincial celebrity as a +steeplechaser. + +The day was mild, cloudy, with a gentle wind. We drew several covers +blank, and found a fox, about one o'clock, in a small spinney, from +which he bolted at the first summons. A beautiful picture it was to see +gallant old Sebright get his hounds away, the ladies racing down a +convenient green lane, and the little Fitzwilliam, in Lincoln green, +charging a double flight of hurdles. In half-an-hour's strong running I +had good reason to rejoice that Percival had, with due respect for the +fourth estate, put me on an unmistakable hunter. Our line took us over +big undulating fields (almost hills), with, on the flats or valleys, a +large share of willow-bordered ditches (they would call them brooks in +some counties), with thick undeniable hedges between the pollards. At +the beginning of the run, my black-coated friend led me--much as a dog +in a string leads a blind man--at a great pace, into a farm-yard, thus +artfully cutting off a great angle, over a most respectable stone wall +into a home paddock, over a stile into a deep lane, and then up a bank +as steep as a gothic roof, and almost as long; into a fifty-acre +pasture, where, racing at best pace, we got close to the hounds just +before they checked, between a broad unjumpable drain and a willow +bed--two fine resources for a cunning fox. There I thought it well, +having so far escaped grief, to look out for a leader who was less of a +bruiser, while I took breath. In the meantime Sebright, well up, hit our +friend off with a short cast forward, and after five minutes' slow +hunting, we began to race again over a flat country of grass, with a few +big ploughed fields, fences easier, ladies and ponies well up again. +After brushing through two small coverts without hanging, we came out on +a series of very large level grass fields, where I could see the gray +horse of the marquis, and the black hat of my first leader sailing in +front; a couple of stiff hedges and ditches were got over comfortably; +the third was a regular bulfinch, six or seven feet high, with a gate so +far away to the right that to make for it was to lose too much time, as +the hounds were running breast high. Ten yards ahead of me was Mr. Frank +G----, on a Stormer colt, evidently with no notion of turning; so I +hardened my heart, felt my bay nag full of going, and kept my eye on Mr. +Frank, who made for the only practicable place beside an oak-tree with +low branches, and, stooping his head, popped through a place where the +hedge showed daylight, with his hand over his eyes, in the neatest +possible style. Without hesitating a moment I followed, rather too fast +and too much afraid of the tree, and pulled too much into the hedge. In +an instant I found myself torn out of the saddle, balanced on a +blackthorn bough (fortunately I wore leathers), and deposited on the +right side of the hedge on my back; whence I rose just in time to see +Bay Middleton disappear over the next fence. So there I was alone in a +big grass field, with strong notions that I should have to walk an +unknown number of miles home. Judge of my delight as I paced slowly +along--running was of no use--at seeing Frank G---- returning with my +truant in hand. Such an action in the middle of a run deserves a Humane +Society's medal. To struggle breathless into my seat; to go off at +score, to find a lucky string of open gates, to come upon the hounds at +a check, was my good fortune. But our fox was doomed--in another quarter +of an hour at a hand gallop we hunted him into a shrubbery, across a +home field into an ornamental clump of laurels, back again to the +plantation, where a couple and a half of leading hounds pulled him down, +and he was brought out by the first whip dead and almost stiff, without +a mark--regularly run down by an hour and twenty minutes with two very +short checks. Had the latter part of the run been as fast as the first, +there would have been very few of us there to see the finish. + + +ON THE LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS. + +I started to meet Lord Yarborough's hounds, from the house of a friend, +on a capital Wold pony for cover hack. It used to be said, before +non-riding masters of hounds had broadcasted bridle-gates over the Quorn +country, that a Leicestershire hack was a pretty good hunter for other +counties. We may say the same of a Lincolnshire Wolds pony--his master, +farming not less than three hundred and more likely fifteen hundred +acres, has no time to lose in crawling about on a punchy half-bred +cart-horse, like a smock-frocked tenant--the farm must be visited before +hunting, and the market-towns lie too far off for five miles an hour +jog-trot to suit. It is the Wold fashion to ride farming at a pretty +good pace, and take the fences in a fly where the gate stands at the +wrong corner of the field. Broad strips of turf fringe the road, +offering every excuse for a gallop, and our guide continually turned +through a gate or over a hurdle, and through half a dozen fields, to +save two sides of an angle. These fields contrast strangely with the +ancient counties--large, and square, and clean, with little ground lost +in hedgerows. The great cop banks of Essex, Devon, and Cheshire are +almost unknown--villages you scarcely see, farmhouses rarely from the +roadside, for they mostly stand well back in the midst of their acres. +Gradually creeping up the Wold--passing through, here vast +turnip-fields, fed over by armies of long-woolled Lincoln sheep; there, +stubble yielding before from a dozen to a score of pair-horse ploughs, +silent witnesses of the scale of Lincolnshire farming--at length we see +descending and winding along a bridle-road before us, the pied pack and +the gleam of the huntsman's scarlet. Around, from every point of the +compass the "field" come ambling, trotting, cantering, galloping, on +hacks, on hunters, through gates or over fences, practising their +Yorkshire four-year-olds. There are squires of every degree, +Lincolnshire M.P.'s, parsons in black, in number beyond average; +tenant-farmers, in quantity and quality such as no other county we have +ever seen can boast, velvet-capped and scarlet-coated, many with the +Brocklesby hunt button, mounted on first-class hunters, whom it was a +pleasure to see them handle; and these were not young bloods, outrunning +the constable, astonishing their landlords and alarming their fathers; +but amongst the ruck were respectable grandfathers who had begun hunting +on ponies when Stubbs was painting great-grandfather Smith, and who had +as a matter of course brought up their sons to follow the line in which +they had been cheered on by Arthur Young's Lord Yarborough. There they +were, of all ages, from the white-haired veteran who could tell you when +every field had been inclosed, to the little petticoated orphan boy on a +pony, "whose father's farm had been put in trust for him by the good +Earl." + +Of the ordinary mob that crowd fox-hound meets from great cities and +fashionable watering-places, there were none. The swell who comes out to +show his clothes and his horse; the nondescript, who may be a fast +Life-Guardsman or a fishmonger; the lot of horse-dealers; and, above +all, those _blase_ gentlemen who, bored with everything, openly express +their preference for a carted deer or red-herring drag, if a straight +running fox is not found in a quarter of an hour after the hounds are +thrown into cover. The men who ride on the Lincolnshire Wolds are all +sportsmen, who know the whole country as well as their own gardens, and +are not unfrequently personally acquainted with the peculiar appearance +and habits of each fox on foot. Altogether they are as formidable +critics as any professional huntsman would care to encounter. + +There is another pleasant thing. In consequence, perhaps, of the rarity, +strangers are not snubbed as in some counties; and you have no +difficulty in getting information to any extent on subjects agricultural +and fox-hunting (even without that excellent passport which I enjoyed of +a hunter from the stables of the noble Master of the Hounds), and may be +pretty sure of more than one hospitable and really-meant invitation in +the course of the return ride when the sport is ended. + +But time is up, and away we trot--leaving the woods of Limber for the +present--to one of the regular Wolds, artificial coverts, a square of +gorse of several acres, surrounded by a turf bank and ditch, and outside +again by fields of the ancient turf of the moorlands. In go the hounds +at a word, without a straggler; and while they make the gorse alive with +their lashing sterns, there is no fear of our being left behind for want +of seeing which way they go, for there is neither plantation nor hedge, +nor hill of any account to screen us. And there is no fear either of the +fox being stupidly headed, for the field all know their business, and +are fully agreed, as old friends should be, on the probable line. + +A very faint Tally-away, and cap held up, by a fresh complexioned, +iron-gray, bullet-headed old gentleman, of sixteen stone, mounted on a +four-year-old, brought the pack out in a minute from the far end of the +covert, and we were soon going, holding hard, over a newly-ploughed +field, looking out sharp for the next open gate; but it is at the wrong +corner, and by the time we have reached the middle of fifty acres, a +young farmer in scarlet, sitting upright as a dart, showed the way over +a new rail in the middle of a six-foot quickset. Our nag, +"Leicestershire," needs no spurring, but takes it pleasantly, with a +hop, skip, and jump; and by the time we had settled into the pace on the +other side, the senior on the four-year-old was alongside, crying, "Push +along, sir; push along, or they'll run clean away from you. The fences +are all fair on the line we're going." And so they were--hedges thick, +but jumpable enough, yet needing a hunter nevertheless, especially as +the big fields warmed up the pace amazingly; and, as the majority of the +farmers out were riding young ones destined for finished hunters in the +pasture counties, there was above an average of resolution in the style +of going at the fences. The ground almost all plough, naturally drained +by chalk sub-subsoil, fortunately rode light; but presently we passed +the edge of the Wolds, held on through some thin plantations over the +demesne grass of a squire's house, then on a bit of unreclaimed heath, +where a flock of sheep brought us to a few minutes' check. With the help +of a veteran of the hunt, who had been riding well up, a cast forward +set us agoing again, and brought us, still running hard, away from the +Wolds to low ground of new inclosures, all grass, fenced in by ditch and +new double undeniable rails. As we had a good view of the style of +country from a distance, we thought it wisest, as a stranger, on a +strange horse, with personally a special distaste to double fences, to +pull gently, and let half-a-dozen young fellows on half-made, +heavy-weight four or five years old, go first. The results of this +prudent and unplucky step were most satisfactory; while two or three, +with a skill we admired, without venturing to imitate, went the "in and +out" clever, the rest, some down and some blundering well over, smashed +at least one rail out of every two, and let the "stranger" through +comfortably at a fair flying jump. After three or four of these +tremendous fields, each about the size of Mr. Mechi's farm, a shepherd +riding after his flock on a pony opened a gate just as the hounds, after +throwing up their heads for a minute, turned to the right, and began to +run back to the Wolds at a slower rate than we started, for the fox was +no doubt blown by the pace; and so up what are called hills there (they +would scarcely be felt in Devonshire or Surrey), we followed at a hand +gallop right up to the plantations of Brocklesby Park, and for a good +hour the hounds worked him round and round the woods, while we kept as +near them as we could, racing along green rides as magnificent in their +broad spread verdures and overhanging evergreen walls of holly and +laurel as any Watteau ever painted. The Lincolnshire gentry and +yeomanry, scarlet coated and velvet capped, on their great blood horses +sweeping down one of the grand evergreen avenues of Brocklesby Park, say +toward the Pelham Pillar, is a capital untried subject, in colour, +contrast, and living interest, for an artist who can paint men as well +as horses. + +At length when every dodge had been tried, Master Reynard made a bolt in +despair. We raced him down a line of fields of very pretty fencing to a +small lake, where wild ducks squatted up, and there ran into him, after +a fair although not a very fast day's sport: a more honest hunting, yet +courageous dashing pack we never rode to. The scarcity of villages, the +general sparseness of the population, the few roads, and those almost +all turf-bordered, and on a level with the fields, the great size of the +enclosures, the prevalence of light arable land, the nuisance of flocks +of sheep, and yet a good scenting country, are the special features of +the Wolds. When you leave them and descend, there is a country of water, +drains, and deep ditches, that require a real water-jumper. Two points +specially strike a stranger--the complete hereditary air of the pack, +and the attendants, so different from the piebald, new-varnished +appearance of fashionable subscription packs. Smith, the huntsman, is +fourth in descent of a line of Brocklesby huntsmen; Robinson, the head +groom, had just completed his half century of service at Brocklesby; and +Barnetby, who rode Lord Yarborough's second horse, was many years in the +same capacity with the first Earl. But, after all, the Brocklesby +tenants--the Nainbys, the Brookes, the Skipwiths, and other Woldsmen, +names "whom to mention would take up too much room," as the "Eton +Grammar" says--tenants who, from generation to generation, have lived, +and flourished, and hunted under the Pelham family--a spirited, +intelligent, hospitable race of men--these alone are worth travelling +from Land's End to see, to hear, to dine with; to learn from their +sayings and doings what a wise, liberal, resident landlord--a lover of +field sports, a promoter of improved agriculture--can do in the course +of generations toward "breeding" a first-class tenantry, and feeding +thousands of townsfolk from acres that a hundred years ago only fed +rabbits. We should recommend those M.P.'s who think fox-hunting folly, +to leave their books and debates for a day's hunting on the Wolds. We +think it will be hard to obtain such happy results from the mere +pen-and-ink regulations of chamber legislators and haters of field +sports. Three generations of the Pelhams turned thousands of acres of +waste in heaths and Wolds into rich farm-land; the fourth did his part +by giving the same district railways and seaport communication. When we +find learned mole-eyed pedants sneering at fox-hunters, we may call the +Brocklesby kennels and the Pelham Pillar as witnesses on the side of the +common sense of English field sports. It was hunting that settled the +Pelhams in a remote country and led them to colonise a waste. + +There is one excellent custom at the hunting-dinners at Brocklesby Park +which we may mention, without being guilty of intrusion on private +hospitality. At a certain hour the stud-groom enters and says, "My Lord, +the horses are bedded up;" then the whole party rise, make a procession +through the stables, and return to coffee in the drawing-room. This +custom was introduced by the first Lord Yarborough some half-century +ago, in order to break through the habit of late sitting over wine that +then was too prevalent. + + +HARRIERS--ON THE BRIGHTON DOWNS. + +Long before hunting sounds are to be heard, except the early morning +cub-hunters routing woodlands, and the autumn stag-hunters of Exmoor, +harrier packs are hard at work racing down and up the steep hillside and +along the chalky valleys of Brighton Downs, preparing old sportsmen for +the more earnest work of November--training young ones into the meaning +of pace, the habit of riding fast down, and the art of climbing quickly, +yet not too quickly, up hill--giving constitutional gallops to wheezy +aldermen, or enterprizing adults fresh from the riding-school--affording +fun for fast young ladies and pleasant sights for a crowd of foot-folks +and fly-loads, halting on the brows of the steep combs, content with the +living panorama. + +The Downs and the sea are the redeeming features of Brighton, considered +as a place of change and recreation for the over-worked of London. +Without these advantages one might quite as well migrate from the City +to Regent Street, varying the exercise by a stroll along the Serpentine. +To a man who needs rest there is something at first sight truly +frightful in the townish gregariousness of Brighton proper, with its +pretentious common-place architecture, and its ceaseless bustle and +rolling of wheels. But then comes into view first the sea, stretching +away into infinite silence and solitude, dotted over on sunny days with +pleasure-boats; and next, perpetually dashing along the league of +sea-borded highway, group after group of gay riding-parties of all ages +and both sexes--Spanish hats, feathers, and riding-habits--_amazones_, +according to the French classic title, in the majority. First comes Papa +Briggs, with all his progeny, down to the little bare-legged imitation +Highlander on a shaggy Shetland pony; then a riding-master in +mustachios, boots, and breeches, with a dozen pupils in divers stages of +timidity and full-blown temerity; and then again loving pairs in the +process of courtship or the ecstasies of the honeymoon, pacing or racing +along, indifferent to the interest and admiration that such pairs always +excite. Besides the groups there are single figures, military and civil, +on prancing thorough-bred hacks and solid weight-carrying cobs, +contrasted with a great army of hard-worked animals, at half-a-crown an +hour which compose the bulk of the Brighton cavalry, for horse-hiring +at Brighton is the rule, private possession the exception; nowhere else, +except, perhaps, at Oxford, is the custom so universal, and nowhere do +such odd, strange people venture to exhibit themselves "a-horseback." As +Dublin is said to be the car-drivingest, so is Brighton the +horse-ridingest city in creation; and it is this most healthy, mental +and physical exercise, with the summer-sea yacht excursions, which +constitute the difference and establishes the superiority of this marine +offshoot of London over any foreign bathing-place. Under French auspices +we should have had something infinitely more magnificent, gay, gilded, +and luxurious in architecture, in shops, in restaurants, cafes, +theatres, and ball-rooms; but pleasure-boat sails would have been +utterly unknown, and the horse-exercise confined to a few daring +cavaliers and theatrical ladies. + +It is doubtless the open Downs that originally gave the visitors of +Brighton (when it was Brighthelmstone, the little village patronised by +the Prince, by "the Burney," and Mrs. Thrale) the habit of +constitutional canters to a degree unknown in other pleasure towns; and +the traditional custom has been preserved in the face of miles of brick +and stucco. With horses in legions, and Downs at hand, a pack of hounds +follows naturally; hares of a rare stout breed are plentiful; and the +tradesmen have been acute enough to discover that a plentiful and varied +supply of hunting facilities is one of the most safe, certain, and +profitable attractions they can provide. Cheltenham and Bath has each +its stag-hounds; Brighton does better, less expensively, and pleases +more people, with two packs of harriers, hunting four days (and, by +recent arrangements, a pack of fox-hounds filling up the other two days) +of the week; so that now it may be considered about the best place in +the country for making sure of a daily constitutional gallop from +October to March at short notice, and with no particular attention to +costume and a very moderate stud, or no stud at all. + +With these and a few other floating notions of air, exercise, and change +of scene in my head--having decided that, however tempting to the +caricaturist, the amusement of hundreds was not to be despised--I took +my place at eight o'clock, at London-bridge station, in a railway +carriage--the best of hacks for a long distance--on a bright October +morning, with no other change from ordinary road-riding costume than one +of Callow's long-lashed, instead of a straight-cutting, whips, so saving +all the impediments of baggage. By ten o'clock I was wondering what the +"sad sea waves" were saying to the strange costumes in which it pleases +the fair denizens of Brighton to deck themselves. My horse, a little, +wiry, well-bred chestnut, had been secured beforehand at a dealer's, +well known in the Surrey country. + +The meet was the race-course, a good three miles from the Parade. The +Brighton meets are stereotyped. The Race-course, Telscombe Tye, the +Devil's Dyke, and Thunders Barrow are repeated weekly. But of the way +along the green-topped chalk cliffs, beside the far-spreading sea, or up +and down the moorland hills and valleys, who can ever weary? Who can +weary of hill and dale and the eternal sea? + +To those accustomed to an inclosed country there is something extremely +curious in mile after mile of open undulating downs lost in the distant +horizon. My day was bright. About eleven o'clock the horsemen and +_amazones_ arrived in rapidly-succeeding parties, and gathered on the +high ground. Pleasure visitors, out for the first time--distinguished +by their correct costume and unmistakably hired animals--caps and white +breeches, spotless tops and shining Napoleons--were mounted on hacks +battered about the legs, and rather rough in the coat, though hard and +full of go; but trousers were the prevailing order of the day. Medical +men were evident, in correct white ties, on neat ponies and superior +cobs; military in mufti, on pulling steeplechasers; some farmers in +leggings on good young nags for sale, and good old ones for use. London +lawyers in heather mixture shooting-suits and Park hacks; lots of little +boys and girls on ponies--white or cream-coloured being the favourites; +at least one master of far distant fox-hounds pack, on a blood-colt, +master and horse alike new to the country and to the sport. +Riding-masters, with their lady pupils tittupping about on the live +rocking-horses that form the essential stock of every riding-master's +establishment, with one or two papas of the pupils--"worthy" aldermen, +or authorities of the Stock Exchange, expensively mounted, gravely +looking on, with an expression of doubt as to whether they ought to have +been there or not; and then a crowd of the nondescripts, bankers and +brewers trying to look like squires, neat and grim, among the well and +ill dressed, well and ill mounted, who form the staple of every +watering-place,--with this satisfactory feature pervading the whole +gathering, that with the exception of a few whose first appearance it +was in saddle on any turf, and the before-mentioned grim brewers, all +seemed decidedly jolly and determined to enjoy themselves. + +The hounds drew up; to criticise them elaborately would be as unfair, +under the circumstances, as to criticise a pot-luck dinner of beans and +bacon put before a hungry man. They are not particularly +handsome--white patches being the prevailing colour; and they certainly +do not keep very close; but they are fast enough, persevering, and, +killing a fair share of hares, show very good sport to both lookers-on +and hard riders. The huntsman Willard, who has no "whip" to help him, +and often more assistance than he requires, is a heavy man, but +contrives, in spite of his weight, to get his hounds in the fastest +runs. + +The country, it may be as well to say for the benefit of the thousands +who have never been on these famous mutton-producing "South Downs," is +composed of a series of table-lands divided by basin-like valleys, for +the most part covered with short turf, with large patches of gorse and +heather, in which the hares, when beaten, take refuge. Of late years, +high prices and Brighton demand, with the new system of artificial +agriculture, have pushed root crops and corn crops into sheltered +valleys and far over the hills, much to the disgust of the ancient race +of shepherds. + +It is scarcely necessary to observe, that on Brighton Downs there are no +blank days, but the drawing is a real operation performed seriously +until such a time as the company having all assembled, say at half-past +seven o'clock, when, if the unaided faculties of the pack have not +brought them up to a form, a shepherd appears as the _Deus ex machina_. +In spite of all manner of precautions, the hounds will generally rush up +to the point without hunting; loud rises the joyful cry; and, if it is +level ground, the whole meet--hacks, hobbie-horses, and hunters--look as +if their riders meant to go off in a whirlwind of trampling feet. There +is usually a circle or two with the stoutest hare before making a long +stretch; but, on lucky days like that of our first and last visit, the +pace mends the hounds settle, the riding-masters check their more +dashing pupils, the crowd gets dispersed, and rides round, or halts on +the edges, or crawls slowly down the steep-sided valleys; while the hard +riders catch their nags by the head, in with the spurs, and go down +straight and furious, as if they were away for ever and a day; but the +pedestrians and constitutional cob-owners are comforted by assurances +that the hare is sure to run a ring back. But, on our day, Pussy, having +lain _perdu_ during a few minutes' check, started up suddenly amid a +full cry, and rather too much hallooing. A gentleman in large mustachios +and a velvet cap rode at her as if he meant to catch her himself. Away +we all dashed, losing sight of the dignity of fox-hunters--all mad as +hatters (though why hatters should be madder than cappers it would be +difficult to say). The pace becomes tremendous; the pack tails by twos +and threes; the valleys grow steeper; the field lingers and halts more +and more at each steeper comb; the lads who have hurried straight up the +hillsides, instead of creeping up by degrees blow their horses and come +to a full stop; while old hands at Devonshire combs and Surrey steeps +take their nags by the head, rush down like thunder, and slily zigzag up +the opposite face at a trot; and so, for ten minutes, so straight, that +a stranger, one of three in front, cried, "By Jove, it must be a fox!" +But at that moment the leading hounds turned sharp to the right and then +to the left--a shrill squeak, a cry of hounds, and all was over. The sun +shone out bright and clear; looking up from the valley on the hills, +nine-tenths of the field were to be seen a mile in the distance, +galloping, trotting, walking, or standing still, scattered like a pulk +of pursuing Cossacks. The sight reminded me that, putting aside the +delicious excitement of a mad rush down hill at full-speed, the +lookers-on, the young ladies on ponies, and old gentlemen on cobs, see +the most of the sport in such a country as the Brighton Downs; while in +a flat inclosed, or wooded country, those who do not ride are left alone +quite deserted, five minutes after the hounds get well away. + +We killed two more hares before retiring for the day, but as they ran +rings in the approved style, continually coming back to the slow, +prudent, and constitutional riders, there was nothing to distinguish +them from all other hare-hunts. After killing the last hare there was +ample time to get back to Brighton, take a warm bath, dress, and stroll +on the Esplanade for an hour in the midst of as gay and brilliant crowd, +vehicular, equestrian, and pedestrian, as can be found in Europe, before +sitting down to a quiet dinner, in which the delicious Southdown haunch +was not forgotten. So ended a day of glorious weather and pleasant +sport, jolly--if not in the highest degree genteel. + +Tempted to stay another day, I went the next morning six miles through +Rottingdean to Telscombe Tye, to meet the Brookside; and, after seeing +them, have no hesitation in saying that every one who cares to look at a +first-rate pack of harriers would find it worth his while to travel a +hundred miles to meet the Brookside, for the whole turnout is +perfection. Royalty cannot excel it. + +A delicious ride over turf all the way, after passing Rottingdean, under +a blue sky and a June-like sun, in sight of the sea, calm as a lake, +brought us to the top of a hill of rich close turf, enveloped in a cloud +of mist, which rendered horses and horsemen alike invisible at the +distance of a few yards; and when we came upon three tall shepherds, +leaning on their iron-_hooked_ crooks, in the midst of a gorse covert, +it was almost impossible to believe that we were not in some remote +Highland district instead of within half an hour of a town of 70,000 +inhabitants. + +The costumes of the field, more exact than the previous day, showed that +the master was considered worthy of the compliment; and when, the mist +clearing, the beautiful black-and-tan pack, all of a size, and as like +as peas, came clustering up with Mr. Saxby, a white-haired, healthy, +fresh-coloured, neat-figured, upright squire, riding in the midst on a +rare black horse, it was a picture that, taking in the wild heathland +scenery, the deep valleys below, bright in sun, the dark hills beyond +it, was indeed a bright page in the poetry of field sports. + +The Brookside are as good and honest as they are handsome; hunting, all +together, almost entirely without assistance. If they have a fault they +are a little too fast for hare-hounds. After killing the second hare, we +were able to leave Brighton by the 3.30 P.M. train. Thus, under modern +advantages, a man troubled with indigestion has only to order a horse by +post the previous day, leave town at eight in the morning, have a day's +gallop, with excitement more valuable than gallons of physic, and be +back in town by half-past five o'clock. Can eight hours be passed more +pleasantly or profitably? + + +PRINCE ALBERT'S HARRIERS. + +The South-Western Rail made a very good hack up to the Castle station. + +That Prince Albert should never have taken to the Royal stag-hounds is +not at all surprising. It requires to be "to the manner born" to endure +the vast jostling, shouting, thrusting mob of gentlemen and horse +dealers, "legs" and horse-breakers, that whirl away after the uncarted +deer. Without the revival of the old Court etiquette, which forbade any +one to ride before royalty, his Royal Highness might have been ridden +down by some ambitious butcher or experimental cockney horseman on a +runaway. If the etiquette of the time of George III had been revived, +then only Leech could have done justice to the appearance of the field, +following impatiently at a respectful distance--not the stag, as they do +now very often, or the hounds, as they ought to do--but the Prince's +horse's tail. + +Prince Albert's harriers are in the strictest sense of the term a +private pack, kept by his Royal Highness for his own amusement, under +the management of Colonel Hood. The meets are not advertised. The fields +consist, in addition to the Royal and official party from the Castle, of +a few neighbouring gentlemen and farmers, the hunting establishment of a +huntsman and one whip, both splendidly mounted, and a boy on foot. The +costume of the hunt is a very dark green cloth double-breasted coat, +with the Prince's gilt button, brown cords, and velvet cap. + +The hounds were about fifteen couple, of medium size, with considerable +variety of true colours, inclining to the fox-hound stamp, yet very +honest hunters. In each run the lead was taken by a hound of peculiar +and uncommon marking--black and tan, but the tan so far spreading that +the black was reduced to merely a saddle. + +The day was rather too bright, perhaps, for the scent to lie well; but +there was the better opportunity for seeing the hounds work, which they +did most admirably, without any assistance. It is one of the advantages +of a pack like this that no one presumes to interfere and do the +business of either the huntsman or hounds. The first hare was found on +land apparently recently inclosed near Eton; but, after two hours' +perseverance, it was impossible to make anything of the scent over +ploughed land. + +We then crossed the railway into some fields, partly in grass, divided +by broad ditches full of water, with plenty of willow stumps on the +banks, and partly arable on higher, sloping ground, divided by fair +growing fences into large square inclosures. Here we soon found a stout +hare that gave us an opportunity of seeing and admiring the qualities of +the pack. After the first short burst there was a quarter of an hour of +slow hunting, when the hounds, left entirely to themselves, did their +work beautifully. At length, as the sun went behind clouds, the scent +improved; the hounds got on good terms with puss, and rattled away at a +pace, and over a line of big fields and undeniable fences, that soon +found out the slows and the nags that dared not face shining water. +Short checks of a few minutes gave puss a short respite; then followed a +full cry, and soon a view. Over a score of big fields the pack raced +within a dozen yards of pussy's scent, without gaining a yard, the +black-tanned leading hound almost coursing his game; but this was too +fast to last, and, just as we were squaring our shoulders and settling +down to take a very uncompromising hedge with evident signs of a broad +ditch of running water on the other side, the hounds threw up their +heads; poor puss had shuffled through the fence into the brook, and sunk +like a stone. + +There is something painful about the helpless finish with a hare. A fox +dies snarling and fighting. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[176-*] This sketch was written in 1857. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +HUNTING TERMS. + + +Hunting terms are difficult to write, because they are often rather sung +than said. I shall take as my authority one of the best sportsmen of his +day, Mr. Thomas Smith, author of the "Diary of a Huntsman," a book which +has only one fault, it is too short; and give some explanations of my +own. + + +HUNTSMAN'S LANGUAGE. + + On throwing off.--_Cover hoick!_ i. e. _Hark into cover!_ + + Also--_Eloo in!_ + + Over the fence.--_Yoi over!_ + + To make hounds draw.--_Edawick!_ + + Also--_Yoi, wind him! Yoi, rouse him, my boys!_ + + And to a particular hound--_Hoick, Rector! Hoick, Bonny Lass!_ + + The variety of Tally-ho's I have given in another place. + + To call the rest when some hounds have gone away.--_Elope forward, + aw-ay-woy!_ + + If they have hit off the scent.--_Forrid, hoick!_ + + When hounds have overrun the scent, or he wants them to come back to + him.--_Yo-geote!_ + + When the hounds are near their fox.--_Eloo, at him!_ + + +HUNTING TERMS + + _Billet._--The excrement of a fox. + + _Burst._--The first part of a run. + + _Burning scent._--When hounds go so fast, from the goodness of the + scent, they have no breath to spare, and run almost mute. + + _Breast high._--When hounds do not stoop their heads, but go a racing + pace. + + _Capping._--To wave your cap to bring on the hounds. Also to subscribe + for the huntsman, by dropping into a cap after a good run with + fox-hounds. At watering places, before a run with harriers. + + _Carry a good head._--When hounds run well together, owing to the + scent being good, and spreading so wide that the whole pack can + feel it. But it usually happens that the scent is good only on the + line for one hound to get it, so that the rest follow him; hence + the necessity of keeping your eyes on the leading hounds, if you + wish to be forward. + + _Challenge._--When drawing a fox, the first hound that gives tongue, + "challenges." + + _Changed._--When the pack changed from the hunted fox to a fresh one. + + _Check._--When hounds stop for want of scent in running, or over-run + it. + + _Chopped a fox._--When a fox is killed in cover without running. + + _Crash._--When in cover, every hound seems giving tongue at the same + moment: that is a crash of hounds. + + _Cub._--Until November, a young fox is a cub. + + _Drawing._--The act of hunting to find a fox in a cover, or covert, as + some term it. + + _Drag._--The scent left by the footsteps of the fox on his way from + his rural rambles to his earth, or kennel. Our forefathers rose + early; and instead of drawing, hunted the fox by "dragging" up to + him. + + _Dwelling._--When hounds do not come up to the huntsman's halloo till + moved by the whipper-in, they are said to dwell. + + _Drafted._--Hounds drawn from the pack to be disposed of, or _hung_, + are drafted. + + "_Earths are drawn._"--When a vixen fox has drawn out fresh earth, it + is a proof she intends to lay up her cubs there. + + _Eye to hounds._--A man has a good eye to hounds who turns his horse's + head with the leading hounds. + + _Flighty._--A hound that is not a steady hunter. + + _Feeling a scent._--You say, if scent is bad, "The hounds could + scarcely feel the scent." + + _Foil._--When a fox runs the ground over which he has been before, he + is running his foil. + + _Headed._--When a fox is going away, and is met and driven back to + cover. Jealous riders, anxious for a start, are very apt to head + the fox. It is one of the greatest crimes in the hunting-field. + + _Heel._--When hounds get on the scent of a fox, and run it back the + way he came, they are said to be running heel. + + _Hold hard._--A cry that speaks for itself, which every one who wishes + for sport will at once attend to when uttered by the huntsman. + + _Holding scent._--When the scent is just good enough for hounds to + hunt a fox a fair pace, but not enough to press him. + + _Kennel._--Where a fox lays all day in cover. + + _Line holders._--Hounds which will not go a yard beyond the scent. + + _Left-handed._--A hunting pun on hounds that are not always _right_. + + _Lifting._--When a huntsman carries the pack forward from an + indifferent, or no scent, to a place the fox is hoped to have more + recently passed, or to a view halloo. It is an expedient found + needful where the field is large, and unruly, and impatient, + oftener than good sportsmen approve.[202-*] + + _Laid up._--When a vixen fox has had cubs she is said to have laid up. + + _Metal._--When hounds fly for a short distance on a wrong scent, or + without one, it is said to be "all metal." + + _Moving scent._--When hounds get on a scent that is fresher than a + drag, it is called a moving scent; that is, the scent of a fox + which has been disturbed by travelling. + + _Mobbing a fox._--Is when foot passengers, or foolish jealous + horsemen so surround a cover, that the fox is driven into the teeth + of the hounds, instead of being allowed to break away and show + sport. + + _Mute._--When the pace is great hounds are mute, they have no breath + to spare; but a hound that is always mute is as useless as a rich + epicure who has capital dinners and eats them alone. Hounds that do + not help each other are worthless. + + _Noisy._--To throw the tongue without scent is an opposite and equal + fault to muteness. + + _Open._--When a hound throws his tongue, or gives tongue, he is said + to open. + + _Owning a scent._--When hounds throw their tongues on the scent. + + _Pad._--The foot of a fox. + + _Riot._--When the hounds hunt anything beside fox, the word is "Ware + Riot." + + _Skirter._--A hound which is wide of the pack, or a man riding wide of + the hounds, is called a skirter. + + _Stroke of a fox._--Is when hounds are drawing. It is evident, from + their manner, that they feel the scent of a fox, slashing their + stern significantly, although they do not speak to it. + + _Sinking._--A fox nearly beaten is said to be sinking. + + _Sinking the wind._--Is going down wind, usually done by knowing + sportsmen to catch the cry of the hounds. + + _Stained._--When the scent is lost by cattle or sheep having passed + over the line. + + _Stooping._--Hounds stoop to the scent. + + _Slack._--Indifferent. A succession of bad days, or a slack huntsman, + will make hounds slack. + + _Streaming._--An expressive word applied to hounds in full cry, or + breast high and mute, "streaming away." + + _Speaks._--When a hound throws his tongue he is said to speak; and + one word from a sure hound makes the presence of a fox certain. + + _Throw up._--When hounds lose the scent they "throw up their heads." A + good sportsman always takes note of the exact spot and cause, if he + can, to tell the huntsman. + + _Tailing._--The reverse of streaming. The result of bad scent, tired + hounds, or an uneven pack. + + _Throw off._--After reaching the "meet," at the master's word the pack + is "thrown into cover," hence "throw off." + +There are many other terms in common use too plain to need explanation, +and there are a good many slang phrases to be found in newspaper +descriptions of runs, which are both vulgar and unnecessary. One of the +finest descriptions of a fox-hunt ever written is to be found in the +account of Jorrocks' day with the "Old Customer," disfigured, +unfortunately, by an overload of impossible cockneyisms, put in the +mouth of the impossible grocer. Another capitally-told story of a +fox-hunt is to be found in Whyte Melville's "Kate Coventry." But the +Rev. Charles Kingsley has, in his opening chapter of "Yeast," and his +papers in Fraser on North Devon, shown that if he chose he could throw +all writers on hunting into the shade. Would that he would give us some +hunting-songs, for he is a true poet, as well as a true sportsman! + +Another clergyman, under the pseudonym of "Uncle Scribble," contributed +to the pages of the _Sporting Magazine_ an admirable series of +photographs--to adopt a modern word--of hunting and hunting men, as +remarkable for dry wit and common sense, as a thorough knowledge of +sport. But "Uncle Scribble," as the head of a most successful Boarding +School, writes no more. + +I may perhaps be pardoned for concluding my hints on hunting, by +re-quoting from _Household Words_ an "Apology for Fox-hunting," which, +at the time I wrote it, received the approbation, by quotation, of +almost every sporting journal in the country. It will be seen that it +contains a sentence very similar to one to be found in Mr. Rarey's +"Horse Training"--"A bad-tempered man cannot be a good horseman." + + +"TALLY-HO! + +"Fox-hunting, I maintain, is entitled to be considered one of the fine +arts, standing somewhere between music and dancing. For 'Tally-ho!' like +the favourite evening gun of colonising orators, has been 'carried round +the world.' The plump mole-fed foxes of the neutral ground of Gibraltar +have fled from the jolly cry; it has been echoed back from the rocky +hills of our island possessions in the Mediterranean; it has startled +the jackal on the mountains of the Cape, and his red brother on the +burning plains of Bengal; the wolf of the pine forests of Canada has +heard it, cheering on fox-hounds to an unequal contest; and even the +wretched dingoe and the bounding kangaroo of 'Australia have learned to +dread the sound. + +"In our native land 'Tally-ho!' is shouted and welcomed in due season by +all conditions of men; by the ploughman, holding hard his startled colt; +by the woodman, leaning on his axe before the half-felled oak; by +bird-boys from the tops of leafless trees; even Dolly Dumpling, as she +sees the white-tipped brush flash before her market-cart in a +deep-banked lane, stops, points her whip and in shrill treble screams +'Tally-ho!' + +"And when at full speed the pink, green, brown, and black-coated +followers of any of the ninety packs which our England maintains, sweep +through a village, with what intense delight the whole population turn +out! Young mothers stand at the doors, holding up their crowing babies; +the shopkeeper, with his customers, adjourns to the street; the windows +of the school are covered with flattened noses; the parson, if of the +right sort, smiles blandly, and waves his hand from the porch of the +vicarage to half-a-dozen friends; while the surgeon pushes on his +galloway and joins for half-an-hour; all the little boys holla in +chorus, and run on to open gates without expecting sixpence. As for the +farmers, those who do not join the hunt criticise the horseflesh, +speculate on the probable price of oats, and tell 'Missis' to set out +the big round of beef, the bread, the cheese, and get ready to draw some +strong ale,--'in case of a check, some of the gentlemen might like a bit +as they come back. + +"It is true, among the five thousand who follow the hounds daily in the +hunting season, there are to be found, as among most medleys of five +thousand, a certain number of fools and brutes--mere animals, deaf to +the music, blind to the living poetry of nature. To such men hunting is +a piece of fashion or vulgar excitement, but bring hunting in comparison +with other amusements, and it will stand a severe test. Are you an +admirer of scenery, an amateur or artist? Have you traversed Greece and +Italy, Switzerland and Norway, in search of the picturesque? You do not +know the beauties of your own country, until, having hunted from +Northumberland to Cornwall, you have viewed the various counties under +the three aspects of a fox-hunter's day--the 'morning ride,' 'the run,' +and 'the return home.' + +"The morning ride, slowly pacing, full of expectation, your horse as +pleased as yourself; sharp and clear in the gray atmosphere the leafless +trees and white farmhouses stand out, backed by a curtain of mist +hanging on the hills in the horizon. With eager eyes you take all in; +nothing escapes you; you have cast off care for the day. How pleasant +and cheerful everything and everyone looks! Even the cocks and hens, +scratching by the road-side, have a friendly air. The turnpike-man +relaxes, in favour of your 'pink,' his usual grimness. A tramping woman, +with one child at her back and two running beside her, asks charity; you +suspect she is an impostor, but she looks cold and pitiful; you give her +a shilling, and the next day you don't regret your foolish benevolence. +To your mind the well-cultivated land looks beautiful. In the monotony +of ten acres of turnips, you see a hundred pictures of English farming +life, well-fed cattle, good wheat crops, and a little barley for beer. +Not less beautiful is the wild gorse-covered moor--never to be +reclaimed, I hope--where the wiry, white-headed, bright-eyed huntsman +sits motionless on his old white horse, surrounded by the pied pack--a +study for Landseer. + +"But if the morning ride creates unexecuted cabinet pictures and +unwritten sonnets, how delightful 'the find,' 'the run' along +brook-intersected vales, up steep hills, through woodlands, parks, and +villages, showing you in byways little gothic churches, ivy-covered +cottages, and nooks of beauty you never dreamed of, alive with startled +cattle and hilarious rustics. + +"Talk of epic poems, read in bowers or at firesides, what poet's +description of a battle could make the blood boil in delirious +excitement, like a seat on a long-striding hunter, clearing every +obstacle with firm elastic bounds, holding in sight without gaining a +yard on the flying pack, while the tip of Reynard's tail disappears +over the wall at the top of the hill! + +"And, lastly,--tired, successful, hungry, happy,--the return home, when +the shades of evening, closing round, give a fantastic, curious, +mysterious aspect to familiar road-side objects! Loosely lounging on +your saddle, with half-closed eyes, you almost dream--the gnarled trees +grow into giants, cottages into castles, ponds into lakes. The maid of +the inn is a lovely princess, and the bread and cheese she brings +(while, without dismounting, you let your thirsty horse drink his +gruel), tastes more delicious than the finest supper of champagne, with +a _pate_ of tortured goose's liver, that ever tempted the appetite of a +humane, anti-fox hunting, poet-critic, exhausted by a long night of +opera, ballet, and Roman punch. + +"Are you fond of agriculture?--You may survey all the progress and +ignorance of an agricultural district in rides across country; you may +sound the depth of the average agricultural mind while trotting from +cover to cover. Are you of a social disposition?--What a fund of +information is to be gathered from the acquaintances made, returning +home after a famous day, 'thirty-five minutes without a check.' In a +word, fox-hunting affords exercise and healthy excitement without +headaches, or heartaches, without late hours, without the 'terrible next +morning' that follows so many town amusements. Fox-hunting draws men +from towns, promotes a love of country life, fosters skill, courage, +temper; for a bad-tempered man can never be a good horseman. + +"To the right-minded, as many feelings of thankfulness and praise to the +Giver of all good will arise, sitting on a fiery horse, subdued to +courageous obedience for the use of man, while surveying a pack of +hounds ranging an autumnal thicket with fierce intelligence, or looking +down on a late moorland, broken up to fertility by man's skill and +industry, as in a solitary walk by the sea-shore or over a Highland +hill." + + Oh, give me the man to whom nought comes amiss, + One horse or another--that country or this; + Through falls and bad starts who undauntedly still + Bides up to this motto, "Be with them I will!" + And give me the man who can ride through a run, + Nor engross to himself all the glory when done; + Who calls not each horse that o'ertakes him a screw; + Who loves a run best when a friend sees it too. + + WARBURTON of Arley Hall. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[202-*] The late Sir Richard Sutton, Master of the Quorn, used to say +that he liked "to stick to the band and keep hold of the bridle," that +is to say, make his pack hold to the line of the fox as long as they +could; but there were times when he could not resist the temptation of a +sure "holloa," and off he would start at a tremendous pace, for he was +always a bruising rider, with a blast or two upon his "little +merry-toned horn" which he had the art of blowing better than other +people. To his intimate friends he used to excuse himself for these +occasional outbreaks by quoting a saying of his old huntsman Goosey +(late the Duke of Rutland's)--for whose opinion on hunting matters he +had a great respect--"I take leave to say, sir, a fox is a very quick +animal, and you must make haste after him during some part of the day, +or you will not catch him."--_Letter from Captain Percy Williams, Master +of the Rufford Hounds, to the Editor._ + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE ORIGIN OF FOX-HUNTING. + + +The origin of modern fox-hunting is involved in a degree of obscurity +which can only be attributed to the illiterate character of the +originators, the Squire Westerns, who rode all day, and drank all the +evening. We need the assistance of the ingenious correspondent of _Notes +and Queries_:-- + +"It is quite certain that the fox was not accounted a noble beast of +chase before the Revolution of 1688; for Gervase Markham classes the fox +with the badger in his 'Cavalrie, or that part of Arte wherein is +contained the Choice Trayning and Dyeting of Hunting Horses whether for +Pleasure or for Wager. The Third Booke. Printed by Edw. Allde, for +Edward White; and are to be sold at his Shop, neare the Little North +Door of St. Paule's Church, at the signe of the Gun. 1616.' He says:-- + +"'The chase of the foxe or badger, although it be a chase of much more +swiftness (than the otter), and is ever kept upon firm ground, yet I +cannot allow it for training horses, because for the most part it +continues in woody rough grounds, where a horse can neither conveniently +make foorth his way nor can heed without danger of stubbing. The chase, +much better than any of these, is hunting of the bucke or stag, +especially if they be not confined within a park or pale, but having +liberty to chuse their waies, which some huntsmen call "hunting at +force." When he is at liberty he will break forth his chase into the +winde, sometimes four, five, and six miles foorth right: nay, I have +myself followed a stag better than ten miles foorth right from the place +of his rousing to the place of his death, besides all his windings, +turnings, and cross passages. The time of the year for these chases is +from the middle of May to middle of September.' He goes on to say, +'which being of all chases the worthiest, and belonging only Princes and +men of best quality, there is no horse too good to be employed in such a +service; yet the horses which are aptest and best to be employed in this +chase is the Barbary jennet, or a light-made English gelding, being of a +middle stature.' 'But to conclude and come to the chase which is of all +chases the best for the purpose whereof we are now entreating; it is the +chase of the hare, which is a chase both swift and pleasant, and of long +endurance; it is a sport ever readie, equally distributed, as well to +the wealthie farmer as the great gentleman. It hath its beginning +contrary to the stag and bucke; for it begins at Michaelmas, when they +end, and is out of date after April, when they first come into season.' + +"This low estimate of the fox, at that period, is borne out by a speech +of Oliver St. John, to the Long Parliament, against Strafford, quoted by +Macaulay, in which he declares--'Strafford was to be regarded not as a +stag or hare, but as a fox, who was to be snared by any means and +knocked on the head without pity.' The same historian relates that red +deer were as plentiful on the hills of Hampshire and Gloucestershire, in +the reign of Queen Anne, as they are now in the preserved deer-forests +of the Highlands of Scotland. + +"When wild deer became scarce, the attention of sportsmen was probably +turned to the sporting qualities of the fox by the accident of harriers +getting upon the scent of some wanderer in the clicketing season, and +being led a straight long run. We have more than once met with such +accidents on the Devonshire moors, and have known well-bred harriers run +clear away from the huntsmen, after an on-lying fox, over an unrideable +country. + +"Fox-hunting rose into favour with the increase of population attendant +on improved agriculture. In a wild woodland country, with earths +unstopped, no pack of hounds could fairly run down a fox. + +"I have found in private records two instances in which packs of hounds, +since celebrated, were turned from hare-hounds to fox-hounds. There are, +no doubt, many more. The Tarporley, or Cheshire Hunt, was established in +1762 for Hare-hunting, and held its first meeting on the 14th November +in that year. 'Those who kept harriers brought them in turn.' It is +ordered by the 8th Rule, 'that if no member of the society kept hounds, +or that it were inconvenient for masters to bring them, a pack be +borrowed at the expense of the society.' + +"The uniform was ordered to be 'a blue frock with plain yellow mettled +buttons, scarlet velvet cape, and double-breasted flannel waistcoat. The +coat sleeve to be cut and turned. A scarlet saddle-cloth, bound singly +with blue, and the front of the bridle lapt with scarlet.' The third +rule contrasts oddly with our modern meets at half-past ten and +half-past eleven o'clock:--'The harriers shall not wait for any member +after eight o'clock in the morning.' + +"As to drinking, it was ordered 'that three collar bumpers be drunk +after dinner, and the same after supper; after that every member might +do as he pleased in regard to drinking.' + +"By another rule every member was 'to present on his marriage to each +member of the hunt, a pair of well-stitched leather breeches,'[213-*] +then costing a guinea a pair. + +"In 1769, the club commenced Fox-hunting. The uniform was ordered to be +changed to 'a red coat, unbound, with small frock sleeve, a green velvet +cape, and green waistcoat, and that the sleeve have no buttons; in every +other form to be like the old uniform; and the red saddle-cloth to be +bound with green instead of blue, the fronts of the saddles to remain +the same.' + +"At the same time there was an alteration in regard to drinking +orders--'That instead of three collar bumpers, only one shall be drunk, +except a fox be killed above ground, and then one other collar glass +shall be drunk to "Fox-hunting." Among the names of the original members +in 1762, we recognise many whose descendants have maintained in this +generation their ancestral reputation as sportsmen. For instance, Crewe, +Mainwaring, Wilbraham, Smith, Barry, Cholmondeley, Stanley, Grosvenor, +Townley, Watkin Williams Wynne, Stanford. But, although the Tarporley +Hunt Club has been maintained and thriven through the reigns of George +III., George IV., William IV., and Victoria, the pack of hounds, +destroyed or removed by various accidents, have been more than once +renewed. But the Brocklesby pack has been maintained in the family of +the present Earl of Yarborough more than 130 years without break or +change of blood; and a written pedigree of the pack has been kept for +upwards of 100 years; and it is now the oldest pack in the kingdom. The +Cottesmore, which was established before the Brocklesby, has been +repeatedly dispersed and has long passed out of the hands of the family +of the Noels--by whom it was first established 200 years ago." + +By the kindness of Lord Yarborough, I was permitted to examine all the +papers connected with his hounds. Among them is a memorandum dated April +20, 1713: it is agreed "between Sir John Tyrwhitt, Charles Pelham, Esq., +and Robert Vyner, Esq. (another name well known in modern hunting +annals), that the foxhounds now kept by the said Sir John Tyrwhitt and +Mr. Pelham shall be joyned in one pack, and the three have a joint +interest in the said hounds for five years, each for one-third of the +year." And it was agreed that the establishment should consist of +"sixteen couple of hounds, three horses, and a huntsman and a boy." So +apparently they only hunted one day a week. It would seem that, under +the terms of the agreement, the united pack soon passed into the hands +of Mr. Pelham, and down to the present day the hounds have been branded +with a P. I also found at Brocklesby a rough memoranda of the kennel +from 1710 to 1746; after that date the Stud Book has been distinctly +kept up without a break. From 1797 the first Lord Yarborough kept +journals of the pedigree of hounds in his own handwriting; and since his +time by the father, the grandfather, and great-grandfather of the +present huntsman. + +In the time of the first Lord Yarborough, his country extended over the +whole of the South Wold country, part of the now Burton Hunt, and part +of North Nottinghamshire; and he used to go down into both those +districts for a month at a time to hunt the woodlands. There were, as he +told his grandson when he began hunting, only three or four fences +between Horncastle and Brigg, a distance of at least thirty miles. + +Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt kept harriers at his Manor House of Aylsby, at the +foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, before he turned them into fox-hounds. A +barn at Aylsby was formerly known as the "Kennels." The Aylsby estate +has passed, in the female line, into the Oxfordshire family of the +Tyrwhitt Drakes, who are so well known as masters of hounds, and +first-rate sportsmen; while a descendant of Squire Vyner, of +Lincolnshire, has, within the last twenty years, been a master of +fox-hounds in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Mr. Meynell, the father +of modern fox-hunting, and founder of the Quorn Hunt, formed his pack +chiefly of drafts from the Brocklesby. + +Between the period that fox-hunting superseded hare-hunting in the +estimation of country squires, and that when the celebrated Mr. Meynell +reduced it to a science, and prepared the way for making hunting in +Leicestershire almost an aristocratic institution, a great change took +place in the breed of the hounds and horses, and in the style of +horsemanship. Under the old system, the hounds were taken out before +light to hunt back by his drag the fox who had been foraging all night, +and set on him as he lay above his stopped-earth, before he had digested +his meal of rats or rabbits. The breed of hounds partook more of the +long-eared, dew-lapped, heavy, crock-kneed southern hound, or of the +bloodhound. Well-bred horses, too, were less plentiful than they are +now. + +But the change to fast hounds, fast horses, and fast men, took place at +a much more distant date than some of our hard-riding young swells of +1854 seem to imagine. A portrait of a celebrated hound, Ringwood, at +Brocklesby Park, painted by Stubbs, the well-known animal painter in +1792, presents in an extraordinary manner the type and character of some +of the best hounds remotely descended from him, although the Cheshire +song says:-- + + "When each horse wore a crupper, each squire a pigtail, + Ere Blue Cap and Wanton taught greyhounds to scurry, + With music in plenty--oh, where was the hurry?" + +But it is more than eighty years since Blue Cap and Wanton ran their +race over Newmarket Heath, which for speed has never been excelled by +any modern hounds. + +And it is a curious fact, that although Somerville, the author of The +Chase, died in 1742, his poem contains as clear and correct directions +for fox-hunting, with few exceptions, as if it were written yesterday. +So that the art must have arrived at perfection within sixty or seventy +years. In the long reign of George III. the distinction between town and +country was much broken down, and the isolation in which country squires +lived destroyed. Packs of hounds, kept for the amusement of a small +district, became, as it were, public property. At length the meets of +hounds began to be regularly given in the country newspapers. + +With every change sportsmen of the old school have prophesied the total +ruin of fox-hunting. Roads and canals excited great alarm to our +fathers. In our time every one expected to see sport entirely destroyed +by railroads; but we were mistaken, and have lived to consider them +almost an essential auxiliary of a good hunting district. + +Looking back at the manner in which fox-hunting has grown up with our +habits and customs, and increased in the number of packs, number of +hunting days, and number of horsemen, in full proportion with wealth and +population, one cannot help being amused at the simplicity with which +Mrs. Beecher Stowe, who comes from a country where people seldom amuse +themselves out of doors (except in making money), tells in her "Sunny +Memories," how, when she dined with Lord John Russell, at Richmond, the +conversation turned on hunting; and she expressed her astonishment +"that, in the height of English civilisation, this vestige of the savage +state should remain." "Thereupon they only laughed, and told stories +about fox-hunters." They might have answered with old Gervase Markham, +"Of all the field pleasures wherewith Old Time and man's inventions hath +blessed the hours of our recreations, there is none so excellent as the +delight of hunting, being compounded like an harmonious concert of all +the best partes of most refined pleasures, as music, dancing, running +and ryding." + +Mrs. Stowe's distinguished countryman, Washington Irving, took a sounder +view of our rural pleasures; for he says in his charming "Sketch +Book:"-- + +"The fondness for rural life among the higher classes of the English has +had a great and salutary effect upon national character. I do not know a +finer race of men than the English gentlemen. Instead of the softness +and effeminacy which characterizes the men of rank of most countries, +they exhibit a union of elegance and strength, of robustness of frame +and freshness of complexion, which I am inclined to attribute to their +living so much in the open air, pursuing so eagerly the invigorating +recreations of the country." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[213-*] I think this is a mistake. In a copy of the rules forwarded to +me by a Cheshire squire, one of the hereditary members of the club, it +is a pair of _gloves_. But in the notes, the songs and ballads by R. +Egerton Warburton, Esq., of Arley Hall, it is printed "breeches." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE WILD PONIES OF EXMOOR. + + +In England there are so few wild horses, that the following description +of a visit I made to Exmoor a few years ago in the month of September, +may be doubly interesting, since Mr. Rarey has shown a short and easy +method of dealing with the principal produce of that truly wild region. + +The road from South Molton to Exmoor is a gradual ascent over a +succession of hills, of which each descent, however steep, leads to a +still longer ascent, until you reach the high level of Exmoor. The first +six miles are through real Devonshire lanes; on each side high banks, +all covered with fern and grass, and topped with shrubs and trees; for +miles we were hedged in with hazels, bearing nuts with a luxuriance +wonderful to the eyes of those accustomed to see them sold at the +corners of streets for a penny the dozen. In spring and summer, wild +flowers give all the charms of colour to these game-preserving +hedgerows; but a rainy autumn had left no colour among the rich green +foliage, except here and there a pyramid of the bright red berries of +the mountain ash. + +So, up hill and down dale, over water-courses--now merrily trotting, +anon descending, and not less merrily trudging up, steep ascents--we +proceed by a track as sound as if it had been under the care of a model +board of trustees--for the simple reason that it rested on natural rock. +We pushed along at an average rate of some six miles an hour, allowing +for the slow crawling up hills; passing many rich fields wherein fat +oxen of the Devon breed calmly grazed, with sheep that had certainly not +been bred on mountains. Once we passed a deserted copper-mine; which, +after having been worked for many years, had at length failed, or grown +unprofitable, under the competition of the richer mines of Cuba and +South Australia. A long chimney, peering above deserted cottages, and a +plentiful crop of weeds, was the sole monument of departed glories--in +shares and dividends--and mine-captain's promises. + +At length the hedges began to grow thinner; beeches succeeded the +hazels; the road, more rugged and bare showed the marks where winter's +rains had ploughed deep channels; and, at the turn of a steep hill, we +saw, on the one hand, the brown and blue moor stretching before and +above us; and on the other hand, below, like a map, the fertile vale lay +unrolled, various in colour, according to the crops, divided by +enclosures into every angle from most acute to most obtuse. Below was +the cultivation of centuries; above, the turnip--the greatest +improvement of modern agriculture--flourished, a deep green, under the +protection of fences of very recent date. + +One turnpike, and cottages at rare intervals, had so far kept up the +idea of population; but now, far as the horizon extended, not a place of +habitation was to be seen; until, just in a hollow bend out of the +ascending road, we came upon a low white farm-house, of humble +pretensions, flanked by a great turf-stack (but no signs of corn; no +fold-yard full of cattle), which bore, on a board of great size, in long +letters, this imposing announcement, "The Poltimore Arms." Our driver +not being of the usual thirsty disposition of his tribe, we did not test +the capabilities of the one hostelry and habitation on Lord Poltimore's +Moorland Estate, but, pushing on, took the reins while our conductor +descended to open a gate in a large turf and stone wall. We passed +through--left Devon--entered Somerset; and the famous Exmoor estate of +20,000 acres, bounded by a wall forty miles in length, the object of our +journey, lay before us. + +Very dreary was this part of our journey, although, contrary to the +custom of the country, the day was bright and clear, and the September +sun defeated the fogs, and kept at a distance the drizzling rains which +in winter sweep over Exmoor. We had now left the smooth, rocky-floored +road, and were travelling along what most resembled the dry bed of a +torrent: turf banks on each side seemed rather intended to define than +to divide the property. As far as the eye could reach, the rushy tufted +moorland extended, bounded in the distance by lofty, round-backed hills. +Thinly scattered about were horned sheep and Devon red oxen. For about +two miles we jolted gently on, until, beginning to descend a hill, our +driver pointed in the valley below to a spot where stacks of hay and +turf guarded a series of stone buildings, saying, "There's the Grange." +The first glance was not encouraging--no sheep-station in Australia +could seem more utterly desolate; but it improved on closer examination. +The effects of cultivation were to be seen in the different colours of +the fields round the house, where the number of stock grazing showed +that more than ordinary means must have been taken to improve the +pasture. + +We started on Exmoor ponies to ride to Simon's Bath. + +Exmoor, previous to 1818, was the property of the Crown, and leased to +Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, who has an estate of a similar character close +adjoining. He used its wild pasture (at that time it was without roads) +for breeding ponies and feeding Exmoor sheep. There are no traces of any +population having ever existed on this forest since Roman times. The +Romans are believed to have worked iron-mines on the moor, which have +recently been re-opened. + +Exmoor consists of 20,000 acres, on an elevation varying from 1000 to +1200 feet above the sea, of undulating table-land, divided by valleys, +or "combes," through which the River Exe--which rises in one of its +valleys--with its tributary, the Barle, forces a devious way, in the +form of pleasant trout-streams, rattling over and among huge stones, and +creeping through deep pools--a very angler's paradise. Like many similar +districts in the Scotch Highlands, the resort of the red deer, it is +called a forest, although trees--with the exception of some very +insignificant plantations--are as rare as men. After riding all day with +a party of explorers, one of them suddenly exclaimed, "Look, there is a +man!" A similar expression escaped me when we came in sight of the first +tree--a gnarled thorn, standing alone on the side of a valley. + +The sides of the steep valleys, of which some include an acre, and +others extend for miles, are usually covered with coarse herbage, +heather, and bilberry plants, springing from a deep black or red soil: +at certain spots a greener hue marks the site of the bogs which impede, +and at times almost engulph, the incautious horseman. These bogs are +formed by springs, which, having been intercepted by a pan of sediment, +and prevented from percolating through the soil, stagnate, and cause, at +the same time, decay and vicious vegetation. They are seldom deep, and +can usually be reclaimed by subsoiling or otherwise breaking the pan, +and so drying the upper layers of bog. Bog-turf is largely employed on +Exmoor as fuel. On other precipitous descents, winter torrents have +washed away all the earth, and left avalanches of bare loose stones, +called, in the western dialect, "crees." To descend these crees at a +slapping pace in the course of a stag-hunt, requires no slight degree of +nerve; but it is done, and is not so dangerous as it looks. + +Exmoor may be nothing strange to those accustomed to the wild, barren +scenery. To one who has known country scenes only in the best-cultivated +regions of England, and who has but recently quitted the perpetual roar +of London, there is something strangely solemn and impressive in the +deep silence of a ride across the forest. Horses bred on the moors, if +left to themselves, rapidly pick their way through pools and bogs, and +canter smoothly over dry flats of natural meadow; creep safely down the +precipitous descents, and climb with scarcely a puff of distress these +steep ascents; splash through fords in the trout-streams, swelled by +rain, without a moment's hesitation, and trot along sheep-paths, +bestrewed with rolling stones, without a stumble: so that you are +perfectly at liberty to enjoy the luxury of excitement, and follow out +the winding valleys, and study the rich brown and purple herbage. + +It was while advancing over a great brown plain in the centre of the +moor, with a deep valley on our left, that our young quick-eyed guide +suddenly held up his hand, whispering, "Ride on without seeming to take +notice; there are the deer." A great red stag, lying on the brown grass, +had sprung up, and was gazing on our party--too numerous and too +brightly attired to be herdsmen, whom he would have allowed to pass +without notice. Behind him were clustered four hinds and a calf. They +stood still for some minutes watching our every movement, as we tried to +approach them in a narrowing circle. Then the stag moved off slowly, +with stately, easy, gliding steps, constantly looking back. The hinds +preceded him: they reached the edge of the valley, and disappeared. We +galloped up, and found that they had exchanged the slow retreat for a +rapid flight, clearing every slight or suspicious obstacle with a grace, +ease, and swiftness it was delightful to witness. In an incredibly short +time they had disappeared, hidden by undulations in the apparently flat +moor. + +These were one of the few herds still remaining on the forest. In a +short time the wild deer of Exmoor will be a matter of tradition; and +the hunt, which may be traced back to the time of Queen Elizabeth, will, +if continued, descend to the "cart and calf" business. + +A sight scarcely less interesting than the deer was afforded by a white +pony mare, with her young stock--consisting of a foal still sucking, a +yearling, and a two-year-old--which we met in a valley of the Barle. The +two-year-old had strayed away feeding, until alarmed by the cracking of +our whips and the neighing of its dam, when it came galloping down a +steep combe, neighing loudly, at headlong speed. It is thus these ponies +learn their action and sure-footedness. + +It was a district such as we had traversed--entirely wild, without +inclosures, or roads, or fences--that came into the hands of the father +of the present proprietor. He built a fence of forty miles around it, +made roads, reclaimed a farm for his own use at Simon's Bath, introduced +Highland cattle on the hills, and set up a considerable stud for +improving the indigenous race of ponies, and for rearing full-sized +horses. These improvements, on which some three hundred thousand pounds +were sunk, were not profitable; and it is very doubtful whether any +considerable improvements could have been prosecuted successfully, if +railways had not brought better markets within reach of the district. + +Coming from a part of the country where ponies are the perquisites of +old ladies and little children, and where the nearer a well-shaped horse +can be got to sixteen hands the better, the first feeling on mounting a +rough little unkemped brute, fresh from the moor, barely twelve hands +(four feet) in height, was intensely ridiculous. It seemed as if the +slightest mistake would send the rider clean over the animal's head. But +we learned soon that the indigenous pony, in certain useful qualities, +is not to be surpassed by animals of greater size and pretensions. + +From the Grange to Simon's Bath (about three miles), the road, which +runs through the heart of Exmoor proper, was constructed, with all the +other roads in this vast extra-parochial estate, by the father of the +present proprietor, F. Knight, Esq., of Wolverly House, Worcestershire, +M.P. for East Worcestershire (Parliamentary Secretary of the Poor Law +Board, under Lord Derby's Government). In the course of a considerable +part of the route, the contrast of wild moorland and high cultivation +may be found only divided by the carriage-way. + +At length, descending a steep hill, we came in sight of a view--of which +Exmoor and its kindred district in North Devon affords many--a deep +gorge, at whose precipitous base a trout-stream rolled along, gurgling +and plashing, and winding round huge masses of white spar. The far bank +sometimes extended out into natural meadows, where red cattle and wild +ponies grazed, and sometimes rose precipitously. At one point, where +both banks were equally steep and lofty, the far side was covered by a +plantation with a cover of under-wood; but no trees of sufficient +magnitude to deserve the name of a wood. This is a spot famous in the +annals of a grand sport that soon will be among things of the past--Wild +Stag Hunting. In this wood more than once the red monarch of Exmoor has +been roused, and bounded over the rolling plains beyond, amid the shouts +of excited hunters and the deep cry of the hounds, as with a burring +scent they dashed up the steep breast of the hill. + +But there was no defiant stag there that day; so on we trotted on our +shaggy sure-footed nags, beneath a burning sun--a sun that sparkled on +the flowing waters as they gleamed between far distant hills, and threw +a golden glow upon the fading tints of foliage and herbage, and cast +deep shadows from the white overhanging rocks. + +Next we came to the deep pool that gives the name to Simon's Bath, where +some unhappy man of that name, in times when deer were more plentiful +than sheep, drowned himself for love, or in madness, or both--long +before roads, farms, turnip crops, a school, and a church were dreamed +of on Exmoor. Here fences give signs of habitation and cultivation. A +rude, ancient bridge, with two arches of different curves, covered with +turf, without side battlements or rails, stretches across the stream, +and leads to a small house built for his own occupation by the father of +Mr. Knight, pending the completion of a mansion of which the unfinished +walls of one wing rise like a dismantled castle from the midst of a +grove of trees and ornamented shrubs. + +A series of gentle declivities, plantations, a winding, full-flowing +stream, seem only to require a suitable edifice and the hand of an +artist gardener to make, at comparatively trifling expense, an abode +unequalled in luxuriant and romantic beauty. We crossed the stream--not +by the narrow bridge, but by the ford; and, passing through the +straggling stone village of Simon's Bath, arrived in sight of the field +where the Tattersall of the West was to sell the wild and tame horse +stock bred on the moors. It was a field of some ten acres and a half, +forming a very steep slope, with the upper path comparatively flat, the +sloping side broken by a stone quarry, and dotted over with huge blocks +of granite. At its base flowed an arm of the stream we had found +margining our route. A substantial, but, as the event proved, not +sufficiently high stone fence bounded the whole field. On the upper +part, a sort of double pound, united by a narrow neck, with a gate at +each end, had been constructed of rails, upwards of five feet in height. +Into the first of these pounds, by ingenious management, all the ponies, +wild and tame, had been driven. When the sale commenced, it was the duty +of the herdsmen to separate two at a time, and drive them through the +narrow neck into the pound before the auctioneer. Around a crowd of +spectators of every degree were clustered--'squires and clergymen, +horse-dealers and farmers, from Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, as +well as South Devon, and the immediate neighbourhood. + +These ponies are the result of crosses made years ago with Arab, +Dongola, and thorough-bred stallions, on the indigenous race of Exmoors, +since carefully culled from year to year for the purpose of securing the +utmost amount of perfection among the stallions and mares reserved for +breeding purposes. The real Exmoor seldom exceeds twelve hands; has a +well-shaped head, with very small ears; but the thick round shoulder +peculiar to all breeds of wild horses, which seem specially adapted for +inclemencies of the weather; indeed, the whole body is round, compact, +and well ribbed. The Exmoor has very good quarters and powerful hocks; +legs straight, flat, and clean; the muscles well developed by early +racing up and down steep mountain sides while following their dams. In +about forty lots the prevailing colours were bay, brown, and gray; +chestnuts and blacks were less frequent, and not in favour with the +country people, many of whom seemed to consider that the indigenous race +had been deteriorated by the sedulous efforts made and making to improve +it--an opinion which we could not share after examining some of the best +specimens, in which a clean blood-like head and increased size seemed to +have been given, without any diminution of the enduring qualities of the +Exmoor. + +The sale was great fun. Perched on convenient rails, we had the whole +scene before us. The auctioneer rather hoarse and quite matter-of-fact; +the ponies wildly rushing about the first enclosure, were with +difficulty separated into pairs to be driven in the sale section; when +fairly hemmed in through the open gate, they dashed and made a sort of +circus circuit, with mane and tail erect, in a style that would draw +great applause at Astley's. Then there was the difficulty of deciding +whether the figures marked in white on the animal's hind-quarters were 8 +or 3 or 5. Instead of the regular trot up and down of Tattersall's, a +whisk of a cap was sufficient to produce a tremendous caper. A very +pretty exhibition was made by a little mare, with a late foal about the +size of a setter dog.[228-*] + +The sale over, a most amusing scene ensued: every man who had bought a +pony wanted to catch it. In order to clear the way, each lot, as sold, +as wild and nearly as active as deer, had been turned into the field. A +joint-stock company of pony-catchers, headed by the champion wrestler of +the district--a hawk-nosed, fresh-complexioned, rustic Don Juan--stood +ready to be hired, at the moderate rate of sixpence per pony caught and +delivered. One carried a bundle of new halters; the others, warmed by a +liberal distribution of beer, seemed as much inspired by the fun as the +sixpence. When the word was given, the first step was to drive a herd +into the lowest corner of the field in as compact a mass as possible. +The bay, gray, or chestnut, from that hour doomed to perpetual slavery +and exile from his native hills, was pointed out by the nervous anxious +purchaser. Three wiry fellows crept cat-like among the mob, sheltering +behind some tame cart-horses; on a mutual signal they rushed on the +devoted animal; two--one bearing a halter--strove to fling each one arm +round its neck, and with one hand to grasp its nostrils--while the +insidious third, clinging to the flowing tail; tried to throw the poor +quadruped off its balance. Often they were baffled in the first effort, +for with one wild spring the pony would clear the whole lot, and flying +with streaming mane and tail across the brook up the field, leave the +whole work to be recommenced. Sometimes when the feat was cleverly +performed, pony and pony-catchers were to be seen all rolling on the +ground together; the pony yelling, snorting, and fighting with his fore +feet, the men clinging on like the Lapithae and the Centaurs, and how +escaping crushed ribs or broken legs it is impossible to imagine. On one +occasion a fine brown stallion dashed away, with two plucky fellows +hanging on to his mane: rearing, plunging, fighting with his fore feet, +away he bounded down a declivity among the huge rocks, amid the +encouraging cheers of the spectators: for a moment the contest was +doubtful, so tough were the sinews, and so determined the grip of Davy, +the champion; but the steep bank of the brook, down which the brown +stallion recklessly plunged, was too much for human efforts (in a moment +they all went together into the brook), but the pony, up first, leaped +the opposite bank and galloped away, whinnying in short-lived triumph. + +After a series of such contests, well worth the study of artists not +content with pale copies from marbles or casts, the difficulty of +haltering these snorting steeds--equal in spirit and probably in size to +those which drew the car of Boadicea--was diminished by all those +uncaught being driven back to the pound; and there, not without furious +battles, one by one enslaved. + +Yet even when haltered, the conquest was by no means concluded. Some +refused to stir, others started off at such a pace as speedily brought +the holder of the halter on his nose. One respectable old gentleman, in +gray stockings and knee-breeches, lost his animal in much less time than +it took him to extract the sixpence from his knotted purse. + +Yet in all these fights there was little display of vice; it was pure +fright on the part of the ponies that made them struggle so. A few +days' confinement in a shed, a few carrots, with a little salt, and +gentle treatment, reduces the wildest of the three-year-olds to +docility. When older they are more difficult to manage. It was a pretty +sight to view them led away, splashing through the brook--conquered, but +not yet subdued. + +In the course of the evening a little chestnut stallion, twelve hands, +or four feet in height, jumped, at a standing jump, over the bars out of +a pound upward of five feet from the ground, only just touching the top +rail with his hind feet. + +We had hoped to have a day's wild stag hunting, but the hounds were out +on the other side of the country. However, we had a few runs with a +scratch pack of harriers after stout moorland hares. The dandy school, +who revel in descriptions of coats and waistcoats, boots and breeches, +and who pretend that there is no sport without an outfit which is only +within the reach of a man with ten thousand a year, would no doubt have +been extremely disgusted with the whole affair. We rose at five o'clock +in the morning and hunted puss up to her form (instead of paying a +shilling to a boy to turn her out) with six couples, giving tongue most +melodiously. Viewing her away we rattled across the crispy brown moor, +and splattered through bogs with a loose rein, in lunatic enjoyment, +until we checked at the edge of a deep "combe." Then--when the old +yellow Southerner challenged, and our young host cheered him with "Hark +to Reveller, hark!"--to hear the challenge and the cheer re-echoed again +from the opposite cliff; and--as the little pack in full cry again took +up the running, and scaled the steep ascent--to see our young huntsman, +bred in these hills, go rattling down the valleys, and to follow by +instinct, under a vague idea, not unmixed with nervous apprehensions of +the consequences of a slip, that what one could do two could, was vastly +exciting, and amusing, and, in a word, decidedly jolly. So with many +facts, some new ideas, and a fine stock of health from a week of open +air, I bade farewell to my hospitable hosts and to romantic Exmoor. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[228-*] According to tradition, the Exmoor ponies are descended from +horses brought from the East by the Phoenicians, who traded there with +Cornwall for metals. + + + + +[Illustration: SITZ BATH.] + +POSTSCRIPT. + +THE HUNTING MAN'S HEALTH. + + +Without health there can be no sport. A man at the commencement of the +hunting often requires condition more than his horse, especially if +engaged in sedentary occupations, and averse to summer riding or +walking. Of course the proper plan is to train by walking or riding. I +remember, some years ago, when three months of severe mental occupation +had kept me entirely out of the saddle, going out in Northamptonshire, +fortunately admirably mounted, when the hounds were no sooner in cover +than they were out of it, "running breast high," five minutes after I +had changed from my seat in a dog-cart to the saddle. We had thirty-five +minutes' sharp run, without a check, and for the latter part of the run +I was perfectly beaten, almost black in the face, and scarcely able to +hold my horse together. I did not recover from this too sudden exertion +for many days. Those who are out of condition will do well to ride, +instead of driving to cover. + +In changing from town to country life, between the different hours of +rising and hearty meals--the result of fresh air and exercise--the +stomach and bowels are very likely to get out of order. It is as well, +therefore, to be provided with some mild digestive pills: violent purges +are as injurious to men as to horses, and more inconvenient. + +The enema is a valuable instrument, which a hunting man should not be +without, as its use, when you are in strong exercise, is often more +advisable than medicine. + +But one of the most valuable aids to the health and spirits of a +hard-riding man is the Sitz Bath, which, taken morning and evening, cold +or tepid, according to individual taste, has even more advantageous +effects on the system than a complete bath. It braces the muscles, +strengthens the nerves, and tends to keep the bowels open. Sitz baths +are made in zinc, and are tolerably portable; but in a country place you +may make shift with a tub half-filled with water. In taking this kind of +bath, it is essential that the parts not in the water should be warm and +comfortable. For this end, in cold weather, case your feet and legs in +warm stockings, and cover your person and tub with a poncho, through the +hole of which you can thrust your head. In default of a poncho, a plaid +or blanket will do, and in warm weather a sheet. If you begin with +tepid water, you will soon be able to bear cold, as after the first +shock the cold disappears. The water must not reach higher than your +hips, rather under than over. The time for a Sitz bath varies from ten +to twenty minutes, not longer, during which you may read or smoke; but +then you will need sleeves, for it is essential that you should be +covered all the time. I often take a cup of coffee in this bath, it +saves time in breakfasting. In the illustration, the blanket has been +turned back to show the right position. + + +THE HOT-AIR OR INDIAN BATH. + +In case of an attack of cold or influenza, or a necessity for sweating +off a few pounds, or especially after a severe fall, there is no bath so +effective and so simple as the hot-air or Indian bath. This is made with +a wooden-bottomed kitchen chair, a few blankets, a tin cup, and a +claret-glass of spirits of wine. For want of spirits of wine you might +use a dozen of Price's night lights. + +Take a wooden-bottomed chair, and place it in a convenient part of the +bedroom, where a fire should be previously lighted. Put under the chair +a narrow metal cup or gallipot, if it will stand fire filled with +spirits of wine. Let the bather strip to his drawers, and sit down on +the chair with a fold of flannel under him, for the seat will get +extremely hot--put on his knees a slop-basin, with a sponge and a little +cold water. Then take four blankets or rugs, and lay them, one over his +back, one over his front, and one on each side, so as to cover him +closely in a woollen tent, and wrap his head up in flannel or silk--if +he is cold or shivering put his feet in warm water, or on a hot brick +wrapped in flannel. Then light the spirits of wine, which will very soon +make a famous hot-air bath. By giving the patient a little _cold water_ +to drink, perspiration will be encouraged; if he finds the air +inconveniently hot before he begins to perspire, he can use the sponge +and slop-basin to bathe his chest, &c. + +[Illustration: INDIAN BATH.] + +When the perspiration rolls like rain from his face, and you think he +has had enough, have a blanket warmed at the fire, strip him, roll him +in it, and tumble him into bed. In five or ten minutes, you can take +away the blanket and put on his night shirt--give him a drink of white +wine whey, and he will be ready to go to sleep comfortably. + +This bath can be administered when a patient is too ill to be put in a +warm bath, and is more effective. I have seen admirable results from it +on a gentleman after a horse had rolled over him. + +It can also be prepared in a few minutes, in places where to get a warm +bath would be out of the question. + +In the illustration, the blanket is turned back, to show the proper +position, and by error the head is not covered. + + +Woodfall and Kinder Printers, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London. + + + + +"_If the steamboat and the railway have abridged time and space, and +made a large addition to the available length of human existence, why +may not our intellectual journey be also accelerated, our knowledge more +cheaply and quickly acquired, its records rendered more accessible and +portable, its cultivators increased in number, and its blessings more +cheaply and widely diffused?_"--QUARTERLY REVIEW. + + + LONDON: FARRINGDON STREET. + + GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & CO.'S + NEW AND CHEAP EDITIONS + OF + Standard and Popular Works + IN + + HISTORY, + BIOGRAPHY, + FICTION, + TRAVELS & VOYAGES, + NATURAL HISTORY, + POETRY & the DRAMA, + SPORTING, USEFUL, + RELIGIOUS, JUVENILE, + And MISCELLANEOUS + LITERATURE; + + WITH THE ADDITION OF + Illustrated Present Books, + AND + THE POPULAR CHEAP LIBRARIES. + + TO BE OBTAINED BY ORDER OF ALL BOOKSELLERS, HOME OR COLONIAL. + + In ordering, specially mention "ROUTLEDGE'S EDITIONS." + + +HISTORY. + +In 1 vol. price =5=s. cloth lettered. + +RUSSELL'S MODERN EUROPE EPITOMIZED. 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Uniformly +printed in crown 8vo, corrected and revised throughout, with new +Prefaces. + +20 vols. in 10, price =L3= =3=s. cloth extra; or any volumes separately, in +cloth binding, as under:-- + + _s._ _d._ + RIENZI: THE LAST OF THE TRIBUNES 3 6 + PAUL CLIFFORD 3 6 + PELHAM: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 3 6 + EUGENE ARAM. A Tale 3 6 + LAST OF THE BARONS 5 0 + LAST DAYS OF POMPEII 3 6 + GODOLPHIN 3 0 + PILGRIMS OF THE RHINE 2 6 + NIGHT AND MORNING 4 0 + ERNEST MALTRAVERS 3 6 + ALICE; OR THE MYSTERIES 3 6 + THE DISOWNED 3 6 + DEVEREUX 3 6 + ZANONI 3 6 + LEILA; OR THE SIEGE OF GRANADA 2 6 + HAROLD 4 0 + LUCRETIA 4 0 + THE CAXTONS 4 0 + MY NOVEL (2 vols.) 8 0 + + Or the Set complete in 20 vols. =L3= =11= =6= + " " half-calf extra =5= =5= =0= + " " half-morocco =5= =11= =6= + +"No collection of prose fictions, by any single author, contains the +same variety of experience--the same amplitude of knowledge and +thought--the same combination of opposite extremes, harmonized by an +equal mastership of art; here, lively and sparkling fancies; there, +vigorous passion or practical wisdom--these works abound in +illustrations that teach benevolence to the rich, and courage to the +poor; they glow with the love of freedom; they speak a sympathy with all +high aspirations, and all manly struggle; and where, in their more +tragic portraitures, they depict the dread images of guilt and woe, they +so clear our judgment by profound analysis, while they move our hearts +by terror or compassion, that we learn to detect and stifle in ourselves +the evil thought which we see gradually unfolding itself into the guilty +deed."--_Extract from Bulwer Lytton and his Works._ + +The above are printed on superior paper, bound in cloth. Each volume is +embellished with an Illustration; and this Standard Edition is admirably +suited for private, select, and public Libraries. + +The odd Numbers and Parts to complete volumes may be obtained; and the +complete series is now in course of issue in Three-halfpenny Weekly +Numbers, or in Monthly Parts, Sevenpence each. + + +UNIFORM ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS OF MR. AINSWORTH'S WORKS. + +In 1 vol. demy 8vo, price =6=s. each, cloth, emblematically gilt. + +TOWER OF LONDON (The). With Forty Illustrations on Steel; and numerous +Engravings on Wood by George Cruikshank. + +LANCASHIRE WITCHES. Illustrated by J. Gilbert. + +JACK SHEPPARD. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + +OLD ST. PAUL'S. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + +GUY FAWKES. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + + +In 1 vol. demy 8vo, price =5=s. each, cloth gilt. + +CRICHTON. With Steel Illustrations, from designs by H. K. Browne. + +WINDSOR CASTLE. With Steel Engravings, and Woodcuts by Cruikshank. + +MISER'S DAUGHTER. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. + +ROOKWOOD. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. + +SPENDTHRIFT. With Illustrations by Phiz. + +STAR CHAMBER. With Illustrations by Phiz. + +"It is scarcely surprising that Harrison Ainsworth should have secured +to himself a very wide popularity, when we consider how happily he has +chosen his themes. Sometimes, by the luckiest inspiration, he has chosen +a romance of captivating and enthralling fascinations, such as +'Crichton,' the 'Admirable Crichton.' Surely no one ever hit upon a +worthier hero of romance, not from the days of Apuleius to those of Le +Sage or of Bulwer Lytton. Sometimes the scene and the very title of his +romance have been some renowned structure, a palace, a prison, or a +fortress. It is thus with the 'Tower of London,' 'Windsor Castle,' 'Old +St. Paul's.' Scarcely less ability, or, rather, we should say, perhaps +more correctly, scarcely less adroitness in the choice of a new theme, +in the instance of one of his latest literary productions, viz., the +'Star Chamber.' But the readers of Mr. Ainsworth--and they now number +thousands upon thousands--need hardly be informed of this: and now that +a uniform illustrated edition of his works is published, we do not doubt +but that this large number of readers even will be considerably +increased."--_Sun._ + + +In 1 vol. fcap. 8vo, price =3=s. =6=d. cloth gilt, or with gilt edges, +=4=s. + +FLITCH OF BACON (The); or, the Custom of Dunmow. A Tale of English Home. +By W. H. AINSWORTH, Esq. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. The Second +Edition. + +"Certainly no custom was ever more popular; the fame of it is bruited +throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is a subject that +gives excellent scope to a writer of fiction; and Mr. Ainsworth, by +skilful treatment, has rendered it most entertaining. The materials are +put together with dramatic force."--_Examiner._ + +"In our judgment, one of the best of Mr. Ainsworth's +romances."--_Scottish Citizen._ + + +In 1 vol., price =8=s. =6=d. cloth gilt. + +COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. By ALEXANDRE DUMAS. Comprising the Chateau d'If, +with 20 Illustrations, drawn on Wood by M. Valentin, and executed by the +best English engravers. + +"'Monte Cristo' is Dumas' best production, and the work that will convey +his name to the remembrance of future generations as a writer." + + +In 8vo, cloth extra, price =2=s. =6=d. gilt back. + +FANNY, THE LITTLE MILLINER; or, the Rich and the Poor. By CHARLES +ROWCROFT, Author of "Tales of the Colonies," &c. With 27 Illustrations +by Phiz. + + +In 2 vols. 8vo, reduced to =12=s. =6=d. cloth, emblematically gilt; or +the 2 vols. in 1, price =10=s. =6=d. cloth extra, gilt. + +CARLETON'S TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. A new Pictorial +Edition, with an Autobiographical Introduction, Explanatory Notes, and +numerous Illustrations on Wood and Steel, by Phiz, &c. + +The following Tales and Sketches are comprised in this Edition:-- + + Ned M'Keown. + The Three Tasks. + Shane Fadh's Wedding. + Larry M'Farland's Wake. + The Battle of the Factions. + The Station. + The Party Fight and Funeral. + The Lough Derg Pilgrim. + The Hedge School. + The Midnight Mass. + The Donah, or the Horse Stealers. + Phil Purcell, The Pig Driver. + Geography of an Irish Oath. + The Llanham Shee. + Going to Maynooth. + Phelim O'Toole's Courtship. + The Poor Scholar. + Wildgoose Lodge. + Tubber Derg, or the Red Well. + Neal Malone. + +=Also, a New Cheap Re-Issue.= + +In 5 vols. fcap. 8vo, fancy boards, with new illustrations, =7=s. =6=d.; or +in cloth extra, gilt, with steel portrait, =10=s. + +"Unless another master-hand like Carleton's should appear, it is in his +pages, and his alone, that future generations must look for the truest +and fullest picture of the Irish peasantry, who will ere long have +passed away from the troubled land, and from the records of +history."--_Edinburgh Review_, Oct. 1852. + +"Truly--Intensely Irish."--_Blackwood._ + + +In 8vo, cloth, full gilt, price =6=s. + +THE FORTUNES OF TORLOGH O'BRIEN: a Tale of the Wars of King James. With +Steel Illustrations by Phiz. + +"This stirring tale contains the best history of the Battle of the +Boyne, and is written with a master hand. It is fully equal to any of +Lever's works."--_Observer._ + + +In fcap. 16mo, price =1=s. sewed wrapper. + +THE NEW TALE OF A TUB. By F. W. N. BAYLEY. Illustrated by Engravings +reduced from the original Drawing by Aubrey. + +"Fun and humour from beginning to end."--_Athenaeum._ + + +ROUTLEDGE'S STANDARD NOVELS. + +Price =2=s. =6=d. each, cloth gilt. + +This Collection now comprises the best Novels of our more celebrated +Authors. The volumes are all printed on good paper, with an +Illustration, and form, without exception, the best and cheapest +collection of light reading that is anywhere to be obtained. + +_The following are now ready_:-- + + =1. Romance of War.= By James Grant. + =2. Peter Simple.= By Captain Marryat. + =3. Adventures of an Aide-de-Camp.= By James Grant. + =4. Whitefriars.= By the Author of "Whitehall." + =5. Stories of Waterloo.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =6. Jasper Lyle.= By Mrs. Ward. + =7. Mothers and Daughters.= By Mrs. Gore. + =8. Scottish Cavalier.= By James Grant. + =9. The Country Curate.= By Gleig. + =10. Trevelyan.= By Lady Scott. + =11. Captain Blake; or, My Life.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =13. Tylney Hall.= By Thomas Hood. + =14. Whitehall.= By the Author of "Whitefriars." + =15. Clan Albyn.= By Mrs. Johnstone. + =16. Caesar Borgia.= By the Author of "Whitefriars." + =17. The Scottish Chiefs.= By Miss Porter. + =18. Lancashire Witches.= By W. H. Ainsworth. + =19. Tower of London.= By W. H. Ainsworth. + =20. The Family Feud.= By the Author of "Alderman Ralph." + =21. Frank Hilton; or, the Queen's Own.= By James Grant. + =22. The Yellow Frigate.= By James Grant. + =24. The Three Musketeers.= By Alexandre Dumas. + =25. The Bivouac.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =26. The Soldier of Lyons.= By Mrs. Gore. + =27. Adventures of Mr. Ledbury.= By Albert Smith. + =28. Jacob Faithful.= By Captain Marryat. + =29. Japhet in Search of a Father.= By Captain Marryat. + =30. The King's Own.= By Captain Marryat. + =31. Mr. Midshipman Easy.= By Captain Marryat. + =32. Newton Forster.= By Captain Marryat. + =33. The Pacha of Many Tales.= By Captain Marryat. + =34. Rattlin the Reefer.= Edited by Captain Marryat. + =35. The Poacher.= By Captain Marryat. + =36. The Phantom Ship.= By Captain Marryat. + =37. The Dog Fiend.= By Captain Marryat. + =38. Percival Keene.= By Captain Marryat. + =39. Hector O'Halloran.= By W. H. Maxwell. + =40. The Pottleton Legacy.= By Albert Smith. + =41. The Pastor's Fireside.= By Miss Porter. + =42. My Cousin Nicholas.= By Ingoldsby. + =43. The Black Dragoons.= By James Grant. + + + +Transcriber's Note + +The following typographical errors were corrected. + +Page Error + iii Mr. Rarey's Introduction changed to Mr. Rarey's Introduction. + v snaffle.--the changed to snaffle.--The + vii struogling changed to struggling + 10 under the auspicies changed to under the auspices + 11 violent loungings changed to violent longeings + fn 20-* April 7.' changed to April 7." + 23 shere humbug changed to sheer humbug + 26 omiting changed to omitting + 30 scimetar changed to scimitar + 31 spangled troope changed to spangled troupe + 31 horse wont changed to horse won't + 64 suppleing changed to suppling + 88 long wholebone whip changed to long whalebone whip + 95 any horse changed to any horse. + 128 round to the right. changed to round to the right." (based on + comparison to another edition of the book) + 129 gotamongst changed to got amongst + 129 aid-de-camps changed to aide-de-camps + 159 of my pupils changed to of my pupils. + 173 white potatoe oats changed to white potato oats + 173 45lbs. changed to 45 lbs. + 185 distance, we though changed to distance, we thought + 202 Mobbing a fox changed to Mobbing a fox. + 210 danger of stubbing changed to danger of stubbing. + 216 distinction bewteen changed to distinction between + Ads 2 Bancrofts changed to Bancroft's + + bullfinch / bulfinch + farm-house / farmhouse + fox-hounds / foxhounds + jibbing / gibbing + off-side / offside + over-run / overrun + practice / practise (and other forms of the word also vary) + road-side / roadside + steeple-chase / steeplechase + thorough-bred / thoroughbred + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. +Rarey's Art of Taming Horses, by J. S. Rarey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAREY'S ART OF TAMING HORSES *** + +***** This file should be named 28612.txt or 28612.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/6/1/28612/ + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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