n hunting this
would bring his hind legs on his fences, and oblige him to leap from the
top of his banks and _to land all fours_, instead of extending himself
and letting himself down gently. In swimming it obliges him to keep his
whole head and neck out of water; I very nearly drowned a horse in this
way in the Serpentine.

[Sidenote: Objection for common riding.]

[Sidenote: Short rein of the East.]

[Sidenote: Used by postilion.]

For common riding the objection is that you cannot lengthen or shorten
the rein; therefore, to give more liberty, or to shorten the rein, the
hand must go from or to the body. If, therefore, the reins are tied so
that the hands should be at a convenient distance from the body when the
horse is collected, they would be at a very inconvenient distance when
he is extended. To remedy this, in the East, where the short rein is
very universal, the double part of the bridle is prolonged by a single
strap; this strap is used as a whip, and hence the whip of the Hussar
attached to the reins; hence, also, as I imagine, the Austrian driving
rein described page 54. When fossil remains of the extinct postboy shall
be discovered, it will be seen that he used the short rein, and with
great propriety; since his horse may be said to have been always "au
trot," and needed only one degree of collection.

CHAPTER X.

COLT-BREAKING.

Colt-breaking is the best possible lesson for the rider.--The
head-stall.--The snaffle.--Longeing.--Saddling.--Mounting.--Sermon to
the colt-breaker.--The noblest horse resists the most.--The horse has
a natural _right_ to resist.--The colt wants no suppling.--He wants
to be taught the meaning of your indications.--And to be brought to
obey them.--The leaping-bar.--Fetch and carry.

[Sidenote: Colt-breaking the best lesson for riding.]

The very best lesson for a horseman, young or old, is colt-breaking; and
if in the attempt the _young_ horseman fails to do the colt justice, he
will at least do him less injury than the country colt-breaker, or the
generality of grooms.

I shall detail the plan of an _old_ horseman; though, perchance, its
want of "dresses, scenery, and decoration" may offend, my chief
implements being a stick, some string, and some carrots.

I have always said that the colt is half broken when he will come to
your whistle or call in the field, and eat carrots out of your hand; and
that he is quite broken when you have got the he