ing his knees or from meeting with any other accident. But, if he relaxes his attention, he will run a good chance of bringing back a blemished horse to his stable. Under these conditions, hacking ceases to be a pleasure and becomes a labour, a continual preoccupation, and an ennui which soon makes one hate riding.

We see that the two first good qualities of a hack are surefootedness and pluck.

In my opinion there is a third quality which excels the first two, because it includes them and everything else which we desire from a horse. This supreme quality in every horse is impetuosity, namely, energy, fire, courage, and constant readiness to go forward.

A horse which is not surefooted knows his defect, will always be hesitating, and will not dare to rush forward. A horse which is not plucky is always ready to get behind his bit. A horse which is a free goer is confident in being able to keep his feet, and, though glad to go forward, he does not get disturbed by the things which he passes. No matter what may be the breed or shape, a horse, like a man, takes his value from his mental qualities. Energy and heart make the horse. What use is the most beautiful railway engine, if it has no steam to drive it along the rails ?

Above all theories, there is the fact that the only good horse for every kind of work, whether for high school equitation or outside, is the horse which will go forward : that is to say, an impetuous horse. By this, I of course do not mean an animal which has irregular paces, is restless, vicious, apt to " play up " on no provocation, and is ready to run away.

do. These manœuvres will turn the attention of the startled animal from his cause of fear, and will place him in the most favourable position to avoid violence or disorder. It is evident that we should use these means in proportion to the skittishness shown by the animal. As a general rule, when a horse becomes impatient, we should send him up to his bit by the vigorous application of the legs, and he will instantly become quiet.