CHAPTER VII.
_How to prevent a Horse slipping his Girth._
"My dear Gambado," said Lord Rosier to the Doctor, "I know not how Ishall ever repay you for your good advice. I am your debtor, for twothings; first for inducing me to take up horseback exercise again, andthen for recommending me to your friend John Tattsall, who has furnishedme with a most excellent trotter, and one that does one good to rideit."
"I am glad to hear it, my Lord: but to what purpose is your visit to methis morning? You look the picture of health; I hope nothing is thematter."
"Oh! dear no! Nothing is the matter with me; but, I thought I might,without any intentional offence, just call and speak to you about thehorse. I hope I do not offend."
"By no means, my Lord; pray go on. Your Lordship will not impute to meany thing wrong in the character of the horse?"
"By no means, Doctor; by no means. I only sought your advice, because Ithought you so skillful that you could get me into the right method oftreating a horse."
"Humph!"
This was the first direct slap at the Doctor's _veterinary powers_. Hehad a request from York to bring with him a _veterinary surgeon_; but hewas now consulted by a British nobleman about the treatment of a horse.Well, thought the Doctor, let us hear the complaint; for after all itmay be the fault of the rider more than of the beast.
"What is the matter, my Lord?"
"It is simply this,--the creature, though in every other respect asuitable one, has a strange propensity or habit of slipping his girths;so that when I have rode out a mile or two, I find myself upon his rump;and once, indeed, I happened to let go the reins, and the saddle cameover his tail, and I slipped off behind. He then quietly walked out ofhis saddle and went away, leaving me to carry my own saddle to thenearest hostelry, and to have a walk home, instead of a ride."
"My Lord, you acknowledge that it was your own fault for letting go thereins. Never, under any circumstances, let the reins go out of your ownhands; if you do, you are sure to have a fall. The same, my Lord, withall who hold the reins of government; a tight rein can always besufficiently slackened, when an improvement is required in the pace; butonce let them entirely go, and you have no longer any power to guide.Your horse must run away, and you must have a fall."
"But what is a man to do, when he finds that the animal he rides getsthe bit into his mouth, and bores so strongly upon his arms that itgives him the cramp in his muscles to hold the reins in his hands?"
"There you puzzle me. I confess, I should very soon give up riding sucha horse altogether. But," said the Doctor, looking at his watch, "if youdo not mind walking with me as far as Tattsall's, I think John couldgive you better advice upon this head than I can. Come, it is worth thetrouble."
"With all my heart: I esteem it a favour. My groom shall lead the horseto his stables, and we will walk on after him."
The Doctor and his noble patient were soon in John Tattsall's yard.
"John, I have brought Lord Rosier to you, to learn a lesson. He is in afix about a horse he bought of you, which he approves in every otherrespect but that of slipping his girth; can you tell the gentleman howto prevent it?"
"To be sure I can, Doctor, if the gentleman will only condescend togive me a little attention. I will mount the horse myself, and show himhow I prevent the horse from slipping his girths." He did so; and whenhe gave up the horse, he said, "There, sir, observe what I have done.
"Stick your feet, my Lord, home in the stirrups, press all your weightthereupon, and so push the saddle forward. If the horse bores upon yourarms, bore him well with your legs the moment he lifts his head; thesaddle, if it has slipped, will immediately regain its position. Andwhen he bores his head down again, you have nothing to do but to repeatthe boring him in his sides; and as the horse suits your Lordship sowell, this will only form a little agreeable variety of exercise for thebenefit of your Lordship's health; which I am heartily glad to find sogreatly improved."
"Thank you, John; thank you, it will do, it will do!"
'Tis a bore, a horse to ride, Slipping girths from side to side; 'Tis a bore with many pains, For a man to lose the reins.
Keep your seat, and keep command, And hold your bridle well in hand: Fast and firm the steed will go. And slips and slides you'll never know.