They Are Entirely Unshod, And,
Though Their Hoofs Are Very Shallow And Grow Into Turned-Up Points
And Other Singular
Shapes, they go over rough ground with facility
at a scrambling run of over four miles an hour following a
Leader
called a "front horse." If you don't get a "front horse" and try
to ride in front, you find that your horse will not stir till he
has another before him; and then you are perfectly helpless, as he
follows the movements of his leader without any reference to your
wishes. There are no mago; a man rides the "front horse" and goes
at whatever pace you please, or, if you get a "front horse," you
may go without any one. Horses are cheap and abundant. They drive
a number of them down from the hills every morning into corrals in
the villages, and keep them there till they are wanted. Because
they are so cheap they are very badly used. I have not seen one
yet without a sore back, produced by the harsh pack-saddle rubbing
up and down the spine, as the loaded animals are driven at a run.
They are mostly very poor-looking.
As there was some difficulty about getting a horse for me the
Consul sent one of the Kaitakushi saddle-horses, a handsome, lazy
animal, which I rarely succeeded in stimulating into a heavy
gallop. Leaving Ito to follow with the baggage, I enjoyed my
solitary ride and the possibility of choosing my own pace very
much, though the choice was only between a slow walk and the
lumbering gallop aforesaid.
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