194 MODERN FARRIER. 



saddle with a high pommel is thought dangerous, 

 the other extreme prevails, and the pommel is scarce 

 allowed to be higher than the middle of the saddle. 

 The saddle should lie as near the back-bone as can 

 be, without hurting the horse ; for the nearer you 

 sit to his back, the better seat you have. If it does 

 so, it is plain the pommel must rise enough to se- 

 cure the withers from pressure : therefore a horse 

 whose withers are higher than common, requires a 

 higher pommel. If, to avoid this, you make the 

 saddle of a more straight line, the inconvenience 

 spoken of follows ; you sit too much above the 

 horse's back, nor can the saddle form a proper seat. 

 There should be no ridge from the button at the 

 side of the pommel, to the back part of the saddle. 

 That line should also be a little concave, for your 

 thighs to lie at ease. In short, a saddle ought to be, 

 as nearly as possible, as if cut out of the horse. 



When you want your horse to m.ove forward, 

 raise his head a little, and touch him gently with 

 your whip; or else, press the calves of your legs 

 against his sides. If he does not move fast enough, 

 press them v/ith more force, and so till the spur just 

 touches him. By tliis practice he will (if lie has any 

 spirit) move upon the least pressure of the leg. — i 

 Never spur him by a kick ; but if it be necessary to • 

 spur him briskly, keep your heels close to his sides, 

 and slacken tlieir force as he becomes obedient. j 



When your horse attempts to be vicious, take I 

 each rein separate, one in each hand, and advancing 

 your arms forward, hold him very short. In this 

 case it is common for the rider to pull him hard, \ 

 with his arms low. But the horse by this means 1 

 having his head low too, has it more in his power to | 

 throw out his heels : whereas, if his head be raised ijj 

 very high, and his nose thrown out a little, which is i 

 consequent, he can neither rise before nor behind ; i! 

 because he can give himself neither of these motions |i 

 without having his head at liberty. A plank placed ; 



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