HORSES BITTKD. 25 



time, liorses that require the whole strength of a man's 

 arm to make them obey the action of the bit on the 

 bars, will bend to the slightest feeling of the reins ; 

 for, finding that they cannot resist the power of the 

 bit used in the manner hereafter shown, their in- 

 stinct will teach them to obey, and habit accustom 

 them to yield to the impulse received from the rider ; 

 tlius they become handy and obedient. 



As a general rule, in all the ensuing bending les- 

 sons, when a horse champs the bit, it is a sign that he 

 no longer resists the action of the hand ; then make 

 much of him, and allow him to resume his natural 

 position. It is of the utmost importance that the 

 horse never be allowed to take the initiative. " Al- 

 ways oppose the raising of the horse's head — always 

 lower your hands and bring it down." 



See that the bit is properly placed in the horse's 

 mouth, and the curb so that you can pass your finger 

 under it ; place yourself on the near side in front of 

 the horse's shoulder, facing inward, the feet a little 

 apart to give you more power. 



Take the off bit rein in the full of the rio;ht hand, 

 close up, with the ring of the bit between the forefin- 

 ger and thumb ; the near rein in the same way with 

 the left hand, thumb-nails toward each other, and lit- 

 tle fingers outward ; bring the right hand toward the 

 body, extending the left one from you at the same 

 time, so as to turn the bit in the horse's mouth (vide 

 plate 1). 

 2 



