56 EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 



(2) Bendings with the snaffle bit should not be made 

 except with one rein alone. Both snaffle reins are used 

 in order to raise the head and to support the horse and 

 therefore they should never be combined to exact bending. 



(3) It is just the reverse with the curb bit, the reins of 

 which are rarely separate in their action. The main 

 object in view is a light feel on both reins. 



(4) Do not bend the neck (laterally). In setting the 

 head the upper part of the neck is involved and that is 

 generally enough. 



(5) Frequently follow up the bendings by easing the 

 hand and as soon as the horse has extended his neck to 

 the full extent, exact another bending with the head 

 down. 



Bending lessons with the double bridle should be taken 

 up according to the following schedule: 



(1) With the snaffle hit. — Flexing the jaw by the use of 

 one rein; setting the head to the right and to the left 

 (as in a change of direction). 



(2) With both snaffle and curb bits. — Lateral flexion by 



the use of both right reins (XII) ; lateral flexion by the 



use of both left reins; setting the head by the use of both 



right reins; setting the head by the use of both left reins. 

 ***** 



(3) With the curb bit. — Flexing the jaw by use of one 

 curb rein; flexing the jaw by the use of both curb reins 

 (direct flexion). 



The most important bendings are: (1) Setting the head 

 by use of one snaffle rein; (2) direct flexion (of the 

 jaw) by use of both curb reins. 



Dismounted bending lessons. — Dismounted bending 

 lessons should be the exception. If obliged to resort to 

 them, they should be curtailed to the two following: 



(1) Flexing the jaw. — Executed by taking one or both 

 snaffle reins in the hand in front and one or both curb 

 reins in the hand in rear. 



