14 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



is technically termed " rein-riding " out of the question. 

 This self-same rein-riding that is, the depending to 

 any extent on the reins for maintaining the seat is 

 hut too common, and a frequent cause of restiveness 

 in horses, and no end of disasters to riders. It must 

 he admitted that a certain exaggerated method of rising 

 in the stirrups and totally ahandoniiig all contact with 

 the saddle, in which Sunday and holiday riders so 

 much delight, conduces very directly to this. Of 

 course no good rider cares to perform this description 

 of equestrian antic ; still it is sufficiently common, even 

 amongst men who should know hetter, to demand 

 attention, and is noticed here for the sake of illustrat- 

 ing the close connection that exists between hitting 

 and saddling. 



The mechanical principles on which the action of 

 the hit depends form the first subject of inquiry. Then 

 we shall have to examine into the internal and external 

 conformation of the horse's mouth to which this instru- 

 ment is applied ; we shall thence be enabled to deduce 

 the dimensions of the several parts of the bit, and also 

 ascertain its proper place. Some few of these dimen- 

 sions are nearly constant others, again, are variable, 

 and the proper means for ascertaining them shall be 

 pointed out. The use of the snaffle, the running-reins, 

 the nose-band, and other contrivances, demands some 

 attention, as also the real and supposed advantages of 

 various kinds of bits. 



The third and last part of the book is devoted to 

 the " Prevention and Cure of Eestiveness." Violent 

 measures are seldom successful for the latter purpose, 

 and more likely to produce than to prevent insubor- 

 dination. In fact, what is generally required is a com- 



