SPECIAL FORMS OF RESTIVENESS. 249 



compel the runaway to move on a serpentine, which is 

 nothing more nor less than a series of curves alternating 

 to the right and left, which will also enable him to 

 clear dangerous corners ; one of these, indeed, if well 

 taken, may possibly afford him an opportunity of gain- 

 ing the mastery ; in fact, it will be found that most 

 runaways are stopped after turning a corner. 



The special management of the horse's head will, of 

 course, in all cases, depend on whether it is carried too 

 high or too low : if the former, the object will be to 

 get it down ; if the latter, to get it up. The presump- 

 tion being that the horse that runs away with its head 

 up has no special defect in the hind quarters or legs, 

 the rider may attack these more energetically, which 

 requires his own leg to be in the right place, and the 

 horse's head to be brought round somewhat to the 

 same side. Now, although a dead pull downwards 

 with both reins together will seldom bring the head 

 down, an intermittent pull on one rein will bring it to 

 one side, after which it will come down, the horse not 

 being then able to stiffen its neck at both sides. With 

 the horse that carries its head too low, the presump- 

 tion being to the contrary of what is stated above, the 

 rider must use his own legs more cautiously, and 

 whilst he endeavours to bend the horse's head to one 

 side with one rein, he will try to work it upwards with 

 the other. This, of course, must be done with the 

 bridoon if the horse be bitted, otherwise with the 

 snaffle-rein ; indeed, it will be found that bringing the 

 bit and bridoon alternately into action is preferable 

 to using them simultaneously. It should be scarcely 

 necessary to add, that the rider's weight must be always 

 thrown somewhat into the stirrup at the side you wish 



