HOLDING A PULLER. 41 



stops bearing on the bit, and that his mouth yields some- 

 what ; he ought then to take another pull, and speak to 

 him the while. He may saw the bit, if he finds that the 

 horse has it between his teeth. Knotting the reins 

 short will give the rider a very firm hold on them. 



Many bad riders, when on a puller, thrust their feet 

 forward, hump their shoulders, stick their elbows out, 

 and jam their fists against their waistcoat ; while others 

 keep their arms straight and throw their whole weight 

 on the stirrups. 



If a man is riding with a double-reined bridle, he may, 

 as advised by Colonel Hardy in ' Our Horses,' knot one 

 rein short, and then draw it back on the horse's neck, 

 so that it may catch and prevent him from getting 

 his head down or extending it ; the animal will then be 

 pulling mainly against his own neck, and not against his 

 rider's hands. 



As regards the bridling of a puller , I may remark that, 

 if a double bridle be used, the curb should be put low 

 down in the mouth (see page 230). If it be still found to 

 be inefficient, its reins should be dropped, and the effect 

 of the snaffle alone be tried. A Chifney bit ; running 

 reins, either the ordinary kind, or those attached like a 

 martingale (see page 242) ; or any kind of bit, and a 



