48 HORSEMANSHIP. 



suggests that the best way to tackle a known buck- 

 jumper is to " put into his mouth, in addition to your 

 riding bit, a very fine racing snaffle with its rein (which 

 should of course be a strong one) knotted short to his 

 neck ; the slack end to be held in hand. The horse 

 would not feel this to annoy him in any way unless he 

 tried getting his head down, in which case it would 

 effectually stop his little game, and he would find him- 

 self baffled: he would have his own neck to pull 

 against, instead of the rider's hands." I have men- 

 tioned this plan as a preventive measure against pulling 

 on page 41. 



CJmcking up the head. — Be careful that the curb- 

 chain, if a curb bit be used, does not hurt the sharp 

 edges of the branches of the lower jaw (see page 200), 

 and put the mouthpiece low down in the mouth ; or 

 try a large smooth snaffle instead. Try a running or 

 standing martingale (see page 234). 



Diffictdt to mount. — This vice is usually caused by the 

 impatience of the horse to go on. ¥/hen this is the case, 

 the rider, after getting into the saddle, may accustom 

 the horse to remain where he is, for five or six minutes 

 without advancing, and should speak soothingly to him. 

 He may then get off again and repeat the performance 



