314 EESTIVENESS: ITS PEEVEXTIOX AXD CURE. 



these to bear the ^iveight gradually in the manner indi- 

 cated in a previous chapter. This will, of course, re- 

 quire a higher and gradually ascending position of the 

 neck ; but as the difficulty probably ai'ises in the junc- 

 tion of the head with this part of the body, no attempt 

 should be made to bend the nose downwards, for that 

 is what annoys the horse. The best gear will be a 

 bearing-rein like that used for carriage-horses, but with 

 the rings as close under the horse's ears as possible, so 

 as to lift the neck unbent at the part known as the 

 poll. In both cases the dumb-jockey is useful if judi- 

 ciously employed. 



Subsequently, when the horse has learned to bend 

 its hocks, you may bit it with a light well-fitted bit, 

 which will bend the neck downwards without altering 

 the junction with the head ; in fact, what is tech- 

 nically termed " a false bend" will be attained, which, 

 however, suffices to render the animal controllable so 

 long as the rider preserves the mastery over its hind 

 legs, by keeping his own close to its body. In riding 

 such horses, it is useful, when you find them beginning 

 to rush, to bring them hy gentle means to stand still, 

 throwing your own body, from the hips upwards, 

 somewhat forward, and easing the reins altogether for 

 a moment ; whereas the common practice of unskilful 

 riders is to throw themselves back and pull like grim 

 death. 



Keining back may also be employed, but not with 

 horses that are weak behind, nor otherwise than in a 

 proper position, so that the horse retires gently — the 

 contrary of backing, and never as a punishment. Gene- 

 rally it will be preferable to stand still, and encourage 

 the horse, by feeling its mouth, to champ the mouth- 



