THE KIND OF STOCK TO BUY 



Driving on one rein is the effort of the horse 

 to offset the continual jerking on the reins by 

 an ignorant driver. The horse finds that by 

 getting the bit in front of his molar teeth and 

 pulling on one side he can take the pressure off 

 some other point which has become sore and 

 painful. This habit often becomes so con- 

 firmed that the molar on the side on which he 

 pulls will be worn into a hollow to fit the bit. 

 Pulling on the reins and jerking the head back 

 and forth are habits formed to protect sore lips, 

 gums, and teeth, and are always due to igno- 

 rance in handling the reins. Drivers often 

 speak of horses " taking the bit in their teeth," 

 which they never really do. What does happen 

 is that the horse, tired of abuse on the part of 

 the driver, endeavors to find some spot in his 

 mouth where he can put the bit in a comfortable 

 place. He finally learns that by slipping it over 

 in front of the molar teeth he can get a good 

 purchase on it and easily resist all efforts to 

 hurt. 



The mouth of a young foal is as sensitive as 

 a human being's, and, if the colt is bitted and 

 6s 



