36 Curb, Snaffle, and Spur. 



occasions when the sharp rowel may be applied 

 to the well-trained horse are very rare, as the 

 sensitive animal will readily answer the side of 

 the heel or the pressure of the calf of the leg. If 

 the young horse does not answer to the heel, the 

 demand may be enforced by a light whip-tap 

 delivered behind the girths. The snaffle should 

 still be the bit employed, for while it is only the 

 exceptional horseman who can get the best effects 

 in uniting the horse from this simple mouthpiece, 

 it is less harassing to the young horse than the 

 curb-bit, and there is still much work that can be 

 accomplished with it. The aim of the rider in 

 the remaining lessons in the snaffle should be to 

 teach the horse, while it maintains a good bear- 

 ing, to move in free, even, and regular paces, and 

 to make the changes of direction smoothly and 

 correctly. The rider's heels will bring up im- 

 pulses which will be directed and controlled by 

 the hand. If the mouth has been made a trifle 

 rigid in teaching the horse to face the bit, it may 

 now be softened by using gentle tensions upon 

 'the reins, and by bringing the hind legs of the 

 animal under the mass by the application of the 

 rider's heels. Upon mounting, the rider will draw 



