46 Curb, Snaffle, and Spur. 



to have the head carried low enough to permit 

 the forces of the croup to be brought up to a 

 point of balance between them and the forces of 

 the forehand, or the forehand will dominate the 

 croup, or the forces of the croup will be languid, 

 and there will be no unison of action. If the 

 hind quarters be strong and high, and the fore- 

 hand low and heavy, or weak, the head of the 

 horse must be elevated sufficiently to carry back 

 the forces of the forehand, and the hind legs must 

 be brought under the mass to lower the croup so 

 that the forces of the extremities may be in bal- 

 ance ; otherwise the croup will overpower the 

 forehand, and the action of the latter will be dull 

 and cramped. 



The form of the animal will suggest to the 

 trainer the exercises best suited to it ; and when 

 the rider mounts the horse, he should soon dis- 

 cover what is necessary to bring the forces into 

 the so-called equilibrium. If the horse hangs 

 upon the hand, and is heavy in front, the head 

 should be elevated, and the forces of the forehand 

 be carried back, while the heels bring under the 

 mass the forces of the croup. If the action of 

 the hind quarters is languid, the forehand should 



