60 THEORY OF MOUTHING. 



The same remark applies to the application of the legs, feet, 

 or spurs, the effect of which may be the same, whether they 

 prick the stifles, score the sides, or rip the shoulders. Here 

 we have a manifest loss of useful power, in that, with either 

 the whip or feet, we can obtain with the properly broken-in 

 horse at least seven valuable indications (or signals) instead 

 of only one. Thus, the application of the drawn-back foot, 

 or of the whip when used in a similar manner, will, for 

 instance, check the tendency of the hind-quarters from 

 swinging round when a turn is being made to the opposite 

 side (two indications, one for each side). When the rider's 

 foot is advanced and the shoulder is touched by the front 

 and inner edge of the boot, an indication similar to the one 

 behind is given in front (two indications). The application 

 of both drawn-back feet will cause the horse to bring his 

 hind legs under him that is, to the front (one indication). 

 A similar use, in front, of both feet advanced will make him 

 extend his fore legs to the front (one indication). The 

 application of both heels or spurs at a point midway between 

 the respective spheres of action of the fore and hind limbs 

 may be fairly accepted as a stimulant to both (one indica- 

 tion). As I shall later on attempt to investigate the intelli- 

 gent application of the aids, with illustrations, I shall abstain 

 for the present from further discussing this subject, which I 

 have here introduced, principally, with the object of im- 

 pressing on my readers that it is not enough for them to 

 know when they should touch their horse with whip or foot ; 

 but that they should also know where and why they should 

 apply such aids. 



The voice is a general stimulant. The riders weight, by 

 its change of position, is naturally a local indication. 



