A GOOD MOUTH. 77 



incapable the rider, the broader should be this margin, which 

 is an evil, though a necessary one, with men of light seats 

 and heavy hands. It must, however, in no case exceed the 

 controlling power of the rider or driver. The habit of 

 refusing to go up to the bridle not alone cuts off the com- 

 munication which we should constantly maintain by means 

 of the reins between ourselves and the horse ; but is ex- 

 tremely liable to degenerate into the dangerous combined 

 vice of rearing and jibbing. 



A horse with a good mouth, as I have already indicated, 

 will be capable of being readily collected ; that is, while 

 having his hind legs well under him, by the action of 

 the rider's heels or spurs, he will freely bend to the rein 

 with his head or neck. He will then keep the muscles 

 which close his jaws more or less relaxed ; but without 

 losing touch with the reins, and will often show, at slow 

 paces, this obedience to the rein by the familiar play of the 

 lower jaw and champing of the bit. The relaxation of the 

 jaw is useless, as we know from practical experience, un- 

 less the horse also yields with the muscles of his neck. 



As the manner in which a horse moves under the guid- 

 ance of his rider or driver, is the true test of the state 

 of his " mouth " ; it is evident that to have a good mouth, 

 the horse should carry himself in well-balanced style, that 

 is, with the weight distributed in due proportion between his 

 fore and hind legs ; with the line of his face, at an angle of 

 about 45 to the ground, unless we wish to " collect " him, 

 or unless he is at a walk (see page 71) ; and with the 

 direction of his neck favourably placed for the movements 

 of the fore legs. For the same reason, we may infer that 

 all mouthing instruction, or, at least, by far the greater part 

 of it, should be given when the horse is in movement. If we 

 seek to impart it while the animal is stationary, we shall, in 

 doing so, have constantly to strive against the tendency of 



