12 MILITAEY BIDING NOT [CHAP. 



this at all. Such, however, is the general docility of the 

 half-bred horse, that a great proportion of them are, after 

 long ill-usage, taught to answer these false indications, 

 in the same way that a carthorse is brought to turn right 

 or left by the touch of the whip on the opposite side of 

 the neck, or the word of the driver ; and indeed such is 

 the nicety to which it may be brought, that you con- 

 stantly hear people boast that their horses will " turn by 

 the weight of the reins on the neck." This, however, only 

 proves the docility of "the horse, and how badly he has 

 been ridden. For a horse which has been finely broken 

 should take notice only of the indications of his rider's 

 hands on his mouth, not of any side -feeling of the reins 

 against his neck. 

 Indications By indications generally, I mean the motions and 



are not 



aid3 ' applications of the hands, legs, and whip, to direct and 

 determine the paces, turnings, movements, and carriage of 

 the horse. I have used the word .throughout instead of 

 aids, as being more explanatory and certainly less liable 

 to, abuse. For common sense tells us that a horse 



