MUTTON-FIST. 67 



of the head, and lacking, on account of the slackness 

 of the reins, the incentive to keep it " up," he lowers 

 it, to again experience the restraining pull. This 

 will, probably, go on for a few times, until, wearied 

 by a contest in which he finds himself baffled, he 

 yields to the indication of the rein, and slackens his 

 pace. Feeling that he " saves " his mouth the 

 moment he does this, by the rider " giving" to him, 

 he remains "in hand" for the rest of the journey. 

 The typical " mutton-fisted " man, on the contrary, 

 will keep hauling away at the reins, after the horse 

 has got the mouth-piece on to the corners of the 

 mouth, or, by getting his chin into his chest, and his 

 head down, has transferred the pressure on to his 

 poll. Consequently, the animal, experiencing the 

 relief thus obtained, will naturally conclude that he 

 has got the best of the battle, and will continue on 

 his own course as long as he pleases. The harder 

 such a man pulls on the reins, the more likely will 

 he be to incite the animal to shew fight. * In this 

 case, the man foolishly pits the strength of his arms 



F 2 



