76 THE ART OF TAMING HORSES. 



he will lead when you take hold of the bridle., and you 

 have buckled up his leg so that he cannot hop faster 

 than you can run. 



Shorten the bridle (the bit should be a thick plain 

 snaffle) so that the reins, when laid loose on his withers, 

 come nearly straight. This is best done by twisting 

 the reins twice round two fore-fingers and passing the 

 ends through in a loop, because this knot can be easily 

 untied. Next take strap No. 2, and, making a loop, 



SO. 2 STRAP, FOR OFF FORE-LEG. 



put it round the off fore-leg. With a very quiet horse 

 this can easily be done ; with a wild or vicious horse 

 you may have to make him step into it ; at any rate, 

 when once the off fore-leg is caught in the noose it 

 must be drawn tight round the pastem-joint. Then 

 put a stout glove or mitten on your right hand, 

 having taken care that your nails have been cut 

 short, pass the strap through the belly part of the sur- 

 cingle, take a firm short hold of it with your gloved 

 right hand, standing close to the horse behind his 

 shoulders, and with your left hand take hold of the near 

 rein ; by pulling the horse gently to the near side he 

 will be almost sure to hop ; if he will not he must bo 



