RESISTANCES OF THE RIDIXG HOUSE 14:3 



The employment of the rearin*,' bit helps in over- 

 comintr this defence. The reins of the bit passed over 

 the neek and between the forelegs, and fastened at a 

 suitable length to the girths, make the best and simplest 

 rearing bit. 



Horses which kick. — If a horse has the habit of 

 kieking, one should make use of the bridoon to prevent 

 him from lowering the head, and at the same time, 

 press him strongly forward with the legs. 



It is a mistake to always hold a kicker's head very 

 high, for it often happens that the kicking is caused by 

 l^ain in the loins or hocks, and by raising the head of 

 certain horses one only increases their irritation and 

 provokes their resistance. 



The horse which kicks at the boot, should be taken 

 back to the lesson of the single leg with the lunging- 

 rein and the long whip. Every time that he defends 

 himself in this w^ay the rider should immediately reply 

 by apptying a vigorous stroke of the spur. 



Horses which fight against the hand. — The causes 

 of this fault are many. They arise generally from 

 an excessive sensibility of the bars of the mouth, 

 from a badly chosen bit, or from too severe a hand. 

 One should find a suitable bit, and if necessary take off 

 the curb chain. 



The martingale attached to the noseband can be 

 advantageously used in this case, as also work on the 

 lunging rein, the horse being properly reined on to a 

 dumb jockey. 



Horses which overbend.- — The horse ovcrbends from 

 weakness or want of training. This is the case with 

 many young horses. It is sufficient to give them 

 confidence in the hand, by forward movement with an 

 extended neck. If this attitude becomes a defence, 



