2i 4 HANDS AND LEGS (AIDS). 



placed ; to turn the head of the animal to the right or to 

 the left ; to turn the animal to the right or to the left 

 without bending his neck ; to bend the head and neck in 

 a vertical direction ; to raise the head ; to lower the head ; 

 or to combine, when practicable, two or more of these actions, 

 as is done when the head is drawn to one side, and lowered 

 by the action of one rein, and when the movements of the 

 horse are checked at the same time by the pressure of 

 both reins. 



The duties of the legs (feet and spurs) are to stimulate 

 the horse to go forward ; to make him bring his hind legs 

 more under his body than he would otherwise do ; and to 

 turn his hind quarters to one side, or to check their revolution 

 in an opposite direction, by the pressure of the drawn back 

 foot or spur. 



The duties of the ivhip or stick are similar to those of the 

 legs in stimulating the horse to go forward, and in controlling 

 or directing the lateral movements of his hind quarters. 



The weight of the body by being carried back, forward, 

 or to one side, acts as an indication of the wishes of the 

 rider, and as a mechanical assistance to the horse, by effect- 

 ing a helpful alteration in the disposition of the weight 

 he bears. 



The voice can act as a stimulant to the horse to increase 

 his speed ; as a caution to him to go slower, or to keep 

 quiet ; and as a command to him to halt. 



ORDER IN WHICH THE AIDS SHOULD BE APPLIED. 

 The chief point we have here to consider is that a suitable 

 indication of the reins should always precede the application 

 of a stimulus by the spurs, heels, whip or stick, in order 

 that the horse may not get out of hand from excitement 

 or from eagerness to obey. This principle applied to driving 

 is recognised by every good whip. The stimulus of the 



