236 HANDS AND LEGS (AIDS). 



ference with their mouths. On one of this sort, a meddlesome 

 rider is certain to be brought to speedy grief. Horses which 

 are accustomed to tight reins, on the contrary, often cannot 

 keep on their legs over obstacles or over bad ground, without 

 their riders having a good hold of them by the head. 



If a rider is accustomed to give his horse plenty of rein, the 

 intelligent animal will soon learn to look out for himself, will 

 check his speed and get his hind legs under him before 

 "taking off"; for horses dislike falling nearly as much as 

 their riders do. It is manifest that when a horse has to 

 " collect " himself, and has to gallop without assistance from 

 the bridle, that he does so by the expenditure of a large 

 amount of force, which would be saved were he ridden up to 

 his bit. Besides, he will jump " stickily " at his fences, and 

 will be slow at getting away from them. 



