PULLING. 277 



time in fair training. We may take for granted that in all 

 ordinary cases, when a horse runs away, he is wrongly bitted, 

 or the rider has bad hands, is weak, or is out of condition. 

 I am sorry that I am unable to supply my readers with any 

 patent method for stopping a runaway, or for remaining in 

 the saddle on a difficult horse or when going over a fence. 

 I can only indicate the best means for attaining these desirable 

 ends. 



As regards the bitting of a puller, I would advise that 

 with a double bridle the curb should be put low down in 

 the mouth (p. 106). I may here refer to what I said on 

 page 76, respecting the superiority of a properly-made 

 and a correctly put-on curb to a snaffle for holding a 

 puller. In all cases an unjointed snaffle (Fig. 117) is 

 much the best form of that bit. With a double bridle we 

 have a choice between the two. We should bear in mind 

 that the action of a curb is peculiarly liable to produce 

 insensibility of the mouth, on account of its pressure being 

 distributed almost completely round the lower jaw, while 

 that of the snaffle falls only on the upper surface of the jaw r . 

 Even the jointed snaffle and the chain snaffle leave the under 

 surface of the jaw free from pressure, and consequently 

 interfere comparatively little with the circulation and nervous 

 supply of the part. Hence we should avoid riding even 

 the worst puller continuously on the curb, the action of which 

 we should alternate from time to time with that of the snaffle, 

 so as to preserve the sensibility of the jaw. It is evident 

 that the sensibility of the mouth is the means by which 

 we are enabled to remain in touch with the fore-hand of 

 the horse. I would here recommend the alternate, not 

 the combined, employment of the curb and snaffle. 



A nose-band (Fig. 80) placed low enough to close the 

 animal's mouth without pressing on his nostrils, is often 

 very useful, by preventing him from giving to the pull of 



