46 HORSES AND RIDINO. 



him the inequalities in the ground the bridle will 

 not be of much avail to do so. 



There is no doubt that a horse which has always 

 been accustomed to have his head carried for him by 

 his rider, and has learnt to accommodate his action 

 to that method of going, would not, if suddenly 

 allowed to go with his head loose, behave altogether 

 in a satisfactory manner. If the horse was fresh 

 he would probably run away, and if he were tired 

 he might possibly tumble down, from being de- 

 prived of an assistance that he has become ac- 

 customed to and dependent on. 



But if a horse had always been in the habit of 

 going with his head loose, and had never been taught 

 differently, he would, in my opinion, go just as 

 safely and much more pleasantly than when ridden 

 in the ordinary manner. 



This plan would also be found to be very much 

 more safe under the following circumstances: — It 

 often happens that, from one cause or another, such 

 as a horse stumbling or shying, or jumping higher 

 or further than was expected, the rider is thrown 

 partially off his balance, and loses his hold of the 

 horse's head for a moment. Now, if the horse is in 

 the habit of going with his head loose, it will make 

 no difference to him ; but if, as is usually the case, 

 he is in the habit of having his head held, then as 

 soon as he finds it at liberty he will go off like a shot, 



