VICES, TRICKS, AlfD FAULTS. 69 



and trained will not be guilty of such contumacy, and 

 will not be apt to show the vices of which we are about 

 to speak, but for which the rider must be prepared. 



If a horse bolts, the rider should not fatigue himself by 

 taking a steady drag upon the mouth. Leaning back, 

 with the breech well under him, and bearing no weight 

 in the stirrups, the rider should take a succession of pulls 

 upon the bit, one following the other sufficiently near to 

 obtain cumulative effect. When the horse appears to 

 yield to the bit, advantage should be taken of the 

 moment, to prevent his again extending himself, by in- 

 creased exertions upon the part of the rider, whose 

 power should be reserved as far as possible to seize this 

 opportunity. We know of no way to prevent a horse 

 bolting ; by keeping his head up with the snaffle-rein the 

 rider will have greater command of the horse, but "the 

 use of severe bits will not deter a confirmed bolter from 

 indulging his vicious propensity. 



If a horse rears the reins should be loosened, and if the 

 rider require support he should seize the mane, without, 

 however, letting the reins drop from his hands. The 

 spurs should not be applied while the horse is rising, but 

 as he comes down the legs of the rider should be closed 

 to induce the horse to go forward. If the horse refuses 

 to go forward, the rider will find the side of the mouth 

 with which the horse is not prepared to resist, by draw- 

 mg the rems from right to left, and holding the rein of 

 that side low he will pull the horse around, aiding the 

 hand by the application of the spur on that side. If, 

 when the horse rears, he sinks upon his hind-quarters, 

 the rider should endeavour to leave the horse by seizing 



