114 Champing the Bit. 



for another purpose. The use of the curb Is apt 

 to lower a horse's head, and with some horses too 

 much. The snaffle may be employed to correct 

 this low carriage, but this use of it involves more 

 than I can explain to you now. If Nelly's head 

 gets too low, raise your hands a bit. 



Try it over again, and each time prolong the 

 period of holding her head in poise. But never 

 hold it so long that her neck will ache and she 

 begin to lean upon the bit. If she should do so 

 before you release her head, play gently with the 

 rein for an instant to get her back to the soft 

 mouthing of the bit, caress her, and then release 

 her head. This is on the principle that you 

 should always have your way with a horse, and 

 not he his. And kindness alone accomplishes 

 this much more speedily and certainly than se- 

 verity. If the occasion ever comes when you can- 

 not have your way with Nelly, give a new turn to 

 the matter by attracting her attention to some- 

 thing else, so as not to leave on her mind the 

 impression that she has resisted you. 



Notice two things, Tom, while Nelly is thus 

 champing her bit. She has an almost impercep- 

 tible hold of your hands and her gait is shorter 

 and more elastic. This has the effect of a semi- 

 poised position, from which she can more readily 

 move into any desired gait than from the ex- 

 tended looseness of the simple walk. This is 



