178 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN, 



side ; these in conjunction with the action of the 

 bridle-hand, 1 as heretofore explained, will col- 

 lect him and bring him up to his bridle with his 

 haunches well under him, the proper position 

 for starting. As soon as he moves there should 

 be only a light pressure on his mouth. In 

 order to perform the above feat effectively, the 

 whip must not be too limber and must always 

 be held with its lash downward. This simulta- 

 neous pressure of the whip and left leg has the 

 same effect in collecting the horse as that of 

 the horseman's right and left legs. Should the 

 horse flag in his movements or move heavily 

 upon his fore-legs, a repetition of this pres- 

 sure of the leg and whip ? in conjunction with 

 the proper movements of the bridle-hand, will 

 bring him well on his haunches and lighten his 

 action. 



The horse is always animated by mild taps of 

 the whip, light pressure of the hand upon the 

 curb, a clacking of the tongue, or an urging 

 tone of his mistress's voice. He is soothed and 

 rendered confident by mild and encouraging 

 tones of voice, by the rider's sitting easily, by 



1 The bridle-hand being in the original position for the double 

 bridle, the curb should be brought into action by a turn of the 

 wrist, which will carry the little finger in toward the waist ; 

 and this, in conjunction with the leg and whip, will collect tlie 

 horse. 



