DEFENSES OF THE HORSE. 279 



concavity on the side toward the object, thus 

 preventing injury to the rider or horse, and she 

 will be able^to retreat in safety. 



In the second instance, the horse instinctively 

 knows that he is opposing his strongest side to 

 the weakest one of his rider, and it is useless to 

 contend with him by pulling upon the left snaffle- 

 rein, as he will be watching for this very move- 

 ment and be prepared to resist it. He should 

 be foiled by having the right rein tightened so 

 as to turn him completely around and place him 

 in the same position he was in before he began 

 to turn. He will perceive to his astonishment 

 that he has gained nothing by his abrupt move- 

 ment ; and as soon as he has reached the posi- 

 tion stated, he should be urged forward by the 

 aid of both leg and whip. 



This method is usually successful unless the 

 steed be very obstinate ; he may then refuse to 

 advance at all, and may make another turn to 

 the right, in which case his rider should repeat 

 the course just named, and oblige him to turn 

 completely around three or four times in succes- 

 sion, and then while his head is in the right di- 

 rection, a stroke of the whip behind the girths 

 should instantly be given in order to compel him 

 to go forward before he has time to defend him- 

 self and make another turn. Should he again 



