DEFENSES OF THE HORSE. 283 



and turns his croup toward his companions, he 

 is then about to kick, and his rider must frus- 

 trate his intention, as soon as she feels his croup 

 move, by quickly raising his head and turning 

 it in the direction in which the kick was to be 

 made. Should he attempt to bite, he must bo 

 driven to a proper distance from the object of 

 his anger, and his attention be diverted by keep- 

 ing him moving on. 



A horse will kick when feeling gay, when he 

 is annoyed, when he suffers pain from any cause, 

 when feeling playful or malevolent toward other 

 animals, and, sometimes, when he wishes to dis- 

 lodge his rider. Whenever her horse manifests 

 an inclination to kick, the rider must endeavor 

 to keep his head up, because he will then be un- 

 able to accomplish much in the way of raising 

 his hind-legs ; but once allowed to get his head 

 down, he will have everything his own way, 

 and will be able to kick as high as he pleases. 



Every time the horse attempts to lower his 

 head, he must be punished by a pull upon the 

 curb-bit strong enough to make him keep his 

 head up. His mouth must also be sawed upon 

 with the curb, should he succeed in getting his 

 head down. The rider must remember to lean 

 well back, and have her left knee well braced 

 against the third pommel, as in this position it 



