BENDING TO THE REIN 49 



portion of the pull of the reins being, then, taken 

 by the crown-piece of the bridle ; instead of the 

 whole of the pressure, as it should do, falling on 

 the bars. A horse may, also, by stretching his 

 head out, get the mouth-piece off the bars, and on 

 to the corners of the mouth. It is needless to say 

 that such actions on his part, are done with the 

 object of ''saving" the mouth. As they are 

 opposed to the possession of proper control over 

 the horse, the breaker should teach him to abandon, 

 if he has learnt, these tricks, and to acquire the 

 habit of bending his neck to the rein, and 

 slackening his speed, as his sole defence against 

 the pressure of the mouth-piece. The only alter- 

 native I can see for the use of pressure on the 

 bars, would be its application on the nose by some 

 form of nose-band. 



Teaching the Horse to bend his neck to the rein. — 

 Having taught the horse to hold his head, when he 

 is ridden or driven, in an easy, natural position — 



E 



