What to Teach 201 



with him. The horse's eye is prominently set at the 

 side of the face, and not in front as in ourselves; 

 it has great rotatory powers, and the facial bones 

 below it are narrowed, all of which enables the horse 

 to see with facility in almost any position. 



A naturally well-balanced horse always wins the 

 Derby, and there is no more trying course. By 

 leaving the animal heavy in front at a trot and canter 

 we sacrifice the possibility of making him a sure and 

 comfortable ride, we contribute to the early break- 

 down of his forelegs, and, most important of all, he 

 will take it out of himself more quickly and so tire 

 his rider and rob him of his sport; or, if in war, 

 perhaps of his life. After an ill-made horse has 

 been balanced he can always extend his neck to get 

 his weight forward and so increase his powers of 

 propulsion. 



Nothing makes him put his weight on his fore- 

 hand more surely than being ridden by a man who 

 constantly leans on the reins, — a practice which 

 eventually leads, so to speak, to the horse pulling 

 with his forelegs. 



General Sir Robert Baden Powell, in an article 

 on balance in the Cavalry Journal of July, 1906, 

 gives a practical example of its value for the long 



