RIDING AND DRIVING 75 



that practical lesson, and it is for that reason I have 

 introduced this personal incident. 



Although less harm can be done to a horse's 

 mouth with a snaffle by hanging on to the bridle 

 than would be the case with a sharper bit, you must 

 still use it with all gentleness. The plain snaffle is 

 a very valuable bit when properly handled, and 

 a horse will bend to it as easily as to a curb, but 

 you must play with it in his mouth, and never take 

 a steady pull. 



Try to forget that you have any strength in your 

 muscles, for if you were a Hercules your strength 

 would all be wasted in hauling on the bridle. The 

 system which you should always go upon is that of 

 "give-and-take." "Do not pull at a horse and he 

 will not pull at you " is advice that has been written 

 and spoken by many instructors on riding, but it is 

 such a valuable rule to remember that I must be 

 excused for repeating it here. 



A confirmed runaway is of course not pleasant 

 to ride on with only a snaffle, but I do not advise 

 any inexperienced horseman to mount an animal 

 of such character. A horse with an excellent 

 reputation may, however, in a momentary exuber- 

 ance of spirits and with a feeling of contempt 

 for a snaffle, suddenly take it into his head to 

 go faster than you think desirable. Unless you 

 can bring him under control again, the pace is 

 liable to increase, and in a few more seconds you 

 will find yourself run away with. The beginner's 

 first and only idea is to haul at the reins with all 



