CONTROL OF HEAD AND NECK. 49 



CHAPTER VII 



CONTROL OF HEAD AND NECK. 



To get this, take your horse in the riding-room, with 

 double-bitted bridle, bit, and bridoon. See that they are 

 properly placed in his mouth : snaffle fitting easily, not 

 too tightly, against his lip, so as not to draw or wrinkle it ; 

 curb not so low down in his mouth as to touch the tush, but 

 entirely above it, from one-half to three-quarters of an 

 inch ; chain (curb chain) not too tight, a finger inserted 

 easily shows that. Look your horse kindly in the eyes, 

 place yourself opposite his neck in a firm, well-braced 

 position, take your curb rein about eight inches from bit, 

 draw slowly but firmly; if, instead of yielding, he draws 

 back from the bit, bring him up to it by a few taps of 

 whip on his breast between the legs, as before instructed. 

 Now again apply the firm strain on the curb ; it may be 

 some few minutes before he will begin to understand what 

 you want, so continue the pressure. Finding that going 

 back does not afford him relief, as he is only brought up to 

 undergo the same pressure more severely, and that resisting 

 brings more discomfort, for the greater his resistance the 

 stronger must be your steady strain, with a little more 

 strength thrown in, he finds it is getting too rough for him, 

 and as a last resort tries another dodge, yields his jaw with 

 a little jerk; head comes in and neck is bowed. He really 

 feels as if he had done something commendable, and is 

 proud of it, as his arched neck and handsome crest attest. 

 Now persevere, and continue the lesson five to ten minutes, 

 enough for the first lesson ; he must not be disgusted by 

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