76 MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



likely that this form of misconduct will be re- 

 peated. 



Having brought the horse through this hazard- 

 ous stage of its education, so that it will move 

 quietly under its rider, it must be taught to face 

 ' the bit,' that is, it must be induced to move freely 

 and steadily against a slight constant tension of 

 the reins. To produce this the rider must begin 

 to employ the pressure of his legs in demanding 

 the impulses from the croup, and these impulses 

 will be met and directed by the hand. I prefer, 

 during this stage of the horse's education, to have 

 the head elevated rather more than is necessary 

 for the balance between the extremities (unless 

 the horse be really weak in the croup), to have 

 the nose extended somewhat beyond the per- 

 pendicular, and to make rather a hard mouth 

 than one too soft, as I find these conditions 

 produce better results in the end, and save much 

 trouble in the suppling and collecting exercises. 



In the lessons for teaching the horse to face 

 the bit, the rider should often bring it to a walk 

 from the trot, and then put it again into the 

 trot, demanding the impulses by the pressure of 

 his legs, enforced, if necessary, by a tap of the 

 whip delivered behind the girths. In the same 

 way the horse should often be brought to a halt 



