42 NEW METHOD OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



the getting the head in position, which should follow the 

 lateral flexions. The man can execute this, as well as 

 the preceding exercise, by himself; yet it would be well 

 to put a second person in the saddle, in order to accus- 

 tom the horse to the exercise of the supplings with a 

 rider. This rider should just hold the snafile-reins, with- 

 out drawing on them, in his right hand, the nails down- 

 ward. 



The flexions of the jaw have already communicated 

 suppleness to the upper part of the neck, but we have 

 obtained it by means of a powerful and direct motive 

 power, and we must accustom the horse to yield to a less 

 direct regulating force. Besides, it is important that 

 the pliability and flexibility, especially necessary in the 

 upper part of the neck, should be transmitted through- 

 out its whole extent, so as todestroy itsstifiness entirely. 



The force from above downward, practised with the 

 snaflle, acting only by the headstall on the top of the 

 head, often takes too long to make the horse lower his 

 head. In this case, we must cross the two snaffle-reins 

 by taking the left rein in the right, and the right rein in 

 the left hand, about six or seven inches from the horse's 

 mouth, in si^;h a way as to cause a pretty strong pres- 

 sure upon the chin. This force, like all the others, must 

 be continued until the horse yields. The flexions being 

 repeated with this more powerful agent, will put him in 

 a condition to respond to the means previously indicated. 

 If the horse responded to the first flexions represented 

 by Plate lY., it would be unnecessary to make use of 

 this one. (Plate V.) 



We can act directly on the jaw so as to render it 

 prompt in moving. To do this, we take the left curb- 

 rein about six inches from the liorse's mouth and draw it 

 straight towards the left shoulder ; at the same time 



