561 



the control of his rider, and while wheeling on parade 

 or engaging an enemy in actual warfare he can circle 

 round with great rapidity, move across from all 

 directions, back instantly with alacrity, spring sud- 

 denly forward, and close in on the enemy's horse, 

 which ofttimes saves the life of his rider. The rider 

 can regulate these movements to a hairbreadth by his 

 fine feeling of touch on the curb rein of a perfectly- 

 mouthed charger. The horse yields a ready acqui- 

 escence to the slightest indication of the rein when 

 ridden on the curb, which would be absolutely im- 

 possible with a snaffle bit. If ridden on the snaffle, 

 the charger would raise his muzzle and push his 

 nose forward, which would displace the bit from his 

 lower jaw to the corners of his mouth, and the fine 

 sense of touch between horse and rider would be 

 practically neutralised. The military charger, ridden 

 on the curb and carrying his muzzle within a few 

 inches of his breast, presents a very different appear- 

 ance from a horse continually pushing his nose 

 forward. His carriage is full of style, and imparts 

 to the on-looker a feeling of courage and determina- 

 tion which is entirely foreign to a horse that is 

 simply ridden on the snaffle, no matter how good 

 looking he may be in other respects. 



HOW TO TRAIN HIM TO MOVE AT THE WORD 



OF COMMAND. 



The charger should be taught to move off at any 

 pace whenever the word of command is given, either 



