24 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



upon one bit it is desired to have the effect of the 

 other, the bridle hand will yield as the aiding hand 

 takes up the reins of the other bit. The horse will 

 be ridden in the curb bit, and the snaffle bit 

 will be used to elevate the head, and to in- 

 augurate the bends and turns before the horse 

 answers to the indirect curb rein, as will be here- 

 after explained. 



To put the horse into a walk, the rider will draw 

 the curb reins until he can take a feeling upon the 

 mouth of the horse. He will then close his legs 

 against the sides of the horse, and make gentle 

 vibrations with the curb reins, until the animal 

 yields the under jaw and sustains its head without 

 support from the bit. The horse is then in hand, 

 and ready to proceed. 1 Continuing the pressure of 

 the legs, the hand will yield sufficiently to let the 

 horse proceed at a walk, and as soon as it begins the 

 movement the hand should resume the feeling upon 

 the mouth, while the rider's legs prevent the horse 

 coming to a stop. The tension upon the reins 

 should not be constant, but by a series of little 

 touches the rider should keep control and endeavour 

 to make the horse's jaw pliant, yielding the tension 

 upon the reins, by a slight movement of the hand 

 whenever the horse yields the jaw. I f the horse carry 



1 See Figure 17. 



