124 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



CHAPTER XIIL INDICATIONS OF CURB BIT. 



TRAVERSING AT THE UNITED TROT. 



REVERSED PIROUETTES. 



THE low pirouettes and traversing at a walk will 

 accustom the horse to obey the combined aids with 

 precision and readiness ; and the effects of the curb 

 bit, all of which are in accordance with the natural 

 impulses of the animal, 1 are made clear to the horse. 

 It is a mistake to suppose that the opposite rein is 

 incompatible with the direct rein, or that the use 

 and practice of one is likely to confuse the horse. 

 Owing to the intervention of the neck the indirect 

 rein has the same mechanical effect that the direct 

 rein has, to turn the head in the direction that the 

 hand is carried. This can be proved by mounting 

 a quiet horse, that has not been suppled, and riding 

 it with a single halter-strap fastened to the head- 

 collar. It will be found that, as every groom knows, 

 or should know, the horse will turn to the side upon 

 which the halter-strap is drawn ; and that when the 



1 Or, rather, not contrary to the involuntary muscular action that follows the 

 different applications of the bit. 



