248 baucher's method. 



Depression of the Neck and Direct Flexion of 

 THE Jaw. — The trainer will stand as before directed ; he 

 will take the reins of the snaffle in the left hand, at about 

 six inches from the rings, and the curb reins in the right 

 hand, close to the bit (see fig. 16). He will then bear down 

 with the left hand, and will draw back with the right, — 

 the force with wliich either effort is made being nicely ad- 

 justed to the resistance of the horse. This figure repre- 

 sents the position at the commencement, and fig. 17 that at 

 the close of this exercise. 



As soon as the horse's head shall fall, as though of its 

 own weight, all force must cease, and the neck and head 

 allowed to resume their natural position. 



If the horse do not readily lower his head on feeling the 

 pressure on the top of it, which this tension of the snaffle 

 reins produces, he may be taught more prompt obedience by 

 crossing the reins of the snaffle under his chin, and drawing 

 them tightly, so as to compress the jaw, at the same time 

 bearing down with as much force as possible (see fig. 18). 

 He will soon learn that the tension of the snaffle means 

 "lower your head," and he will be quick to obey without 

 waiting for the more painful part of the operation. By 

 the direct flexion of the jaw we mean the relaxing of those 

 muscles by which the mouth is shut ; this will ordinarily 

 be accomplished by the action of the curb-bit in the pre- 

 ceding exercise, but if the horse persist in poking out his 

 nose, and holding the bit " in his teeth," his mouth may 

 be forced open, in a way that he will be likely to remem- 

 ber, by the following process: — Stand facing the left side 

 of the horse's head, and take the left snaffle rein in the 

 left hand, and the left curb-rein in the right, both as near 

 to the bit as will allow of a firm hold. Now raise the 

 elbows, and draw the hands away from each other with 

 sufficient strength to force the jaws apart (see fig. 19). In 



