32 EQUITATION. 



alternately ; which renders the mouth more sensi- 

 tive, than a dead heavy pull upon any one bit, and 

 the horse consequently more obedient to the hand. 

 Should an open space present itself, turning a 

 horse in a circle, will frequently bring him up in 

 a few seconds. 



Plunging, is very common amongst restive horses. 

 If the horse continue to d6 so in one place, or 

 backing ; he must be urged forward ; but if the 

 horse does it flying forward, he should be kept 

 back, and ridden slowly for some time. 



Starling, often proceeds from a defect in sight, 

 which therefore should be carefully looked to. 

 When a horse starts or shies, no notice should 

 be taken of the movement, further, than to meet 

 him, with the proper bearings and pressures, to 

 compel him to move in the true direction; should 

 he however, be alarmed at an object, and instead 

 of going up to, or passing it, turn round ; he should 

 he soothed, and brought up gently to it, carressed 

 at every step, he advances. To attempt to force 

 the horse up to the object he dreads, would not 

 only be ridiculous and dangerous, but the pu- 

 nishment would add to the alarm, and the horse 

 would take an early opportunity to shy afresh, at 

 the first strange object that presented itself, and 

 very probably he would add another start, in 

 anticipation of the chastisement that might be 



