THE AIDS, 67 



intelligent application of the aids, with illustrations, I shall 

 abstain for the present from further discussing this subject, 

 which I have here introduced, principally, with the object 

 of impressing on my readers that it is not enough for them 

 to know when they should touch their horse with whip or 

 foot ; but that they should also know zvhere they should 

 apply such aids. 



The voice is a general stimulant. The rider s weight, by 

 its change of position, is naturally a local indication. 



Suitability of the horse to the application of the 

 aids. — The five following facts are the principal ones which 

 render the horse amenable to control by the aids : 



1. His instinct of self-preservation prompts him to fly 

 from the infliction of pain. 



2. The " bars " of the lower jaw (that portion of the gums 

 which is devoid of teeth, and which is between the molars 

 and the tushes, or the place which the tushes usually 

 occupy) being sensitive and smooth, readily lend themselves 

 to the application of restraining pressure. 



3. The lateral muscles of the neck are so weak that the 

 ordinary rider or driver can easily pull the horse's head 

 round to whichever side he likes. 



4. When the horse carries his head in the best manner 

 for facilitating his movements (see page ^6), the mouth- 

 piece, whether of snafifle or curb, will be in a good position 

 for the rider or driver to control the animal by the reins. 

 The breaker will therefore be under no necessity of trying, 

 for bitting purposes, to make the horse carry his head and 

 neck in any other way than a perfectly natural one. 



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