THEORY OF MOUTHING. 



For further information on snaffles and curbs, I may refer 

 my readers to Riding on the Flat and Across Cotmtry, 



Direction of the pull of the reins. — The movements 

 of the neck are made on the column of bones {vertebrcB) of 

 the neck, and on the suspensory ligament of the neck, which 

 is a strong elastic ligament that extends from the withers to 

 the top of the head. The centre of motion of the neck will 

 therefore be about four or five inches below the top of the 

 withers ; its position varying somewhat according to the 

 nature of the movement. In order that the restraining 

 action of the reins should interfere as little as possible with 

 the carriage of the neck, the direction of the reins should 

 naturally pass through the centre of motion in question. 

 If the reins pass above that point, the tendency of their pull 

 will be to raise the head, and consequently to lighten the 

 forehand ; if below it, to lower the head and increase the 

 weight in front. For simplicity sake, I am here assuming 

 that a snaffle is used. As the point of application of the 

 mouthpiece (the bars of the mouth) is not in the line of the 

 balancing pole (the neck), my remarks, here, on the action 

 of the reins are made only in general terms ; although they 

 are sufficiently exact to bear out the truth of the well- 

 recognised rule that the hands, when riding, should be held 

 a little below the withers. 



Turning, circling, and lunging the horse. — In order 

 to maintain the proper distribution of weight between the 

 fore and hind limbs, the horse, as I have pointed out on 

 page 70, should turn more or less on his centre, without 



