THE SCHOOL HORSE, 285 



to that by the former, the indications of which are complex 

 and necessarily confusing. For instance, we have with it 

 pressures, respectively, on the bars of the mouth, on the 

 chin-groove (by means of the curb-chain), on the top of 

 the horse's head (through the headstall of the bridle), and 

 in some cases on the roof of the animal's mouth (through 

 the agency of a high port). I need hardly say that the 

 indications of the snaffle are simple and, as nearly as 

 possible, direct. If its effects are obtained slower than 

 those of the curb, they are far less liable to arouse the 

 opposition of the horse, who will generally resent punish- 

 ment that appears to him to be unmerited. 



The school horse. — The chief physical points which are 

 required in the school horse are : light forehand, well- 

 placed-on head and neck, sloping shoulders, oblique past-' 

 erns, strong loins, and powerful hocks. The principal 

 mental ones are : lightheartedness, so as to give brilliancy 

 to his movements, and entire absence of any tendency to 

 be sulky. Well-bred horses are the best for this work. 

 A horse to shine in the manege should be broken exclu- 

 sively for that object, so that he may not acquire the habit 

 of taking the initiative. School work greatly tries a horse's 

 temper. Hence, while engaged in it, we should be con- 

 stantly on our guard not to unduly annoy our pupil. If 

 he " plays up," we should assert our authority ; but with a 

 minimum of force ; and, having gained our point, should 

 suitably reward the animal for his compliance, which, as a 

 rule, is best done by ending the lesson, and by giving him 

 some coveted dainty. The acquisition of serious " defences,'" 



