324 FAULTS OF MOUTH. 



page 185). We may then mount him, and by the action of 

 the legs and hands make him go collectedly (see page 238), 

 so that he will be obliged to hold his head at a proper 

 height. To aid him in this, we should keep our hands 

 higher than usual. Practice at the rein-back (seepage 232), 

 and at the turn on the haunches (see page 293), will probably 

 be of use. When the animal bores on one rein more than 

 the other, we may adopt the same procedure, except that 

 we should devote our attention chiefly to getting him to 

 turn to the side on which his mouth is " hard," until he will 

 do so as easily to it as to the other. 



Pulling and running away. — I can draw no line of 

 distinction between these two vices, except one of degree ; 

 for animals which would be uncontrollable runaways with 

 some men, would be only hard, or even moderate, pullers 

 with other men. Besides, circumstances alter cases : for 

 instance, I have ridden horses which it would be impossible 

 for me to pull up in a race, chase, or sharp burst with 

 the hounds ; but which I could easily control when hacking, 

 even in company, or on parade. I shall, therefore, for con- 

 venience sake, consider running away as an extreme form 

 of pulling. Before beginning a discussion on this subject, 

 I must candidly state my disbelief in any system of pure 

 breaking by which a violent, masterful puller can be made 

 permanently quiet for an indifferent rider to keep in control 

 at fast paces under exciting circumstances. It is worthy 

 of note that a fine horseman not alone holds an unruly 

 animal in check ; but also teaches him habits of discipline 

 by the application of the " aids." 



