328 FAULTS OF MOUTH. 



hind-quarters. Frequently turning him, especially at the 

 canter, will have a good effect in making him lower his 

 head and bend his neck. When circling such a horse with 

 the long reins, we should confine ourselves almost entirely 

 to the use of the inward rein, so as to place as much weight 

 as possible on the forehand. The size of the circle should 

 be gradually diminished. Such horses should not be 

 practised in the rein-back. A course of harness-work, so 

 as to accustom the animal to put an increased amount of 

 weight on his forehand, might be useful with a horse of 

 this kind. 



The question of what is the best bit for holding a puller, 

 is a difficult one to answer. Personally, I am entirely in 

 favour of an unjointed leather-covered snaffle (seepage 184) 

 used with a standing martingale attached to its rings. In 

 a few instances, I find a curb (with a low port) useful ; but 

 only when it is placed low down in the mouth (just clear 

 of the tushes), so that the curb chain will have no tendency 

 to work up out of the chin-groove. I am no believer in 

 the saying, with reference to various kinds of bits, that 

 there is a key to every horse's mouth. Experience tells 

 me that the great cause of pulling lies in the brain, upon 

 which, rather than on the jaw, an impression has to be made 

 in order to correct the vice. Besides, we must remember 

 that in hunting and other forms of 'cross-country riding, it 

 is not enough to be able to control a horse's speed ; but we 

 must also use a bit which he will '' face." 



Throwing up the head and star-gazing are difficult 

 habits to correct. By working the horse in the manner 



