194 MODERN FARRIER. 



saddle with a high pommel is thought dangerous, 

 the other extreme prevails, and the pommel is scarce 

 allowed to be higher than the middle of the saddle. 

 The saddle should lie as near the back-bone as can 

 be, without hurting the horse ; for the nearer you 

 sit to his back, the better seat you have. If it does 

 so, it is plain the pommel must rise enough to se- 

 cure the withers from pressure: therefore a horse 

 whose withers are higher than common, requires a 

 higher pommel. If, to avoid this, you make the 

 saddle of a more straight Hne, the inconvenience 

 spoken of follows; you git too much above the 

 horse's back, nor can the saddle form a proper seat. 

 There should be no ridge from the button at the 

 side of the pommel, to the back part of the saddle. 

 That line should also be a little concave, for your 

 thighs to he at ease. In short, a saddle ought to be, 

 as nearly as possible, as if cut out of the horse. 



When you want your horse to move forward, 

 raise his head a little, and touch him gently with 

 your whip; or else, press the calves of your legs 

 against his sides. If he does not move fast enough, 

 press him with more force, and so till the spur just 

 touches him. By this practice he will (if he has any 

 spirit) move upon the least pressure of the leg. — 

 Never spur him by a kick ; but if it be necessary to 

 spur him briskly, keep your heels close to his sides, 

 and slacken their force as he becomes obedient. 



When your horse attempts to be vicious, take 

 each rein separate, one in each hand, and advancing 

 your arms forward, hold him very short. In this 

 case, it is common for the rider to pull him hard, 

 with his arms low. But the horse by this means 

 having his head low too, has it more in his power to 

 throv/ out his heels : whereas, if his head be raised 

 very high, and his nose thrown out a Httle, which is 

 consequent, he can neither rise before nor behind ; 

 because he can give himself neither of these motions 

 without having his head at liberty. A plank placed 



