MODERN FARRIEH. 211 



aids, as well as all force, ought always to be avoided 

 as much as possible. 



In the execution of all lessons, the equilibre of the 

 I rider's body is of great use to the horse ; it ought 

 always to go with and accompany every motion of 

 the animal; when to the right, to the right; and 

 when to the left, to the left. 



Upon all horses, in every lesson and action, it 

 must be observed that there is no horse but has his 

 own peculiar ap}nd^ or degree of bearing, and also a 

 sensibility of mouth, as likewise a rate of his ovv-n, 

 which it is absolutely necessary for the rider to dis- 

 cover, and make himself acquainted with. A bad 

 rider always takes off at least the delicacy of both, if 

 not absolutely destroys it. The horse will inform 

 his I'ider when he has got his proper bearing in the 

 mouth, by playing pleasantly and steadily with the 

 bit, and by the spray about his chaps. A delicate 

 and good hand will not only always preserve a ligiit 

 appui, or bearing in its sensibility : but also of a 

 heavy one, whether naturally so or acquired, make 

 a light one. The lighter this apjml can be made, 

 the better ; provided that the rider's hand corres- 

 ponds v/ith it : if it does not, the more the horse is 

 properly prepared, so much the worse. Instances of 

 this inconvenience of the best of appuis, when the 

 rider is not equally taught wdth the horse, may be 

 seen every day in some gentlemen, who try to get 

 their horses bitted as they call it, Avithout being 

 suitably prepared themselves for riding them : the 

 consequence of which is, that they ride in danger of 

 breaking their necks; till at length, after much 

 hauling about, and by the joint insensibility and ig- 

 norance of themselves and their grooms, the poor 

 animals gradually become mere senseless unfeeling 

 posts, and thereby grow what they call settled. 

 When the proper appui is found, and made of 

 course as light as possible, it must not be kept duly 

 fixed without variation, but be played with ; other- 



