72 hand-book for horsewomen. 



should be done ? In the first place, she must try to see 

 that he does not slip and fall ; and, in any case, she 

 should take her foot out of the stirrup, let her whip 

 drop if necessary, choose at once a straight line, if 

 that be possible, and give to her horse with hands 

 and leg, calming him with the voice, and speaking 

 loud, in order that it may reach his ear. She should 

 endeavor to remain calm, and to take long breaths ; 

 then, when his first rush is over, she should lift her 

 wrists, holding the reins short, lean very far back, 

 and saw his mouth vigorously with the bridle, two 

 reins being in either hand. " Sawing " is the suc- 

 cessive action of the two hands acting separately 

 on the mouth of the horse, and, by pulling his head 

 from side to side, it throws him out of his stride and 

 checks his speed. I can not say too often that it is 

 easier to prevent a horse from running away than it 

 is to stop him when he is once fairly off. 



It would be very difficult to foresee all the pos- 

 sible defensive actions of the horse and the means 

 of counteracting them ; but, as the rider gains expe- 

 rience, she will get to recognize these actions from 

 the outset, and counteract them so naturally that 

 she will scarcely think about it. To a good rider 

 there is no such thing as a restive horse. The ani- 

 mal either knows what to do, or he does not. If he 

 knows, the rider, by the power of her effects, forces 

 the horse to obey ; if he does not know, the rider 

 trains him. If a horse resists, there is alv/ays a 

 cause; and that cause should be sought and de- 



