THE HORSE. 169 



be aware of the two different intents of a pull ; the 

 one to stop the horse, the other to keep him going, 

 or increase his speed ; this last, by consequence, must 

 be of less force than the former, merely sufficient to 

 give the horse support, and keep him steady in his 

 course. As to the length at which to hold the bridle, 

 it should not be much behind the pommel of the 

 saddle, as the rider would not then have sufficient 

 purchase in case of a false step by the horse, for 

 which an experienced horseman is always instinc- 

 tively prepared. In passing dangerous ways, and 

 descending steep and stony hills, the bridle hand 

 may very properly call in the aid of the right. In 

 turning a horse, the snaffle only should be pressed, 

 and the act. performed by the fingers and wrist, the 

 body of the rider remaining steady. There is an ad- 

 ditional convenience in the double-reined bridle, in a 

 case of a rein breaking. The martingale, a necessary 

 evil, is most safe when it runs through rings; that 

 which is fastened to the front of the saddle, or other- 

 wise fast, is dangerous in case of a false step. The 

 attempt to amend natural defects is seldom success- 

 ful ; and when dame Nature has commanded the 

 cock-throppled, or otherwise ill formed horse, to carry 

 his head so or so, she will be obeyed. We may in- 

 deed, punish the innocent victim, but can seldom 

 improve him. The case is very different when a 

 horse has acquired an ill habit of carrying his 

 head, or throwing it up, particularly in hot wea- 

 ther, then the martingale may have a legitimate use. 

 I have experienced great pleasure in riding true 

 snaffle-bridle horses, which being in high spirits and 



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