170 THE HORSE. 



o-ood humour, would on a brisk trot now and then 

 stretch out the neck and immediately curve it, re- 

 turning the head and playing with the bit ; and I 

 remember a famous racer that had the same habit in 

 his exercise, to the great pleasure of the lad who rode 

 him. 



On any critical occasion, whether of embarrass on 

 the way, or of unquietness in the horse, the reins may 

 be taken separate in each hand ; and it is much prac- 

 tised both in riding and driving. It obviously in- 

 creases the rider's power over the horse, and is useful 

 in case of starting or shying, or the attempt in the 

 animal to turn round, in plunging, kicking, or rear- 

 ing. In the latter case, common sense will inform 

 the rider that he must lean forward with slack 

 reins, or he may pull the horse over ; certainly one of 

 the most dangerous accidents among the many which 

 appertain to horsemanship; whilst leaning forward, 

 he should apply his spurs sharply to the horse's 

 sides, which punishment will cure the horse of this 

 vice, granting it be curable. In the opposite habit 

 of kicking out behind, which some performers have 

 the knack of doing very high and hard, with jerks 

 not over comfortable to the rider's back bone, the 

 precisely opposite course is dictated, in order to avoid 

 a somerset over the horse's shoulders. The rule now 

 is, sit back, sit fast, pull hard, holding the horse's 

 head as high as possible, and spur with all your 

 force at every interval of kicking ; and finding the 

 opportunity, use your whip effectually on the thigh, 

 the belly, and, if necessary, on the jaws of the brute. 

 In a confirmed case of vice, nothing short of intimi- 



