TO HOLD THE BIT LIGHTLY, USIXO THE CURB. 23 



let him stand a half-minute with his head free, and be- 

 gin again. 



When he is submissive, and pleased with you, he will 

 almost always show it by gently champing his bit; but 

 do not be deceived by a nervous simulation which you 

 will probably detect, and which consists in opening the 

 mouth a very little and immediately gripping the bit 

 again. You will have been completely successful when, 

 by simply drawing on the curb-reins, the head is brought 

 to the proper perpendicular position, and the bit, instead 

 of being gripped, is held lightly in the mouth, or, to use 

 the school term, when the horse is " light in hand." 



This is the only lesson in the series in which it is pos- 

 sible (though not probable) that your unaided strength 

 may be insufficient ; if so, get some one to help you over 

 the first resistance of the horse. With care and tact, 

 however, you will in all probability require no assist- 

 ance. 



