226 METHOD OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



A. Because the effect of a severe bit is to 

 constrain and surprise a horse, when it 

 should only prevent him from doing wrong, 

 and enable him do well. Now, we cannot 

 obtain these results except by the aid of an 

 easy bit, and above all of a skillful hand ; 

 for the bit and the hand are as one, and a 

 good hand is the perfection of a rider. 



Q. Are there any other inconveniences 

 connected with the instruments of torture 

 called severe bits ? 



A. Certainly there are ; for the horse soon 

 learns to avoid their painful inflictions, 

 by forcing the rider's legs, the power of 

 which can never be equal to that of a 

 barbarous bit. He succeeds in this by 

 yielding with his body, and resisting with 

 his neck and jaw ; so that we miss altogether 

 our proposed aim. 

 ' Q. How is it that nearly all the horse- 



