THE HORSE 159 



lyzed as the promptness, accuracy, and precision 

 with which the animal obeys the signals given 

 him. This, again, depends partly upon the sensi- 

 tiveness of his mouth, and partly upon the way in 

 which he is taught the meaning of certain signs. 

 Now, no one is more helpless than the man who is 

 walking behind a horse and driving it in front of 

 him with reins. If the smallest pony chooses to 



Fig. 28. 



Showing Horse bitted up ready to lead ; also showing Position of Reins 

 iu Long Rein Driving. 



bolt under these circumstances, it can hardly be 

 prevented, and the driver usuall}^ ends by ignomin- 

 iously letting go the reins and sitting down rather 

 suddenly in the road. Having harnessed the 

 horse fully, except, perhaps, for the hames and 

 traces, and having passed the breeching straps 



