42 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



and the least touch on the rein would cause her to rear 

 up, run back, buck, and then plunge and dash off in a 

 temper ; and when the slightest pressure was applied to 

 the reins with a view to pulling her up or steadying her 

 she would put her head straight up in the air and show 

 obvious signs of pain by stamping all foui feet stubbornly 

 on the ground. 



To allow a mare to continue in this state only means 

 that she would develop vices of every kind and would 

 be described as a very bad dodgy mare, and very few 

 horsemen would be able to effect a cure. If colts were 

 handled correctly in the first stages there would be no 

 bad, troublesome horses. 



After I had got the mare's mouth in a natural state 

 and drawn the bruises out, she immediately gave up the 

 little vices and became a nice easy mare to drive. If 

 the colt is first broken and trained in a snaffle or a humane 

 leather bit he will always be used to it, and will develop a 

 nice even mouth and become a sensible, good-tempered 

 animal. 



MOUTHING AND DRIVING IN LONG REINS 



Harness with surcingle and crupper — and, of course, 

 an open bridle with a stout leather bit. This lesson 



