t{8 The Compleat Horfeman : or y 



fore, nor will the Mouth of the Bitt reft fo equally 

 upon it. 



To be certain of a Horfe's Mouth, you muft put 

 him on pretty fmartly, and then prefently flop him ; 

 by his parting you will know if he be ticklifh- 

 mouth'd by his chacking the Bridle, or throwing • 

 up his Head. Again by his Stop ^ you will find if 

 he flop eafily, and by the leaft Motion of your 

 Hand, with his Head firm and well placed. 



The Mouth fhould be full of Froth ; and if he 

 champ continually upon the Mouth of his Bitt, it 

 is a token of a good Horfe, for few bad ones have 

 this Adion. 



If the Froth be thin and fluid, or of a pale, grey 

 or yellowifh colour, it denotes a bad-temper'd 

 Brain •, but if it be white and thick, cleaving to 

 his Lips, and Branches of the Bridle, then you 

 are to look upon the Mouth to be frefh, and that 

 the Horfe is of a good Conftitution, and found in 

 his Body. 



■■ 



CHAP. XIII. 



How to judge of a Horfe 7 s Vigour mi 

 Agility. 



WHen the Horfe is (landing flill, keeping him 

 fall with the Bridle-hand, apply your Spurs 

 juft to the Hair of his Sides, which by Horfemen 

 is termed Pinching: And if you find him to be im- 

 patient under you, aflembling himfelf, and endea- 

 vouring to go forward, champing upon the Bitt 

 without thrulling out his Nofe, it is a iign of Heart 

 and Vigour. There are fome Horfes which fhew a 

 great deal of Mettle when they are pinched, but 

 immediately lofe the apprehenlion of it \ fo that 



though 



