102 Vices. 



may avoid evil consequences, if she can contrive 

 to retain her self-possession, and act as we are 

 about to direct. She must endeavor to maintain 

 her seat, at all hazards, and to preserve the best 

 balance, or position of body, to carry her defences 

 into operation. The least symptom of alarm, on 

 her part, will increase the terror or determination 

 of the horse. A dead heavy pull at the bridle 

 will rather aid him than otherwise, in his speed, 

 and prevent her from having sufficient mastery 

 over his mouth and her own hands to guide him. 

 She must therefore, hold the reins in such a man- 

 ner as to keep the horse together when at the 

 height of his pace, and to guide him from running 

 against anything in his course; and, it is most 

 probable that he will soon abate his speed, and 

 gradually subside into a moderate pace. Sawing 

 the mouth (that is, pulling each rein alternately) 

 will frequently bring a horse up, in a few minutes. 

 Slackening the reins for an instant and then jerk- 

 ing them with force, may also produce a similar 

 effect: but, if the latter mode be adopted, the 

 rider must take care that the horse, by stopping 

 suddenly, do not bring her on his neck, or throw 

 her over his head. 



In whatever manner the runaway be stopped, it 



