THE DEFENSES OF THE HORSE 



these, there are the moral causes, defects of temper, 

 violence, nervousness, a restive nature. 



If the rearing is the result of sore gums or defec- 

 tive eyesight or of weakness in the muscles of the 

 loins, the remedy is treatment of the eyes and 

 mouth by a veterinarian or progressive education 

 at the hands of a trainer to develop the weak spot. 

 If the bars are the cause, the corrective is a bit with 

 a large port and small branches, with flexions of 

 the mouth and neck, done first on foot and then 

 mounted. For such other causes as saccades, im- 

 proper bitting, a heavy hand, the remedy is to let 

 the animal lose the memory of the pains inflicted 

 on him, and thereafter to use hands and legs with 

 more moderation. 



But the rider should always remember that, 

 whether the cause be physical or moral, the horse 

 is able to rear only if the alternate action of the 

 hind legs is arrested for a sufficient time for the 

 animal to bring both hind feet forward under the 

 body. These, therefore, acting as supports, are able 

 to bear the entire weight. A horse cannot rear on 

 one hind leg alone. But if one hind foot is brought 

 forward and held there until the other comes for- 

 ward beside it, then the rearing becomes possible. 



Consequently, the best preventive against rear- 

 ing is not to allow either hind foot to remain in the 

 forward position, but to keep them both continu- 

 ally in motion, from the moment when the rider 

 feels the first tendency to stop. But when the rider 



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