26o RIDING VICIOUS HORSES. 



THROWING UP THE HEAD. 



If a curb bit is used, we should be careful that the curb 

 chain cannot hurt the sharp edges of the branches of the 

 lower jaw (p. ^J^, and we should see that the mouth-piece 

 is low down in the mouth (p. 103) ; or we may try a thick 

 unjointed snaffle (Fig. 117). The most effective plan of all, 

 is to use a standing martingale attached to the rings of the 

 snaffle (p. 90). 



THROWING THE HEAD DOWN. 



This vice is by no means so common as the one alluded 

 to in the preceding paragraph. Though equally unpleasant 

 to the rider, it is not so dangerous, because it does not pre- 

 vent the horse seeing where he is going. It is put into practice 

 by the animal suddenly throwing his head down as near as 

 he can to the ground from time to time; his object apparently 

 being to annoy the rider by pulling the reins through his 

 hands. An effective way for stopping this trick, which, 

 according to my experience, is generally practised at the 

 walk, is to hold a stick and the reins crossed in both hands, 

 and to rest the stick and the reins on the pommel (Fig. 208). 

 When the reins are thus held, it will be impossible for the 

 horse to pull them through the hands. In fact, the horse 

 after having made a few fruitless attempts, will generally cease 

 from annoying his rider in this manner. 



DIFFICULT TO MOUNT. 



It will be best as a rule to take a short grip of the near 

 rein, as described on page 172, and make the horse go round 

 and round several times, so as to show him that he cannot 

 break away ; and then mount. It is generally easier, and 

 almost always far safer, to mount by oneself, than to have 

 the horse held by an assistant, especially if that individual 



