268 RIDING VICIOUS HORSES. 



should grip the flaps of the saddle as tightly as he can with 

 his knees, and should draw back his feet (pp. 192 and 193) ; 

 for at such a time it is all important for him to be able to 

 manipulate the reins with precision, w^hich he could not do 

 if his body was moving about. As a horse is far stronger 

 than we are, we have to depend much more on skill than on 

 strength for holding a hard puller. Hence our chief object 

 in this case should be to secure accuracy in the manipulation 

 of the reins. 



Many bad riders when on a puller thrust their feet forward, 

 hump their shoulders, stick their elbows out, and jam their 

 fists against their waistcoat ; and others keep their arms 

 straight and throw^ their whole weight on the stirrups. It is 

 evident that both these styles should be avoided. 



As a rule, the most desperate puller will not break away 

 from control unless his rider has the temerity to give him his 

 head. xA.ll may go on well until something startles the 

 animal, who is generally on the look out for an excuse to 

 play up. If, when he bounds forward, the rider becomes 

 shifted in his seat, or slackens the reins, the horse will get 

 his head free, and then the odds are against the man on his 

 back. The rider of such an animal should watch his every 

 movement, so as to be ready to catch him by the head in 

 a moment, and to prevent him from making the second or 

 third forward bound which he requires to do before he can 

 bolt. Such a horse can often be held at a gallop as long as 

 the rider does not allow him to get his head into some 

 particular position ; generally stuck out and held up. He 

 should of course use every means to prevent him from doing 

 this. If he fails to hold the animal, he should, if practicable, 

 circle him round and round to whichever side he finds that 

 the horse will turn more readily, which will generally be the 

 left, until he can get him in hand. 



There are some horses that will run away when galloping, 



