SHYING. 273 



get his tongue over the bit. This excellent arrangement 

 consists of a steel plate (Fig. 209), which is placed in the 

 mouth like an ordinary bit, except that it has no reins. The 

 upper portion of it is flat and broad ; the lower part, narrow 

 and slightly curved (Fig. 210). The bit, when put into the 

 mouth (Fig. 211), rests on the lower end of the plate, and 

 the upper end will then prevent the animal from getting 

 his tongue over the mouth-piece. 



SHYING AND UNSTEADINESS. 



A horseman ought to be above minding small eccentricities 

 of manner in his mount, and should take in good part a 

 playful shy or kick, a slight rear or a light-hearted bound 

 or two, although he should never tolerate direct opposition 

 to his wishes. When horses are " fresh," especially when 

 they have just come out of a warm stable into the cold 

 morning air, they will dance about, and lark on little or 

 no provocation ; but on their return home after a hard day's 

 work, they may be sedate enough for any old gentleman. I 

 have always found that punishment by whip, spurs, or jobbing 

 the animal in the mouth with the reins, has a bad effect, as 

 a correction of shying and unsteadiness ; although we may 

 with benefit remind the animal by a steady hold of the reins, 

 a firm pressure of the legs, and a chiding" word or two, that 

 his duty is to be obedient and well-conducted. It is only 

 reasonable, as " Harry Hieover " remarks, to turn the horse's 

 head away from the object at which he shies, so that it may 

 no longer affect him. 



In the vast majority of cases, the faults we are considering 

 are the results of unskilful riding on previous occasions. A 

 generous, high-spirited horse may start at a bird flying across 

 the road, or at hearing the report of a gun, as any nervous 

 person might do, or prick his ears on seeing some unusual 

 object. It sometimes happens that the man on his back there- 



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