78 EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 



The horse that lowers his head against his chest. — It 

 is hard work to correct this fault and much more difficult 

 to rai'se the head than to lower it. To raise the head, 

 begin by extending the neck in order to open the angle it 

 makes with the head. When the neck is well extended 

 use the snaffle reins to gradually raise the head, watching 

 carefully that the horse 'keeps his muzzle to the front. The 

 upward pull of the snaffle reins must be felt at the corners 

 of the lips; the legs must act vigorously to prevent any 

 slowing of the gait. Exact little at first and ease the 

 hand as soon as the horse raises his head slightly and 

 yields his jaw. Give this lesson several times each ride 

 and at all gaits until the horse holds his head at a proper 

 height whenever the snaffle reins are tightened and the 

 legs closed. 



Dismounted bending lessons also give good results. 

 The trooper stands facing the horse, and taking one 

 snaffle rein in each hand steadily raises his hands until 

 the horse lifts the head without backing. 



The horse that rears. — This fault begins with halting 

 and squatting. Hence the first thing to do is to prevent 

 this backward movement by a counter attack — that is, by 

 an attack that will produce a movement to the front and 

 that will throw weight on the forehand. 



If the horse resists the forward movement, turn him on 

 the spot so as to disorganize the forces necessary in rear- 

 ing. When the haunches move laterally no part of the 

 horse can be contracted and he is therefore prevented 

 from throwing the weight on his hind quarters. 



The kicker. — If a horse has the bad habit of kicking, 

 use the snaffle bit to prevent his lowering the head and at 

 the same tiriie push him vigorously with the legs. 



It is a mistake to always hold up a kicker's head; it 

 frequently happens that kicking is caused by some pain 

 in the back or hocks, and, if so, raising the animal's head 

 will merely increase his irritability and incite resistance. 



