102 The Art of Biding. 



other respects) in passing over rough and uneven 

 ground, to hold their horse's head tightly up, 

 under the impression that by so doing they were 

 preventing him from falUng or stumbUng. 

 Nothing can be more erroneous, or more danger- 

 ous in practice. A moment's consideration ought 

 to convince everyone of this. 



A horse is quite intelHgent enough to know 

 how to pick his way, and where to place his feet 

 on rough ground ; but how can he use that intel- 

 ligence and caution when his eyes are held high 

 up in the air, and he is not permitted to see the 

 ground ? The rougher the way the more necessary 

 it is he should have his head almost entirely free. 

 He will carefully pick his way, planting each foot 

 in the safest place, and will brace himself for the 

 necessary exertion. I do not mean that the reins 



