1 14 Bits and Bitting. 



problems connected with " equilibrium in motion," and 

 partly on account of the very great diversity in the de- 

 tails of the construction and the relative proportions of 

 these animated machines. If we take the horse's neck, 

 for instance, it may be compared to the tiller of a boat ; 

 it is the lever by which the whole animal is steered, or, 

 in a state of nature, steers itself — the reins being the 

 tiller-ropes. The lever formed by the neck acts on that 

 part of the dorsal vertebrae we have shown to be the 

 centre of motion ; and when the horse is in motion, the 

 lever action of the limbs, derived from the muscles, is 

 propagated to this same point, the neck a7id the tail 

 being the regulators of the movement ; for by means 

 of the neck, the animal, as has been shown in Part I., 

 adjusts its equilibrium according to the degree of ve- 

 locity it requires, and according to whether it wishes 

 to move on straight or on curved lines ; and a little 

 attention to the movements of young horses, when per- 

 fectly uncontrolled, wnll suffice to show that the position 

 of the neck is constantly varied to suit the exigencies 

 of the moment, the tail following its movements in the 

 most graceful manner as a counterpoise.* 



It is precisely for this reason that a proper command 

 over the horse's neck is of such value to the rider, en- 

 abling him to vary the condition of equilibrium as suits 

 his views for the moment, and to weight one or both of 

 the hind legs, alternately or simultaneously, as may best 

 serve his purpose. It is on a perfect knowledge of this 

 principle that the success of handling young horses, or 

 the overcoming the vices of those that have been inju- 

 diciously handled, depends ; and there is no more fre- 

 quent cause of restiveness or indocility than an abuse of 

 the lever action of the neck with young animals! 



* It would be easy to show that breeds of horses employed con- 

 stantly for one particular movement have their tails differentl) 

 seated and developed from those that are employed for a variety of 

 purposes. Our English race-horse is an instance. 



