102 SUPPLING THE FOREHAND, 



is not now the Intention to develop the 

 trot into the passage, but simply to give 

 the horse light, even, and regular strides ; 

 and when this has been acquired the horse 

 will be habitually ridden with an equal 

 pressure on both sides of the mouth when 

 the bit is In action, though never with a 

 constant pull upon the reins. 



After the horse has acquired the walk 

 and the trot as described, he should be rid- 

 den In the double-reined bridle, the curb-bit 

 being carefully fitted, but sufficiently severe 

 to make him discover that it is for his own 

 comfort that he yields his head and jaw at 

 its pressure. I have found that bits with 

 branches from four and a half to five 

 inches in length, from the center of the 

 mouth-piece, answer the purpose ; and as 

 my horses never rear or fight against the 



