74 RUNNING BACK. 



submission of the mouth to the bit. Yet I will venture to 

 assert none is more imperfectly or ignorantly attempted; 

 and that the more experienced and intelligent horsemen 

 should regard doing this difficult, when there is so much to 

 indicate to the most ordinary observer the method of doing 

 it with ease and certainty, seems strange. And yet, per- 

 haps, this is not so strange, since it has been very much of 

 a puzzle to do this at all, and really in its true aspect shows 

 more real science than can be illustrated by any other fea- 

 ture of my treatment, since upon this must depend ulti- 

 mately the readiness and success with which horses can be 

 guided and controlled in harness. 



It is essential in training a horse well to the bit, that the 

 idea is given correctly of submitting the head up and back 

 when pulled upon. Also, that the horse should be made to 

 understand exactly the meaning of every signal of guidance 

 and restraint. In training the mouth, the exact idea can 

 be conveyed by being particular in repeating the same kind 

 of reproof, by pulling sharply whenever there is an attempt 

 at pulling hard. There is soon not only prompt obedience 

 to restraint of the bit, but there is no disposition or confi- 

 dence to resist control. Remember a horse cannot under- 

 stand the object of such restraint,, if there is not uniformity 

 of action and language. Yet most people talk to their 

 horses in the most careless manner. If there is an intention 

 of approaching a horse, the usual word is "whoa! " In 

 driving, when it is desired to make the horse go slow, 

 "whoa" is the usual word, and the consequence is the 

 animal does not know what is meant by "whoa." Every 

 action and word should have a special meaning, and they 

 should never conflict, that the understanding may not be 

 confused. "Whoa" should be an imperative command to 

 stop. To go slower requires the use of some other word. 

 Even every motion of the whip should have a special mean- 

 ing. If the horse is managed with care in this way, he 

 becomes almost a machine, that yields submission to the 

 slightest touch or word of command. 



KUNNING BACK. 



To break up this habit, there must be established a tho- 

 rough fear of the whip, so as to induce going ahead when 



