94 METHODS OF SUBJECTION. 



ageable ; but he may, when pushed up sharply, resist quite hard 

 again. If so, the point must be fought out at once, and most 

 thoroughly. 



The next step is to put before a wagon. In my own experi- 

 ence, I made it a point always, in such cases, to force the horse back 

 suddenly against the cross-piece ; in fact, I impressed him with such 

 power as to entirely discourage him from the least offer of resistance. 

 I then moved the horse a little, pulling the wagon behind him. He 

 being submissive to this, I now attached the harness, got into the 

 wagon and started him again, very moderately, and as before 

 repeated the starting and stopping until I could push him out on 

 a run, and make him stop at command. The lesson in all cases was 

 made without the breeching strap being buckled. 



Frequent reference will be made to this bit in different parts of 

 the work, more especially in Colt Training, Running Away, and 

 Runaway Kickers. It will also in many cases be found good treat- 

 ment for breaking up the habit of pulling on one rein. It is the best 

 means, also, of teaching a horse to stand or back. 



More extended details in the application of this bit will be 

 found in the chapters on " Colt Training," and " Running Away." 



FjouRrRiNG, or Upper Jaw Bit. 



As training the mouth by the Breaking Bit is not always desir- 

 able on account of the work of doing it, and the lack of skill and 

 practice in using it, I include other forms of bits which will enable 

 the control of , horses more directly and sometimes with great suc- 

 cess : 1. The Four^ring Bit ; 2. The Half-Moon Bit ; 3. The Spoon 



Fig. 123.— Improved Four-ring Bit. 



Bit ; and 4. The Patent Bridle. Other bits might also be used with 

 success. We describe first the Four-ring Bit. 



In controlling a horse by the head, we find that one of the most 

 sensitive parts of the mouth is the roof of the upper jaw;. If we 

 take a common snaffle bit and slide two rings over the mouth-pieces, 

 and connect them by a strap passing loosely over the nose, when the 



