74 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



gradually be brought to stand moderate pres- 

 sure on the tongue, and by still slower degrees 

 may the bit be lowered in the mouth until it 

 reaches the lowest position the individual will 

 stand and still keep his tongue in place and carry 

 his head steadily. Very great vigilance must be 

 exercised to see that the tongue never goes over; 

 if it does so by any chance, immediately raise the 

 bit, and lessen the pressure. 



When sufficient progress has been made, as 

 evidenced by the ability of the tongue to stand 

 pressure when the subject is in motion, he may 

 be ridden or driven. A rider with good hands 

 can accomplish much in cultivating the mouth 

 and can humor it so that the horse may gradual- 

 ly be brought to stand pressure. It is better 

 to use the horse in single harness than in double, 

 as his mouth can be better humored where there 

 is only one temper and mouth to consider. The 

 necessity for getting the tongue used to standing 

 the pressure of the bit cannot be too much em- 

 phasized, but of course there is a limit to this, 

 and some horses that are lacking in sensitiveness 

 will stand pressure on their tongues until they 

 become black and blue, thoroughly dried up in 

 some cases, projected from the mouth, and the 

 mouth kept more or less open. The most impor- 

 tant exciting cause of this fault is placing the 

 bit so high in the mouth that the horse will not 



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