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THE HORSEMAN. 



CHAPTER III. 



Section I. — On the conformation of the Horse. 



As the conformation of the horse generally indicates the 

 kind of mouth, it will be necessary to point out some of 

 his most prominent faults. 



If a horse has a short neck, clumsy limbs, heavy 

 shoulders, or is higher in the croup than the withers, it is 

 to be presumed that he has a bad mouth. He will bear 

 heavily upon the bit, making use of (what jockeys term) 

 " a fifth leg." A horse of this character always " bears 

 watching," and the rider must keep in mind the golden 

 rule of horsemanship — " never trust to your horse." 



He will prove an unsafe leaper ; for, lacking confi- 

 dence in his fore parts, he seeks the aid of the bit, holds 

 down his head so as not to see the obstacle in time to 

 measure his leap, and, consequently, either shies, blun- 

 ders, or falls over it. 



To remedy this defect, select a powerful bit with 

 short branches. This will enable the rider to draw the 

 horse's chin towards his neck, instead of his breast. 



As the horse feels the extra weight thrown upon the 

 shoulders by the croup, the rider must ■ favor his leap by 

 inclining the body a little backward as the horse 

 descends. 



Horses, on the contrary, higher in the withers than 



