THE HORSEMAN. 



29 



counteracting, in a certain degree, the efifect of the bar- 

 rel. 



The question may be asked, why this counteraction, 

 one tending to destroy the effect of the other 1 We an- 

 swer, that if there were no crook used on some horses, 

 they would, when the barrel of the bit acts, draw the 

 chin too near the breast ; and by thus confining the ac- 

 tion of the shoulders, the animal would become inatten- 

 tive to his steps, and be liable to stumble. 



Now, as the crook has the effect of keeping a horse's 

 head up in a proper position when the bridle hand acts, 

 the reader will perceive the necessity of a bit with the 

 crook reversed, on rearing horses. 



It cannot be too often impressed on the reader's mind, 

 to study closely, first, the nature and shape of the horse's 

 mouth f and secondly^ to ascertain the result of a certain 

 combination of powers as indicated in the external points 

 of the horse, and the manner or kind of action — whether 

 up, as in a rearing horse, or downward before, as in a 

 plunging one. 



* The lips and tongue are the hardest parts of the mouth upon 

 which the bit acts ; the bar, roof, and chin, the most sensitive. 



3 



