102 



THE HORSEMAN. 



membered that a horse never shies nor springs toward 

 the object which frightens him ; therefore, the appUca- 

 tion of the leg on the side to which he shies, becomes ne- 

 cessary, not only to support and partially check him, but 

 for the maintenance of the rider in the seat. 



Rearing is the most dangerous of all vices, as it en- 

 dangers the rider when the horse falls over backward. 



Horses of this character are generally lower at the 

 croup than the withers, up-headed and tender-mouthed. 



Whenever a horse rears, the rider should lean forward, 

 slacken the reins,* and with the right hand he may seize 

 a lock of the mane, and while he descends, give the spur 

 vigorously. 



If the horse does not rear so as to stand erect upon his 

 hind feet, the rider should turn him quickly to the right 

 or left, which will compel him to move a hind foot and 

 throw him off his balance. If these means prove inef- 

 fectual, the rider must procure a mild bit with the crook 

 reversed [See Plate VIL), so as to press upon the tongue 

 when the bridle hand acts. 



The expedient of vaulting from a horse, while in the act 

 of rearing, and pulling him over backward, seldom fails 

 to cure him of the vice j but if he is saddled, it is attended 

 with dangerous consequences to the rider andhorse. 



Stumhling is a vice which compels the rider to be al- 

 ways on the alert, giving all his attention to the horse. 



* The reins may be separated for the purpose of lowering the 

 hands. 



