220 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. VII. 



that if he fails in throwing the rider, bursting 

 his girths, or breaking any of his tackle, he 

 soon gives it over. But if he succeed, he is 

 encouraged to try again. Till horses are 

 broke of this, they are not ridable without 

 proper assistance. 



When a horse plunges, he gets his head 

 down, cringes his tail between his quarters, 

 sets up his back, swells his body to burst his 

 girths, and, in this position, kicks and plunges 

 till he can hold his wind no longer. He holds 

 his breath all the time ; consequently, when 

 he makes six or eight Plunges he is done : his 

 breath can be held no longer. 



To sit these Plunges is to cure them. 

 About three days' trial, of which the first is 

 generally the most violent, decides the con- 

 test. Success in their endeavours, or impro- 

 per treatment, may provoke farther attempts : 

 otherwise the contest is given up. 



To sit a horse when he plunges you must 

 take a firm hold with your legs and be mindful 



