REVIEW, 
77 
<{ At this stage in the operation of breaking, it is presumed 
that the ordeal of lounging has been completed, when the 
condition of the mouth becomes an object of paramount 
attention. The control which we acquire over the horse 
depends upon the mouth, and likewise a vast proportion of the 
agreeable or disagreeable associations which render exercise 
on horseback pleasant or toilsome. A good mouth is the 
medium by which any improvement in the natural carriage 
of an animal is to be accomplished. When going at a slow 
pace, the way in which a horse carries himself may, to a 
very considerable extent, be controlled ; but when at speed, 
or even when nearly approximating that pace, his unrestrained 
action must prevail. By habit in the slow paces, improve- 
ment in the faster ones may be slightly obtained ; but that 
must be brought about by very moderate attempts, otherwise 
the action of the animal, far from being corrected, will in- 
evitably be rendered worse. A horse that bends himself 
nicely, is undoubtedly more pleasant to ride than one which 
runs with his nose down to his knees ; or the reverse, with 
his head in rivalry with that of his rider ; and such defects 
are, in most cases, capable of correction if properly treated 
in juvenile days ; but too much constraint is adverse to pace, 
both for racing and hunting. When a horse carries his head 
too high, it may, in many instances, be remedied by using a 
curb bit without any port, but with rather long cheeks, and 
the curb chain hung quite loose. Accompanied with good 
hands, this often produces an excellent effect, especially with 
young horses, which are disposed to contend against the 
control of a martingale. It may appear as a contradiction, 
but when a horse carries his head too low, a curb bridle will 
often be found the best remedy ; and the contradiction is 
cleared up by the remark, that it is by the way of adjusting 
and using the curb, that the difference of effect is produced. 
For the latter purpose, a short-cheeked bit, when judiciously 
used, will with many subjects be found effectual; and, in 
order to render it so, the hands must be raised higher than 
usual at the precise instant when the animal endeavours to 
drop his head; by this means the curb is brought into 
action, but should be again released when the proper position 
of the head is obtained. This should be particularly attended 
to, for such horses are very subject to hang on the bit, — an 
imperfection likely to increase with age if not counteracted. 
Although I so far advocate the use of double rein or curb 
bridles for certain purposes, let me not be misunderstood as 
recommending them for general use, — quite the reverse. A 
horse with a good mouth, carrying his head in the true 
xxvi. 11 
