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Page:Equitation.djvu/397

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by sawing with the snaffle. But if the contraction of the neck continues, the horse will escape from the rider's control, since, in this condition, his effects are not sufficiently powerful to decide its conduct.

HEAD TO HAUNCH

Tête à queue, as the French call it, is a defense of the horse in which the animal bends its spine sidewise to form a half-circle of its body, and thus bring the two ends near together.

THE HEAD TO CROUP

A horse sometimes takes this position when stung on a hind leg by a fly. It bends its neck to reach the insect with its teeth, and at the same time, to make this easier and to shorten the distance, it turns its haunches as far as possible to the same side. This, however, is only occasional, and is not in any wise a defense.