26 SYSTEM FOR TEAINING CAVALRY HORSES. 



The strengtli employed must be gradual, and pro- 

 portioned to the resistance met with, taking care at 

 first not to bring the horse's nose too much in, or too 

 close to his chest, which would make the bend very 

 difficult ; if the horse reins back, continue the press- 

 ure until he, finding it impossible to escape from the 

 restraint imposed upon him by the bit, held thus 

 crossways in his mouth, stands still and yields to it. 



When the bend is complete, the horse will hold 

 his head there without any restraint, and champ the 

 bit (vide plate 2) ; then make much of him, and 

 allow him to resume gently his natural position, but 

 not to throw his head round hurriedly. 



Practise this in the same manner to the left. 



This lesson not only teaches the horse to follow the 

 indication of the rein to both hands, but also to yield 

 his under-jaw to the pressure of the bit, the advan- 

 tages of which will soon be apparent. And now, be- 

 fore mounting, prepare the horses to rein in. 



For this purpose, cross the snaffle-reins behind the 

 horse's jaw, taking the near rein in the right hand 

 and the off rein in the left (vide plate 3, fig. 1), at 

 about six inches from the rings, and draw them tow- 

 ard each other till the liorse gives way to the press- 

 ure and " reins in" (vide plate 3, fig. 2). Do not for- 

 get to oppose the raising of tlie horse's head by low- 

 ering your liands, and bringing it down again, as 

 before mentioned. 



AVhen the horse gives way to the cross pressure 



