28 SYSTEM FOR TRAINING CAVALRY HORSES. 



tlie left hand, and shorten them by degrees, drawing 

 them throno^h the left, which closes on the reins each 

 time they are shortened, to allow of the right hand 

 taking a fresh hold. 



"When the horse resists mnch, and holds his nose up 

 (vide plate 5), keep the reins steady ; do not shorten 

 nor yet lengthen them ; the legs closed to prevent the 

 horse from running back ; he will remain, perhaps, a 

 minute or more, with his nose up, and his jaw set 

 against the bit, but will then yield, bring his nose in, 

 and champ the bit ; make much of him with the right 

 hand, loosen the reins, and, after a second or two, 

 " rein him in" again. 



The horse will thus learn to rein in, and bring his 

 head home, whenever you feel the bit-reins, and this 

 practice gives him confidence ; for most young horses 

 are afraid of the bit, and, if frightened at first by any 

 sudden jerk of the reins, will never after go kindly 

 " up to the hand," or let you have the requisite degree 

 of bearing on the bit, which is necessary to forewarn 

 the rider of what the horse is going to do, and whether 

 he requires more collecting (which he does if he bears 

 too heavy on the hand), or more freedom (which he 

 does if he rises too much in his action), but which is 

 also necessary to induce the horse to work boldly and 

 well. 



Some horses are so shaped by nature that they 

 overdo the " reining in," and rest the lower jaw on 

 the chest ; to counteract this, direct your attention to 



