38 SYSTEM FOR TEAIKING CAVALRY HORSES. 



Go tlirougli with the ^' Trottmg Lesson," "Walk," 

 and every now and then, halt, and " Spur." Then 

 bring the squad " to the right" or " to the left," halt 

 and begin the 



Reining Back, 



The great use of reining back has never been prop- 

 erly understood, and consequently not properly prac- 

 tised. 



It should not be brought into play until the horse 

 is well bent in the neck and ribs, and obeys the press- 

 ure of the leg ; during the reining back, the horse 

 must be well in hand, and well balanced ; he can 

 then make an equal use of all four legs, and raise 

 them equally from the ground. Before reining back 

 see that your horse haunches to the right or left, as 

 may be required ; then give him his head and make 

 much of him. 



It will be sufficient to practise a horse at reining 

 back for eight days to make him do it with the great- 

 est ease. (Yide Plate 9). 



At first a few steps backward is all that should be 

 required of the liorse, increasing by degrees ; if he 

 brings his hind-legs too much under him, ease the 

 hand, and a2:)ply both legs to make him regain his bal- 

 ance forward ; and, for this reason, always use the 

 leg first, and then feel the reins, because, if you feel 

 the reins first, the horse throws his weiglit back ; and 

 it stands to reason, that the more weiglit he throws on 



