XIV. 



Backing — Method of execution. — The first lesson in 

 backing may be given dismounted and in the following 

 manner : 



Being on the left side, with the reins in the left hand 

 and the whip in the right, stimulate the hind quarters by a 

 touch with the whip and take advantage of this mobility 

 to exact one or two steps backward. 



The horse should be made to move to the front again 

 immediatel}^ by leading him forward with the left hand, 

 and, if necessary, by touching him lightly with the whip. 



To give this same lesson mounted, begin by closing the 

 legs as in moving to the front and then move the horse 

 backward by leaning back slightly and by pulling on the 

 reins with gradually increasing force. 



Here we see a striking example of the principle of 

 starting everything with the movement to the front. The 

 action of the legs before the action of the hands is a funda- 

 mental idea to be inculcated in the mind of every trooper. 

 In backing, the legs are used first to produce the move- 

 ment to the front and the hand is used next to transform 

 the forward impulse into a backward movement. 



After a few steps backward, start the horse forward 

 again, halt him and caress him. 



If a horse refuses to obey, the instructor takes him by 

 the reins and causes liim to execute the movement as in 

 dismounted work. 



If the horse braces himself on his liind legs at the 



moment that the hand acts to make him move backward, 



the instructor moves him forward a step or two or makes 



him swing his haunches slightly and takes advantage of 



this mobility to force him backward. 



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