120 ORDINARY RIDING. 



close to the mouth, a snaffle rein, with which I push him 

 back. I need hardly say that in this position the rein-back 

 is very easy, the horse being on his forehand and his loins 

 and hocks relieved. The hind feet, like those in front, will be 

 easily raised instead of being dragged, and when the animal 

 is pushed back by the snaffle he will not be able to arch 

 himself. 



We ought to be contented with two first steps to the rear, 

 and should then pat him on the neck and bring him forward. 

 We should frequently recommence this work, which is better 

 than prolonging the rein-back, which at first will fatigue the 

 horse, who, not having his loins and hocks suppled, will have 

 his joints more or less stiff at this new work. The more we 

 prolong the work, the less will we impress the memory of the 

 horse ; because we do not stop to pat him on the neck and to 

 make him understand that he has done well. Finally, we 

 must bear in mind that all work which fatigues the horse 

 discourages him, if he is not brought up to it by degrees and 

 prepared by successive suppling lessons. 



I never require from a horse more than ten or twelve steps 

 when reining back, and I then bring him forward the same 

 distance, while keeping him continually in hand. I never 

 make him do this movement more than three or four times 

 consecutively. 



We rarely fail to obtain the rein-back by the means which 

 I have described, and which should be invariably combined 

 with great gentleness. 



It sometimes happens that the hor.-e refuses to rein back, 

 either from stubbornness or from pain. I have seen horses 

 resist all known means, even the most violent ones, which, 

 unfortunately, are nearly always employed with these 

 animals. 



In such cases I stand directly facing the horse. I hold in 

 each hand a snaffle rein close to the mouth, and I simply step 



