8o RIDING 



leave him to do his work by himself. Some one who under- 

 stands the business should stay with him and keep him at work 

 by occasionally moving the snaffle in his mouth if he is inclined 

 to lean on it, and making him stand square on all fours while 

 doing so; he must not be allowed to stand on three legs and 

 go to sleep leaning on the snaffle. 



Another plan that answers very well with horses that do not 

 yield, is to put on a plain snaffle for the side reins to be buckled 

 to, and put on the mouthing snaffle as well, without reins loose 

 in the mouth, so that the keys just reach the horse's lower 

 teeth. This generally has the effect of inducing the horse 

 to play with them and mouth himself. 



Great care must be taken to get a horse to carry himself 

 properly placed, it being perfectly understood that some horses 

 are naturally well placed. The formation of others to whom 

 nature has not been so kind makes it most painful for them 

 to carry themselves properly, and if forced suddenly into a (to 

 them) unnatural position, you cannot well be surprised if they 

 resent it, whereas by asking a little at a time they will generally, 

 come to do what is necessary in the end. There are some 

 horses that, from their very bad shape and make, could never 

 be got quite right, and concerning such it can only be said that 

 their place is not under a saddle. 



Supposing the horse to be now doing his work well on the 

 longe, that is to say using his limbs freely, trotting at a steady, 

 even pace to both hands, walking when required, carrying him- 

 self pretty well in the proper position, and not showing much 

 signs of nervousness, he is fit to be backed. 



BACKING 



The young horse should be first mounted after he has had his 

 usual lesson on the longe. He should then be brought up to 

 the centre of the circle, the crosstrees or roller should be taken 

 off the pupil being made much of meantime and the stirrups 

 let down (they should have been put on the saddle a day or 



