92 RIDING 



BENDING 



This, if properly carried out, is the most useful lesson the 

 horse receives during the whole of his training ; but if unskil- 

 fully done, or if the horse be hurried into it, there is no time 

 during his breaking when he is more likely to refuse and 

 show temper, if he have one. No doubt the reason so many 

 people object to having their horses properly broken is that 

 they have had a horse spoiled through being improperly ridden, 

 for no horse can be called broken that does not bend kindly to 

 either hand and ' passage ' to both hands when required to do 

 so ; besides, it makes the animal so much more light in hand 

 and obedient, and it is certain that no horse, whether hunter or 

 hack, is any the worse animal because he has been taught 

 to obey the leg of his rider. On the contrary, he is a great 

 deal the better for it, all the more comfortable to ride, and 

 consequently more valuable. In a charger it is of course in- 

 dispensable. 



In beginning this lesson the rider must take the greatest 

 care not to ask too much of his horse at a time, and not to lose 

 his patience if the horse does not quite see what he is asked to 

 do all at once. Of course, dull, heavy, .stupid animals require 

 much more patience and perseverance on the part of their 

 breaker than light-hearted intelligent creatures, must have more 

 time given them, and not be abused or forced roughly into their 

 tasks. The horse should be prepared by having his head quietly 

 bent to the right or left while halted, the bend being obtained 

 in the poll of the neck just behind the ears ; and the way to 

 get it is by a gentle feeling of the right rein, supposing the bend 

 be required to the right, but still slight touch must be kept on 

 the left rein, and the horse should be forced up to the hand by 

 the pressure of both legs so that he does not run back, or stand 

 on three legs : he should be made to stand square on all four. 

 It is of no use simply turning the horse's head to the right or 

 left and allowing him to give way in his hind quarters. He 



