BACKING. 119 



stiff; that is backing away from and avoid 

 ing the effect of the reins. Backing correct 

 ly supples the horse, and adds grace and 

 precision to his natural motions. The first 

 of the conditions upon which it is to be ob 

 tained, is to keep the horse in hand, that 

 is to say, supple, light in the mouth, steady 

 on his legs, and perfectly balanced in all 

 his parts. Thus disposed, the animal will 

 be able with ease to move and elevate equal 

 ly his fore and hind legs. 



It is here that we will be enabled to ap 

 preciate the good effects and the indispensa 

 ble necessity of suppling the neck and 

 haunches. Backing, which at first is tolera 

 bly painful to the horse, will always lead him 

 to combat the motions of our hand, by stiff 

 ening his neck, and those of our legs, by 

 contracting his croup; these are the instinc 

 tive resistances. If we cannot obviate the 

 bad disposition of them, how will we be able 



