THE AIDS. 55 



being made to stand well reined in, so that the rider's hand 

 may have the necessary bearing (called appiii) on his 

 mouth. On giving the word Back ! feel both reins lightly 

 by working the little fingers towards the breast, previously 

 pressing both legs to the horse's sides to raise his forehand. 

 The prevalent idea with many is that in reining back the 

 horse's weight should be as much as possible thrown upon 

 the hind legs, and that his haunches must be drawn well 

 under him in a sort of sitting posture. This, however, is 

 wrong. AVe want the horse to step or walk backwards 

 collectedly in a straight line, not to run, hurry, or stagger 

 back out of hand with more or less pain and difficulty, 

 frightened and excited. Now, with all his weight in addi- 

 tion to that of his rider thrown on his hind quarters, and 

 his hocks bent under him at an angle of forty-five degrees, 

 he is less able to use them and to step back, and his tem.per 

 is roused to resist the aids. He will probably lay his ears 

 back, hug his tail, show every sign of sulkiness or fight, and 

 will, as likely as not, rear. Under such circumstances the 

 hands must be at once eased off, and both legs applied to 

 regain his balance forward, for till he stands up again fair 

 and square the attempt must not be renewed. With 

 temper and firmness, unless the conformation be at fault, 

 most horses may in a few lessons be taught to step to the 

 rear by means of the aids^ but some will obstinately refuse 

 compliance with the rider's wishes. In this case the best 

 plan is to subject the obdurate animal to the Galvayne 

 system. Should the horse take kindly to the movement 

 the rider must be careful to ease the reins after each step, 

 to at first exact only a few steps, increasing by degrees, 

 to be careful that the haunches are not thrown to one side 

 or the other, and that the whole weight does not fall on one 

 of the hind legs suddenly. 



