234 RIDING WITHOUT REINS. 



manner, so that the circle described by his fore feet 

 will be the same as that made by his hind feet, and 

 he should be taught to turn smoothly and collectedly. 

 The driver should stand partly to one side of the horse 

 and partly behind him, as in Fig. 105, but should on 

 no account keep following the animal ; for, if he does 

 so, he will throw too much of his weight on the reins. 

 This should, of course, be avoided ; for the lighter the 

 feeling on the reins, the better, so long as the horse 

 goes up to his bridle. The pressure of the outward 

 rein should act like that of the outward leg of a man 

 who is riding a horse on a circle, in keeping his hind 

 quarters " supported" ; so that the circle described by 

 the hind feet may not be greater than that made by 

 the fore feet. In order to give adequate command 

 over the horse, a standing martingale, put at a proper 

 length, will be required for this driving on foot. This 

 method of mouthing horses is fully described in my 

 husband's Illustrated Horse Breaking. When the 

 horse circles and turns equally well on both reins and 

 jumps cleverly, the beginner may be put on the saddle 

 without giving her any reins to hold. In order to 

 keep her hands down and occupied, she may hold a 

 whip or stick in both hands resting on her lap, as 

 shown in the illustration, or she may fold her arms in 

 front of her. Whatever may be the pace, if the pupil 

 begins to lose her balance, to be frightened, to sit 

 awkwardly, or to become tired, the driver should at 

 once halt the horse and should try to rectify matters as 

 far as possible. 



