Backing. 141 



but when, after a struggle of some hundred yards, 

 he was made to lead with the foot selected by the 

 rider, it was thought to be a triumph of clever- 

 ness. Is not this a common case ? And would 

 it not be well to rectify it ? 



XLII. 



There are a number of little exercises which 

 you ought by no means to omit, as, for instance, 

 practicing Nelly in backing quickly, handily, and 

 without losing her balance. This is only to be 

 done by slow degrees, a few steps at a time, and 

 by generously rewarding progress as she increases 

 her number of backward steps. Never force her. 

 Use persuasion only. In doing this, watch that 

 she is always well poised. Otherwise she cannot 

 back properly. You must also teach her, by that 

 use of the reins and legs which you will already 

 have learned, to change direction as she backs, as 

 easily as she does in moving forward. These 

 necessary things she has already been crudely 

 taught in her breaking-in. 



If Nelly has the pride of a courageous horse, 

 as I should judge by her bright eye that she had, 

 she will be fairly greedy of kind words and ca- 

 resses. And I trust you will never allow her to 

 become afraid of the whip. You should be able 

 to switch your whip all about her face without 

 her heeding it. Reward goes much farther than 



