40 GRACEFUL RIDING. 



In " reining hack," the horseman requires a light 

 and steady feeling of both reins, a pressure of both 

 legs, so as to raise his horse's forehand and keep his 

 haunches well under him, at the same time easing 

 the reins, ^.'iA feeling them again after every step. 



STOPPING. 



None are thoroughly taught until quite au fait in 

 the stop. It is of far greater importance than may 

 be usually imagined. In the first place, it shows 

 the horse to be icell under command, especially when 

 the rider is able to do so instantaneously : it saves 

 in the second place, many serious and inevitable acci- 

 dents from carriages, horsemen, &c., such as crossing 

 before suddenly pulling up, turning quickly round a 

 corner, or coming unawares upon the rider. 



Care must be taken to make the stop steadily ; 

 not by a sudden jerk upon the bit ; by doing so the 

 horse, if " tender mouthed," will be made to rear 

 and plunge. To make the horse stop properly, the 

 bridle-hand must be kept low, and the knuckles 

 turned down. The rider's body must be well thrown 

 back ; he must have a steady feeling of both reins, 

 and, closiiig both legs for a moment, so keep his horse 

 well up to hand. N. B. — The rider's hands always 

 must be eased as soon as halted. 



