XIV. 



Backing. Method of Execution. T\w first lesson in hack- 

 ing may be given dismounted and in the toHowin^ manner: 



Being on the left side, with the reins in tlie left hand 

 and the whip in the right, stimulate the hind quarters by a 

 touch with the whip and take advantage of this mobility to 

 exact one or two steps backward. 



The horse should be made to move to the front again 

 immediately by leading him forward with the left hand, 

 and, if necessary, by touching him lightly with the whip. 



To give this same lesson mounted, begin by closing the 

 legs as in moving to the front and then move the horse 

 backward by leaning back slightly and by pulling on the 

 reins with gradually increasing force. 



Here we see a striking example of the principle of 

 starting everything wdth the movement to the front. The 

 action of the legs before the action of the hands is a funda- 

 mental idea to be inculcated in the mind of every trooper. 

 In backing, the legs are used first to produce the movement 

 to the front and the hand is used next to transform the for- 

 ward impulse into a backward movement. 



After a few steps backward, start the horse forward 

 again, halt him and caress him. 



If a horse refuses to obey, the instructor takes him by 

 the reins and causes him to execute the movement as in 

 dismounted work. 



If the horse braces himself on his hind legs at the 

 moment that the hand acts to make him move backward, 

 the instructor moves him forward a step or two or makes 

 him swing his haunches slightly and takes advantage of this 

 mobility to force him backward. 



This movement is well executed when the horse moves 

 backward step by step and voluntarily moves to the fr(»nt 

 again as soon as the trooper releases the hand. 



(58) 



