14 THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 



ought to be able to place his hand upon the horse's back, 

 and turn it up vertically, his little finger resting on the 

 horse's back, and the crupper resting on his forefinger, with- 

 out pressing hard upon it. 



Having instructed the reader as to the manner in which 

 the horse's appointments ought to be fitted, I will now as 

 briefly as possible, endeavour to teach him the best and 

 most expeditious mode of training the horse. To render 

 this simple, I will imagine that a young horse is sent 

 me to train, and will explain the successive lessons neces- 

 sary to render him not only perfectly safe, but pleasant to 

 his rider. 



The horse being brought to the riding school, I com- 

 mence by putting a plain snaffle into his mouth, fitting it 

 according to my former instructions, with the reins so se- 

 cured that they cannot fall over his head, which may be 

 prevented by crossing or knotting them ; I then take the 

 guide rein (which is usually attached to a cavesson,) and 

 buckle it to the ring of the snaffle, and begin by longeing 

 him in a circle from fifteen to twenty yards in diameter : 

 it is of very little importance to which hand the longeing 

 is begun, provided the horse is rendered equally familiar 

 with the practice on both hands ; but as horses are usually 

 fed, watered, and led, on the near side, they are generally 

 inclined to follow and lead better by the left rein than the 

 right; but if it should be found that a horse is less tractable 

 on the off than on the near side, two lessons may be given 

 on the right, to one on the left rein, proportioning the les- 

 son to the horse's strength and capability, frequently en- 

 couraging and confirming him by patting and caressing 

 him. A young horse must not be deemed obstinate or 

 restive, if he should hesitate or stand still, when it is in- 

 tended that he should move forward ; such hesitation often 

 proceeds from alarm, which may be removed by encourage- 



