THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 41 



The rider must understand that I have represented the 

 horse to be working all this time to the right, and have 

 only explained the aids to the right, therefore, in working 

 to the left, all the aids must be reversed. 



Much nicety of hand is required in these lessons, for 

 unless the rider's hands and legs act together, the horse 

 does not know which to obey ; but is puzzled and confused, 

 and makes no progress in his training. 



Lesson VII 



If the horse is intended for military purposes, for the 

 Yeomanry Cavalry, or the mounted Police, he must be taught 

 to carry the sword. In order to train him to this, the rider 

 should at first wear the scabbard only. When he becomes 

 accustomed to that, he may place the sword in it, and oc- 

 casionally halting, let him take both reins in his right 

 hand, holding them at such a length as to have but a very 

 light feeling on the horse's mouth, then with his left, 

 gently shake the sword in the scabbard, soothing and 

 confirming him at the same time with the voice and hand. 

 Repeat this again and again, rattling the sword a little 

 louder every time ; thus, by alternately rattling it and en- 

 couraging him, he will soon allow it to be fully drawn, 

 gently at first, of course ; the rider taking great care not to 

 strike or needlessly alarm him with it. This will prepare 

 him for any thing that he may be required for with the 

 sword, such as the sword exercise, &c. When the rider is 

 about to do any thing he thinks may frighten the young 

 horse, he should never have him tight in hand, for that 

 leads him to suspect he is going to be hurt ; he must give 

 him as much rein as he can with safety ; and if he has 

 treated him with kindness in his former lessons, the horse 

 will have so much confidence, that he will not be wantonly 

 exposed to injury, as will disarm him in a great measure 

 of his natural timidity. 



