46 SADDLE HORSE. 



of course no blinds ; you want him to see what you do. 

 It is almost as necessary that the horse should be taught 

 to go back easily as any other requirement ; to force him 

 back by main force on his jaw often results in a rear 

 sprain of the shoulder, curb, strain of the loins, and many 

 of the vices which originate in the self-protection of the 

 animal against painful treatment. Now, to impart to him 

 the idea of how he is to go back without all this force, 

 and that he is to do it by the simple pointing of your 

 finger, is what we desire to get at. 



He is now bridled and awaiting you ; you take the rein 

 a few inches say six from the bit, holding them lightly 

 but still with sufficient firmness to prevent an advance 

 movement. Now with a slight bearing of the rein on the 

 side opposite to that to which he is to be turned, bear his 

 head and neck; then apply the end of a stick or whip to 

 the flank on the same side, so as to make him cross the 

 hind leg of the same side over and in front of the other; 

 one or two steps or more (should he kick, urge the action 

 with more force of rein and whip), and you will obtain the 

 desired motion ; as soon as the action is made use neither 

 whip or stick, but be content with that much, and pat 

 him caressingly and in earnest. Having done this on one 

 side, go to the other, and by converse application of the 

 whip and rein repeat the action on that; in a very short 

 time say ten minutes he will have learned to move his 

 hind legs to the right or left, with very little, if any, 

 change of place of the fore legs, if you but hold him with 

 sufficient firmness. This accomplished, by gentle means, 

 you will have command over the hind legs to the extent 

 of raising one or the other at a time. A simple illustra- 

 tion : if a fly bites him under the flank, what will he 

 naturally do ? simply kick in his leg towards the fly. That's 

 the whole thing: you want to raise his legs; being able to 



