194 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



-whole movement care must be taken not to ele- 

 vate the hands. The body of the rider must 

 bend somewhat forward, Avitli the waist drawn 

 in, but without any rounding of the shoulders, 

 while the leg and the whip must make gentle 

 pressure against the horse's sides, so as to 

 " bring him up to the bridle," and prevent his 

 deviatino; from the line in which it is desired to 

 back him. The backing must never be made 

 by one continuous pull ; but as soon as the 

 movement is commenced, the hands and body of 

 the rider must yield so that the horse mny re- 

 gain his balance, after which he may again be 

 urged backward. These actions should occur 

 alternately, so that with every step backward 

 the rider will yield her hands, and immediately 

 draw them back again, continuing these move- 

 ments until the horse has backed as far as de- 

 sired. If, instead of this course, a steady pull 

 be made, the horse mav lose his balance and 

 fall, or may be compelled to rear. 



When reining the horse back the body must 

 never be inclined backward, as is necessary 

 when stopping the horse ; on the contrary, it 

 must always be inclined somewhat forward, as 

 this will enable the hands to mana^^e the reins 

 more effectively, will give the horse more free- 

 dom to recede, and, should he rear, will place 



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