56 MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



all other vices might be reformed. If, when a 

 horse rears, the rider finds, by the sinking of the 

 croup, that the animal is about to fall back, he 

 should free himself from the stirrups and grasp the 

 mane, and throw himself away from the animal as 

 it comes down. 



If upon being mounted the horse arches its back, 

 lowers its head, gathers Its legs under the body and 

 refuses to move, the rider should beware of apply- 

 ing punishment, for if a severe use of the aids does 

 induce the animal to move, it will be in a series of 

 mad plunges. By light taps of the whip under the 

 fore-arm, or by gentle pressures of his legs, the 

 rider should endeavour to induce the horse to 

 extend itself until the back sinks to its normal 

 position ; the head can then be elevated, and the 

 horse can be made to advance. 



If the horse stands with its legs apart, its body 

 rigid, its head and neck thrust upwards, and it 

 refuses to move, the rider must not try to drive it 

 forward, unless he is curious to see where a bolting 

 horse will go. If he can induce the horse to bend 

 the head and neck to either hand, the rigidity will 

 disappear, and the horse can be collected and moved 

 forward ; or if another horse be ridden alongside so 

 as to push it and make it change its position the 

 resistance can be overcome. 



