74 MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



young horse until the animal has been made 

 quiet and confident upon the longe-line : and to 

 teach the young horse to obey the indications of 

 the bit, by the trainer walking behind and driv- 

 ing it with a pair of long, light reins before it is 

 called upon to bear the weight of a man, is ex- 

 cellent practice ; and this is the best time to teach 

 the incitement to action of the ' clucking ' of the 

 tongue. 



An attendant should be present when the horse 

 is first mounted, to assist the rider gently into 

 the saddle, and, if necessary, to lead the animal 

 a few steps forward. When the horse has started 

 into a walk it should be left to the rider's care ; 

 and he should take the very lightest tension 

 upon the snaffie reins, and keep the lower parts 

 of his legs away from the fianks. If the horse 

 goes steadily, it should not be tried too far, and 

 after a few minutes the rider should brino- it to 

 a halt, reward and encourage it, and quietly 

 dismount. It is of the highest importance that 

 the horse should be taken back to the stable with- 

 out having had its fears aroused, so that it may 

 have no unpleasant recollections of its first lesson. 

 The second lesson should also extend through 

 no more than five minutes ; but the horse should, 

 in the meantime, be exercised upon the longe. 



