TRAINING. 87 



CHAPTER VI.— IN THE SNAFFLE. 



SUPPLING THE BACK AND HAUNCHES. 



The trainer will next proceed to supple the back 

 and the haunches. In conducting these lessons, 

 he will dismount, and stand, facing the horse 

 opposite to the girths, on the left side. In his left 

 hand, under the chin of the horse, he will take both 

 reins with a light tension upon the bit. With his 

 right hand he will give some gentle taps of the 

 whip upon the croup, until the horse carries the 

 hind-legs a few inches further under the body, the 

 left hand preventing the forehand from moving. 

 As soon as the horse obeys, the whip taps should 

 cease, and the animal be rewarded with caresses 

 and kind words. By releasing the tension upon 

 the reins, and giving a few taps of the whip upon 

 the under-sides of the fore-legs, the horse should be 

 brought to a normal position, and then be slightly 

 extended, and from the latter position be again 

 induced to carry the hind-legs under the mass. 

 The trainer should be satisfied with gradual pro- 

 gress, and the slightest obedience upon the part of 



