CHAPTER IX. 



Backing. 



This exercise is a suppling one for back and haunch- 

 es, and is especially applicable to horses who have diffi- 

 culty in bringing the hin|d legs under the body. It is an 

 exercise which to the unskillful is dangerous, as it tends 

 to put a horse behind the bit. To the skillful it is of 

 course less dangerous^ yet it should not be undertaken 

 by( either until this point in the education of the horse 

 is reached, provided he be normal. With horses that are 

 very difficult to hold, or are continually bolting, backing 

 exercises may be undertaken earlier in the training. 



The movement may be advanjtageously taught dis- 

 mounted at first. 



Teaching the Backward Movement, Dismounted: — 

 The trainer stands facing the horse. He takes the reins 

 one in each hand and slightly lowers the head to relieve 

 the weight on the hind quarters. He then makes a slight 



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