64 KEW METHOD OP HORSEMAJ^SHIP. 



Here the stationary exercises cease. I will now explain 

 how the supjjling of the hind-parts will be completed, by 

 commencing to combine the play of its springs with those 

 of the fore-parts. 



Backing, — The retrograde movement, otherwise call- 

 ed backing, is an exercise, the importance of which has 

 not been sufficiently appreciated, and which yet ought to 

 have a very great influence upon his education. When 

 practised after the old erroneous methods, it would have 

 been without success, since the thread of exercises that 

 ought to precede it were unknown. Backing properly differs 

 essentially from that incorrect backward movement which 

 carries the horse to the rear with his croup contracted 

 and his- neck stiff; that is, backing away from and 

 avoiding the effect of the reins. Backing correctly sup- 

 ples the horse, and adds grace and precision to his natural 

 motions. The first of the conditions upon which it is to 

 be obtained, is to keep the horse in hand ; that is to say, 

 supple, light in the mouth, steady on his legs, and per- 

 fectly balanced in all his parts. Thus disposed, the 

 animal will be able with ease to move and elevate equally 

 his fore and hind legs. 



It is here that we will be enabled to appreciate the 

 good effects and the indispensable necessity of suppling 

 the neck and haunches. Backing, which at first is toler- 

 ably painful to the horse, will always lead him to com- 

 bat the motions of our hand, by stiffening his neck, and 

 those of our legs, by contracting his croup ; these are the 

 instinctive resistances. If we cannot obviate the bad 

 disposition of them, how will we be able to obtain that 

 shifting and re-shifting of weight, which alone ought to 

 make the execution of this movement perfect? If the 

 impulsion which, to back him, ought to come from the 

 fore-parts, should pass over its proper limits, the move- 



