110 HACKS AND HUNTERS 



right, pressing the left rein against the animal's neck 

 a little way up from the withers, for naturally the 

 flexibility of the neck increases away from the withers. 

 To turn to the left, the same process applies, reversed. 

 The entire motion should, in all cases, come from the 

 wrists, and under no circumstances, except on a green 

 or bad horse, should the rider attempt to carry her arm 

 out and away from the horse's shoulder, and no matter 

 how disobedient a horse may be, she should never 

 assist her left hand by crossing over her right hand, or 

 vice versa. It is never a question of brute force, and 

 if a horse refuses to turn by gentle indications, or 

 when the full force of the right hand is applied, neither 

 will he be likely to yield when the other hand is also 

 brought to bear on the rein. 



On an absolutely bridle-wise saddler or polo pony 

 the reins laid against the neck are all the indication 

 that a horse may need to turn properly, but the aver- 

 age horse will turn in better style if his hindquarters 

 are simultaneously brought around by a gentle pres- 

 sure of the left leg drawn back, or an equally gentle 

 application of the stick on the right side. 



In order to back a horse, supposing that he is well 

 broken and already knows how to back, the rider 

 should lean slightly forward (in order to lighten the 

 horse's hindquarters), shorten the reins gently, and 

 first make the horse take a step forward, as this facili- 

 tates the process of backing. Then keeping her hands 

 low, the reins should be gently pulled on alternately 

 (starting with whichever side the animal happens to 

 have the fore leg the most advanced). For example, 

 if the off fore leg is farther forward than the near fore, 

 the right rein should be felt first, and vice versa. After 

 a slight pull on the rein the horse will draw back this 



